To put this into perspective, let’s look at the top 5 most controversial SCOTUS rulings in recent years and the harm they’ve done.
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Image shared by feminist on Instagram
In the 70s, Norma McCorvey, aka Jane Roe, became pregnant for the third time as a single mom in Texas. She decided she didn’t want a third child, but Texas law prohibited abortions, so McCorvey and her lawyers challenged the law’s constitutionality arguing that it violated her right to privacy.
Ultimately, the case reached the Supreme Court, where a 7-2 ruling determined that a woman's decision to have an abortion fell within her constitutional right to privacy. This legalized abortion nationwide and guaranteed women the right to terminate unwanted pregnancies.
Roe v. Wade divided the nation into those who supported the right to life for unborn children and those who supported women’s right to choose. 50 years later, in 2022, this landmark legislation was overturned by SCOTUS in a 6-3 decision. With this legal protection out of the way, individual states are allowed to restrict or fully ban abortions, and that’s exactly what has been happening since.
This SCOTUS ruling has had catastrophic effects, with maternal mortality rising in states where abortion is either restricted or banned. Moreover, abortion bans and restrictions disproportionately affect Black and Latino women, with many losing their lives. Particularly in states like Texas, where Latinos make up 40.2% of the population and abortions are banned after 6 weeks–before many women even realize they’re pregnant.
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Image shared by naleoedfund on Instagram
The 2023 rulings in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina sent shockwaves through the space of higher education. In a 6-3 decision, SCOTUS ended affirmative action policies.
That means that federal-funded American public or private universities can’t consider students’ race in their admissions process. Any advantages given to Black and Latino applicants for a variety of reasons, such as increasing diversity and battling discrimination, no longer exist. This disproportionately affects Black and Latino students.
While college applicants can still discuss how race has influenced their lives in personal essays, this doesn’t lessen the broader impact of the ruling. Dismantling affirmative action policies, which existed to level the playing field for historically disadvantaged racial groups, has led to a decline in minority representation in universities.
The implications for Latino students are particularly noticeable, as one of the groups who benefited most from affirmative action. This SCOTUS ruling severely limits Latinos’ ability to access selective colleges and, therefore, their ability to improve their economic status.
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Image shared by immigrantsrising on Instagram
In 2023, the Supreme Court determined, with an 8-1 decision, that Texas’ deportation law, Senate Bill 4, would go into effect. SB 4 makes it a state crime to cross the border of Mexico and Texas between entry ports. Essentially, anyone suspected of illegally crossing the border could be stopped, detained, and charged with a Class B misdemeanor, facing up to 6 months in jail.
This SCOTUS ruling revises immigration law and limits immigrants’ ability to cross safely into the United States and request asylum. Moreover, it exposes Latinos, even those who have citizenship or permanent residency, to racial profiling. They may now be more likely to be suspected of and harassed by law enforcement simply because they’re not white or don’t look American.
SB 4 also risks damaging the relationship between law enforcement and local immigrant communities. It blurs the lines between federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement, causing fear among unauthorized immigrants and their families about interacting with law enforcement due to deportation risks. This fear may lead to a reduction in crime reporting, which can affect the safety of the entire community.
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Image shared by naacp_ldf on Instagram
2023 was a tough year and it brought another controversial SCOTUS ruling, this time relating to student loan forgiveness. In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court overturned the Biden administration’s program to provide student debt relief under the HEROES Act. This represented a major blow to economic and racial justice as the program sought to expand student loan forgiveness.
This SCOTUS ruling specifically affects students who don’t have many resources, particularly Black and Latino students. It makes the unfairness in the American education system even worse. Essentially, the ruling sends the message that only people who can afford a good education are entitled to it, no matter their talents or dreams.
By stopping Biden's plan to help with student debt, the court has said no to lots of people who want to go to school and make their lives better. Essentially, it slows down progress, especially within underprivileged communities. Currently, a new version of Biden’s plan is underway, dubbed Plan B. It’s a broader version of the first one and it’s more focused on specific groups of borrowers to avoid the same fate as the first plan.
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Image shared by daily49er on Instagram
In 2015, Nohemi Gonzalez, a 23-year-old American citizen of Mexican descent, was murdered during a terrorist attack in Paris, France, where she was spending a semester abroad. The day after the attack, ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack through a written statement and a YouTube video.
Nohemi’s father, Reynaldo Gonzalez, filed an action against Google LLC, claiming they aided and abetted international terrorism by allowing ISIS to use their platform (specifically, YouTube) to issue threats, recruit members, intimidate populations, and plan terrorist attacks. The complaint also alleged that Google’s algorithms helped ISIS spread its message through content suggestions, which are based on viewing history.
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the tech giants in a unanimous decision, rejecting the notion that terrorist organizations being allowed to use the platforms makes the companies liable. This is based on Section 230, which provides immunity for tech companies regarding third-party content users create. While many see this ruling as a win for free speech, others criticize the legal liability shield tech platforms have.
María Rubio's portrayal of Catalina Creel in "Cuna de Lobos” is nothing short of iconic. With her fake innocence and murderous schemes, Catalina proves that even a visually impaired woman can be a master manipulator. She'll have you on the edge of your seat, wondering what devilish plan she'll come up with next.
If you haven't heard of Soraya Montenegro, where have you been? Itatí Cantoral's over-the-top portrayal of this diva villainess in "María la del Barrio" is the stuff of legends. From her dramatic slaps to her iconic "maldita lisiada" catchphrase, Soraya has undoubtedly graced us with the most iconic telenovela moments (and GiFs) of all time.
