Signs You’re a 90’s Latina

graphic design that illustrates a Latin woman from the 90s

The 90s remain a beloved era for many who experienced the transition of tech, pop music, and fashion. From flip phones to itty bitty crop tops that didn’t cover nearly enough (please, Gen Z, leave the cringe 90s fashion in the past where it belongs), the 90s hold a special place in our hearts. If you want to feel the nostalgia, here are 10 ways to tell you’re 90’s Latina through and through:


Selena Quintanilla was (and still is) your queen

Art cover album of "Amor Prohibido" de Selena Quintanilla

For 90's Latinas, Selena Quintanilla wasn't just a singer; she was an icon. She was talented, beautiful, stylish, and warm, and her cultural impact lives on to this day. If you grew up singing "Como La Flor" into your hairbrush and dreaming of having Selena’s wardrobe, you're definitely a 90's Latina.

Your closet was all about flannel and denim

a young girl riding a skateboard


Photo by Olivia Hibbins on Unsplash

The 90s were all about grunge fashion, and Latinas embraced it better than anyone. Whether it was pairing a flannel shirt with ripped jeans or sporting a denim jacket accessorized with patches, you did it all. Don’t even get us started on Colombian jeans, the low-rise ones popularized by Shakira in her “Whenever, Wherever” music video. We all had a pair of those, and unless you looked just like Shakira or Christina Aguilera, you probably hated them as much as the dreaded crop top. We won’t get into the body dysmorphia and body image problems 90’s fashion created… (this part, we definitely don’t miss).

Boy bands and pop divas were your jam

Portrait of singer Christina Aguilera.


From Ricky Martin to Shakira, and from the Backstreet Boys to *NSYNC, the 90s were a golden age for boy bands and pop divas. The boy band Menudo even had a bit of a resurgence thanks to all that boy band craze. If your CD collection was filled with their albums, and you spent hours practicing dance moves from their music videos and declaring yourself a “genie in a bottle” ala Christina Aguilera, there’s no doubt you’re a 90's Latina.

You grew up watching telenovelas

Latin soap opera character

Long before streaming services ruled the world, telenovelas were the ultimate form of entertainment for Latinas. Whether you were rooting for Thalía in "María la del Barrio" or swooning over Eduardo Yañez, your evenings were spent glued to the television, wrapped up in the drama and romance of it all. The fact that you had to wait for a new episode and count down the days until the grand finale, speaks to the power of overacted, hardly believable drama. Admit it, it was fun! And there’s nothing like that time with family sharing in the shocking moments unfolding.

You perfected the art of wearing butterfly clips

hairstyle with butterfly clips

No 90's Latina's hair was complete without a bunch of butterfly clips in every color, glittery style, and size. Whether you preferred neon colors or glittery designs, the butterfly clips were a staple and you refused to leave the house without them. Nowadays, butterfly clips have made a bit of a comeback, and they’re still one of the most popular 90’s hairstyles people reference.

You had crunchy hair

woman in brown button up shirt and blue denim jeans


Photo by pouriya kafaei on Unsplash

Curly-haired Latinas were crazy about making their hair as hard and crunchy as possible. We’re sure every Latina did this at least once, even if you’ve suppressed the memory. The second you stepped out of the shower, you would drench your locks in gel and/or mousse until your hair was as stiff as humanly possible. And the straight-haired Latinas were trying every perm out there to try to get that curly look. Let’s be honest, it was a good time!

You watched “Sabado Gigante” religiously

Still from "Sabado Gigante" TV Show

Univision

For 90's Latinas, Saturday mornings meant one thing: "Sabado Gigante." Hosted by the legendary Don Francisco, the variety show was a staple of Latin American television and you just couldn’t miss it. The power of “Sabado Gigante” is difficult to explain; you just had to be there and we’re glad we were! We’re happy, of course, to leave the scantily clad product models in the past.

