A stereotype isn't a sign of ignorance but stereotyping is. Stereotyping is ignorance because it shows that you automatically assume that one person is the same as everyone else. In this short essay, Cofer describes her personal experiences of being a Latin woman, and the struggles she has had to face with ethnic stereotyping. As we know, appearance plays a huge role in the way that individuals are perceived especially when dealing with different races. In this particular story, an educated Latina woman was often perceived as something she was completely different from. In various instances, the author was underestimated because of her Latin beauty and exotic features. Cofer describes how in one instance a man on the bus reenact “Maria” scene from “Westside Story “in front of her. And even though she was aggravated, she tried to keep her cool despite everyone around her was laughing and applauding. Cofer emphasizes her objection of Latin women being compared to foods such as “Hot Tamale”, or being described as “sizzling” as opposed to using other words to describe the beauty of Latin women. Besides explaining how she was often looked upon as an object rather than a woman, Cofer talks about how she would get confused with the waiting staff. Just because of the stereotype of most Hispanic women being part of waiting staff or cleaning services. Cofer describes an incident that occurred at a restaurant where she was one of the readers during open reader night. A woman thought she was a waitress and ordered for her to brink her a cup of coffee. This harsh reality is indeed seen many times when Hispanic women are involved. Cofer had no wrong in getting upset with all of these stereotypes she was categorized in. Although she was an educated woman with her knowledge as her source of power in the world, Cofer could not escape from being classified under the typical