Celebrating Diversity

I strongly disagree with Maria Elena Fernandez’s critique of the “Americanos: Latino Life in the United States” exhibition at the Natural History Museum (“A Rather Incomplete Story,” Dec. 26).

Finally, an exhibition that focuses on the positive side of the Latino experience in America, something that fills us with pride instead of shame. Finally, a showing that celebrates the many contributions and results of all our hard work. And all Fernandez does in the entire review is undercut all the positives by belaboring the one aspect of the exhibition that she did not like: the lack of the familiar stereotypes, the downtrodden immigrant being pushed around in America, the criminals, drug addicts, forever struggling with no end in sight, etc., etc. Enough of that already! That’s all we ever see.

As a third-generation, American-born, middle-class Latina, I am really ready for an exhibition like this. Something that celebrates our diverse successes instead of perpetuating the same oppressive stereotypes.

If the sight of Latinos perpetually struggling through gang problems, the prison experience or drugs is what you really need to see, sad to say, I am sure there will be an “exhibition” for you relatively soon on your local news program any night of the week.

CONNIE LOPEZ

Los Angeles

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