African Diaspora Series: Afro-Latinx pt. 3

The Beauty that emerged from Afro-Latinx Culture 

  

My beautiful cousin across many miles of borders and waterways. Even though we are separated through language and land, we still have something in common. This commonality stretches back to the dawn of time when the first Homosapien roomed the vast land. Through centuries of evolution, these people developed skills and created unique societies.  It wasn't until that unfortunate moment in time when they were taken from the home and shipped across the globe like cargo.

Even though a small percentage landed where I stand today and millions were brought to where you may lay now, just know we share some distant relative or ancestor back in Africa.  You might have faced scrutiny for having those same features of the homeland, but please don't ever deny or degrade your beauty. The naps, kinks, and coils in your hair are just as beautiful as those with the waves and pin straight hair.  And if you have the darkest of skin, embrace that beautiful purple and blue hue that you call your own. For my cousins with skin the color of dulce de leche, take pride in the beautiful bronze and caramelly tones. And lastly, for those fair and light like the clouds, don't dismiss those darker than you. We are all one in this community we call the African Diaspora.  

(Tried to be creative with my writing, so don't critic it too much) 

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So what's the beauty of Afro-Latnix culture? Well honestly, the beauty of the culture comes from whichever country one resides in. This is truly a complicated matter because in some, if not most, instances where the "Afro" or "African" roots and seen as the norm. I've come to see that the difference in ancestry comes out in music or dance. Groups like Africando or Ska Cubano embrace what it means to be Afro-Latinx and express it through their music (Granted, I hardly understand Spanish). Or, visiting places like Belize or Brazil to see how the two cultures have morphed together.

There's so much out there, we just need to find it...