Topic > Gender, Race, and Sexual Orientation Development

Individuals with this orientation understand racial constructs and are aware of the subgroup's background and culture and its relationship to other Latino subgroups. Wijeyesingh and Jackson describe their Latino identity as fully integrated with other social identities (2001). An integrated Latino individual feels comfortable with all types of Latinos. Latino identified is the second orientation, and these individuals hold a less rigid view than other groups. Their idea of ​​race is uniquely Latino, which means they do not accept US racial constructs. (Wijeyesingh and Jackson, 2001). The next orientation is the orientation identified by the subgroup. Here, Latinos see themselves in terms of their national origin subgroup, which forms the core of their racial identity ( Wijeyesingh & Jackson, 2001 ). These individuals have a strong identification with a specific subgroup within the Latino races. Latino orientation as “Other” individuals are unaware of their Latino background, history, and culture; however, due to mixed heritage, they identify as generic Latinos (Wijeyesingh and Jackson). Of undifferentiated orientation, Latinos prefer to identify as “simple people” (Wijeyesingh & Jackson, 2001). They usually claimed that they were color blind and that color didn't matter. They unquestioningly accept the dominant cultural norms of our society. They prefer to see individuals as distinct by racial or ethnic identity. (Wijeyesingh and Jackson, 2001). Last but not least, White-identified Latinos are the orientation that considers their race to be white and rejects Latino identification. They assimilate into white culture and are quite disconnected from other Latinos. Whiteness is the essential and primary element of their identity (Wijeyesingh & Jackson, 2001). I can see myself in this group because I have adopted a white racial identity and taken on a non-Latina lifestyle. I