‘Discovering my Afro-Latina identity has changed my life’

By Alondra Bodden

As a young girl I was always forced to choose a side. Was I black or latina? Which identity would I lean toward, and which identity would shun me?

It was a daily struggle at school, I had black friends whom I looked like, and latino friends with whom I identified culturally, but neither of them would accept me without either testing how well I spoke spanish or riddling me about questions about the texture of my hair, or the shade of my skin.

It was not until highschool that I stumbled upon the word “Afro-Latinx,” which refers to Latin American people of significant African ancestry, the “x” is there to interchange between whatever gender they identify with. I felt overjoyed because for the first time in my life, I felt like I could finally answer correctly and comfortably when asked about my racial identity.

In the 14th and 15th centuries, many Africans —and natives— were enslaved by the Spanish and Portuguese. Thus, creating afro-latinx, mestizos and a melting pot of ethnicities and culture into the latin american world.

There are also latinos who come from asian, indian and of course European roots. Not all of us fit the cookie cutter picture that society has created for us, and that our very own culture prefers and upholds, a phenomenon that would take an entirely new column to explain.

Latinos come in all shades, shapes, colors and sizes. More specifically, we range from ivory white, to the richest shade of black. The largest misconception about Latino people is that we all must look mestizo, like Jennifer Lopez, Selena, or Penelope Cruz and that is simply not a realistic thought once you know even a little bit about our history as a people.  Notable Afro-Latinos include, Swizz Beats, Anthony Romeo Santos, Bruno Mars, Maxwell, Cardi B, Kid Cudi and Amara La Negra.

For me, discovering my Afro-Latina identity has changed my life. I finally belong somewhere. It is extremely encouraging now seeing real Afro-Latinas being cast in entertainment and media because representation is important. Without it, I felt like I did not belong anywhere, I didn’t even know that my own identity existed. I pray for the day that all latinos across the spectrum are represented and that my children are not subjected to the daunting question: “Are you Black or Latino?”

Amara La Negra has become the breakout star of Love and Hip Hop’s newest franchise; “Love and Hip Hop Miami,” popular reality television show, has fiercely made it known that she is Afro-Latina. She is a prime example of being 100 percent proud of her blackness and of her Dominican culture. Joseline Hernandez, AKA The Puerto Rican Princess, of the Love and Hip Hop Atlanta franchise is also Afro-Latina, along with Cardi B, of the Love and Hip Hop New York franchise.