The Feminist Anthems of Trap Latino's Leading Ladies

College students are rising up across the country to protest the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza and the lack of action from global governments. After the initial October 7th attack on Israeli people that resulted in an estimated 1,200 deaths, an estimated 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in response, with over 15,000 of those killed being children. The Palestinian death toll count is an estimate for various reasons, including an unknown number of bodies that are still under the rubble, decomposing bodies in unsafe areas that can’t be searched, and the lack of access to a government source that can accurately account for Palestinian citizens.

The University of Southern California (USC) protest is one of many now featured in heavy news coverage due to the clashes between students and law enforcement. USC protests first began after the university decided to cancel valedictorian Asna Tabassum’s commencement speech, a student who has been openly pro-Palestine on social media. USC cited safety concerns for the cancellation of the speech; however, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to local NPR affiliate “LAist” last week that no crime report had been opened for the threats. USC then went on to cancel the entire main graduation ceremony.

USC also announced a drastic change to the campus-wide commencement ceremony, and it seems that other universities in the U.S. will follow suit, including Princeton University, Emory University, Cornell University, Northwestern University, City College of New York, and George Washington University because students have joined the efforts in calling for a ceasefire and an end to the genocide on Palestinians.

Since Wednesday night, dozens of protesters have been arrested across U.S. universities. At USC, over 90 people were arrested by the LAPD during peaceful protests because they refused to disperse and disband their encampment (up since last week) in Alumni Park, which is where the university’s commencement events take place. Encampment has been an element of many student-led protests sprouting on college campuses all over the country as a quiet means of disruption. USC protesters stood their ground, but arrests eventually started, with LAPD officers zip-tying people and leading them to LAPD vans.

As reported by NPR, arrests have also been made at Princeton University and Emory University, and there has been heavy police presence at Emerson College and the University of Texas, among others. Tensions are rising on college campuses across the nation as students refuse to stay quiet about their activism and their solidarity with the Palestinian people.

A Latino Father Goes Viral

Amidst the chaos of USC protests and the violent reaction of local and campus police forces, a supportive Latino dad emerged as a gold standard for parents everywhere by showing up to support his daughter, one of the protest organizers on campus. While many parents would counsel their children to “mind your own business” or “don’t get involved in things that don’t concern you,” this Latino dad headed to campus and stood by his daughter.

This “don’t ruffle any feathers” approach is particularly pervasive in Latino culture, where it’s common to be taught to keep your head down and not make any waves - “no te metas donde no te llaman” or “no es tu problema” are phrases Latino children hear often.

A reporter from ABC7 Los Angeles identified the supportive father as Lazaro Aguero. He confidently stated, “I’m here to support my daughter. She’s studying here, and they’re protesting against a genocide.” He shared that the entire family is against the ongoing genocide and has been aware of his daughter’s efforts on campus.

Aguero also said, “They’re threatening, if we don’t leave the campus we’re going to get arrested. But the students are so brave, look at them, they don’t want to leave the campus.” When asked if he was concerned about his daughter he said, “It does concern me, but my daughter did a right decision. If she rather be arrested fighting for Palestine, I will be the happiest daddy. I will be the happiest daddy if she’s doing the right thing.”

This moving show of support made many Latina daughters proud across social media, and the ABC7 clip quickly went viral. To see a father breaking through machismo beliefs that often lead to controlling behavior and the repression of female power within families was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Thousands of comments can now be found showing the emotional response to seeing a Latino father stand so resolutely by his daughter as she does what so many Latino parents, especially fathers, teach their daughters not to do.

Comment shared by @thedaisyprado on Instagram

Comment shared by @heyberna on Instagram

Many commentators agreed that this viral video served as a reminder not only to other Latino parents but parents across the ethnic spectrum to support their children when they’re putting themselves on the line for acting on their beliefs and seeking change in systems that have been shown to be unjust, unfair, and inequitable.

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The younger generation, as evidenced by students across the U.S. who are raising their voices for Palestine, is following their anti-war beliefs and bringing their parents along with them. Where global governments have stayed silent and stayed put, young people are amplifying Palestinian voices and helping mobilize the masses, not just in their communities but also on social media, across all platforms.

