Why Arnell Armon Almost Stopped Making Hair Videos | Skin Deep | Refinery29

[@refinery29]

How do you celebrate your heritage everyday? Let us know in the comments!

[@TamKam]

Embracing my natural roots

[@perfectlycreated28]

My food, my hairstyles, my church, the movies I watch, and trying to learn my mother's tongue.

[@arnellarmon]

Some of these comments are the exact reason why this video was created so to those being negative thank you for helping prove my point. For those who are mixed who deal with negative people like those in the comments I hope this video helps you out! ❤️

[@thelmaekoh9451]

I'm so proud of you keep it up😊

[@TheMoobambam]

Yesss Arnell thank you for ignoring the haters. I love the topic of this video.... and I would love to see more like it on your channel! I really don’t get why people would want you to ignore 25% of where you came from !!! You’re allowed to be more than one thing... your not just black ... your black AND MEXICAN.

[@nonnieJ94]

Oakland natives and envision graduates! You and Alissa keep perusing your dreams. It makes me happy and proud to see girls from Oakland becoming successful and living their dreams. Bitches be mad sometimes 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@blablabarb]

arnellarmon you are 3 quarters Black and only a quarter Mexican there is nothing to decide you are Black. There are non-Black people that have small percentages of African in them and you don't see them running around confused. Also, Mexican is not a race that quarter Mexican is made of white and/or Native ancestry.

[@arnellarmon]

sedavenp thanks for your input but it’s irrelevant to me, I am what I am.

[@MinnieMousey06]

she never said Mexican was a race in this video. she was mostly talking about the cultural aspect of being Mexican. culture and race are inherently connected to each other, like for example "Black" isn't just a "race", it's also a culture, that's why she says she Mexican and black. y'all are so annoying with your fake woke selves

[@arnellarmon]

Arya M THANK YOU!!

[@Studio-ch3qc]

Arya M Black is not a race it’s color, with the logic used in this video everyone is considered mix. Individuals who have internal confusion about who they are, put it off on other people ALOT. Her mother is mixed race, Arnell is a black woman. The average black American has 25% of some other heritage/race yet we don’t claim to be mix.

[@adriangutz]

She did say it but whatever

[@Artbycheria]

Studio49 but living with two cultures makes you mixed in that instance. You dont have to take her literally on a dna level. If her mom is mixed with mexican she has mexican family and mexican culture. Of her dad is black she has blavk family and black culture. She is black and mexican because she was literally born into the culture and is racially from that mix so...

[@Studio-ch3qc]

Cher Giles color, race, nationality, ethnicity and culture do not mean that same thing. She simply used the wrong verbiage; by the absolute definition of race she is not mixed race period. The race identity issue is huge issue in my family as well, simply because people refuse to educate them on terms they use. I am not mixed I am a black woman with a Latino heritage. My father is African American and mother is Puerto Rican.

[@MinnieMousey06]

what?! I had no idea Arnell was part Mexican! omg. and her mother looks fully Mexican, like she legit looks like my Mexican grandmother. i'm shook

[@ameenahsf]

Arya M lol and I thought their mom was just black so go figure haha

[@saraadam3941]

no one even knew she had mexican in her, but yet she's here saying everyone is pressuring her to choose a side -___-

[@MinnieMousey06]

maybe that's why she didn't talk about it as much, because of the fear that people wouldn't understand and try to tell her what she is and isn't.

[@ashleynicole6210]

Sara Adam exactly!! Mix ppl problem

[@destinylegacy1]

Her mother is Mexican and black

[@nala8179]

Would also love to see a video about embracing darker skin and kinky curly hair! And maybe mixed people with darker skin because people always think that mixed people are only light skin with loose curly hair

[@arnellarmon]

NALA oooouuu that’s a good idea!!

[@refinery29]

+nala Stay tuned!

[@marifofa8067]

Thats a great idea

[@alishamccarthy7526]

NALA they don't care babe, they have their own agenda

[@oh_kay2954]

Alisha McCarthy the stay tuned comment says otherwise

[@wikipediating]

Saying that mexican isnt a race is beside the point mexican culture is completely different from black culture and growing up with both can be confusing because people are constantly trying to put mixed people into boxes and making them “choose a side”. In this video shes just showing how proud she is of her heritage and how shes trying to embrace both cultures. Just because shes lightskin and mixed (and therefore privileged) it doesnt give yall the right to belittle her struggles.

[@refinery29]

+myriam Thanks for your input!

[@enigma4526]

African American culture*

[@Studio-ch3qc]

Myriam privileged how?

