Celebrating Black-Ass Afro Latinx Heritage
Welcome to the 77th installment of This Black-Ass Life! For Latinx Heritage Month (and also all of the time), we’re dedicating today’s newsletter to celebrating Afro Latinx culture, heritage and people. We also split “Other Things” into political and nonpolitical sections so you can read about down ticket races or ignore that and learn about Yara Shahidi’s fab new gig.
Don’t forget: We've managed to grow this list thanks to y'all forwarding to friends so please keep it up! Forward this link to subscribe to five friends. And send us topics you'd like to see covered, texts from your Black-ass people, and any Black-ass anything from around the world and web.
I. The Facts
First thing first, both the term Black and Latinx are fluid and constantly shifting. Depending on where you are, these terms meander across the globe and mean different things to different people. Global racial hierarchy is a wild-ass concept.
Generally, Black Latinx people are racially Black people with African ancestry, with origins in Latin America, who speak Spanish and/or Portuguese as their first language. Black Latinx could also include Haiti and other non-Spanish speaking countries depending on who you ask.
In America, Black Latinx people have a total population of over 1.2 million, making up 2.5% of Black people in this country.
While the first national survey specifically asking about Afro Latinx heritage didn’t take place until 2014, the community represents the first of residents in the U.S. They established major cities, were part of cultural movements like the Harlem Renaissance and made innumerable contributions to American history.
Within the Americas, we could always use a refresher on Vicente Guerrero, Mexico's First Black Indian President.
A few Black Latinx people who defined culture: Black Sammy Sosa, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Zoe Saldana post-apology for playing Nina Simone, all the range Judy Reyes, fine ass ROSIE PEREZ, fine ass Dascha Polanco, fine ass Gina Torres, fine ass Rosario Dawson, fine ass Joan Smalls, dip it low Christina Milian, sports athlete David Ortiz (and many, many others), the incomparable Gwen Ifill (RIP), the multifaceted Celia Cruz (RIP) and the Elusive Chanteuse... Mariah Carey.
Why does it matter?
We should all be able to revel in our whole Black selves.
Anti-Blackness is pervasive in Latin America and in this America, and also concerning is the systematic erasure of Blackness from the Latinx experience.
Remember in 2018 when the stunning Amara La Negra had to educate that lil radio show about what it means to be Afro Latina? It is painful and violent to have your self questioned and interrogated, especially by dummies!
What can my Black ass do?
Check out this library guide for text on Afro Latinx heritage and history.
Put on some Esperanza Spalding or any of the above artists. Take in some music. Read some books. Watch a doc, movie or show.
Watch Henry Louis Gates’ Black in Latin America.
Visit Ain’t I Latina to get celebrity news, career advice and lifestyle coverage from the viewpoint of Black Latinx millennials.
ll. Other Things
Down ticket races you can support, if you’d like!
Former teacher Jamaal Bowman in New York.
Also in NY is Mondaire Jones, who will likely be the first openly gay Black congressperson. Aren’t y’all tired of firsts in 2020??
We promise this is the last NY candidate, but we couldn’t not share about Jabari Brisport.
Head to South Carolina where Graham’s seat is at play thanks to Jamie Harrison.
Mike Espy could be the first Black Senator of Mississippi since Reconstruction. Again, tired of firsts like this yet??
Cori Bush is explicitly fighting for Black lives in Missouri.
Help Lauren Underwood get reelected in Illinois -- she’s facing a richy rich with lots of resources.
Here’s how Janeese Lewis George plans to serve D.C.’s people.
Nonpolitical Other Things
Yara Shahidi is getting ready to fly as Tinker Bell so have your applause ready.
On having to visit a dentist during a pandemic.
Meg Thee Stallion is performing on the premiere of SNL.
Have y’all heard of Neo [Nazi] Ned, the love story starring Gabrielle Union and Jeremy Renner?
Our Black-Ass song(s) of the week (Jumoke):
SEPTEMBER (A lil late)
Things we are looking forward to / things we are not looking forward to:
I (Jumoke) look forward to updating my entire wardrobe to everything Saaanddraa wears on 227.
I (Mitu) look forward to updating my entire wardrobe to everything Lisa Landry wears on SIster, Sister.
lll. Text from a Black-Ass Truth Teller
We’re breaking format because this was just too good to not share.
Stay Black, thrive and support Meg! We’ll hit your inbox next on October 12.