Mi Vida Afro-Latina | My Afro-Latina Life (subtitles)

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Afro-Latina. Afro Latina. Black Latina. Or simply just Latina. Being brown and Latino comes with it's unique set of challenges. Skin color, being "Black", language criteria (aka do you speak Spanish?!), and representation - or lack thereof. I decided to step out on a limb and discuss my life and experiences as an Afro-Latina/Afro-Panamanian (?). Spend 8 minutes listening to a Panamanian rant.
Watch in HD to see my overzealous oil glands get it popping!
Subtitles included for non-Spanish speakers.
(Spanish errors included as an added bonus for bilinguals -__-)
Let me know your thoughts!
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[@shazz286]

the problem with America is that we have a problem distinguishing race from ethinicity.

[@natanyat4901]

+shazz286 Yes! And nationality and origin.

[@MB4life321]

i cant tell you how many people ask me what my nationality is and when i say america theyll be like no like are black, white? what is it?"

[@natanyat4901]

averyradbitch I think that people should back off those questions because most of the time they don't come out right. Even if they don't mean any harm, the question is often phrased in an offensive way.

[@savagelychill2858]

#Facts

[@natanyat4901]

Bo Derek Well Jamaica does not really have Latinos so that is understandable (not really but kinda). But DR and PR have issues.

[@sessle14]

You speak Spanish very well. It's almost like it's your first language honestly. And with a Caribbean accent. 👏🏾👏🏾

[@natanyat4901]

+Jerome Theseus Yes. I agree!

[@teegraciela]

Depths Of My Soul I'm bad about following these comment threads. But yeah I half taught myself and half learned from others. I had a video on how I learned Spanish as well.

[@yashiramarielopez]

Jerome Theseus She has a Panamanian accent. Her Spanish sounds very Central American, it’s a lot more proper, and almost has that plain, mountainous, rancheros/ agricultural mix of proper Spain Spanish. Caribbean Spanish has a LOT more slang. It’s a beautiful accent, but it’s not Caribbean.

[@carlosmaldonado8600]

SomewhereAlways yo pense lo mismo que las otras personas... que el español era tu primer leguaje. De echo tienes hasta el acento del Caribe.. Muy lindo el video.. Llegué hasta aqui porque tengo una amiga de África y me pregunto de afrolatino latino y demás cosas que no se como explicarle.. Hay mucha confusion del tema. Ni los mismos latinos americanos saben bien la definición imagínate para a explicarle a ella.. Muy lindo todo... Gracias!!!👋👋

[@carlisadisla8342]

Dominican

[@g.alexanderparker8568]

I can relate to you almost completely. My Dad is American Black and my mother was Afro-Costa Rican. She spoke Spanish, Patwa( Patois) and English. She passed away when I was young and my father took me away from her side of the family.This resulted in me not learning Spanish from an early age. Whenever I said I was Latino it would confuse people. Some would accuse me of trying to stop being Black. I just stayed in the African American community. But now I'm more educated about my culture , more connected with my Latino family and am starting to pick up Spanish. I am Black and I am Latino! 😉 Pura Vida!

[@g.alexanderparker8568]

***** Jajaja hola!

[@elenaaguilarcastillo1932]

Im costa rican from both sides and I totally think you should visit Limón. It's so beautiful (as are many parts of the country) and definitely worth checking out :) Pura Vida!!!

[@shaliabuubs5550]

Alexander Pele Jr. Ugh no ur just Carribean .why are u claiming genocide just because the name is gassed?

[@Mrs.T305]

That's why i would not want kids with a black American man. The kids can lose the culture.

[@BlackandGoldRanger]

Alexander Pele Jr. I used to be confused when Latinos would say they don't know any Spanish. But it can happen based on what parents chose to do.

[@tiffanyblake-anttonen3109]

You speak great Spanish. Now I don't understand why people say Oh No you aren't Latin you are black. That makes no sense. Latin is not a race. There are a lot of races in the Latin culture. Most Latin People are black almost half of Latin America are of African descent.

[@NaturalReign]

No entiendo porque personas necesitan decirte quien tú eres. No es justo. ¡Gracias para compartir un parte pequeño de tu vida!

[@blacknetizen]

I was so pleasantly surprised when you said you were Panamanian bc, for some reason, I thought you were lol. It's always cool to see the diversity of Blackness. ^^

[@teegraciela]

+blacknetizen really? Everyone swears I'm Honduran or Dominican. Thought it's probably just because I'm black lol

[@kellog1242]

+SomewhereAlways Tee your accent is similar to dominican but you are black to. dominicans have black latinos too

[@teegraciela]

my Dominican friends say i speak too "properly" to be dominican. #shrug. my accent is a hodgepodge.

[@marcospassure4308]

SomewhereAlways Tee Hablas muy bien y me gustas eres super cute ;)

[@EcuaEz]

Your Spanish is great and you're beautiful :)

[@vielkavelarde6376]

That's our first language!!!!..…..….. Panama is in central america

[@heatherwhiteley3556]

@@vielkavelarde6376 but it isn't her dominant language. She didn't grow up in Panama and didn't speak Spanish when she was younger.

[@gsunsetave]

I will never understand why people believe that they have the right to tell someone else "what" they are OR what they can identify as. They don't know your provenance or your struggle, how dare they try and dictate your identity to you. Thank you for sharing your experiences and views on this subject, your perspective is greatly needed. The issue isn't that Afro-Latina people don't exist the issue is that they have been bullied into having a latent identity by both black people and white passing Latinos. . .who are threatened by the fact that Afro-Latinos won't be submissive and fit into the box they feel you belong in.

[@teegraciela]

+Ksunsetave I'm trying to figure out who gave them authority to try to define me, too. So far, no luck.

[@FacesbyPacienciamua]

Que Xopa!! OMG.....We had the same childhood. I'm Panamanian and my mom is Light skinned half white Panamanian and my dad is a moreno Panamanian. Latinos think you too dark to be Latina and Black people feel like you are denying your color. Its so strange. I experienced that when I moved to America. Ironically growing up in Germany people just accepted me as a Panamanian. I never had to explain my ethnicity until I came to the US. Your spanglish is on point. Thank you for representing Panamanias en Corea! WEPA

[@jankyjimenez4268]

Mark Vanderhaus well said. But being Latino is also a culture and don't forget the indigenous people. It's not just about white and black. I took my ancestry test and I'm nearly 60% west African, nearly 30% European and 10% native America. So all that plus the culture makes me a Latino

[@DomoniqueMusiclover]

Wow, and I would think Germany would've been like the U.S. on that part... interesting

[@khalidcarrillo1132]

Have you ever been to Germany?

