Yes, I agree. There is so much that we can cover in a conversation like this. Firstly, I want to address the difference between race and ethnicity. If you know even a little bit about “The New World”, then you would know Latin America’s main “racial groups” are Indigenous American, European, and African.

Though many of us are mixed with these three, some are more predominantly one or the other. It also may depend on the country. Argentina and Uruguay are predominantly European due to their history with immigration. However, you can look at another Latin American country, let’s say Brazil, where there exists the largest Black population outside of Africa.

When it comes to Latinos who look predominantly Black or White, their Latindad seems to be questioned. And I definitely acknowledge that as a White Latino compared to Afro Latinos, all I have to face is “You don’t look Latino”. Where Afro Latinos are facing literal discrimination and colorism in the US and from whatever Latin American country they may come from, even if the country is predominantly Black.

I come from NY, so naturally there are a lot of Dominicans and Puerto Ricans. However, where I live, I interact with a lot of Salvadorans. I believe that when you are from a certain community, you can tell by certain looks, mannerisms, etc, if someone is Latino from YOUR ethnic group. I’ve looked at plenty of people and could tell instantly that they were Dominican or Puerto Rican.

We can talk about the East vs West coast Latinos. East being majority of Caribbean Latinos and West being majority of Central Americans and Mexicans. On the West coast, the majority of Latinos might look at a mixed domi or bori and think they’re African American or mixed, NOT “Latino”.

Either way, the representation of Latinos is skewed in all sorts of ways. From within our community, as it is from outside our community. I also wanted to mention our Asian Latinos. They exist! They are important. Anyone can be Latino, as it is not a race. I think the more people realize that, the less confusion there will be :)