Throughout my life, my relationship with education was a complicated one, to say the least. It wasn't that I was flunking, but I always felt like I was clinging on by my fingertips. It was demanding, stressful, and overall seemed much more daunting than it did for my peers. I'd see the straight-A students, the effortless academic overachievers, and just couldn't comprehend how they made it look so easy.

Sitting at the back of the class, I was always the chatterbox. My weekly report cards routinely pointed out my constant talking and frequent distractions. These infractions were enough to earn me the "platica mucho en clase" stamp - labeling me a chatty parrot.

Similar behavioral issues seemed to follow me throughout elementary and middle school. How I navigated through it all, I can't say for sure. I made it to the other side, but if you asked me to recount the knowledge I gained, I'd draw a blank.

Seeing my brother, a model student who aced every exam and bagged every scholarship, only added to my distress. Although I wasn't failing, I wasn't at the top of my class either, and the emotional turmoil of just trying to keep up was indescribable. I chalked it up to me simply not being as intelligent as others and just accepted generalized anxiety, a good ol’ daily cry, and stress-induced IBS as a part of life.

My parents, perhaps not knowing any better, just accepted my fate. To this day, if the topic ever pops up, they’ll say I always had “a different kind of intelligence.” Now, despite how backhanded that sounds, they were referring to the fact that I was always more artistically inclined than my brother. Which is okay, I guess; not everyone has the same skillset, right?

But how I wish someone had recognized my struggles for what they truly were: the tell-tale signs of undiagnosed ADHD.

Growing up as a millennial, ADHD wasn't really a topic that came up in my school. The only thing we had to do was to shut up, sit still, and pay attention, or else risk failing the class. Funny thing, though, even when I did all those things, my mind was always on a field trip somewhere else. For a while, I'd sketch out what the teacher was saying. I'd create these intricate designs and images that helped stuff stick in my mind. But, sure enough, the teacher would snap at me to focus and quit doodling.

Eventually, I started doing this odd thing I only recently found out is called tickertaping. It's this phenomenon where you visualize the words you hear, speak, or think like subtitles in your head. As a visual learner, this helped me memorize things that otherwise would just slip through the cracks—especially when I wasn't allowed to doodle or write them down.

Overlooking an ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) diagnosis is just the beginning of a bigger struggle. Kids who show signs of ADHD, but aren't diagnosed, often get slapped with the "rebellious" or "problematic" label, which only makes things harder for them. Not to mention for girls, ADHD is severely underdiagnosed. Living with untreated ADHD affects much more than academic performance; it influences self-esteem, social functioning, career progression, and overall well-being.

In my case, even long after I entered the professional world, the lifelong struggle with academics manifested as bouts of depression, generalized anxiety, a list of stress-related health problems, and crippling imposter syndrome, all of which I have only recently begun to explore and to heal.

The coping strategies I came up with long before I was diagnosed—things like physical reminders everywhere, jam-packed calendars, neverending task checklists, noisy alarms, very strict routines, and various organizing gizmos—were my personal life savers in and out of the workplace. Funny enough, they all turned out to be textbook strategies for managing ADHD.

However, when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted my meticulously organized routine, it all came crashing down.

Suddenly, my day-to-day structure vanished into thin air. I was wrestling with keeping myself on track, staying focused, seeing tasks through to the end, and the missing reassurance of routine check-ins at work. My stomach was back in knots from stress, and the daily meltdowns, wondering why I couldn’t just get stuff done, came back with a vengeance.

After having somewhat learned how to manage my still-unnamed ADHD, this sudden shift made me feel like I was losing it all over again. When I started to seriously question what was wrong with me, I finally decided to seek help. That's when my psychiatrist ultimately diagnosed me with ADHD, providing the long-awaited explanation for my struggles and how they manifested in my experience as a child.

Looking back at my childhood with the insights from my therapist got me thinking about the many children in our education system that were labeled 'rebellious', 'lazy', or simply 'medio burros' (not that bright.) How many of us went undiagnosed, fighting an uphill battle against a rigid school system ill-suited for neurodivergent individuals?

ADHD stigma is a real thing, especially within the Latino community. Despite presenting symptoms at similar rates to white individuals, Latinos and other people of color are far less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. And even when diagnosed, they aren't as likely to receive treatment. The larger picture reveals significant inequities in healthcare, particularly mental health care, where racial disparities persist.