[@MsEliteForever]

Mark Vanderhaus Black Americans tend to be fine with just saying there black. We don't go no were not black were American. Foreign blacks will be like no I'm not black I'm Cuban for example.. Black is an insult I believe overseas. I can go to Germany and say I'm Latina they'll just accept it to keep the peace VS debate with me.

[@guillermogouldburn763]

Thank God I live in New York City, a city where nobody is "exotic," unless you have two heads with three eyes each, for example.

[@guillermogouldburn763]

NYC is a very cosmopolitan place.

[@teegraciela]

+guillermo gouldburn I'm from Boston. Not too far. I've met people in NYC who face the same struggles of not being accepted or being seen as "better" because they are Latina.

[@guillermogouldburn763]

+SomewhereAlways Tee most latinos who don't accept blacks as Latino most likely grew up in a Latin country that is racially homogenous, like Mexico, or Ecuador. But peole who grew up in a multiracial contry like Panama or Brazil, two contries with large Black communities, will be more inclusive, only because they are used to seeing "Afro-Latinos. A Mexican, on the other hand.... Get my point?

[@guillermogouldburn763]

+SomewhereAlways Tee Cuba is another one of those special multiracial Latin countries. No born Cuban will think it strange that you are Latina.

[@teegraciela]

+guillermo gouldburn so you're only referring to foreign born New York residents? It's not a question of nationality. It's a question of environment and upbringing. New York has the same race problems the rest of the US does. Inside and outside of the Latino community.

[@niaavila5361]

This video inspired me so much! I'm also half African American and half Panamanian, and there was a time during my childhood that I stopped telling people that I was Latina because I was always told that i couldn't be. My father is Panamanian, but was deported when I was very young, so I didn't grow up with him being able to reassure me of my latinidad. I've embraced it more as an adult, but it's a process. Still trying to learn Spanish though, so it's nice to hear from someone who has also been able to learn it.

[@thatdrummerkid2348]

When a black person tells me there Latinos I'm like cool lets be friends lol

[@johnrodriguez9839]

Me 3!!!loll

[@LaybackDre]

Hispanic come in all shades of colors

[@daryljohnson6699]

De'Andre just like Americans

[@lyla4833]

I can definitely relate. When i tell people I'm from Trinidad they think I'm Jamaica. Or they say you're pretty for a " trinidadian girl "

[@TCToni]

Same that pisses me off. Not every Carib is Jamaican

[@teegraciela]

+lay Glø wait really? That's a thing? I never would've guessed! But I guess growing up with trini cousins and Bajan/haitian friends I was just taught about the Caribbean early on.

[@Giamise1028]

I have the same issue... I am also from Trinidad and when I tell people first they have no clue of where it is or that it even existed.

[@TRUTHTEACHER2007]

And as a Jamaican I always get, you're from Trinidad right? You all speak French right? You don't look Jamaican. How come you don't have dreads? When I was younger I would get, "do they wear clothes in Jamaica"? I shit you not!

[@TRUTHTEACHER2007]

coleyy793 I guess we must have bought it at Kmart right?

[@bodybossfitnessllc5748]

The crazy thing is 95% of the slave trade went to South America and the Caribbean. not the U. S. but ppl treat you that way because they want to distance themselves far from black culture, even though many of them are black. You are both be proud!

[@yovannyestevez4893]

Pretty

[@mickypeters5603]

I'm American, my mom is Haitian and my father is Dominican, Cuban and Haitian. I can completely relate to this! It's refreshing to see people speak up

[@harold3960]

Eres haitiano?

[@themohammed2623]

I get this all the fucking time. Every time I speak Spanish (Cuban) kids are quick to remind me "You know you black" or "He think he Mexican!" When Latino and Hispanic is my fucking ethnicity! I agree with everything you say in this video and I'm glad there are others who know my struggle.

[@Ισαβέλα-ψ7τ]

ugh. i know this was 5 years ago, but whoever said that is stupid. “he think he mexican” really? then i guess you think you’re british for speaking english. when will ppl realise that spanish originated from SPAIN not MEXICO. and that not everyone who speaks spanish is “trying to be mexican” and that other countries speak spanish, not just mexico. 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@jizmoney74]

@@Ισαβέλα-ψ7τ very true. People forget there are African countries who speak Spanish

[@guillermone1]

Don’t worry about about pronunciation, you have a pleasant voice and very nice accent. Also great personality and beautiful in your special and unique way. So you can just tell them to take it and shove it where the sun don’t shine.

[@stevoconcepcion4725]

This was great to watch. Your Spanish is fantastic! I love what you said about how putting "Afro" in front of Latino implies that there's a default Latino identity. I'm half Panamanian, and after doing the Ancestry DNA test and seeing traces of Senegalese, Ivory Coast, and the Congo in there, I realized how little I knew about the complexity of the Panamanian gene pool. There is no default latino identity. It is such a beautiful thing.

[@StayBeautiful4eve]

I can definitely relate to this video. People look at Somalis as not Africans and we must be from the middle east because of our features. Somalia is located on the Horn of Africa we might not look African but we still are. People fail to realize just how diverse Africa is.

[@teegraciela]

+Amira M this is the most annoying thing to me when people like to selectively apply the term African wherever they see fit. *eyeroll* Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia- IT'S ALL AFRICA *sucks teeth*

[@AndrewAddisonUniqueDrewski980]

Even though Somalia/Ethiopia/ Eritria are African people, but they are not the regular Black Africans that are in other African countries. Somalia/Ethiopia/Eritrea are descents from the Middle East/India and some parts of Turkey while the rest of them have black in them. People just have trouble delivering their information properly is what that is.

[@Ισαβέλα-ψ7τ]

what? u cannot “look african “ maybe u can look nigerian, somali, eritrean, etc, but u cannot look african. africa is diverse and it’s not just west africa.

[@Kstarrgoddess]

Thank you for telling your story and in Spanish too😆 I am the proud mother of a mixed race son. His father is Mexican-American and as you can see I am Black American. He identifies as Afro-Latino, too. He has encountered much of what you've described in his 18 years.

