On the Afro-Latinx Community and Overcoming Differences
Words by Ruth Martinez
Graphic by Aspasia Celia Tsampas
As a Latina, there have been too many times to count where I have filled out a form and not known what to answer for the “What is your race?” question. Do I bubble in “Other?” Do I write in “Hispanic” on the blank line? Race has been a prominent issue for hundreds of years, yet a lot of us cannot quite seem to figure it out. Luckily, there has been real progress in trying to navigate our identities, a notable step including the acknowledgment of Afro-Latinidad.
The term Afro-Latinx refers to Latin Americans with strong African ancestry. Although this categorization sounds fairly simple, it becomes very complicated when we consider how complex intersecting identities can be. The acknowledgment of Afro-Latinidad became a way to avoid the erasure of blackness and to shed light on experiences that are often ignored in the Latinx community, where colorism is a big issue. Shared experiences of hair relaxers and face whitening creams serve as a testament to this issue.
To better understand what the term means on a personal level, I spoke to City College junior Leslie Cisneros, who identifies as an Afro-Latina. Born in Cuba, Cisneros has directly experienced how blackness can be taught to be rejected instead of embraced. “I’m incredibly proud of being Latina and my Cuban culture is something I’ve always embraced to the fullest,” she says, “But that part of me shouldn’t and won’t erase my African heritage. I’m not going to ignore that so many parts of my culture come from Africa, that the salsa I dance to at parties and the curls on my head aren’t a reflection of that. Identifying as Afro-Latina lets me remember all those things about myself.”
Celebrities like Cardi B and Amara La Negra have done much work to bring awareness to Afro-Latinidad identity, but the term continues to be controversial. Many see it as a way to divide the Latinx community, while others see it as a way to celebrate the diversity of it. It can be difficult to be overcome this issue when it has been embedded in many communities for centuries. Regardless, the conversation about race has changed dramatically as the term becomes more widespread, although it varies from region to region.
As the Black Lives Matter movement continues to march strong, we also reflect on the way this issue is deeply personal for the Afro-Latinx community. Their identities straddle two worlds that, although seemingly different, have a lot in common. “Protests always bring people together,” says Cisneros, “and for me, police brutality is something I’ve witnessed a lot where I live. Our communities have been marginalized for a long time, and the sooner we learn to overcome our differences the more we can get done.”
Her words reflect a sentiment that many who identify as Afro-Latinx share: the importance of overcoming differences. The term itself captures the similarities in culture and identity, rejecting anti-blackness and instead embracing every part of oneself. During the Black Lives Matter movement, we have seen all types of people rise as allies to work towards a common goal. The massive coalition that has been created is a prime example of the way unity can be effective. It also speaks to the issues occurring across the country that we must continue to tackle.