Undiagnosed ADHD can sometimes lead to risky behavior, drug use, mood disorders, and a host of other serious consequences. The lack of diagnosis and treatment can genuinely change the trajectory of a person's life, particularly in communities that already face significant challenges.

You see, in our community, many still view mental health issues as taboo, and ADHD isn't immune to this stigma. Whether it's an abuela insisting that a child just needs more discipline or a parent attributing inattentiveness to laziness, these ingrained attitudes can mask the true struggle a child or even an adult is enduring.

What's worse, the stereotype of the hyperactive, disruptive boy has been so deeply engraved in our collective understanding of ADHD that we often overlook it in those who don't fit this mold, particularly in girls or adults. A kid lost in daydreams or an adult who's perpetually disorganized isn't seen as a possible ADHD case but rather someone who needs to "get their act together." This mindset can delay diagnosis and prevent the necessary help from reaching those in need.

In sharing my journey, which I'm still on, my hope is to shed light on the often overlooked corners of ADHD, especially within the Latino community. Remember, being a little more "rambunctious" or struggling in the conventional school system doesn't make anyone less bright or less capable. It's simply a different way of experiencing and interacting with the world.

ADHD is real, and it's not just a kids' thing or a TikTok trend. It’s about time we normalize these conversations and start acknowledging the hidden struggles many of us face. After all, understanding is the first step to acceptance and, ultimately, to a happier, healthier life.

So, if you see yourself or someone you know in my story, don't hesitate to seek help. There's a whole world of support out there waiting for you—and it's never too late.

With Latinos being the largest ethnic group in the country, it’s not surprising that the community in the United States is loudly alive, despite the growing hostility incited by extremist politicians and white supremacist groups. But not even that can put a damper on Latino spirits. If there’s one thing Latinos love is any reason to celebrate life, which means, lucky for everyone, there are plenty of festivals and cultural events to choose from. We’ve compiled a diverse list of Latine festivals and cultural events in the U.S. that showcase the array of cultures that exists within the Latino community.

Carnaval Miami

Photo by Kwan Wallace on Flickr

Taking place in Miami, Florida, Carnaval Miami is one of the largest Latino festivals celebrating Caribbean culture in the U.S.. It celebrates everything that’s great about the city and its community. This event exposes people to the best Caribbean Latino food, fashion, art, music, and sports, so there’s something for everyone. It’s no wonder people from all over the world go to Miami to attend the many different events. Every year, you’ll be able to enjoy a colorful parade, dance performances, live music, authentic Latino food, domino tournaments, and more.

Fiesta San Antonio

Photo by Tim Wilson on Flickr

Fiesta San Antonio takes San Antonio, Texas, by storm every year for 10 days. It always takes place towards the end of March or beginning to mid-April. The dates change every year, so you’ll have to keep an eye out for that. Fiesta San Antonio is an unforgettable experience because it’s a citywide celebration that honors not only Mexican Latino heritage but many of the other diverse cultures in the city. This festival has a bit of everything, including parades, concerts, and cultural exhibitions. Overall, Fiesta San Antonio is a beautiful moment of togetherness and community, and it’s a lot of fun to see what each day brings.

Calle Ocho Festival

Photo by photo-gator on Flickr

While Calle Ocho Festival is part of Carnaval Miami, it’s its own event and it’s one of the best parts of the carnival. Calle Ocho Festival is the largest Latin music festival in the U.S. and one of the largest in the world, so you know you’re in for an amazing time. The festival takes up 15 street blocks, which you can explore at your leisure, finding not only food, but also live performances, folkloric dances, and more. It’s quite a celebration of Cuban, Puerto Rican, Colombian, and other Latino cultures in the area!

Fiesta Broadway

Photo by Omar on Flickr

Moving on to Los Angeles, California, we have the Fiesta Broadway event, which is one of the largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the U.S. Over half a million people flock to downtown L.A. to enjoy live entertainment, carnival rides, delicious Mexican food, and traditional music and dance performances. This event not only showcases Latino talent, it also allows local vendors to shine. It’s a great time, it’s family-friendly, and it provides a variety of experiences to connect with Latino culture and the community.