[@teegraciela]

+Kimberly Jordan oh wow! Thanks for watching! Yeah I'm really shocked by how many people can relate.

[@exoszn6]

Kimberly Jordan Dabney bitch you and yo son are both niggas stop tryna be something you are not

[@blaxican092486]

Our experiences are very similar! My mother is Mexican-American and my father identifies as Black (He is mixed but refuses to acknowledge his father due to crazy past). I just tell people I am Black and Mexican...or as I like to call it Blaxican! I have always been accepted by the Latino community. Usually people think I am Cuban, Puerto Rican, or Dominican. I hear 2 sides of the argument about being called Afro-Latina. 1) You are bc you are of African descent and Latina 2.) You cannot be categorized as Afro-Latina because you are not directly from a Latin country.

[@teegraciela]

+Jocy Joc yeah when people ask what I am I say Black Latina. It just feels right to me. Afro-Latina is the term de jour nowadays though. So ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@dominiricansabor]

Ahhhh... Story...of...My....Life!!! My mom is Puerto Rican/Brazilian and my father is African American. My mother's complexion is hella palida. I grew up similar separating myself from my mother's culture to fit in. She grew up in an english speaking home, so the language never passed down to me, except from other family members. So I just always identified as a black woman because every time I identified my mother being PR/BZ it was always "girl you know you lying, your like those chicks that be saying oh I'm 30% puerto rican, 10% dominican, 5% Cherokee." It wasn't until I became an adult that I truly understood my identity, who I am, and what defines me. Its super crazy how our stories are similar! :-)

[@dominiricansabor]

Mark Vanderhaus First off, you do not get to identify what and who someone else is. Not once did I say I don't identify as a black woman, simply stated that I acknowledged the culture that is a part of who my mother is. All you fake ass deep hotep ass folk need to chill... The same ones that like troll on KZbin or any other social media platform, are the same ones that are doing absolutely nothing for the economic, financial, and emotional stability of the black community. Have all the seats and get out of your feelings!

[@sashanunez1766]

+MArkVanderhaus there's a big difference between African Americans and "blacks" in Latin American and the Caribbean. Latino is more than an ethinicity. It's not technically a race but it is treated as one. And +dominiricansabor is a latina black or no black. Claiming you're latina does not take away from black. You're irrational.

[@Quieromuchachas]

dominiricansabor same. I feel you.

[@rantsinpatwa]

3 oppressors languages define you?

[@kwamiotoo4509]

First of all, 💀 30% is a lot so whoever said that is ignorant asf. Cus from what I know, I’m 25% Ghanaian (probably more than that), because my grandfather is from Ghana. And when I tell you I represent Ghana like there’s no tomorrow. 😂😂 People get so surprised to see someone that’s 1/4 Ghanaian represent their country so much.

[@bigeneingers]

Bless you. You’re a gorgeous full-blooded Latina (yeah, I know your dad is African American but your mom is Latina, so that makes you full blooded Latina, lol). People are haters and jealous of your skin color, your hair, your heritage. Ask God to open their minds and hearts, and keep going, girl. You’re a strong Latina.

[@oddvillainnetwork]

Eres Linda. And your Spanish is fine as well 💌

[@ricardohernandez8727]

I'm an Indigenous/African/Spanish mix of Honduran decent and I really believe that you are a beautiful Latina!

[@Imani_Mariposa]

Chica tu español es muy buenísimo. No te preocupes sobre ellos a quien no saben que la cultura latina. Latinos somos rubios y morenos.

[@teegraciela]

+Imani_Mariposa ahora no les hago caso. Si no entienden mi vida- no me importa!

[@eddstactitudcaribe8046]

+SomewhereAlways Tee I don't think you get what he said or i'm wrong. if im wrong im sorry.

[@teegraciela]

+edd st no need to apologize lol. I understood. I was responding to where he said don't worry about those who don't understand. My response was I don't pay them any mind. If they don't understand my life I don't care.

[@juanesico4492]

@Jaime B. saludos hermosa

[@_FabulousNat]

Three snaps in Z formations for the ENTIRE video!!! I've struggled with this my whole life. I could never fit in on either side, and it was hard for me to associate with my hispanic side because I can't speak Spanish. I completely relate with you on all what you said!

[@teegraciela]

+TravelingNat hahaha thanks girl! yeah i forced myself to learn it as a tween because i felt isolated. it's been my saving grace into being "accepted" by random latinos who feel they have to cosign me. lol

[@JAdoreQT123456]

TravelingNat I know this comment is old but the Z formation took me out lol

[@suiteheart2000]

Finally a video where I can relate.

[@teegraciela]

+suiteheart2000 💗💗💗

[@ambarveras5767]

I completely understand what you're saying because as a brown latina, I always felt like I had to choose a side. I'm from the Dominincan Republic, and it is so heavily euro centric that for a long time I never wanted to identify with black or have anything to do with black. I would even bleach my skin because I was convinced that the lighter you are the better and also so I wouldn't be mistakened for being black. It was always a problem when I identified myself as a Latina to other latin people and when I spoke Spanish, there was always this level of shock because people's first on sight impression of me is always black, and they're not wrong. I am a black woman, but I am also a Latina. Being born in the United States and growing up here, I always felt a disconnect to my people/culture and when I went to the Dominican Republic, I wasn't considered a "real" Dominican because I wasn't born in my country and there almost a level of rejection I feel like. And again that made me feel like I had to pick a side. Now I fully embrace who I am, my african roots and european (spanish) influence. Your Spanish was really good by the way. When I first started speaking Spanish it was trash so I feel you girl.

[@ambarveras5767]

I feel like I'm more interested in my african roots rather than my spanish european roots. I don't know if that would be considered self hate because of all the horrible things the europeans did. I guess we have to own up to all the parts of us.

[@airari24]

I feel ya girl

[@infoservices5295]

right on point

[@brenaomi]

Ambar Veras Omg I feel you all the way😧

[@backtalk9343]

the Dominicoon republic needs to burn. Just get a new island and smarter people, start over again

[@101paramoreluver]

Can I just say that you have beautiful skin!!!!??? it's literally glowing!

