Our Top 5 Stories of 2020

Collage of images of women, signs, and fruit

As we’re nearing the end of 2020 we’re highlighting Luz Collective’s most read stories of the year made popular by you, the reader! We’ve been able to keep these stories going because not only did you read, but you also gave to the Luz Collective Writers’ Room which keeps this important work going.

You’ve told us what you like and what you want to see more of and 2021 will be a year of uplifting more Latina stories and bringing them to the forefront. Cheers to you!


Selena: The Series Fails To Tell A Nuanced Story by Rosa Parra

The most hyped-up show to come out this year, Selena: The Story, fell flat to many viewers who grew up listening to the Tejano pop star. Take a look at this article examining the show’s faults by Rosa Parra, who takes a closer look at everything from the corny lines that fail to inspire, to the critics of interference by Selena’s family in the production of the story.

The Cult of Pink by Myriam Gurba

Female genital shaming is something you might not be familiar with – something our columnist Myriam explains in this introspective piece about the shame women face in not having ideal looking genitals. Not having a pink pussy is something most women are surprised and shamed by, but we’re here to call out the BS surrounding this narrative while dispelling the insecurity around your (maybe) brown ass pussy.

Black Lives Matter Protest Shines Light On Racism In A Small West Texas Town by Sarah Vasquez

Alpine is a small Texas town that you might not know of, but it serves to provide a very important context on the existence of a divided racial identity in the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement. Author, Sarah Vasquez dives deep into her experience as a biracial woman growing up in the small West Texas town, the microaggressions she experienced in her upbringing, and how speaking at the locally-organized BLM rally helped her understand the racism that exists in Alpine – and how people can combat this in their own communities through sharing their own lived experiences.

Confronting Anti-Blackness in the Latinx Community by Marielys Cepeda

After this year of advocacy in regards to BLM, many members of the Latinx community are taking time to confront anti-Blackness in themselves and their families. Author Marielys Cepeda describes anti-Blackness as the elephant in the room for many Latinx people where colorism has long-dictated harmful behaviors against members of our communities in addition to Black Americans.

a mother talking to her little daughter while the daughter sits in a sofa

First things first: I’m a “mande” girlie. That’s just how my mama raised me, even though I won’t say it’s right.

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Image of Vice President Kamala Harris

Originally published inThe Latino Newsletter–reprinted with permission.

Ever since President Joe Biden announced on Sunday afternoon that he would not seek a second term and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the 2024 Democratic Party nominee, several Latino Democrats and organizations have been sharing statements of support. Here is just a sampling of the Harris endorsements. (FYI, the New York Times has a comprehensive list of all Democratic elected officials who are all in for Harris as of Monday morning. This list is being updated, and other Latino Democrats are on the complete list.)

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Latina having coffee and looking thoughtful

Today there are many labels I proudly use during introductions. I am a first-gen Guatemalteca-Mexicana college student. Identity is one of the things we use to define ourselves and we cling to it- it’s our orgullo. Latino culture is orgullo. I, along with many others, understand what the experience is like when we’re told we don’t look as if we have the privilege of feeling the pride that is our culture.

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