National Puerto Rican Day Parade

Photo by Boss Tweed on Flickr

New York is no stranger to events of all kinds, and the National Puerto Rican Day Parade is one of the most iconic cultural experiences the city has to offer. This event celebrates Puerto Rican heritage and culture in New York City through colorful floats, traditional costumes, marching bands, and performances by Puerto Rican artists. This parade takes place on Fifth Avenue, and it attracts people from all over the country and the world. It happens on June 9, so it’s one of the most interesting events of the summer!

Latinafest

Photo by LATINAFest on Facebook

Back to Los Angeles, California! Latinafest is the ultimate celebration of all things Latina, and it highlights the achievements, talents, and contributions of Latina women. It’s a powerful event because it fosters unity, making attendees feel empowered and inspired by one another. Latinafest usually takes place in March, and it lasts a couple of days, so there are plenty of things to do. The schedule usually features panels with talented Latinas, a fashion show, salsa dancing, and more.

Cesar Chavez Day 

Photo by NOWCastSA on Flickr

Cesar Chavez Day is a commemorative holiday that celebrates the life and achievements of civil rights activist and labor leader Cesar Chavez. It happens on March 31 every year, and cities across the United States celebrate the holiday with events, marches, and even festivals to commemorate Chavez’s legacy. Cesar Chavez is an important civil rights Latino figure, especially for farmworkers and immigrant communities. Celebrating this day by joining local events is a great way to connect with the local Latino community!

National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed from September 15 to October 15 every year, is a time of celebration across the country. It highlights the contributions of Latin Americans in the United States, so Latino communities across the country organize events such as festivals, concerts, educational programs, and much more. Keep an eye out for local events during National Hispanic Heritage Month and join in to celebrate Latino heritage and appreciate Latino identity and a wide variety of culture.

Dia de los Muertos 

Photo by Fili Santillán on Unsplash

Dia de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday and one of the most popular in the United States. Mexicans all over the country get together to honor deceased loved ones with altars, parades, and a great variety of performances. Cities like Los Angeles, San Antonio, Chicago, and San Francisco have some of the best events during Dia de los Muertos, but you’ll likely find something fun to do with the Latino community wherever you are in the U.S.

Sueños Music Festival

Photo by suenosfestival on Instagram

Last but not least, Chicago’s Sueños Music Festival is the go-to event for lovers of Latino urban talent. It takes place in May every year, but the dates vary, so you have to check and add it to your calendar. Sueños Music Festival offers one of the best Latino urban music experiences and top-notch opportunities for perreo. Over 25 reggaeton and Latin artists make up the lineup every year, so you’ll get to see some of your favorites live.

These 10 Latino festivals and cultural events in the U.S. offer authentic and fun immersive experiences. From exciting street festivals and parades to empowering events, they offer opportunities for people of all backgrounds to come together, celebrate, and embrace the richness of Latino heritage in America.

Today is Earth Day, a day established in 1970 to celebrate our planet and remind ourselves that, despite billionaire side rocket projects and talks about moving to other planets, trillions of humans need this planet to survive.

Earth is facing unprecedented attacks on its ecosystems, from deadly ozone-attacking gasses to deforestation that’s literally ripping out the lungs of the world to a mountain of discarded polysynthetic clothes in the country of Chile that can be seen from the sky. For 14 years, no rain has fallen in Alto Hospicio or the surrounding Atacama Desert region, where tons of clothes are discarded from all over the world.

The dry conditions of the desert, coupled with the nonbiodegradable, predominantly synthetic, petroleum-derived fibers used in modern clothes, meant that the pile never shrank. Instead, for more than two decades, it grew, and with every discarded item, it grew so large it could be seen from space. Startups like Ecocitex are helping solve the issue by recycling discarded clothes and turning them into raw materials. However, the problem requires government action.

On that front, efforts have been underway since 2016 to add textiles to the Extended Liability of the Producer law, or REP law for short, which makes producers and importers accountable for wasting specified materials. Tomás Saieg, head of the Chilean environment ministry’s Circular Economy Office, said to National Geographic, “Converting Chile from a junkyard into a recycling hub would be the dream, but first we have to add textiles to the REP law.

