Being of a mixed race in this age and time is not uncommon. It should not be something that makes you feel singled out. It took me almost thirteen years to figure out my place within this society, and accept that my Black and Panamanian roots are nothing to be ashamed of. A society that looks…
Pelo Crespo: How my Afrolatinidad Identity Saved Me
Beyazmin Jimenez I had been using alisando on my hair since I was 8 years old. I hated the routine. I hated being in a packed salon, with chapiadoras getting their nails and hair paid by their drug-slinging men, and the wanna-be chapiadoras staring in awe hoping one of them would pay attention. The never-ending…
Being a Young Afro-Latina (Thank You, Gina Torres!)
By Gabrielle Greiner – For many of us who claim “Afro-Latina/o”, finally finding a label that suits our identity is refreshing. More than that, it affirms who we’ve always known ourselves to be. Not everyone agrees with assigning labels to people, but to quote one of my favorite TV shows, “Dear White People”,…
10 Things You Can Relate To If You Have Caribbean Parents – Kayla B.
Contributing blogger, Kayla B. shares 10 things you can relate to if you have Caribbean parents
An open letter to my bullies – Keyanna Gotay
Dear bullies, It’s been years since we last saw each other. You probably don’t remember me however, I remember you. You probably don’t remember what you said to me however, I do. You called me all sorts of things, told me I didn’t know what I was and that I just “didn’t want to be…
The Afro-Boliviana Experience: Gabriela Agramont
Every Afro-Latina narrative isn’t the same. Although we share some similar experiences. The most essential key here is listening and understanding each and every person’s individual story. Here’s an authentic story of an inspirational Afro-Latina who is Bolivian and African-American and her journey! What does it mean to be Afro-Latina? To me, being Afro-Latina means…
Open Letter To Creatives Of Color: What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do
By Kayla B – Writer’s block is how this letter started out. I pined over what to say in order to awaken that slumbering creative inside of you. For days I journeyed within myself for the words to say. I tried to draw inspiration, I tried to look at the works of my mentors,…