You adored your Tamagotchi

a small electronic device with a chain attached to itPhoto by COSMOH LOVE on Unsplash

Tamagotchis were more than just toys; they were our dear pets and friends. Were you a slave to a silly little virtual pet? Yes. But was it entertaining and did you love it? Also yes. Tamagotchis are iconic and they were a quintessential part of growing up in the 90's. They’re still around today, but nothing will beat the way we experienced them in the 90’s.

You practiced your Spanish with “Sesame Street”

Sesame Street characters

Photo by USAG- Humphreys on Flickr

"Plaza Sésamo" was more than just a television show; it was a way for 90’s Latinas to practice their Spanish. From learning the alphabet to singing along with catchy songs, "Sesame Street" had a huge role in shaping the cultural identity of Latina children. It also paved the way for shows like Dora the Explorer to reach massive mainstream popularity in the 2000s.

You had the biggest crush on Chayanne

Album Cover "Tiempo de Vals" Credit: Sony Music

Honestly, who wouldn’t? Not only did Chayanne have the looks, but he also had the voice AND the dance moves. The phenomenon of Chayanne and the way he swept so many people off their feet should be studied. He didn’t try to copy the “cross-over” artists like Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias. Instead, he stuck to his native language of Spanish and it wasn’t until 1998, with his breakout role and song in “Dance with Me,” that he proved his charisma could carry over into the English-language market. He didn’t stay there long though, choosing to continue to mostly produce in Spanish.

Being a 90's Latina was quite a way of life and while times have changed a lot, those memories will always have a special place in our hearts.

This Viral Video Game Is Changing the Face of Voter Outreach

In 2024, voting campaigns have evolved greatly, to say the least. Creativity is now the name of the game and tongue-in-cheek humor is expertly leveraged to drive action. One example of that is Bop the Bigot, a revival of a viral game created in 2016 by Bazta Arpaio, an Arizona activist group, as part of a campaign to unseat Maricopa County’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio lost his re-election to Paul Penzone that year.

The game has now been updated for the current election cycle and relaunched by On Point Studios, with new features added to enable players to find out what’s on their ballot, confirm voter status, and register to vote.

Much like its former 2016 version, the game allows users to take out their political frustrations by virtually “bopping” GOP candidates in the head. It’s very similar to whack-a-mole, except the mole is replaced by former President Donald Trump, Ohio’s Senator J. D. Vance, and Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, which is spearheading Project 2025.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

B. Loewe, Director of On Point Studios, came up with the concept for this game when working as the Communications Director at Bazta Arpaio in 2016, and is the executive producer of this revamped version. In the first version of the game, Bop the Bigot players used a chancla (flip flop) to “bop” the characters, tapping into Latino culture by leaning on the childhood experience of being set right by a flying chancla from a fed-up mother or grandmother.

This year, the chancla is replaced by a more current element, a green coconut, referencing Kamala Harris’ coconut tree meme. There are also side characters like “the couch,” cat ladies, and more coconuts. All references to jokes about Vice-Presidential candidate Vance, or insults Vance has made about women on the campaign trail.

Another new addition is that Harris’ laugh is immortalized as the game-over sound effect, an unexpected detail that adds even more humor and levity to the game.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump, Kevin Roberts, and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

Bop the Bigot, which is playable on desktop and mobile, is intended not just as a way to vent political frustrations, but also as a tool for activism and securing voter engagement.

For example, the game supports the work of Mexican Neidi Dominguez Zamorano, Founding Executive Director of the non-profit organization Organized Power in Numbers by using the “game over” screen to prompt players to donate to it and support their efforts.

Organized Power in Numbers is focused on empowering workers in the South and Southwest of the U.S. through collective action and comprehensive campaigns. Their mission is to create a large-scale movement that challenges the status quo and advocates for workers' rights, and racial and economic justice.

Currently, Dominguez Zamorano is leading worker outreach to 2 million working-class voters in the South and Southwest through doorknocking, texting, and calls with the help of local groups in North Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico, and more.

“We have been blown away by the enthusiastic reception for the video game. We knew we wanted to be part of its creative approach because our movement needs more fun and laughter. We need more ways to connect with nuestra gente so we can feel joy among all the absurdity we witness every day,” Dominguez Zamorano shared with Luz Media via email.