[@lebebeve4881]

She's not privileged. To a white person, she's just a black girl. If she was in Mexican, they'll view her as a brown skin Mexican not even black. Varying on her setting she can and cannot be privileged

[@destinyleander]

People of lighter complexion are viewed as privileged by people of darker complexion (light skin vs dark skin) it’s a thing , I believe that’s what Myriam was hitting on .

[@destineeray2970]

Just reading these comments and feeling all the negativity breaks my heart. She has to deal with this everyday of her life and I admire her so much more for being able to block it out and be herself. Much love ❤️

[@actuallysana]

Arnell, please continue to do natural hair videos. I don’t have your texture hair but I still love to watch them. ❤️

[@shawnprice3777]

It is sad that some broken human wanted to pull you to their sunken place. You are all God wants you to be and embrace every hue and nuance to your story!!! You are more than enough!

[@lee-ne3nx]

thank you arnell for bringing more light to our afro-latin comunity

[@refinery29]

+amberleecastillo-roblez Thank you for watching!!

[@JanelleMercedes]

Yes!

[@Chazzzisawesome]

Im so glad you guys touched on this because my sister is mixed race and our black father has always put a lot of pressure on her to only identify as black. HOWEVER she has a whole mother of another ethnicity that she loves. It has caused her to identify as black around black people and as white around white people, she has been having to do this since she was a CHILD and it has caused her social anxiety. As a kid she has never understood why she couldn't be apart of her mothers heritage and a child should not have that dilemma with their OWN mother. The one drop rule was created so white people did not have to be responsible for the biracial children they produced during slaverly, it was also meant to keep white lineages "pure". The fact that black people live by this so heavily is so stupid. Yes to the naked eye Arnell will be considered black but she IS biracial with Mexican family members that LOVE & ACCEPT her. Is she suppose to disown her whole Mexican family to appease the one drop rule that was created by white people to keep black people as slaves? no.

[@ladygabrielle36]

Thank uuuuuuu!!!!! You explained it so eloquently!!!!

[@clkzy8102]

This!

[@emanuellajohnson2019]

very well said

[@chamham6734]

Chazzzisawesome Her mom is half black and her dad is black. She is mixed not biracial. That's still 70% African

[@celiabonadies5667]

A really thoughtful and eloquent comment, Chazzzisawesome

[@nicelookash]

To be comfortable in your own skin is a huge accomplishment, which a lot of people don’t understand. This video was amazing, thank you for showing young girls and women the importance of accepting who you are and embracing it

[@refinery29]

+ashlitatum Love this message!!

[@HelloKitty20465]

Arnell is literally the cutest I’m so proud of you girl!!!

[@natadath2634]

Wow! 40 years later my daughter has to deal with the same crap and comments I dealt with being mixed. Just for the record my children grew up with my Mexican side of the family since my Black side of the family wasn’t interested in having a relationship ‘because we were half Mexican’ so she only knows Hispanic culture. Most of the negative comments on here are too ignorant to respond to, so I will close this out by saying I think the video was very beautiful and the Mariachis made me cry because it made me miss my grandpa and brought back so many beautiful memories with my family 😍

[@refinery29]

+natadath Thank you for sharing your journey with us!

[@Only1Risa]

Natadat H God bless you! I’m so glad you shared that. It’s actually very saddening to see such hateful and ignorant comments on here. I wish it was surprising, but unfortunately, it’s not. Ignorant people identify others for their own benefit. 💔😒 **exhales** Be encouraged. You and your girls are beautiful is so many ways, and in every genetic part of who you are, know that YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH! 💜👑

[@beautyjunkie2620]

Arnells mom?🤔

[@jocastillo3533]

Beauty Junkie Yes, that was her mom.

[@RayneyKayLa]

So you just gonna speak on the rejection you got from Black Family like Mexicans ain't anti Black and Colorist as fuck?

[@DairingTia]

It's funny how the haters comments are from people who aren't mixed and therefore can't relate to the struggle we're facing on a daily basis. Arnell, you're straight gorgeous girl, i don't have the exact hair texture as yours, but i've always loved your videos and your beauty, your energy and everything. Just keep on doing what you love pleaaaaase xx

[@kristinay100]

I watched this today and my heart sunk. I just discovered your page and have been watching your sister for a while and I never know that you had a page until my husband said to me have o seen your page and then I started to watch it. I fell in love with you. I love to watch you videos and learn the things that you teach. You are funny and charming in you have given me the confidence to start showing my natural hair and embrace the softness and curls that I have. I wish people were not so mean and disrespectful to you please don’t stop being you and sharing with those of us that love to watch and learn and laugh with you.

