Petrufina Chabella Madrigal Ramirez

Petrufina Chabella Madrigal-Ramirez. Imagine having to sign off every document with that name. I am so glad my parents resulted in cultural appropriation once they started their new lives in the United States. Hello, my name is Elizabeth Benavides. Yes, only Elizabeth. Benavides. And, yes, I am a Latina. I do not know why my parents chose the most basic name in American culture, but I guess I'm stuck with it. I would have liked a more common household Hispanic name, like Maria or Shakira. Hispanics are supposed to have super-long names. When a child is born, he or she receives the first last name from the father, and the second last name is the first last name of the mother. This is a little complicated, but it's just Spanish culture. My parents were so tired of this naming rule and didn't want me to have any difficulties writing out my, what could have been, super-long name. Ultimately, they decided to not even give me a middle name or a second last name. I am very grateful for that, even though I think my name is very boring. I mean, my last name has a little Latin spice to it, and I am more known by my last name to many of my close friends. They simply told me that my last same suited me better than Elizabeth. Therefore, they began to call me by my last name, and it has stuck with me for so long. I don't really have to worry whether someone is actually calling my name because I am well aware that I am not the only Elizabeth. However, when I hear "Benavides," I know for sure that someone is calling out for me. Being a pale Latina that is kind of whitewashed, I get told a lot that I can not be Hispanic. People are surprised when I tell them that I can speak Spanish. I do get offended by comments like this, for I really love my culture and want to be a proud Latina. However, my first name just adds to why people think I'm too American to be Hispanic. This just makes it hard for me to fit in with the people of my ethnicity. Obviously, I have a love/hate relationship with my name. I love that my name is simple, but I hate to get judged by it.