[@teegraciela]

+101paramoreluver it's all foundation and oily skin! LOL

[@browneyedgirl5290]

I feel your pain. My mother is Panamanian and Italian she speaks Spanish, I don't. Was desperately always trying to connect with my Latin roots. Its hard being mixed and not being accepted.

[@cathy_dominique9242]

I really liked this video. My life is full of different cultures. Both my parents a Haitian and I am tour of their heritage. But when I open my mom's families background as having a mix of Cuban and Dominacan blood. Kids in my class laugh and say stuff like "You can't have Latin blood your to black." So out of shame I cover up that side and don't talk about it much. I have had many Latina women tell me that I don't act like I have Latin blood in me, which I really don't get. When i say my great grandmother has curly hair and green eyes people look at me like I'm crazy. But after watching this video I feel like I'm not the only one in a way

[@teegraciela]

+cathy dominique girl, ignore them they're dumb. it's important to know where you came from. You're black. If you have roots in other countries, don't let anyone attempt to deny you. It's ultimately your decision how you identify and what you connect with!! Though personally beyond my grandma's heritage, I don't really feel a connection with the other parts of my lineage.

[@vincentmarrero]

Hi! Very proud to hear your video! like you I am a child of a triguena panamena and my father american. Most people considered me black and white or biracial...they never understood my culture. In my time we had no youtube etc so its nice to hear you explain to people que panamenos come in all colors. Its amazing when Americans see a person of color speak Spanish...si mi amor tu eres una latina orgullosa! Tambien tu hablas espanol perfecto! Abracitos!

[@valeriedenise1]

Both of my parents are Panamanian. I really relate to what you are talking about. Looking at me I'm a black person. But my culture is definitely Latino. No doubt about it. So growing up I was always a little different. Now I embrace my Latin culture. Still trying to learn Spanish after all of these years. Pero, poco a poco, I will learn.

[@exoszn6]

valeriedenise1 You ain't no got damn Latino stop tryna be something your not you are a nigga you are of African descent

[@AndrewAddisonUniqueDrewski980]

@@exoszn6 Go away. She is Latino. You are sad and ignore as heck.

[@djcobb87]

I have panamanian roots stemming from my paternal grandfather. My father was raised around his American family and was basically made to only identify with his African American roots and not his afro-panamanian roots so his literally knows very little Spanish. People often thought my mother was of mixed heritage because of her fair skin complexion, but they are surprise to learn it's my father who has panamanian heritage because we are both darker in complexion. Just goes to show how backwards people's perceptions can be.

[@MerleWynterMUA]

I know how you feel about men it irritates me that black men in particular say they rather a latin women over a black women im like dude your know latin isn't a race there are black Latinas like myself

[@LawrinMaxwellsmpc500]

Stop with labeling thatbshit goes both ways. Alot of females have self hate and racial identity issues. At the end of the day fuck Latinas it's black first for me period!!! No swirling

[@MonaMona-fy5wk]

@@exoszn6 Lmao you're one pathetic ass troll.

[@arushanioshaka5600]

@darkeagle 😂😂😂 damn

[@yovannyestevez4893]

Beautiful

[@latriceblanco2284]

First off thank you for being so honest in this video. ❤🙏This is the 3rd video I've just watched about girls speaking on being Afro-Latina, and in each one I can relate so much. Although I biologically don't have latin roots, I'm a black girl who grew up with both cultures since I was 5 years old so it's all I've known. I have an accent when I speak Spanish so people always ask me where I'm from. If they have enough time to (stare at me bewildered) and ask, they say, "Where did you learn it?" or the worst, "WHY do you know own it so well? It's still hard to believe so many people are oblivious to the two strong cultures blending, but it's beautiful to know I haven't been alone all this time. ❤❤

[@yovannyestevez4893]

Beautiful

[@cklittlejohn08]

Your Spanish was awesome! And the next time someone questions your ethnicity, you tell them Being black in Latin America is just like being black in the US. WE COME IN DIFFERENT COLORS. The history of migration and African slavery in the US is almost IDENTICAL to that of many Lat. Am. countries, but because we aren't taught that in public schools and popular media only shows white or "light" people, many people (Americans ESPECIALLY) Are simply ignorant to their own history and the history of their neighbors. Educate them girl!! And you're beautiful btw.

[@analuciaculiolis4342]

It's true you made mistakes but even native spanish speakers do. Anyone that knows more than one language understands your struggle.. and all those don't judge you for giving it a try and doing it so well. Your accent was lovely.. your hair es envidiable.. im just glad your video randomly came up in my home page :)

[@SochyPaolaNCS]

don't worry girl, I'm panamanian and I can tell you, there are a lot of black people here and in all latinamerica. Maybe cuz the main magazine models have a different skin colour, you though there were not black latinos☺ and about your accent, yes, your accent is like from puerto rico or cuba; but it doesn't matter 'cause that was how you learned it. So, go girl! I hope one day you visit Panama 😆🌇

[@lintonmcdonaldjr.7884]

Proud of you. Embrace who you are and don't worry about others. My family is from Panama and I was born there. I hardly looked at your subtitles. Your spanish is beautiful as you are.

[@ronalddeleon3991]

I can completely relate to this video my mother is trini and my father is Panamanian. My father is often mistaken for being like Dominican or Puerto Rican because he was really light and had mixed features and people would argue with me about how my dad wasn't my father. He would always tell me regardless of what I looked like or what he looked like black isn't just one shade it's a spectrum from really light to really dark and one isn't better than the other. It was reassuring but in society it was always easy to stick by them as I got older I self identified as black but now I'm trying to incoporate my Latin heritage. I don't necessarily identify myself as Latino because I grew up with a more West Indian culture but now I let people know that it's part of my heritage as well

[@K1K2Daniels]

I'm so inspired by this video. You speak extremely well. I'm like you. I speak Spanish, as my second language, even taught it for several years. Yet, I still get so nervous to speak it. It's weird. You hit on some really profound points in this video. So true "Afro-Latino isn't even a term that exists in Spanish" never even thought of that.

[@MarlenyQuiroz]

I love that you identify as latina even though to society you don't look like it.

[@tootierootie5249]

any one can be latina lol. there is no certain way to look.

[@Natalia-hf3et]

+Marleny Quiroz I love that she identifies as Latina also!

