San Antonio Hair Stylist Shares Why Telling Our Stories Could Change Everything

As a hairstylist, I’ve spent years listening. In my chair, people talk about everything: breakups, job interviews, burnout, babies, grief, and dreams they haven’t even said out loud to their families yet.

And if you’ve ever been in a Latino household, you know this: We’re raised to keep things quiet. Stay humble. Don’t cause problems. Don’t share too much.

But in 2025, I believe it’s time to talk louder. It’s time for Chicanos, Tejanos, and Latinos from all walks of life to start telling our stories, because not enough people know what we’ve lived through, and it’s costing us more than we realize.

Song - Immigrants (We Get The Job Done) by K'naan, Snow The Product, Residente & Wiz Ahmed

Many Mexican Americans didn’t immigrate, the border moved over us. We’ve worked this land, built homes on it, fought in wars for it, and yet we’re still treated like we don’t belong.

When you look at today’s news, the way our people are being targeted, vilified, and pushed out it’s a direct result of being underrepresented and underestimated.

There aren’t enough of us in the rooms where decisions are made.There aren’t enough of us writing the textbooks, leading the networks, or sitting behind the camera.Because for too long, we’ve been taught to survive, not to shine.

When we share our stories even in small ways we create ripple effects.

We show the world that:

• Latinos are not a monolith

• Our histories are rich, complex, and American

• We deserve to be heard, seen, and protected

It’s not just about fame or platforms. It’s about our kids growing up with stories that reflect them. It’s about changing policy by first changing perception.

And honestly? Sometimes it’s just about being able to say, “This is what I lived through. And I’m still here.”

In my chair, I’ve heard stories that never make it into the media.Mothers worried about their sons being profiled.Daughters trying to succeed in careers their parents don’t understand. Tejanos navigating pride and pain in a state that doesn’t always claim us. First-gen creatives working through guilt and grief while trying to build something new.

Every time someone opens up to me, I’m reminded: our stories matter.Even if they’re messy.Even if they’re painful.Even if they’re still being written.

You don’t have to be an influencer or public speaker to make a difference.

Here’s how to start:

• Share your story with someone you trust

• Write it down, even if you don’t post it

• Speak up in your workplace, your school, your community

• Support Latino-led businesses, films, podcasts, and books

• Create space for younger generations to be proud of where they come from

We are the descendants of field workers, seamstresses, soldiers, and storytellers. We don’t just deserve a seat at the table we built the damn table!

If more of us were in higher positions, maybe fewer of us would be hurting right now. Maybe we wouldn’t have to keep proving our worth over and over. But until then, we tell our stories because silence won’t protect us, but truth might.

So whether you’re from the Valley, the West Side, the border, or beyond, speak up. We need your voice. We need your story. And it’s never too late to start telling it.

About Your Hair Stylist: Amber Alvarez is a licensed hair stylist in San Antonio, Texas, and the owner of Luna Hair Studio, an inclusive salon suite offering personalized services in blonding, hair color, and color corrections. With over a decade of experience, Amber specializes in creating soft, lived-in blondes and customized color for every skin tone. She’s known for providing a safe, welcoming space where clients are seen, heard, and styled with intention. Whether you're looking for a trusted blonding specialist in San Antonio or a color expert who understands textured and treated hair, Amber’s work combines artistry, care, and culture.

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