Misconception of an Afrolatina
The general misconception of what being Afrolatinx means, specifically in a society that lives and grows on aesthetics, is to be Puerto Rican, Dominican and/or Cuban. Visually, being Afrolatinx means you can physically see the African ancestry in someone. Thick hair, brown skin and curves for days. But not always. What if you somewhat physically fit the part and have no ancestry from any Caribbean island, but still identify as Afrolatina?
Everyday I wake up, and I leave my home, I get put into a box full of misconceptions. I get judged on my hair, my skin and my curves. Just go down the list:
No, I am not half black or half white.
No, my parents were not born in this country.
No, English is not my first language.
Yes, I speak Spanish... and Portuguese.
Or from any other Caribbean island.
I am proudly Afrolatina. How?
My mother is AfroBrazilian, yes she’s black Brazilian. Brazil is in Latin America, to which she identifies as Afrolatina, which in turn, and by default, makes me Afrolatina.
But what about my father? He’s from Mexico, and has indigenous ancestry.
On a good and fully caffeinated day, this is my response to any question relating my Afrolatin-ness. On a regular day, the misconceptions of being an Afrolatina are continuous stepping stones for me to be proud of my heritage and to smile.
