In The Community
Like so many other Latino cultural topics, it’s deeply nuanced.
The History of Hair Braids in Latin America
Andean cultures, like the Incas in Peru and Chile, also have a long history of hair braiding. Indigenous communities like the Quechua and Aymara are also known for their hair braids, which often communicate a person’s identity, connection to ancestors, strength, and vitality. Braids are even used to celebrate or mark life events and milestones.
Within Latino culture, this hairstyle has also been shaped by African people and their hair-braiding art. Because of the transatlantic slave trade, African culture merged with Latino hair-braiding traditions. Enslaved Africans brought their techniques and heritage, which spread because they used their hair as a means of communication.
For example, in 16th-century Colombia, intricate braids represented coded messages to spread information about the slaves’ surroundings, escape routes, and the locations of Spanish troops. African slaves also used braids to carry seeds, grains, and small trinkets. When they escaped, these belongings helped them survive and build communities wherever they went. To this day, hair braiding is a central part of the Afro-Colombian identity.
This is just some of the history of hair braiding in Latin America to give an idea of how ingrained it is into the culture. The integration of African and European ethnic groups has resulted in a wide range of hair textures, from straight to tightly coiled curls. Braiding has been a long-standing practice of hair care, but also of connection to our ancestors and roots.
Is It Cultural Appropriation to Wear Hair Braids?
This is a question most often asked by and for white people, but it’s also something Latinas ask themselves, especially those who are racially white or have lighter skin and can be white-passing. This has a lot to do with the fact that hair braids are primarily associated with Black culture, and they are indeed a central part of Black expression.
However, it’s also true that hair braiding is an integral part of Latino culture and has been for centuries. So, to determine whether wearing braids is appropriation, we have to consider the definition. Cultural appropriation consists of taking something from a culture that’s not your own and engaging with it in an exploitative or disrespectful way.
In the Latino and Afro-Latino communities, hair braiding shouldn’t be classified as cultural appropriation because it’s part of the heritage. It’s a practice that has been passed down through generations as a form of expression, hair care, and cultural pride. In the context of white people, the question is a bit more difficult to answer because it depends on the intention of the wearer and the type of braid as well.
For example, French braids, fishtail braids, and 3-strand braids are usually appropriate for everyone. They don’t hold the same cultural significance for Black or Latino people as box braids, braids with ribbons, beaded braids, side braids, crown braids, and many others, which are steeped in history and tradition.
When it comes to intention, wearing braids as a form of appreciation or a way of connecting to other cultures can be acceptable. For example, people who travel to the Caribbean often come back with braided hair because locals share this part of their culture. It’s also a way for them to make a living, so tourists directly contribute to their livelihoods.
Permanently adopting hair braids, especially the more traditional and culturally significant styles, might be cultural appropriation. Not having a connection to the symbolism and identity that certain styles represent, but wearing them anyway may be disrespectful. It may also be exploitative if there’s something to gain from adopting these hairstyles without regard for or acknowledgment of the communities they belong to.
Hair Braids as a Symbol of Latino Pride
Ultimately, wearing hair braids as Latinas is a great way to honor ancestors and traditions. There’s no rule for Latinas when it comes to wearing most styles of braids. It’s a matter of identifying the reason why they are being worn and how that relates to their identity, community, sense of self, and their politics.
Even if the decision is made not to wear hair braids, learning about them and sharing the knowledge can help bring the community closer together. A big part of bonding with one another is finding connections through sharing the different aspects of our culture, even if we don’t always partake in them.
Recognizing where hair braids come from and their influences, whether they’re African or Indigenous, is an effective way to help create awareness about our diverse experiences and relate more closely to the Latino community. Especially when that community is often overlooked and intentionally kept out of important historical narratives.
Through its long history in the U.S., the Latine community has contributed significantly to the nation's art, culture, politics, and more. Let’s take a journey through some must-visit Latine historic sites in the U.S. that serve as vivid reminders of our community's contributions and resilience:
Chicano Park, San Diego, California
Chicano Park, San Diego, California
Our first stop is Chicano Park, a vivid testament to the Mexican-American community's activism and resilience. What makes this site historically important? Well, in the 1970s, this park was born out of protest when the community successfully halted the construction of a California Highway Patrol station on this land. It represents an important chapter in civil rights history and is home to the world's largest collection of Chicano murals—more than 80 paintings that narrate the struggle and hopes of a community.