[@refinery29]

+kristinayoung Thanks for being here!

[@Tamiyahk]

Arnell, I personally love your natural hair videos and the excitement you bring in them, continue to do them please. You are so creative and no one can take that away from you. I’m rooting for you all the way💜

[@mikk5540]

This is so important. I live in Sweden and have similar but not the same experience. I have tanned skin and both my parents have nordic heritage. I grew up with constant questioning of my heritage which gave me the feeling of not belonging in the country I grew up in. I know now that nordic people actually had tanned skin and those with light skin have European heritage.

[@sweetlooweeze]

Also, just putting this out here- arnell identifying as Mexican is just letting you all know where her parents/ancestors from. So y’all saying Mexican isn’t a race is outside the point. Then to the ppl saying “oh just say you’re black “ know good and well that ppl always tell mixed women or women that look like arnell that they not really black... so stop it!

[@K.YouTube2]

S. Lewis true

[@pussydestroyer69285]

I agree but arnell is black

[@LoveBeautista]

What does her being light skinned have to do with her hair. Last time I checked people with all types of race and skin color can have natural hair to.

[@kalishagibbs3797]

Thankyou

[@quathottie]

the natural hair community loves you!!! i have type 4a hair and i LOVE your natural hair videos. don’t let the haters keep you from shining babe! i love you so much.

[@YaGirlSyber]

My cousins are black and Mexican and my titi never treated me different nor have I felt weird going to a "Mexican" birthday party. The culture is beautiful and it's great to see how my cousins are very close to both sides of their cultures.

[@amberelizabeth9697]

Arnell is so incredibly beautiful! I hope she embraces both sides of her heritage because they’ve come together to create something beautiful.

[@AshleyNY]

It was sooo amazing seeing Arnell open up & still being herself, I loveee her natural hair videos (even though I’m bald now 😭) I’d still watch them ❤️

[@talentsbytee]

It’s sad that people of mixed race are forced to “pick a side” .. it’s not logical.. anyways love you & your sister 💕💕💕 some of the most genuine KZbinrs

[@beatfacejunkie7879]

Talentsbytee nah youtubers be hella wanting sympathy lol this literally happens to all multi racial people myself included

[@bellasworld6385]

The negativity isn’t necessary... she’s was embracing her Latin culture in this video because she feels like she connects with her African American side more .LIKE SHE SAID IN THE DAMN VIDEO!

[@drea34]

I'm also 1/4 Mexican and 3/4 black. I didn't grow up with the Mexican side of my family like Arnell. I really don't consider myself mixed, even though I guess I am, but that's my experience. Everyone has different experiences and different stories to tell and that's ok! Love your videos Arnell!

[@mikkim7275]

drea34 yeah most people 75% anything don’t consider themselves mixed

[@introvertinwonderland]

Yeah I'm 3/4 black. I don't consider myself mixed. :/ I guess the Chinese in my family the culture is lost so maybe she talking about the cultures

[@Jazzypooh11]

drea34 same! I don’t consider myself mixed either because I barely even know the Mexican side. I just met them over the summer for the first time and I’m 25. I just identify as black because that’s legit all I know.

[@AhriFatima]

I’m Iranian, Mexican and Black and Mexicans always tell me I don’t have the right to claim as Mexican as if I just don’t speak Spanish and have Mexican blood running through me. I think it’s rude and they’re out of line. Black people don’t tell me that I don’t have the right to say I’m black. I hate that part of being mixed; being shut out

[@redmonroe5894]

I am mixed just like you all our i think you should claim being mixed because it is every piece that makes up you. Learn to love every piece of you no matter how big or small it is in your blood it is in your roots❤

[@amaraamour7421]

I wish you & your twin sister did this together as siblings!! But I love you guys anyway so beautiful 😍 Embrace all of your heritage and cultures 💓🙌🏾 sending 💞 from the uk 🇬🇧

[@amaraeddins3300]

I'm the same complexion as Arnell and I love your videos and Alissa's! They've helped me so much. I don't consider myself light but I completely trust you guys for good foundation picks because I can base my choices off of yours! I have natural hair too and I know somewhere my family is mixed with something. But I grew up in a very white area and I get that feeling. I grew up too black for the white kids and too white for the blacks without even being mixed in my direct family and it was really hard because I didn't feel like I fit in. Don't let the gatekeeping of others stop you from being who you see yourself as.