“Our people are gente trabajadora and we deserve to feel uplifted even in our toughest moments. We are deeply involved in the South and Southwest so we know what’s at stake in this election and we’re happy this can be a resource to mobilize, raise spirits, and get out the vote," she concluded.

Dominguez Zamorano is a committed activist for immigrants and workers' rights, known for her strategist skills and expertise. She played a key role in the campaign to win DACA and has also held roles in major campaigns, including as Deputy National States Director for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. In addition to her work with Organized Power in Numbers, Dominguez Zamorano is serving as a Senior Advisor to Mijente’s Fuera Trump Initiative.

Grassroots efforts like these have taken on new life in 2024, with Bop the Bigot adding to the larger, ongoing fight against political apathy and disinformation. Just as it did during the 2016 race, the video game uses humor to soften the serious task at hand—getting people to the polls.

"We want the game to be a fun and comical outlet for anyone who’s been insulted, frustrated, or harmed by Trump in the past and everyone who is ready to move forward as a country after election day," explained Loewe in a press release. "The proposals in Project 2025 and the beliefs of Trump and Vance aren’t just weird, they’re truly harmful. We wanted to give people a humorous and peaceful way to smack down their racism and sexism. We hope it makes people laugh and also feel empowered and motivated to get to the polls on or before election day."

With a mix of satire, sharp political critique, and nostalgia, the game is a call to action. The upcoming election, which is getting closer by the minute, has sparked fierce activism and creative yet grounded initiatives like these aim to ensure voters are engaged, especially young Latinos and disenfranchised groups.

hands holding up yellow protest signs that say Hands Off Our Bodies
Photo Credit: Gayatri Malhotra via Unsplash

Originally published in Common Dreams. Reprinted with permission.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

In November, abortion rights measures will appear on ballots across ten states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and New York, where Latinos make up a significant portion of the electorate. For decades, pundits and politicians have recycled long-held misconceptions about Latino voters and abortion access, citing our conservative and religious beliefs.

Anti-abortion extremists have long fueled these misconceptions through misinformation and disinformation campaigns targeting Latino communities with egregious lies and inflammatory rhetoric about abortion. Yet, polling, focus groups, and direct interactions with Latino communities have debunked these outdated tropes.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

For Latinos, the freedom to decide, a pillar of our American democracy, is critical. Meanwhile, Latinos are being hit directly with anti-abortion efforts that take away that freedom such as the six-week abortion ban put into effect by the Florida Supreme Court and the 1864 abortion ban upheld by the Arizona Supreme Court. In the wake of the Dobbs decision, people of color and Latinas have felt the impact of a lack of abortion access, an element of basic healthcare.

A 2023 report by the National Partnership for Women and Families estimated that nearly 6.5 million Latinas, or 42% of all Latinas of reproductive age in the country, live in a state that either had or was likely to ban abortion. Ironically, it will be abortion access and anti-choice efforts to restrict freedom of choice that will mobilize Latino voters this election.

In a poll conducted by three national reproductive justice organizations, 87% of Latinas named abortion and women’s rights as one of their top priorities as they head to the polls. Another battleground poll conducted by Somos PAC and BSP Research found that 61% of Latino registered voters expressed a more positive/favorable view of Kamala Harris after hearing that she will protect abortion rights, versus only 19% of Latinos who said they had a more negative view of Harris after hearing that.

In key states to secure the White House and both chambers, Latinos make up large chunks of the electorate: Arizona (25%), Colorado (15%), Florida (20%), Nevada (20%), and New York (12%). In the face of unprecedented attacks on basic healthcare access and targeted attempts by extremists to mislead and divide our community on this issue, this November Latinos will be key deciders on abortion access across the country.

Mari Urbina, Managing Director of Indivisible, Battleground Arizona Lead and former Harry Reid advisor.

Héctor Sánchez Barba is president and CEO of Mi Familia Vota (MFV).