Hispanic stereotypes were unraveled in Wednesday night's Accent and Hispanic Heritage Month presentation.
About 80 students gathered in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom as Linda Chavez, chairwoman of the Center for Equal Opportunities, spoke.
Chavez informed students about the myths and stereotypes surrounding Hispanics.
"They're not only the largest minority in the U.S.; they're also the most misunderstood," she said.
Chavez, a Mexican-American born in Albuquerque, N.M., said that one of the main stereotypes surrounding Hispanics is that they are all lumped into one big group.
The thing to remember, she said, is that Hispanics have origins in more than two dozen other countries.
"We are a melting pot in this country," Chavez said. "We have done a very good job of that."
Chavez provided listeners with recent statistics about Hispanic employment, poverty, homeownership, linguistic and graduation rates in the U.S.
"She is really just a great woman who has first-hand experience with Hispanic students and the Hispanic movement," said Justin Simmons, vice chair of promotions for Accent.
Political science junior Bianca Campbell said it was refreshing to hear Chavez' conservative take on immigration, border patrol and affirmative action.
"As a political scientist, I think that she's very analytical," Campbell said. "She's taking something from the left and not shunning it because it's a leftist idea."
Hispanics, particularly those from second and third generations, have integrated quite well into American society and will continue to do so, Chavez said.
She said their situation is similar to that of the Jews and the Italians who immigrated to the U.S. in the early 20th century.
"At a certain point all of us joined together to be one people," she said. "It is an ideal that has not always been lived up to, but it is our motto as a country."
