Luz Staff
Luz creates compelling, culturally accurate and authentic stories that illuminate the breadth and the depth of the U.S.-based Latina experience. Dismantling stereotypes and destructing harmful narratives are the storytelling goals for every story told.
In The Community
Many Latinos who don’t appear stereotypically “Latino” deal with having their race questioned fairly often. Most educated people don’t need to be reminded that the United States doesn’t have a welcoming history of people of races besides white. Therefore race, ethnicity, and identity that is non-white have simply been pushed into the othered “non-white” category. For Latinos, this is particularly challenging because, by most standards, Latino isn’t a race and is considered an ethnicity.
Yet many Latinos still struggle with race and identity because while Latino is debated as a race, Latinos of various races present as they are, thus confusing non-Latinos whose only familiarity with the community is through stereotypes. Any internet search of what a Latino person “looks like” will confirm the utter and total inaccuracy of what Latinos actually look like.
Google search of “latino person” shows mostly brown-skinned people.
Black Latinos and Afro-Latinos are probably misunderstood the most because mainstream media has done an abysmal job of accurately including them in media narratives. Thus, most people don’t know that Latinos come in all shapes, sizes, and skin colors, which includes Black skin. According to the Pew Research Center, one in four Latinos in the U.S. identifies as Afro-Latino or Black.
The topic of Latino identity and what Latinidad means, particularly in America, is multi-dimensional and ever-evolving. The community as a collective can’t even decide what they want to be called - and maybe that’s a good thing, because if non-Latinos want a single label, they won’t ever do the work of learning the cultural and racial diversity that makes the concept of Latinidad so unique. Being Latino in the U.S. means more than just an outward appearance; it means culture, language, ancestry, geographical roots, and so much more.
The Erasure of Black and Afro-Latinos in Media
For decades, the media has portrayed a specific image of what a Latino “looks” like. Unsurprisingly, that image is lighter-skinned Latinos like Sofia Vergara, Salma Hayek, and Jennifer Lopez.
Researcher Keara K. Goin noted in her research paper in the “Afrolatinidad” subsection, “Popularly imagined as a homogenous “brown” race with a mixed Indigenous and Spanish ethnoracial heritage, the extreme diversity within the Latinx population is systematically flattened, ignored, and erased.”
In his Times article, Andrew R Chow looked at how Afro-Latino actors continue to struggle against Latino stereotypes and discrimination. He points out that “Afro-Latino actors are consistently shut out of roles because they don’t match that image—and when they are cast, it’s even rarer that they get to play Afro-Latino characters, instead playing characters who are Black or mixed race but not Latino.”
The lack of Afro-Latino acknowledgment has its cultural and literal roots in Latin America, where being Afro-Latino comes with displacement and exclusion. It’s painfully apparent in Spanish-language entertainment where non-white actors are rarely cast, much less Afro-Latino actors, opting instead to uphold harmful western beauty standards and colorism by exclusively hiring actors that are either white or very white-passing.
Changing this narrative is far from easy, but it takes creating consciousness first. Starting with learning and accepting that Latinos aren’t just one race, Latinos are different races, and Afro-Latinos are a significant and crucial part of the community. Therefore we must continue to advocate for Afro-Latino inclusion and representation. Hollywood has made some progress in the representation of Afro-Latinos, but not nearly enough.
Afro-Latinos are still too often cast aside or told they should be playing Black characters instead, not Latino ones, because they don’t “fit” into that role. We must take power from our narratives and find support in each other regardless of race. We need Afro-Latino representation so that this harmful cycle is broken, which will result in future generations who celebrate culture, empower all Latinos, and understand how uniquely beautiful and how uniquely Latino the darker shades of our people truly are.
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Our Latin American parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents came from lands with a diverse array of plant life and a rich history of traditional medicine. Many plants native to Latin America have been used for centuries to treat various ailments and promote overall health and wellness. In recent years, as more and more people re-connect with their roots and heritage, they are discovering plants and traditions used for natural skincare.
The aloe vera plant is one of the most well-known Latin American plants used in natural skincare. Aloe vera is a succulent plant native to the Caribbean and parts of Latin America. It’s known for its soothing and healing properties and is often used to treat sunburns, cuts, and other skin irritations. Aloe vera is also rich in antioxidants and vitamins, which can help to nourish and rejuvenate the skin.
Another popular plant used in Latin American natural skincare is the chia seed. Chia seeds are native to Mexico and are packed with nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and antioxidants. They are often used in facial masks and other skincare products to help moisturize and nourish the skin.