[@backtalk9343]

Marleny Quiroz She looks EXACTLY like a true Latina, actually

[@andrerichardson4723]

Marleny Quiroz She actually identifies as AFRO Latina lol. You tried it tho!

[@MrPeligro315]

Marleny Quiroz why would you say she doesnt look latina?

[@taiipotatoie]

I'm so proud of you and your Spanish is so good!

[@DorisClay]

I'm jealous!!! I want to be a pro spanish speaker too. I may keep listening to this for spanish listening practice (I suck).

[@teegraciela]

+Doris OK oh man! I'm not a pro at all. I found 7 or so errors while editing the video but it as too late to rerecord to fix and that was probably a low estimate. LOL

[@1227monike]

Wow your video gave me life and hope hun. Both of my parents are born and raised in Panama. I've definetly gone through the struggle of feeling like I had to choose sides. Black Americans couldn't fathom the notion that I could be Latina and black. And for the Latinos they could embrace me as Latina but were in a haste to denounce my blackness. Not being able to speak Spanish has definetly given me a complex over the years because it's naturally very difficult to fully feel like u belong when you're not fluent.. However I must say; Hearing you speak made me emotional because it gave me hope that I CAN get better and be more fluent for my own piece of mind. Its super important to me that my children even learn Spanish fluently because I never want them to loose sight of their cultural heritage... Thanka for the inspiration luv.. Keep it coming!!

[@carlosconcepcion-taylor5511]

I was born in panama 🇵🇦 but I was raised in Canada 🇨🇦, I’ve had other latinos call me white boy, imagine that, latinos don’t have one look we look like everyone.

[@zhaystyle]

I love that you posted this vid/rant!Thanks for sharing your perspective. Because of the absence of diversity in the media, growing up I didn't even know that there were latinos of African decent. Didn't really see any in commercials or tv shows. I truly never saw them until one girl from Panama and another from Puerto Rico started attending my high school and they were light-skinned with "good hair"(still afro-textured though). The students didn't believe they were Latinas at first. Their last names and accents proved what they were saying was true. (Within the culture many lighter or longer haired black students tried to act better than others all the time. That's probably one reason you got so much flack/haterade.) It wasn't until I came to New York and met my Cuban friend Carlos who had the smoothest dark chocolate skin I ever saw, that I found out black Cubans existed. I have to say it shocked me when I first met him because he was involved in a conversation and speaking full blown Spanish (no Spanglish) and had a Thick accent. I learned about the "White Man's Burden" in school, but they focused on America and the West Indies and Haiti's revolution led by Toussaint Louverture. There was Never a mention of Princess Isabel (the Redemptress of Brazil)It wasn't until I did research on my own that I learned just how many MORE Africans were shipped all over to Brazil and Mexico and other latin countries. Today we are more exposed because many Afro-latinos are famous in sports and entertainment then ever before. So hopefully now you are having more positive experiences.

[@teegraciela]

+zhaystyle girl. PREACH! I still encounter idiots. I just moisturize my edges to the rhythm of their BS.

[@earphbound720]

It's just ignorance in the world. Everyone has to categorize the next person in some way so that they fit neatly into the little boxes in their lives. Thanks to television and magazines, people who are not latina, half the time don't even realize there are latinas that have darker skin so it's mostly, imho, english speaking people who need to add the "afro" latina so that it makes sense in their minds. Great vid!

[@chundabrantley2640]

I just saw this and I understand! My father is Panamanian and my mother was African American. No one on my mothers side of the family considered me "Black enough". When I went to school I wasn't considered Black or Spanish enough so it left me feeling a little lost. My father told me you are both and you are a Panamanian Latina and that type casting doesn't matter as long as you know I love you. Those words and feelings meant the world to me and he said I was special because I got to celebrate more than one 2 cultures in one life and that is special in itself. Basically not to stereotype myself because people are going to try and do that to you anyway but it's ok because you love yourself and you know who and all that you are. Sometimes hard to remember those words when your are thrown in schools with hood Black girls, preppy entitled white girls or other Latina's that say you can't be like them because you are too dark, you don't speak "our" language and your hair is too curly. I survived and am better for it :-D

[@thoughtsofmajesty2035]

I knew you were Panamanian just from looking at you. I know a Panamanian girl who looks like you. Same color and everything. Her dad is I believe African American and her mom is Panamanian. The only difference is her dad is lighter and her mom is darker. Lol.

[@alannysolarte2177]

Tu español suena muy bien y hasta tienes una entonación latina con sabor. Te felicito por esforzarte en aprender español, valió la pena porque lo hablas muy bien. Soy venezolana, soy negra y por supuesto soy latina. y tu mi querida amiga también eres afro-latina y eres muy hermosa btw. Saludos desde Venezuela.❤️

[@teegraciela]

+Alanny Solarte muchísima gracias ☺️

[@javierrodriguez8571]

me gusta mucho tu forma de hablar español, saludos desde Dominicana :3

[@angytingz]

I totally get what you mean gurl!! I'm latina (from Panama)/British..I was born and raised in Panama and although my mum is quite dark, my skin colour took after my dad's which is pale as snow haha. Living in Panama my whole life as a "white" gurl was also hard because of many reasons you listed in the vid. Most people are unaware that there actually ARE a lot of latinas (mixed or not) that are have light skin. I felt I always had to prove my "Latinaness" (not here but abroad) by speaking spanish all the time because if no spanish came out of my mouth, people would doubt my nationality etc. Race and ethnicity aint the same!

[@KIARA-ku4yr]

Quisiera conocerte en persona. Yo tambien aprendi espanol. mi sueno es conocer a una chica que tambien aprendio espanol. sera muy chevere/chido/genial. lol its so cool how different types of hispanic people have different types of words to mean the same thing. I love it!! Your beautiful and talented!! Thanks for sharing. You inspire me.

[@teegraciela]

+Kikii a Awww thanks hun! Yeah there's a million words to mean the same thing. Cool but confusing.

[@KIARA-ku4yr]

+SomewhereAlways Tee your welcome! that's very true 😊👍

[@yovannyestevez4893]

Eres hermosa Dios te hiso hermosa

[@harold3960]

@@KIARA-ku4yr De que país eres?

