The Bustos family rarely could make their own type of food let alone listen to their preference of music. Assimilation for the first generation was challenging, but as the interview continued, Ms. Bustos reflected on some stories about the transition for her own parents. She acknowledged how her father was often bullied for looking different, or always eating arroz con leche, but never suffered much discrimination from teachers or employers. Because growing up her parents wanted to "fit in" with the other white children, they did not practice their Hispanic heritage much outside of the home. They decided that they were proud Puerto Rican Americans so they wanted to embrace their looks, language, and religion, but other than that, they were a fairly Westernized family. When I asked Ms. Bustos what she considers herself, she identifies as American. Her family had invested many years in the states at this point, wears typical American clothing, and eats American food. She hopes that her daughters will grow up proud of their dark complexion and dark hair, but pray that they will not suffer from discrimination just for looking this certain way, because as far as Ms. Bustos is concerned, her daughters are just as American as the little African American girl next door and the Caucasian twin boys down the street. .
I also asked similar questions to my very close friend who is a third generation Puerto Rican as well. She answered similarly when I asked how she identified herself. My friend admits that while genetically she looks different from your typical American with her dark wavy hair, dark brown eyes, and tan skin, she identifies as white or Caucasian because she is more Americanized that some of her European American friends. She barely understands Spanish, let alone speak it, she dresses in typical western clothing, and enjoys listening to indie folk music versus the Latin songs her grandmother enjoys.
