Black Latino Stats

• A 2005 study on racial attitudes in the Dominicans Republic finds that 83% believe their society is racist against blacks.- “Racism Rampant in the Dominican Republic, Study Finds,” EFE News Service, May 3, 2005

• In 2000, 45% of Brazilians identified themselves as black or mulatto-Brazilian Census 2000

• Colombia has the second largest Afro-descendant population in Latin America-U.S. Department of State 2006

• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 1.7 million of the 38.8 million Hispanics identified themselves as both Hispanic and of African descent.

• It is projected that by 2050 the Latino/Hispanics population will be 102.6 million. A staggering 70% jump from 2000 35.3 million.

• Between 2000-2006 Latinos/Hispanics accounted for one-half of the nations growth

• Black Paraguayans are descended from African slaves brought to Paraguay by the 16th century. They became a significant presence in the country, and made up 11% of the population in 1785.-Wikipedia

• The official census of Honduras indicates that 2% of the population, or about 150,000 individuals, self-identified as black during the last official census.

• According to a 2001 national census which surveyed 11.2 million Cubans, 1.1 million Cubans described themselves as Black, while 2.8 million considered themselves to be “mulatto” or “mestizo” or “javao” or “moro”.

• According to the 2000 U.S. Census taken in Puerto Rico, 80.5% of Puerto Ricans identified as White, 8% of the population as Black and 10.9% as of mixed or other race.

White/Black Latino

As we know and have debated over heavily Latino is not a race. It is an ethnicity within a race.

In college I was taught the 3 race idea. Black (Negroid), White (Caucasoid) and Asian (Mongoloid). Now if this is to be true how comfortable as Latinos do some feel in calling themselves White or Black.

I for one want it to be known that I am what some like to call "mixed" or "double minority" ie the label "Black Latina". Now yes we shouldn't get too wrapped up in labels but let's entertain it for a moment. Would/should Latinos with White ancestry call them White Latinos as the same for Black Latinos. Do many feel comfortable with that?

I had a meeting recently with the head of an organization that promotes Afro-Colombians and we spoke about how the distinction is only made in reference to something negative. For example if on the news something positive happens and involves a Latino the new reporter will say "a Latino" BUT if it is something negative they are quick to say "Black Latino".

These are the social and political injustice that continues to occur so now the flip side is why would anyone want to be called a Black Latino as oppose to a Latino when they are portrayed to be the lesser of the two.

Well we have to take the stance and change the way we are looked. This is part of what sociologist call the sociological perspective- are you going to change/affect society or will u let society change/affect you?!

Politically Correct?

It is considered racist to say someone is white?

I know a lot of people including myself may feel a certain why when there's s reference to the black race but what about white people? Do they feel the same attitude when they hear these sort of things?

I ask because I recently heard a black woman tell someone else, "stop acting black". I am sure it was a joke, this was a stranger in the street so I have no way of knowing what the rest of the convo was like but I just shook my head.

I feel like if these comments and things of similar nature don't stop with us they will continue for a long time to come. To compare, I recently heard a white man (the boss of a food shop) make a comment to his black latina worker, and all I could think was, "how white".

Does this make me racist, or are we all guilty of little things like this?

What Matters

What do you see when you look in the mirror?


Many of us just see ourselves, the same self we have been looking at our entire lives. I am just me. Although I don't fall into one category I've always managed to define myself in my own right. I am hispanic and black. I know many people out there at first glance will immediate place me in the latina category while others will say that I am a black woman.

I on the other hand have never been able to side.

There was a recent online poll regarding a very well known reporter that is multi racial. This poll questioned whether or not she should be considered a black woman. Of course there were a million and one slew of opinions out there but at the end of the day what matters?

Does it matter that this woman defines herself as one thing and not the other?

Does it matter that she bares the characteristics of one more than another?

Does it matter what percentage of what is what?

Well the point I am trying to make here is nothing matters in a world full of people from all colors of the rainbow. We are all individuals and all that really should matter is what we think of ourselves.
 
What matters to you?

Mothers and Daughters

So I have heard and experienced dark skinned mothers being tougher on their dark skinned daughters as oppose to their light skinned daughters. Not wanting them to face the same problems they have faced so they push their daughters harder in many aspects of their life's. But are happy that their light skinned daughters will "pass" and not face much opposition. Or Light skinned mothers favoring their light skinned daughters and treating their dark skinned daughters poorly. This happen some times consciously and sometimes not.

This must stop! It really must!!!!

I am a product of a Black Latino couple, olive complexioned with a dark skinned mother so I know first hand the things that are said and I don't condone it... Not for a second. It burns my soul honestly.

It creates a division between siblings (which is a whole other blog piece and actually the premise behind my second film at the Movement coming 2012)  but more importantly a strain between an extremely important mother and daughter bond.

That bond determines a lot for a girl and can and may define her as a woman. Not to mention the dating conflicts it builds. "Dont date a darky" and idiotic things of that nature.

This ideology divides us, leaving us open for others to conquer.  As men and women mothers and fathers we have to be conscious of the ideas we impose on our children as they grow it will be branded in their hearts and minds forever.... Good or bad, it will!

Our Fathers

So far too many times the men in our communities are bashed.

Blacks and Latino men whether dating, as husbands and/or fathers are constantly depicted in a negative light. And don't get me wrong I have had my fair share but that is not to say white men are not just as bad. Men are men across the board and it goes far beyond the color lines. And this is not about male bashing either because I do not want to lose sight of my intent of this blog piece.

Past what society portrays, and outside of statistics that let's be for real who knows who and what are behind those numbers Black and Latino men are becoming more active in their communities, are there for their children, and are changing the negative stigmas that have been dark clouds over their heads for many years.

I read a theory that stated the reason there is a disconnect between Black and Latino men and their families is due to slavery. They were sold to the highest bidder to work ultimately, taken away from their families. Also because "Masta" would rape their wives and soon after their women would birth children that were not theirs. Whether or not this theory is true and caused some emotional and psychological scars that in turn created generations of fatherless homes is still to be determined.

But I do know and want to shed light on those that are breaking the mold, taking a stances and saying we see you our brothers and we salute u!

False Unity

So I have to address this because I see this problem across the board. And I don't think it is a racial issue. Although within the Black and Latino communities it runs rapid as I have seen it for myself first hand but the pressing problem is... Women Unity.

So many times organization, companies even individuals claim to operate for the advancement of women, uplifting and building blah blah blah... But then they will "hate" on someone else doing the same job they claim they are trying to do.

But why?

Why not unite and become bigger and more resourceful. Why not be happy that others are working on a similar goals. 1) because that give further opportunity for someone to get through and if so although it may not be your project in particular but a join effort between a group of companies trying to achieve the same thing and 2) if it is really about the "cause" why not be open and down for whatever or who ever can come in and make a difference.

Unity for women is across the board and should not have any racial barriers although that has occurred as well.

Now some may say that my company the Black Latina Movement is doing what I am complaining about by not address women of other backgrounds issues but that is not true. I speak for a group I am familiar with, my own but that does not mean women of other Races/Nationalities can not relate to the stories of my films or plays. In fact I have had women of varies backgrounds tell me they relate as well.

So back to my original complaint/concern why must there be division between women, I know why but what kills me is don't claim to be something u are not and doing something u are not!