[@KIARA-ku4yr]

@@harold3960 los estados unidos 😊

[@ej8125]

I LOVED listening to you not only speak Spanish (I wish my Spanish was as good as yours), but also listening to you talk about what it's like to be black with a Panamanian mother and how you're "supposed" to identify. Only in America do we love to hyphenate (Afro-Latino, African-American, etc.) I respect that you mentioned how it sets a standard as European being the default. Definitely one of the most interesting videos I've ever seen here in KZbin!

[@teegraciela]

+Elliott Jackson awww thanks! That's a huge compliment. However baby elephant videos on KZbin are mad interesting too. Lol I think I'd choose baby elephants over my own videos.

[@miccasantiago7279]

Your Spanish is great

[@CLTrattler704]

Thanks for sharing your story. I just returned from 6 days in Panama and had a great time. The people were awesome.

[@abdiasvergara1474]

Panamanian Spanish is my first language and I had to read the subtitles lol

[@abdiasvergara1474]

si te entendi but for some reason my eyes would always look down

[@teegraciela]

+Abdias Vergara lol soooo you're just gonna insult me to my face like that😱

[@teegraciela]

+Abdias Vergara hahahaha oh okay.

[@abdiasvergara1474]

lol what part of panama is your mom from?

[@vanousisi8112]

jajaja el accento

[@fena2316]

I myself am mixed with dominican and dutch, my mom is afro latina but there were also fair people in our family. But we always accepted them and they us. So i don't get why people get so upset about this subject, i mean let people identify how they'd like to be indentified. Oh well, i liked your vid and it was interessting to see your point of view :)

[@buttonsmcboom1650]

I don't care for the term "Afro-Latina" because like you said it doesn't exist in spanish (or the Islands). To me this is a result of the negativity found in the US and the rest of the world. Being a Puerto Rican It was always accepted that we come in different colors, a common thing you would see light skin family members with dark skin members all love. BTW not bad on the spanish.

[@reekrodriqguez6552]

Everyone comes in shades

[@Jahnaes.Artistry]

+XReek RodriguezX have you ever seen a white person with darkskin though?

[@reekrodriqguez6552]

+Jahnaè I seen white people with way lighter skin than the average white person though.

[@Jahnaes.Artistry]

+XReek RodriguezX that is different they are WHITE LOL.

[@Jahnaes.Artistry]

+XReek RodriguezX ive seen black people with skin tones darker than average black. but this doesn't change anything.

[@prelznp]

Beautiful you give me so much inspiration to learn Spanish my father is from Panama and my mother is America however I was born in Brooklyn and I struggled to learn Spanish but as I'm watching your videos I get more inspiration but you are fluent

[@AsakeOlaniyi]

You're defined by beauty...forget classifications...You are perfectly you! Muy bonita! Benediciones

[@teegraciela]

+Asa Olaniyi thank you kindly :)!!!

[@sw3737]

+SomewhereAlways Tee I think a lot of people don't know about slavery that the USA was not the only country taken in slaves. Race and ethnicity don't go hand and hand. People think that all black are dark skin. If you light you must be mixed with something. Blacks and Latinos come in all shades of brown. It's sad to to think your own people can't understand that. I actually blame the media for this b.s. Because that don't shown dark skin Latinos in tv or the movies. So people are confused when someone says I'm latino and look like they are from Africa.

[@amarlindo2451]

You explained very well. That most important thing is that you feel comfortable with yourself, we can please everyone. I am a little lighter than you and I feel I am Afro-Panameña or Afro-Latina. If they want more exploration then I tell them I was born on a Spanish country that have many races that decided to get mix. If they want to know more I direct them to the internet and KZbin. Pero también es triste saber que en muchas familias como las nuestras se encuentran personas racistas. We must stand our ground and educate this ignorants. Gracias por tu vídeo. 👍👏🏽

[@brandiwilson148]

Ellos son bobos. Hay mucho afro-latinas.

[@JOSMART3]

Mira joven te agradezco mucho por este video yo como negro me siento orgulloso de personas como tu que nos queremos dejar de ser invisibles ante la vista de los supuestos verdaderos latinos y otros que creen que no existimos cuando en Latinoamérica habemos millones pero nuestra presencia es prácticamente ninguna y cuando la hay es de forma muy tímida y superflua. Identifícate con lo que tu más así lo sientas sin importar lo que digan de todos modos siempre hablan. Felicidades hiciste un gran trabajo.

[@lovepeacehope3416]

girls,women are always pressured into the latest hair trends and stuff . I feel like people should just allow women to enjoy their hair with feeling like they aren't good enough for stupid beauty standards.

[@shirhan21]

Hi, loved the video. I hope to visit Central and South America one day because I love the African heritage and cultural influences to modern day Latin America.

[@boxeogirl9531]

Mas videos en espanol, por favor!!!!!

[@teegraciela]

+BoxeoGirl me gustaria si pienso en un tema, lo hago. si tengas algunos ideas- DIME!

[@natanyat4901]

+SomewhereAlways Tee Yes. I want more, too.

[@teegraciela]

+Natanya Tavares haha okay. Now I've got to figure out what else I can talk about in Spanish 🤔

[@cataleyadiazdelbosque3685]

I loved this video so much!!! My entire family speaks Spanish and I know it but I never make attempts to speak it unless I have to. Now I'm learning it like my life depends on it! I'm also from Panama, both of my parents were born and raised in panama. I proudly call myself Panameña and Afro Latina and I never let anyone black, Latino, or white try to tell me how to identify myself!! Gracias por this video!!

[@marcianocastillo9501]

im Mexican my is very dark but my dad is very light Mexican its funny in the summer i get darker brown like my mother but when winter comes i get lighter like like my father i think its hilarious

[@novelacollection]

Watch black in Latin America :Mexico and watch the whole series it really breaks down the history.

[@nyanzawilson924]

Love this video I can relate 100 percent. My father is from Panama and my mother is Black and Native American. Growing up I never felt like I fit in because my Spanish was bad and I didn't look like the "typical Latino". My dad is dark but his mother is light with red hair and freckles.

[@pamelabuie3067]

I get what you're saying about not wanting to call yourself Afro-Latina. A lot of people don't realize that there are black Latinos out there! You can be black and from Panama, from DR, from Brazil, etc. You're a Latina that also happens to be black.

[@sharonhenderson8363]

Your real narrtive is to convince people you are Spanish their are Ethiopians Somalians they thought they were the thing !