Collective Devastation: Human Rights, Environmental, Late Stage Capitalism

Considering the speed at which fashion trends come and go, and the recent enormous transfer of wealth to billionaires from the middle and working class, it’s only natural that today’s shoppers would be happy to find affordable fashionable options that keep up with fashion trends.

Now add on deeply acculturated consumerism that has people fist-fighting over travel cups and coveting the latest fashion trend that a social media star just talked about, and we have all the ingredients for fast fashion brands to rise like flames for the fashion-hungry moths to gravitate towards.

Fast fashion, pushed by giant brands like Zara, H&M, Forever 21, SHEIN, Fashion Nova, ASOS, and more, has made these companies some of the biggest faces of modern consumerism. These brands are also some of the biggest representatives of unsafe working conditions and wage theft of workers who are often forced to work more than 75 hours per week.

The human devastation these brands, individually and collectively, are causing is, sadly, not being taken seriously by the consumers who continue to provide billions of dollars a year to each of these companies.

As that $8 shirt is shipped from across the world in plastic bags that will end up in landfills, the fast fashion industry also consumes around 93 billion cubic meters of water a year. That’s enough to meet the water needs of as many as 5 million people. Moreover, according to the UN, this industry is responsible for 2 to 8 percent of global carbon emissions.

Fast fashion’s water impact and carbon emissions are not the only issues, though. The environmental impact of this industry runs deeper, not to mention the social impact side of the coin. The more is known about it, the more informed decisions can be made.

The dark side of fashion needs as much light shone on it as possible.

The rise of fast fashion

While fast fashion has skyrocketed in recent years, it has been around since the early 1990s, starting with the fashion store chain Zara’s lighting-fast supply chain. The design, production, distribution, and marketing of fast fashion are lightning-fast, which is how fast fashion brands can offer so much variety at such low prices.

However, if there’s a piece of life wisdom that most people know, it’s that nothing in life is free, everything comes at a price. The price of getting dirt-cheap clothes quickly delivered to our doorstep is paid not only by the environment but also by millions of workers who barely get paid for back-breaking, often unsafe work.

The dark side of fast fashion

Image by 1percentftp on Instagram

Image by 1percentftp on Instagram

Image by 1percentftp on Instagram

Image by 1percentftp on Instagram

Image by 1percentftp on Instagram

Image by 1percentftp on Instagram

Not only that, fast fashion also pollutes water resources due to practices like fabric dying and treatment, which involve chemicals. Those chemicals are infused into the water, including things like heavy metals, pesticides, dyes, oil, phenol, and more. In turn, that polluted water can contaminate streams and groundwater. If that water is used for irrigating crops, the food growing out of them will also be contaminated.

Synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon, which are staples in fast fashion, pose yet another threat. These materials take centuries to biodegrade, shedding microplastics with each wash. Those microplastics find their way into the oceans, contaminating marine life and ecosystems. It’s estimated that 35% of ocean microplastics come from textile laundering.

Of course, the impact of fast fashion extends beyond the environment. In developing economies, where much of fast fashion production takes place, exploitation is a huge issue. Forced labor, child labor, and awful working conditions are staples in the industry. As is often the case, marginalized communities bear the brunt of it.

A better alternative to fast fashion

As more and more people become aware of the high cost of fast fashion, the slow fashion movement gains more traction. This movement advocates for sustainable practices, mindful consumption, and ethical production. Leaning on slow fashion practices can be an antidote to the rampant consumerism fast fashion inspires.

A lot of people rely on fast fashion because they feel it’s their only alternative to creating a wardrobe. After all, high-quality pieces that are made to last are investments and they can be quite expensive. However, it’s important to remember those aren’t the only options. While saving up to build a more sustainable wardrobe is possible, alternatives like recycling, thrifting, and even renting clothes are great ways to exercise your power as a consumer to effect change. Of course, it’s also possible to abstain from buying clothes altogether when you already have a wardrobe you can work with.

No matter how attractive fast fashion may be, its cost to our planet and our fellow humans is a high price to pay. On this Earth Day, you can be more mindful of how your consumer choices accelerate climate destruction. You can also learn ways to decelerate it by creating more sustainable habits, such as adjusting your attitude about clothes, being more mindful of the clothes you buy, and choosing carefully what kind of brands you support with your hard-earned dollars.