Combining theoretical information on how racism in the United States correlates to classism with observed experience of the Latina Outreach program through the Emma Resource Center, this ethnography examines the intersectionality of the way American-born English speakers stereotype non-English immigrant members of the community and the effects on the self esteem and self proclaimed identity of the latter group. The author is also analyzing the glamorization of poverty in American culture with phrases such as “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” and creating a better life through meritocracy while many Americans still claim that undocumented workers are stealing jobs. While working in the food pantry and taking the Mind the Gap tour, the author can directly observe the systemic operations of a nonprofit organization striving to benefit their surrounding community stricken by poverty. Individual English lessons with Latina mothers, allows insight into two women’s personal lives. In this way, the author can observe if the necessities of these two family’s needs in the community are being met, how high on the governmental totem pole their needs fall, and how that affects their ability to thrive.