[@jayallysongreen7781]

Pamela Buie sister you don't get it, there is a lot of black Spanish speaking people that DONT WANT TO BE CALLED OR IDENTIFY AS THE RACE, AFRICAN OR BLACK ! ! THEY ONLY WANT THE TITLE AS LATINA ! ! ! Some of these island country think it's some thing shameful to be called black. Research it under Dominican culture and race identities.

[@topnotchtn4538]

Its so powerful when people share their experiences. You explained yourself very well. Thanks for sharing this, its an eye opener. God bless.

[@cg9125]

Es chistoso por que yo estaba pensando la misma cosa. Por que tenemos que identificarnos como afro este o afro ese cuando no es asi con los europeos. Pero tu respuesta tiene sentido. La norma es que todo gira alrededor del ideal que blanco es mejor, por eso nunca podríamos ser simplemente colombianos, venezolanos o peruanos!

[@SansDream6810]

Creo que hay un poco de obsesión con la "patria vieja" en las Americas. Hay muchos blancos allí que dicen "I'm IRISH-American" o "I'm ITALIAN-American" o "I have German, Spanish, French, Dutch, and Cherokee ancestry" (...vvaalleee). No tengo ni idea porque hay este obsesión con esas categorías (especialmente cuando la conexión es tan distante).

[@millerstation92]

Blanco es mejor pero tengo que tener mejores calificaciones para ser aceptado en la universidad?pff que mentira tan grande lo del privilegio blanco.

[@cg9125]

Los oprimidos siempre tienen una historia diferente de los opresores. Es tan fácil para decir que el privilegio del blanco no existe cuando no te afecta pero por los negros y otras etnias de tez morena es una realidad.

[@cg9125]

Como se ve? no voy a tener una discussion con una person que esconde detras de una imagen de un faro. Dices muchas cosas sin embargo tienes miedo para mostrarte a tu mismo al mundo! porque?

[@millerstation92]

Christina Gonzales Que tiene que ver mi foto de perfil....ahh tipica logica de mujer y de justiciera social.Lo que importa es que lo que diga sea veridico a o no si digo donde vivo,nombre y apellido,etc nadie te obliga a dar tu nombre y poner tu foto...y a decir es vergonzoso discutir de temas raciales/sociales,una perdida de tiempo total ya que vinimos solo y nos vamos a ir solos,con ese criterio los que viven en paises homogeneos viven en el paraiso mas o menos y no es la realidad...si,es verdad que se notan difrencias entre razas sobre todo en cultura y comportamiento pero individuamente estamos solos...como mucho tu familia y nada mas.Un gusto hablar contigo cuando quieras otra clase avisame.Saludos

[@Body_and_Soulmates]

Giiiiiirrrrl, I'm SO glad you made this video! My mom is Dominican and my father is Panamanian and Jamaican and my grandma is "fair" and his father is light skinned and on my mom and both her parents are dark skinned, so I came out black! I'm the only person in my community that uses the term Afro-latino. I live in Brooklyn, NY (Bedstuy)! One Panamanian sista lives in my apt building. We just began talking to each other the other day. She was born and raised in Panama. We speak spanish to each other now & I'm so relieved, because lately I've not gotten a chance to speak a lot of spanish as I'm not close with either side of my family/relatives. Anyway, I enjoyed hearing you speak Spanish. It's way better than most of us afro latinos who grow up in the United States and can't speak a lick of Spanish! I can imagine myself speaking Spanish with you & enjoying the exchange! My dad is a Spanish interpreter. I've studied Spanish in school from elementary all the way thru college (Associate's degree). I enjoy the language more than English. I could say so much more but I have to go for now. Again, mil gracias y hasta pronto. P.S. I like the term Black Latina. P.P.S. Your videos about Spain have been most helpful. I'm interested in possibly visiting over there.

[@ulisesjorge]

I'm willing to bet that those people who have a problem with you calling yourself “Latina” are in the USA, correct? You probably know this already, but people in the USA don't think to get that race and ethnicity are two different concepts. “Latino/Hispanic” is not a race. Latinos can be of any race: Arabs, Asian, Black, Europeans, natives, Whites, etc. People that would object with you identifying yourself as Latina don't get that you can be both. I'm a black man from the Dominican Republic living in Maryland at it took me sometime to understand that. Once I was going out with an African-American woman and we were going to a Latin dance club. In the way I play some salsa on the radio and she said “Oh, is that Spanish music?” I resisted the urge to laugh about the question because I could sense she wasn't kidding. I decided to research the issue and that's when I learned that in the USA people often use “Latino/Hispanic/Spanish” interchangeably to refer to things/people from Latin America. It was the USA Census Bureau that decided in the early 70s to use that terminology and people here went with it. I understand it because filling out the census form and having to answer “Are you Hispanic/Latino?” is easier than “Are you Mexican/Cuban/Puerto Rican/Dominican....?” Also, in Latin America we do the same thing with Arabs, who are called “Turcos” (“Turks”) even though they are different ethnic groups. The reason is that when large number of people from the territory that is today Syria and Lebanon emigrated to Latin America they carried Turkish passports, because these territories were under Turkish control. Do people mean to be offensive when they do that? Mostly no, usually they don't know better. I mean, Puerto Ricans are US citizens and carry US passports. If a Puerto Rican goes to live in Borneo, you think the locals are going to say “Ah, you're Puerto Rican...!”? Maybe, but probably they're going to say “Ah, you're American..!” and what is the Puerto Rican supposed to do? Start talking about the Spanish American war and how the US took over Puerto Rico and in 1917 granted US citizenship to Puerto Ricans and... nah, forget it man...take me to my hotel.... Any way, sorry for the long comment. I'll keep an eye for your videos, this is interesting stuff. In case you're wondering how do I identify myself, it's “dark and handsome”.... :)

[@fullyfranchesca]

I live in Canada and when I introduce myself to people, they always question my name! They basically want me to explain why is my name is Spanish and how come I'm Black. It's just that the media doesn't show how diverse we are and people don't know a thing about our history and culture.

[@teegraciela]

+fullyfranchesca franchesca?! They question you about the name franchesca?! I hate people!

[@fullyfranchesca]

+SomewhereAlways Tee Both but mostly my last name, it's also Spanish/Portuguese.

