Do you have a Latinx friend, neighbor, or colleague who is from another country? Did you just meet someone new?

Make a point to know where they are from! Be respectful by recognizing that some Latinx people might identify as being from California and part of a culture from another country.

It means a lot to someone when you take a curiosity in their culture.

You don’t need Spanish to do this. Connecting with the Latino community in English is a wonderful way to build relationships and learn!

Here are some questions to start the conversation:

• Did you grow up here [in California]?

• Where is your family from? / Where is your Spanish from?

• What’s it like in [that country]?

• What’s something you love about [that country’s] culture?

Be curious about learning the geography and culture of Spanish-speaking countries:

• Ask “Where are you from in [El Salvador]? Are you from near the capital? Are you from the coast?”

• If they are from Mexico, ask where they are from in Mexico. It’s like saying “I’m from the U.S.'' There are so many places you can be from in Mexico!

• Look at a map together! Ask them to show you where their family is from.

• Make a point to know if they have an indigenous heritage—you might be surprised to learn that they speak an indigenous language too!

• Research facts about this place and explore the culture on your own, or ask your teacher to incorporate it into your class material!