*Note: This research was conducted by two non-Afro/Black-Latinx individuals who produced this blog to not only learn more about the Afro-Latinx identity but to also help educate other folks from all backgrounds and identities. Additionally, the Afro-Latinx identity is a large topic that cannot be limited to this blog. This is only some information.
What does it mean to be Afro-Latinx?
Afro-Latinx is a term/identity for those who are of African descent born in Latin America as well as those of African descent in the US whose origins reside in Latin America. Other terms include but are not limited to Afro-descendant, Afro-Caribbean, Black Latinx, or the addition of Afro in front of one's ethnicity (i.e. Afro-Dominican). These terms express the historical and cultural connection to Africa and challenge the Eurocentric ideologies that have and continue to characterize Latin America.
What can non-Afro-Latinx do to help support Afro-Latinx individuals?
It is essential that non-Afro-Latinx folk acknowledge their internalized racism and colorism and understand that they benefit from their proximity to whiteness. Non-Afro-Latinx folk must begin to combat against these institutions and use their privilege to create change within the Latinx community. Education is one of the most important actions to take; educate yourself and your families. Additionally, it is crucial that non-Afro Latinx folk continuously support the Afro-Latinx community in any and every way possible. This means not only acting as an ally, but also being a support system and using your platform to help uplift and validate the Afro-Latinx community. In this blog post, we will be attempting to use our platform as an organization on this campus to bring awareness to Afro-Latinx issues as well as ways in which you can help support Afro-Latinx folk.
The Garífuna People
The Garífuna are Afro-Indigenous people whose identity came to be in the 1600s when West African slaves shipwrecked on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent. There, they intermarried with the Arawaks and Carib Indians and became known as Garífuna. They were soon forced out by the French and settled on the coast of Honduras, which they then migrated to Belize, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. Today, there are Garífuna people that live in several places throughout the United States such as Florida, New York, Illinois, California, and Texas.
It is important to know that the Garífuna people face many inequalities and injustices in Latin America. Recently, 5 Garífuna men in Triunfa de La Cruz have been abducted. They were held at gunpoint and forced into vehicles. Protests by the residents erupted immediately after the kidnappings demanding that officials respond to the incident. No one has heard anything since and the men have yet to be found.
As folks with privilege, it is our job to bring awareness to this situation and help out in any way possible. To see what is happening click here: https://twitter.com/prof_jwallace/status/1288690865096003586?s=10
To learn more visit: www.iaf.gov/country/belize/
To learn more about the inequalities and ways to help, plese visit: https://www.wilderutopia.com/international/humanity/inequality-and-injustice-the-garifuna-struggle-in-honduras/
It is imperative that we spread this information because there is power in numbers and knowledge which can lead to change.
Additional ways to support:
Supporting the Afro-Latinx community can appear in a variety of ways ranging from sharing stories and narratives to supporting businesses, artists, workers, music, films, and more. The following sources are just a few of the many places and people to support. We encourage you to do your own research as well!
Afro-Latinx Musicians to Check Out:
Kombilesa Mí- A rap folklorico palenquero group from Colombia that raps about everything from partying to their collective pride for their black identity.
Betsayda Machado y La Parranda El Clavo- Machado is a life-long singer who recently recorded an album with Parranda El Clavo in an effort to spread Afro-Venezuelan and Caribbean sounds as well as messages concerning love, religion, the socio-economic crisis in Venezuela, and more.
Mabiland- Mabely Lagarcha, or Mabiland, hails from Colombia, and dabbles in genres such as hip-hop, rap, and reggae, just to name a few.
Afro-Latinx Actors to Check Out:
Jharrel Jerome- Appears in Moonlight, When They See Us, and Mr. Mercedes.
Judy Reyes- Appears in Scrubs, Claws, and Jane The Virgin.
Jorge Lendeborg Jr.- Appears in Spiderman: Far From Home, Alita: Battle Angel, and Love, Simon.
Rosario Dawson- Appears in Luke Cage, The Last Kids on Earth, and Zombieland: Double Tap.
Afro-Latinx Authors to Check Out:
Naima Coster- This Dominican writer is the author of “Halsey Street”, a novel about healing, immigration, gentrification, and more.
Adriana Herrera- Read her book “American Dreamer”, a love story that centers around a queer Afro-Latinx protagonist.
Edwige Dandicat- Read this multi award-winning author’s collection of short stories called “Krik? Krak!”. These tales jump from hope to violence and everywhere in between.
Afro-Latinx Businesses to Check Out:
Babe Comets- A Brooklyn-based business run by Joan De Jesus. She sells fun and colorful earrings for both pierced and unpierced ears.
Brown Sugar and Canela- This business was started by Keyanna Gotay. She created her own T-shirt line with the intention of creating clothing that not only represented but also celebrated Central Americans, Garífunas, and Afro-Latinas.
Micmas Remix- This small business sells handmade natural hair-care products for a variety of hair types, including curly, coarse, coily, and much more. Their tagline is “hair texture does not determine whether it's good or bad”.
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