[@teegraciela]

+fullyfranchesca aaahhhh okay! Gotcha. That makes more sense lol

[@TvOfMike]

Your race is black. You can speak spanish and english. Your family has hispanic culture. That is all.

[@teegraciela]

+mike b thanks? lol

[@MB4life321]

i kinda have a feeling she knows that already

[@TvOfMike]

+SomewhereAlways Tee I didn't mean to be rude if thats what it seemed like. I just wanted to let half of the viewers understand.

[@TvOfMike]

+averyradbitch And i kinda have a feeling that most of the people in the comments need to educate themselves on how hispanic is a culture, not a race or ethnicity. You can be white and have hispanic culture and speak spanish and same with being black or asian.

[@teegraciela]

+mike b lol it's cool! Though I would absolutely consider Latino an ethnicity.

[@Lea3103makeit]

Muchas Gracias! Sentía la misma manera. I still feel the same way. I didn't start learning Spanish until late and started using "Afro-Latina" instead of just Latina since people kept questioning me. It's great to see someone you can relate to. Great video!!

[@iamchafonbrown]

Oh btw my mom is creole Belizean and my dad is African American. To myself I'm black, but as a kid I really struggled with outsiders acceptance of my identity as well as my own self acceptance. I'm comfortable in my skin today. Thanks Again for sharing this story because it's so powerful for young women to see they are not alone and it's OK to be proud of your heritage whatever it maybe.

[@heyyesme7266]

I love how you brought up the fact that "Afro-latina" is not a term you feel that you can use or identify with because of its 'literal' meaning and how it doesn't really apply because your father is black and your mother is Panamanian. Where as afro-latinos are typically described as those who are from latin countries with African and European ancestry and blood. It is more of a mixture that. has been going on for years rather than just having a black parent and a latino parent. Im glad I found someone who asked the same questions I did because I was so happy when I thought I discovered a word other than 'mixed' for me until I found out what it really was and decided it wasn't a term designated for me.

[@westendsweetheart]

Omg same for me! Soy boricua y negra and when i was around other latinx and tried to identify myself with them but couldn’t speak Spanish that’s when it clicked. I have to learn Spanish to not only relate but to connect with myself and my roots!! We can’t loose our Spanish girl! Lol. Stay beautiful!!!💕💕

[@briannaperal8642]

I'm Mexican and African American and grew up in a Mexican household. Same issues I had in school! I agree completely with everything. I think it will take videos like this and other media to finally educate others that a "Latina" cannot be defined as a typical TeleNovela star. Keep reaching for the stars mi hermana!!

[@teegraciela]

+Brianna Peral yessssss even as a kid it found it weird that I couldn't see myself in any of the "latinas". It's so sad. But it does seem like times are changing.

[@Alexmary]

I'm glad that I got to see someone else talk about being Afro-Latino. This made me feel like I'm not alone :).

[@terrenceevans9821]

Your subject over coming difficulties was on point... You’re doing a great job... learning & expressing your views... And your spanish is not trash... How many of your American friends speak spanish... ? Yeah ....like I said..you’re doing a great job sis.

[@NyrVindr]

I'm from Panama. Greetings from here 🥰🇵🇦

[@brianapeterson8360]

I literally need more of your videos. I always come across this video every few months, I'm Latina; 100% panamanian, but i am adopted. I have been through hell and back, in regards to how I'm treated for being darker and not knowing spanish younger. Always supporting you love!!!

[@angelicalindsey5503]

omg !! I so can relate to you , my dad is Panamanian and my mom black and i grew up on my moms side so I never learned Spanish and when I would tell black people I'm Latina to they would just look at the color of my skin and texture of my hair and say no your not your just black ! so I stopped saying I was half latina but now that I'm older I've vowed to be fluent in Spanish and embrace my culture and teach my future children Spanish , watching this video helped me so much with confidence , thank you 😶😄

[@grd27100]

es la primera vez que escucho afro-latina que sorpresa que es de USA donde no pueden ser todos iguales si no que tienen que crear muros entre ellos de todas las formas posibles

[@shannanrowlette4430]

I'm also Panamanian and I have the same struggles... only I'm not fluent in Spanish but I understand it very well...

[@Moonlitskiess82]

I'm Panamanian and Spanish is my first language, but growing up in the Midwest I never spoke it. My mom still spoke it at home, but never forced us to speak it back to her. Props to you! You make me want learn outside of my gringo Spanish that I speak now. Lol.

[@ceoraaa]

I'm not latina I'm just black American but I'm learning Spanish and it was really nice to hear your story. I wish I could have an accent like yours.

[@arelisbarroso5791]

I love this video! I am Puerto Rican and I get the same thing. In terms of hair, features, language all of it. I was always self conscious about it because I felt like I had to speak better in order to prove my culture. Both of my parentsPuerto Ricans but I definitely identify as Afro-Latina and now after watching this video as Black Latina. In this way I can recognize my race without leaving behind my ethnicity. But honestly I rarely use this out loud. People make their assumptions anyway and I just keep it moving. As long as I know who I am that's enough for me. Becomes so draining having to explain yourself all the time and deal with people's ignorance. New subscriber here!

[@mslazarre]

Excellent video. I can comprende on many levels. I especially liked that you weren't negative towards the ignorant people you've encountered growing up. Seems as if you've channeled that energy into a positive life. 😊

[@HikariSatou]

I learned Spanish at a young age, met a bunch of hispanohablantes and managed to be good enough that people did ask me if I was Cubana. The bit about being afro-latina vs just latina is something that one of my friends schooled me on a few years ago since she happens to be black and latina and recounted to me her struggles growing up in a community that favored the lighter skin tones. Needless to say, you have a new follower :)

[@teegraciela]

+Jada awww thanks for subscribing! what do you identify as? It's such a gray area and every one varies.

[@profelizbetsanchez7753]

Tu español es perfecto! No one has a right to criticize it or question tu identidad! I really enjoyed watching your video. Gracias!!!! :)

[@JOURNEYSWITHNIKS]

I can relate..My mom is PR and dad African american. My mom is light also and people used to ask her whose kids we were. Whenever I make reference to being latin or hispanic-I get a shocked reaction from the Latin community. So I def applaud your video..your stories sound just like mines and my sisters!

[@teegraciela]

+Nikki Summers-Joseph OMG people would confuse my (biracial) cousins and say my mom was their mom.. uhh NO! lol