One thing that I feel exists in this sub is the belief among Latin Americans that us Latinos in the US are seen by Americans here (people of European decent) as equally American. In my experience, most of us aren’t. We look different, speak a second language at home, have different customs and while the US would like to paint the picture that THAT in itself is American, we aren’t treated accordingly. That’s why we grasp onto the culture we grew up in at home. Our experiences are not the same as other Americans. That said, we’re not the same as Latinos in Latin America. We’re all caught in between to different extents. Because of my experiences as a first generation Latino in the US, I’m not about to let Latinos from Latin America categorize me as just some American without saying my piece. My family in Colombia has a very very firm understanding of my identity. Fortunately, they’re aware of what it can be like here so my way of speaking Spanish, my love for the culture I grew up in isn’t a second thought for them. I miss them dearly when I read some of the comments in here.