TikTok is Calling out Latinx Cosplayers with the “Ahora Todos Quieren Ser Latinos” Trend

photos of various TikTok influencers posing for the camera with latino food and beverages
When “Un Verano Sin Ti” was released earlier this summer by Latino reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny, the onslaught of TikTok trends that resulted from it wasn’t a surprise. A specific lyric from the modern Puerto Rican anthem “El Apagón,” that says, “ahora todos quieren ser Latinos” (meaning “now they all want to be Latinos”) has struck a chord with fans everywhere.

The lyrics have inspired responses to non-Latinos appropriating Latinx culture, leading to the creation of messages like the one below:

@mjhettie

@badbunny tuvo tanta razón con esta linea. These #mexicancore trends are YT erasure of latinos who by the way, come in all colors. But we all have infigenous ancestry. #spawater #cowboycaviar #mexicancornsalad #aguafresca #culturalappropriation #littlemexicangirlcore

There’s a fine line between appreciation and appropriation when it comes to expressions of culture, but some lines aren’t fine lines at all. Spa water is a prime example of extreme cultural ignorance that resulted in outright absurdity. Bad Bunny’s lyrics highlight how normal it is for non-Latinos to claim or appropriate Latinx culture when convenient and how easy it is to outright steal the culture and re-name it any old thing - “clean girl aesthetic” anyone?

In response to this, the internet is fighting back against non-Latinos who are claiming Latinidad for their own benefit:

@itscoral93

Ahora todos quieren ser latino... pero les falta sazón. #puertorico #boricua #parati #fyp #viral #🇵🇷 #puertorico🇵🇷 #puertoricotiktok #latino #latinos #latinotiktok #parati #hispanic #fyp #viral #badbunny #badbunnypr



@chrisdoucet28

#pegar un video de @its.me.again_07

Religion and Superstition among Latinas: Are they Mutually Exclusive?

I often wondered how my abuelita could be so religious, praying all the time and never missing a Sunday at church. Yet there she was, sticking a knife in the ground whenever storm clouds rolled in, thinking it would "shoo the rain away." She'd give me the side-eye for my magic wand tattoo and believing in the power of manifestation, but would be the first to blame trickster “chaneques” when stuff went missing, and hang ceramic sheep on the door to supposedly "bring in the cash."

When I was younger, I found it to be somewhat hypocritical of her. Now, I just think it’s funny and sort of beautiful how our ancestors and surroundings have shaped our beliefs in such unique ways.

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