Monica Silva
Note: This blog post was written as part of an optional assignment for Junior Year Writing, instructor Rebecca Stachowicz.
Born and raised on Long Island with family roots in Cali, Colombia, it took me a while to want to learn more about my cultural background. I used to be embarrassed that I didn’t look like my peers. I would reject my parents’ music (in hindsight, I was missing out on so much tasteful música tropical), and I would never ask questions about our heritage, all out of fear of being different.
Children with any sort of speech delay or impediment already fear drawing attention to themselves. Add to the equation that their culture and native language is different from that of their peers. With 19% of the population in the United States identifying as Hispanic/Latino and only 6% of SLPs in the United States identifying as Hispanic/Latino, it is not realistic for families to believe they will find an SLP who understands the values and concerns specific to their culture and language. Neglecting these qualities can make it even more difficult for children to feel seen, heard, and supported through a critical period of their development.
Speech Language Pathology has become my dream career, not only because I cannot imagine being this passionate about anything else, but also because I want things to change. It has become increasingly important to me to be the Latina Speech Therapist that a Hispanic/Latino child can be themselves around. Maybe I can be someone they look up to, just as I’ve looked up to the amazing people who have mentored and inspired me on my path to becoming an SLP.
I want a future where we don’t just embrace others and their cultures, but one where more of us are able to embrace our true selves without fear of judgement. Otherwise, we are only doing half the work. It is crucial for us to respect and honor the client’s cultural background. But how can we fully understand culture’s importance in their lives without understanding its importance in our own? I don’t know who I would be now if I continued to feed the self hatred from my childhood. Now, as a proud Latina, raised by a wonderful Colombian family, I am grateful to have been immersed in our rich and lively culture. I’m also grateful that my identity has helped me connect more deeply with the Hispanic/Latino community as a whole. As a future SLP, I am excited to extend the love and resilience of the Hispanic/Latino community to my clients, so they can see how rewarding it is to welcome their whole selves.
References
Latinos in the U.S. | Data on U.S. Hispanics | Pew Research Center
ASHA 2021 Member and Affiliate Profile
Putting the Spotlight on Racial Disparity in Speech Therapy | Speech Language Pathology