Calle Ocho, Little Havana, Miami, Florida
Calle Ocho, Little Havana, Miami, Florida
via Wikimedia Commons
Next, we'll immerse ourselves in the pulsating beat of Miami's Little Havana. The historical importance of Calle Ocho (Eighth Street) is tied to the migration of Cubans following the 1959 Cuban revolution. It became a cultural, commercial, and social hub for Cuban exiles, and over time, has evolved into an epicenter of Cuban culture and identity in the U.S. The Calle Ocho Walk of Fame commemorates Latine stars, much like Hollywood's Walk of Fame, underscoring the community's contributions to arts and culture.
San Antonio Missions, San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio Missions, San Antonio, Texas
via Wikimedia Commons
The San Antonio Missions in Texas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stand as poignant reminders of the Spanish colonization era. The missions tell tales of indigenous peoples' encounters with Spanish colonizers, highlighting the cultural exchange that ensued and the enduring impacts of this colonial history. Visiting these missions helps us understand the early seeds of Latine presence in the region, which has shaped Texas's cultural landscape.
El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, Los Angeles, California
La Placita Church, found within the area of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument in Los Angeles, California
via Wikimedia Commons
In the heart of modern Los Angeles lies the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument—its birthplace. This site, where 44 settlers of Native American, African, and European descent founded the city in 1781, is historically significant as it's a testament to the multicultural roots of L.A. Today, the vibrant Olvera Street within the monument area recreates a version of old Los Angeles and serves as a hub for celebrating Mexican culture and traditions.
Cesar E. Chavez National Monument, Keene, California
The César E. Chávez National Monument Entrance
via the U.S. National Parks Service
Finally, we reach the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument. Historically, this site is important because it commemorates the life and work of Cesar Chavez, a pivotal figure in the American labor movement. His advocacy for farmworkers' rights led to significant labor reforms, making this monument a beacon of social justice. Visitors can explore Chavez's home and final resting place and a memorial garden dedicated to his life.
Embarking on a tour of these historic sites is not just a journey through time; it's a celebration of the enduring Latine presence that has shaped and enriched the United States. Each location carries a piece of the greater story—a story of struggle, resilience, celebration, and enduring influence—that continues to impact the nation today. So go ahead, start your adventure, and let the captivating spirit of Latine history inspire you!
- Discovering the Complexity of Latino Ethnicities in the U.S. ›
- 5 Latinas in U.S History We Bet You Didn’t Know About ›
The pristine coastline of Tulum, MX in 2017 before the onslaught of tourist and global warming devastation set in
With a booming influx of tourists, investors, expats, and floating residents, the once-small Mexican village is now a tourist haven that’s becoming unrecognizable by the day. Since 2010 the population in Tulum increased by 65%. There’s no doubting Tulum’s attractiveness, but there’s a price for paradise, and the environment and the local residents are paying the tab.
the tropical coastline of Tulum, Mexicovia unsplash Darren Lawrence
Fake Eco-Tourism
“Greenwashing” is a term that’s grown substantially in the past decade. The term refers to false or misleading marketing tactics that businesses use to market themselves as environmentally sustainable/friendly without actually making investments into business practices that help them deliver on those eco-friendly promises.
Many of Tulum’s newer residents have come from all over the world, opening new businesses, buying real estate, and driving tourism into the town. Though business might be booming, Tulum’s local infrastructure is struggling to catch up with the demands. The lack of infrastructure directly contributes to the environmental devastation occurring in large scale across Tulum.
The Yucatán contains the largest underground freshwater system in the world and was especially important to the Mayans as they utilized the cenotes, or sinkholes, that formed along the Yucatán as their main water source. The Mayans also believed that the cenotes acted as gateways to the underworld where their gods and spirits rested. Nowadays, tourists see those same cenotes as an attraction to experience and a perfect backdrop for social media posts, but recent findings show that as much as 80% of the cenotes are polluted due to improper disposal of garbage, pesticides, and even raw sewage.
