THE BLACK LATINA MOVEMENT: Our Generation!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Our Generation!

Our generation is very different from the ones that came before us. I have noticed that many times the older generations have look to history, politics, and education to better understand the issues and meaning behind many of our struggles. Trying to made sense of things and drawing the parallels between how these things came about. Slavery, inequality and issues of that natural. But what many of us don't realize is that on our path to excel and become scholars in our fields, love, organizations and movements we tend to forget about a percentage of our people that have not been as fortunate to receive those advancements in education or were just unable to expose themselves to greater knowledge and broaden their horizons. And so what happens is those who advance then seem out of touch or not in tuned with the masses. and the youth and newer generation don't seem to care, feel like they are being lectured to and there becomes a huge disconnect. Then you will often hear the rebuttal well that was in your day, or things have changed now.

Which to a degree is true.

Nowadays it is not about civil rights marches and white vs. black it has evolved to black on black. It is not about not seeing colored ppl on tv but my constant argument not enough darker skinned Latinos or blacks. Now don't get me wrong I am a huge believer that in knowing where you are going you must know where you came from BUT many ppl of my generation and younger don't want to hear about what has been done they want to hear about what will be done. This generations beauty and downfall is that it is very aggressive and will get things done and accomplished but it is taking more of the Malcolm X approach rather then MLK's. And some may feel it is too abrasive and too fast too forth coming as those of our past. Many in the urban communities get things done by any means necessary and although some may frown they still bet the odds and accomplish what many thought could or would not get done because of the color of their skin.

Unconventional approaches are the new wave... I mean lets face it who other then an ex drug dealer turned almost billionaire could get one of the first Black billionaires to sit on Brooklyn's Marcy projects Steps.

6 Comments:

At March 2, 2010 at 5:41 PM , Fundacion Naidy said...: This comment is not in relation to the blog post but the "About Us" section. You are mistaken when you say "We all know that Latinos are of African descent but because the culture and heritage has been lost throughout generations, the only sign of the African presence in an Afro-Latinos is physical: facial features, skin tone and so on." There are many of us Black people in South America that have never lost our African culture(s), so that's just incorrect you mention the only sign of our African presence is in our phenotypes. My Black People in Colombia's Maroon communities along the Caribbean and Pacific coasts bleed and breathe African culture daily. And I can honestly say without bias, that there's more African culture in South American Black communities such as in Brasil and Colombia than there is in North America. It is much more than phenotype, it's the family structure, it's the dialect/accent and creole language in some cases that we speak. Colombian Maroons from Palenque de San Basilio have their own Creole language- Palenkero, that's unintelligible to Spanish Speakers. Our music Currulao, Bunde, Patakore, Bullerengue are some of the most African rhythms in the diaspora. Not only is our percussion African diasporic but also the singing styles. This has actually been lost in North America. Before you make such statements do more research on who we are, or visit Black regions like the Colombian Pacific Coast or Northeast Brasil. Visit the Palenkes and Quilombos. Or simply just visit my pages www.youtube.com/cultureducation and africapacific.blogspot.com BLESSINGS
At March 2, 2010 at 5:50 PM , Fundacion Naidy said...: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iQVN-KmKl8
At March 5, 2010 at 6:02 AM , Black Latina Movement said...: Hey Gregory,

Those of us that are no longer living in our countries whom families have migrated to other countries but primary the US dont have the strong sense of culture as some of we would like to. As you have said in North America things are very different. You have to understand that whether because of slavery or relocating for a better life the uprooting of our people has caused a sense of lost for us. The culture either got lost or watered down and so some of us are left with a piece of ourselves missing. When you live in your native country or one who customs are similar to your own you have a huge advantage over those who do not. And on a social level that causes huge division because then the concept of who is more then the other occurs. I stand strong in my statement because I speak for those of us in the US who do not have the advantages of being close to our countries or as you have said black regions. My company pushes a very American approach in the sense of W.E.B. DuBois idea of Double Consciousness. Trying to be sure and confident in ourselves as Americans but also reaffirming our pride in being Black Latinos.
At March 5, 2010 at 6:47 AM , Black Latina Movement said...: http://www.youtube.com/user/BlackLatinaMVMT
At March 8, 2010 at 11:33 AM , Mr. Martin said...: No offense BLM, but you say that "we all know Latinos are of African descent" but in reality many people actually do not know that or realize that actually! Also you say "because the culture and heritage has been lost throughout generations, the only sign of the African presence in an Afro-Latinos is physical: facial features, skin tone and so on." You are in a way contradicting yourself by saying that many know that Latinos are of African descent but then you say that the African culture has been lost!

