National Hispanic American Heritage Month is recognized from September 15th through October 15th. This is the time taken to give tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively contributed to our society. While this is a month of gratitude and remembrance, many Americans tend to forget Hispanic Heritage month or put it on the back-burner. In recent times, with Anti-Hispanic sentiments running high, this month can feel more like a separation of our Latino community than one that brings us together.
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One group that is continuously isolated from Hispanic heritage are Afro-Latinos or Black Latinx. Afro-Latinx is just as it sounds, Black Hispanics, who have strong African ancestral roots. This is a group of people that is ostracized from Hispanic and Black communities. Afro-Latinos are often subjected to discrimination, such as racism and colorism, both in and out of the Hispanic community. This affects our opportunities at success and how the world views us.
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There are many notable Afro-Latnix who we might all consider successful; Celia Cruz, Roberto Clemente, and Cardi-B – just to name a few. Although many of these Black Latinx celebrities have seemed to come to terms with their Afro-Hispanic identity, many of them have struggled with the issue of “where do I fit in?” Being an Afro-Latina myself, I have also had difficulty being accepted in these communities and figuring out who I identify with.
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I often feel stuck in the middle, somewhere between being Latinx and being Black. In today’s society, it’s a never-ending game of trying to constantly prove to everyone why we deserve to be included in these ethinc groups. There is this societal narrative that you can’t be Hispanic if you’re Black and you can’t be Black if you’re Hispanic.
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One question we should ask ourselves is what does it mean to be Hispanic or Black? This is where we can look back on our heritage. According to the U.S. Census, a Hispanic or Latinx is “a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race.” As per Merriam-Webster, Blacks are defined as “of or relating to any of various population groups having dark pigmentation of the skin.” Now that we have these two definitions, we now only have to combine them and make our own inferences.
During this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month, I have been able to reflect on my status of being Afro-Latinx and finally accepting that I can be both Hispanic and Black at the same time. I can be 100% Puerto Rican and still be considered Black and I can have dark skin and curly hair and still be considered Latina. I don’t have to be African American to be Black – just as I don’t have to speak Spanish to be Latina. I have also learned to be proud of who I am. I have a lineage of ancestors who have fought, struggled, and overcome many tribulations and I am continuing to do the same. By educating people, I am doing my part to ensure that the Black Latinx community is proud of who they are and that their voices are heard through the masses. My heritage, my culture, and my identity is what I make it, regardless of what the rest of society has to say.