A woman swimming in one of Tulum’s cenotes.
via unsplash Mathilde Langevin
Along with the lack of infrastructure exists the sewage issue: much of Tulum’s “eco-friendly” resorts don’t have adequate sewage, and many of the new construction projects aren’t being connected into an existing network that can sustain the current population, let alone the ever expanding foreign population.
It’s estimated that as many as 80% of Tulum’s resorts do not have adequate sewage, leading to the contamination of the aforementioned Yucatán. Many of the beloved trendy places to visit run on gas generators, leading to both noise and air pollution to power most of Tulum beach. The failure of the notoriously corrupt local and federal government to enact and enforce legislation to protect Tulum’s environment is a direct cause of this, with developers paying top dollar to local officials that are all too happy to develop the land as quickly as possible.
There are also large economic impacts with the rise of newcomers to Tulum: many of the high-priced boutique hotels, vegan restaurants, yoga studios, and more that continue to draw in the “eco chic” tourists don’t actually generate any economic development opportunities for the locals. With many of the “eco-friendly” resorts charging nightly rates comparable to that of major U.S cities like New York and Los Angeles, the employees, local to the area, aren’t seeing their wages rise to reflect that.
The average monthly wage in Tulum is reported at $7,000 pesos, which in today’s exchange rate, is $336 dollars. Worse yet, that wage rate has remained largely unchanged since 2011.
Instead we’re seeing wealthy expats lining their pockets, and those of the local politicians and cartels, with the profit of their earnings while the local economy continues to stagnate in poverty wages. Without policy protecting workers, the environment, and local infrastructure Tulum is destined to become a wasteland that won’t ever be recovered.
Challenges Amidst Tourist Boom
Tulum has a brand-new international airport, and while the airport currently handles domestic flights exclusively, the outset of international flights has been scheduled for March 2024.
Simultaneously, the Mayan Train project unfolds—a colossal 1,500-kilometer railway connecting Palenque to Chetumal. This route goes through biological reserves, indigenous communities, and archaeological sites.
The inaugural phase, which spans 892 kilometers from Palenque to Cancún, was opened in December 2023. The following sections are expected to be open by February 2024.
Concerns loom large about the impact of new access roads that greenlight excessive growth that does not take into account strategic planning to prioritize the authentic and sustainable well-being of the local community and the environment. Striking a balance is crucial to prevent the compromise of Yucatán's rich cultural, biological, and environmental heritage.
The Future
There’s light at the end of the tunnel though - reports have found cleanups are underway for some cenotes in both Tulum and nearby Cancun, where high contamination rates were cited as risks for human health and the environment. The biggest factor in changing Tulum's local economy though, lies in tourists' hands.
While some tourists are attracted to “eco-friendly” travel, many aren’t doing the work to verify if these places are truly practicing what they preach. By looking for sustainable green and red flags when traveling, consumers can hold these resorts accountable for their environmentally friendly images and decide if they actually deserve your money.
Staying at resorts that utilize renewable energy sources such as solar or wind energy, limit electricity usage (common in tropical communities), provide water purification services, and practice responsible sewage practices that doesn't damage the local ecosystem are all ways of supporting the right kinds of business.
When in doubt, opt out of that trendy vegan place and look to support something locally owned that benefits Tulum’s local community. Listening to and respecting indigenous communities advocating for their environment is one of the most vital pieces of the puzzle, as these communities are disproportionately impacted by environmental devastation.
Consumers have a lot more power than they think. The power of the wallet can send a clear message that places like Tulum should be protected, and the money will stop flowing without that. Ultimately, it's up to individuals to care more about respecting the environment and the residents than their Instagram posts.
- Beyond the ‘Gram: Vacations with Cultura as the Destination - Luz Media ›
- Tulum Moves Forward with Airport Despite Ecological Destruction and Poor Infrastructure - Luz Media ›
- Wiped Out: From Major Grant to Drained Bank Accounts - Luz Media ›
- 10 Easy Ways to Live Sustainably ›
- Expat If You’re an American in Latin America, Immigrant If You’re a Latino in the U.S. - Luz Media ›
- 10 Things That Make You a Latina Environmentalist - Luz Media ›