Actually the African Diaspora in Latin America and the Caribbean is WAY more African inflected and African influenced and more well maintained than most of the black cultures in North America with a few exceptions such as Gullahs among others!

And much of the African cultures brought to Latin America mixed and merged into what is now known as so called true mainstreamed "Latin" culture! When I listen to the tango I am reminded everyday of its original originated AFRICAN roots! When I listen to salsa, and bachata, and merengue, or reggaeton, or reggae in Spanish, that is not neccessarily Spanish but AFRICAN origin!

Also do you feel like the label and term Hispanic and Latino are misnomers? I mean when you think about it! The terms Hispanic and Latin@ DO NOT acknowledge the African(black) and Indigenous(Native American Indian) heritage and cultures of the so called region!

Also does your definition of Latino/a include Brazil, Haiti, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Trinidad, Dominica, Belize and other islands and countries?

But the African culture has NOT been lost by Afro Latinos!

It may be not maintained when Black Latin@s migrate to other countries particularly like the USA but the inflection and Afrodescendant essence remains in tact!

Also phenotype is NOT the sole main factor! There are many people who are very mixed or racially ambiguous and IDENTIFY STRONGLY with blackness and are very African cultured and influenced!

From the music to the food to the dances to the costumes and folklore and dress, I could feel as if I am actually in Africa rather than among AFrican American afrocentricity here in the states!

Do more research and check out the Afro Latinos Documentary in production that is set to air in 2011!

Look up palo in Dominican Republic, and cumbia and curralao in Colombia, bomba y plena in Puerto Rico, clave and rumba in Cuba, candomble in Brazil, joropo in Venezuela, bomba and curralao in Ecuador and you will clearly see that it is evident that Afro Latin American culture is VERY much vibrant and alive not just in phenotype but in dialects and speech and habits and behavior and food and much more!

I am a big fan of your movement because it is about time that Blacks in the so called Latino community have a voice and have a prescence that is acknowledged!

However, HISPANIC/LATINO is not a RACE! And Latina is meant to refer to women! I suppose!

Thank you for your time and I look forward to reading and learning more about this project! Please feel free to respond ASAP and further expand this discussion! :-)
At March 13, 2010 at 10:49 AM , Black Latina Movement said...: Hello Mr. Martin,

I say we all know Latinos are of African descent with a sense of assertiveness because I have educated myself and I know the truth about my people and where we come from. I also say it with an air of sarcasm because some of us do know the truth and refuse to accept it. I don't believe my statement is contradicting at all but I will explain it to you and others who dont understand. Although we know we are of African descent our heritage is completely different from culture. Our phenotypes are reminders of our heritage but our African culture-food, customs, clothing, dance and things of that natural have been watered down, filtered and lost. My company and stance of being a Black Latina is one from a North American perspective and this is something that you and other must understand. I represent many of us in the U.S that struggle with these issues. In establishing my company I have interviewed and spoke with many American Black Latinos and this is their main issue. I think you understand that and just needed clarification on what I am saying.

The term Hispanic and Latino are government and social terms use to identify a group of people. In the same way African American and/or Black would be. The terms are what one makes of it that is key. I for one love to call myself a Black Latina hence the name of the company. I have taken any negative connotation out of the word and am not just saying but showing how I am using it positively. When I think of Black Latinos I think of all of us from South and Central America and the Caribbean as well. But when I talk about experiences and viewpoints of course mine and the ones I speak of may be extremely different than the Black Latinos in those countries. Remember those of us in the States do not have the advantage of having remnants of our culture right in our back yard. I do not speak for all Black Latinos when I say the culture had been lost but rather those of us in the States I represent their voices. As you stated through migration whether for a better life or through slavery there is a lost here that I am giving a voice to that.

Funny someone affiliated with the film contacted me and gave my company a thumbs-up for tackling this topic here in the States, but thanks for the heads-up.

Although I respect the Black Latinos in the countries you have mentioned my plight and goal for accomplishing change for Black Latinos is here in the States, giving us a voice through entertainment and getting our experiences across from an American standpoint. I respect and show love to my fellow Black Latinos in all countries but my initial goal is to take care of home first. The home we have adapted and created lives for ourselves in. Later on then I can take on other large scale Black Latino topics.

I thank you for your concerns and comments and thank you for being a fan!

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THE BLACK LATINA MOVEMENT

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Our Generation!

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