In addition to plants, traditional remedies and techniques are also a big part of Latin American natural skincare. For example, many people in Latin America use natural ingredients like honey, avocado, and coconut oil as a part of their skincare routine. These ingredients are believed to help soothe and nourish the skin and are often used in home remedies for various skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
One traditional skincare technique that has gained popularity in recent years is clay masks. Clay masks, made from natural clays found in Latin America, are believed to help remove impurities from the skin and improve its overall appearance. They are often used to treat acne, reduce inflammation, and tighten and tone the skin.
Try these DIY natural skincare treatments that can be made at home using Latin American ingredients:
Aloe Vera Moisturizer
- Mix 1/4 cup of aloe vera gel, 1/4 cup of coconut oil, and a few drops of essential oils (such as lavender or tea tree).
- Transfer the mixture to a small jar or container and use as a moisturizer.
Honey and Avocado Face Mask
- Mash together 1/2 an avocado and one tablespoon of honey.
- Spread the mixture over your face and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse the mask off with warm water and pat your face dry.
Coconut Oil and Sugar Scrub
- Mix together 1/2 cup of coconut oil and 1/2 cup of sugar.
- Use the scrub to gently exfoliate your skin, paying special attention to rough or flaky areas.
- Rinse the scrub off with warm water and pat your face dry.
Clay Face Mask
- Mix 1/4 cup of natural clay (such as bentonite or kaolin clay), two tablespoons of aloe vera gel, one teaspoon of honey, and one teaspoon of coconut oil.
- Apply the mask to your face and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse the mask off with warm water and pat your face dry.
Chia Seed Facial Oil
- Mix 1/4 cup of chia seeds and 1/2 cup of carrier oil (such as jojoba or avocado oil).
- Let the mixture sit for at least an hour or overnight.
- Strain the mixture to remove the chia seeds and transfer the oil to a small jar or container.
- Use the oil as a facial moisturizer, or add a few drops to your favorite skincare products.
Overall, Latin American plants and traditions offer a wealth of natural skincare options. From aloe vera and chia seeds to traditional remedies and techniques, these resources can help nourish, soothe, and rejuvenate the skin. Our ancestors knew what they were doing.
We all love the smell of coming home from a long day to find our family cooking some of our favorite Latino meals. From homemade tortillas to tostones, our families have typically carried on cooking some of the most traditional foods from our origin countries to curb their cravings. Whether you just simply want to learn more about making foods from other countries or just want to be able to make recipes on your own, our list of our favorite Latino cooking accounts is here to save the day.
Cocina Con Adela
Salvadoran cocinera Adela is showing up on her YouTube channel to show you how to cook some of the best dishes across Latin America. Plenty of videos cover recipes from her native El Salvador, but she has plenty of recipes from other countries to meet your needs.
El Jibaro Moderno
After the earthquakes that shook up the island of Puerto Rico in 2020 and right before the pandemic hit, Miguel Sanchez began posting videos as El Jibaro Moderno showing you how to conquer some of Puerto Rico’s most beloved dishes. With easy instructions, you’re sure to become a home chef in no time.
Tropical Cake Pops
If you’re looking for mostly dessert recipes, Tropical Cake Pops is your home. Mostly Puerto Rican in nature, you can whip up delicious treats like tembleque or coquito with these amazing videos. Beware though - their content is only available on Facebook.
Muy Bueno Cooking
We all love a great recipe, and Mexican blogger Yvette provides us with tons of them on her page, Muy Bueno Cooking. This author has also released two cookbooks, so there’s nothing short of everything here.
Smart Lil Cookie
Vanessa Mota dominates Dominican cuisine amongst others on her blog Smart Little Cookie. From cookies to sofrito, her simple recipes make it all possible in your kitchen.
Mexico Cooking Club
We love content creators that take risks with their cooking, and Mexico Cooking Club doesn’t disappoint with their amazing experimental recipes.
Happy Bellies By Jenny
@jennymartinezzz Caldo de Camaron para este frio #shrimp #caldodecamaron #DoTheScottsSlide #fyp #jalisco #mexico #mexican #cooking #parati #foodie #ItWasntMe #foryou
Jenny Martinez shows us how to do it all with her endless recipes and over 2 million followers on TikTok! From modernized Mexican food to joining the battle of spicy chicken sandwiches, she is truly a professional.
Abuela’s Kitchen
Silvia and her abuela show us the world of traditional Mexican cuisine on their YouTube channel, Abuela’s Kitchen. The best source of cooking is always abuela, so be sure to check them out to make your dinner favorites.
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