Victoria Ruffo takes the cake as the ultimate wicked stepmother in "La Madrastra." This woman stops at nothing to ruin her stepdaughter's life. Ruffo's performance will leave you with a burning desire to shake some sense into her character. Kudos to Ruffo for making us feel so passionately about hating her!
Barbara Mori's Rubí in the aptly named telenovela "Rubí" is a real gem among villains. This seductive and ambitious character will claw her way to success, leaving a trail of broken hearts and shattered dreams in her wake. Mori's portrayal is as dazzling as Rubí's craving for wealth and power.
Meet the ultimate telenovela twins, Paola and Paulina, played by Gabriela Spanic. But it's Paola Bracho, the conniving sister, who steals the show in "La Usurpadora." Spanic's performance is a masterclass in villainy, and you won't be able to resist shouting, "You go, girl!" while she plots her wicked schemes.
Angelique Boyer, in her portrayal of the eponymous Teresa Chávez in "Teresa," brings to life a character who is cunning, manipulative, and ruthlessly ambitious. Teresa's relentless pursuit of wealth and power, regardless of the emotional cost to those around her, makes her one of the most riveting villainesses on the small screen.
As Marimar's haughty and bitter aunt-in-law, Angélica takes pleasure in belittling the innocent and unsuspecting Marimar. Chantal Andere brings an unforgettable cruel edge to her character, delivering each insult and scornful smirk with a relish that makes her role as the villainess utterly captivating.
Oh, Patricia Fernández, you conniving beauty! Played to perfection by Lorna Cepeda in "Yo Soy Betty, La Fea," Patricia is the kind of character we all love to despise. As Betty's office nemesis, she stirs up trouble with a glamorous smile on her face and an insatiable ambition in her heart. Patricia's endless attempts to rise through the ranks, often at the expense of others, makes her a villain we can't wait to see brought down to earth!
The ruthless Malvina Morantes, masterfully portrayed by Laura Zapata in "María Mercedes," is the epitome of an evil, heartless villain. Malvina's disdain for María and her relentless attempts to make her life a living hell make our blood boil. Zapata's performance will leave you shouting at your screen as she effortlessly embodies the wickedness of her character.
Cynthia Klitbo's Tamara de la Colina in "El privilegio de amar" is a villainess that sends shivers down our spines. Tamara is a manipulative and relentless character, always scheming to get what she wants no matter who she hurts along the way. Her cold-heartedness and devious plots make her a standout villain.
These telenovela villains are the crème de la crème of wickedness, the cream in our coffee, the habanero in our salsa. They make us yell at the screen, gasp in disbelief, and secretly root for their downfall. These ten characters, brought to life by talented actors, have left an indelible mark on the telenovela landscape. So, the next time you find yourself captivated by a villain's evil plot, remember to appreciate the brilliance and charm that these actors bring to the dark side of the telenovela world!
Photo by Matthew Moloney on UnsplashBalancing between two cultures can sometimes feel like walking a tightrope. Dual identity feels like straddling our heritage and American upbringing, trying to honor both without losing our authentic selves. Connecting with other Latinos having the same experience can be very grounding!
Photo by Bewakoof.com Official on UnsplashSwitching between languages and cultural norms depending on the situation is second nature for many Latina women in the U.S. Whether it's speaking Spanish at home and English at work or adjusting behavior to fit different social contexts, code-switching is a skill we have mastered out of necessity.
Photo by Rajiv Perera on UnsplashFamily comes first, always. Latina women foster strong family ties and prioritize spending time with loved ones, even if they don’t always get along. From large gatherings filled with laughter and food to relying on family for support during tough times, family is the cornerstone of Latinos’ lives.
Whether it's observing cultural holidays like Día de los Muertos or embracing traditions passed down through generations, Latina women take pride in their heritage and celebrate it without reservation. From music and dance to food and customs, traditions keep them connected to their roots and it’s a great way to find community in a foreign land.
Photo by Jennifer Marquez on UnsplashLatina women often feel the weight of expectations placed on them by their families and communities. Not to mention society! The pressure of proving ourselves in a place that may underestimate us is something that has become part of our reality. That said, it’s okay to just be. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone but yourself.
Dealing with societal standards of beauty can be particularly challenging for Latina women, as we often face unrealistic expectations regarding body shape and size. That said, celebrating diverse beauty standards is more prominent than ever and it becomes very empowering in a culture that promotes such narrow ideals.
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Latina women frequently encounter machismo, that nasty cultural attitude that upholds traditional gender roles and emphasizes male dominance. From subtle sexism to overt discrimination, Latinas have become experts in navigating these dynamics, which adds to our self-assurance and empowerment.
Photo by Frantisek Duris on UnsplashWhile not all Latinas are religious, we all have some spirituality within us. For some, religion plays a major role in providing strength, guidance, and a sense of belonging. For others, practicing spirituality in the form of meditation or any other practice is a great way to stay grounded and be more aligned in our daily lives.
Photo by Edgar Castrejon on UnsplashThe kitchen is where cultural fusion truly shines for Latina women in the U.S. From abuela's recipes passed down through generations to adding a spicy twist to classic American dishes, our bicultural takes on dishes make life quite fun. Especially for our gringo friends, who often enjoy our vibrant and flavorful interpretations.
Photo by Tim Mossholder on UnsplashLatina women in the U.S. come from diverse backgrounds, representing a variety of countries, ethnicities, and experiences. Despite these differences, there's a sense of solidarity and sisterhood that transcends borders and unites us in this journey.