[@refinery29]

+amaraeddins Thanks for sharing your story with us!

[@vibes8924]

"Blacks" kk

[@itskevicianté]

I can’t imagine what you and Alissa go through and what your mom went through but I love that you’re learning about the dif. Cultures within your family and that you accept and acknowledge them👏🏾❤️✊🏾

[@deleyturner]

I just watched this video and it saddened me to hear that people think you shouldn't do natural hair vids cause of your skin tone. Like being black has anything to do with skin tone and like afro hair is limited to only the black race. Also many people have tight afro but are pale in colour and many people have loose texture but are dark skinned. I wish people would be less focused on race and more focused on learning about each other and embracing one another for our differences. Thank you for sharing this Arnell. Was beautiful to hear you speak out. We love your videos so keep creating!!!!

[@josephine_marie]

people with "tight afro" hair are of African descent. Period. Meaning you can identify as Black if you please. I can't stand this color-blind ideology.

[@deleyturner]

That's a lie haha. There are plenty African people with her hair texture. Are East Africans not Africans or black? Lol and many people in my family with her hair texture are black, not "mixed" so...

[@tamararideau1691]

Wow, I'm so glad you made this video. I'm mixed white, black and also a bit Hispanic. I feel you, cause it was def hard growing up. But I love all of me and everything that makes up me.

[@quadbox]

Arnell, admittedly, I know you through watching Alissa's video, but this was such an brilliant way to get to know you better. I have one dark Southern Italian parent and one British parent, but I was born in Australia and now live in France. Sometimes I've struggled with trying to understand my cultural heritage. Every so often I am told I'm not really "Australian/white/mediterranean" or whatever label they want to use and it can be really confusing and upsetting, so I imagine it must be much harder and more complex for you. My beige arse had absolutely no idea there were these struggles in the natural hair movement. I really hope you can continue with your hair videos because I always watch and love them even though I have Becky hair. I'm heading over to subscribe now and hope to see new videos soon! xx

[@refinery29]

+quadbox Thanks for sharing!!

[@habesha6352]

quadbox ❤️

[@barbarasanders3988]

Embrace both sides of your Culture GOD made you unique ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@ashleyamora1457]

Girl! Got me crying. It puts a different light on mixed races that me as a fully black woman never thought to look at.

[@Kaykay-jh1zu]

I love how she's learning more about her culture and heritage. It's beautiful when people embrace who they are and where they come from

[@DarkChococolateCreature]

Awwww Arnell! It's lovely to see you uner this light and to learn this side of you

[@chauntyele8948]

This made me appreciate Arnell & Alissa more. ❣️

[@julissax5142]

I peep Nathan’s good enough shirt😍

[@briaweea02]

With me being Black and my partner being Dominican, I always worry that my kids will have to face this type of thing when we have them and it makes me so sad to think people will attack or dimish their right to be both. I feel that you should take out the time and make sure your children are aware of both sides of their heritage and that there is nothing wrong with embracing all of it because they exist within them at the same time, regardless of people thinking they can be gatekeepers based on appearance.

[@charrmarie]

Wow I learned a lot from this video, it was so interesting to learn about Arnell's culture and the struggles mixed race people go through. I hate that we still live in a society that's based on are you black enough or enough of your other race/culture at the end of the day we are all human whether black, white, purple, blue etc. So tired of these issues based on culture and skin tone like light skin vs dark-skinned. I wish we could all just accept each other. Arnell if you see this I hope you continue making hair videos, it doesn't matter if some of us have a different texture or not we can all learn from your content and work the tutorial with our own hair, don't listen to the haters girl!

[@LindaMitchell]

How did I miss this video of Arnell?! This is so wonderful to see her connecting with her culture. Society does act like you have to embrace only one part of your heritage. It's great that more and more people are learning about all parts of their heritage.

[@neevus826]

Please do an episode with her sister Alissa❤

[@wtf9599]

Just because they are twins doesn’t mean they even have the same interests and I highly doubt Alissa would go for any of this because she seems to know what she wants or who she is so I personally cannot see her doing any soul searching she seems like she already has a really good grasp on exactly who she is.

[@uniqueLeo08]

lol you must not be to familiar with Alissa then.. cute comment though

[@glamorousAF]

I kept thinking shes looks like her 😂😂😂 glad to know

[@manuelatorres3701]

Thanks for addressing this topic for all the obvious reasons!! My father is Puerto Rican and my mother is black and I can totally relate to what you’re talking about I refuse to cancel out either side of my family and shame on anyone who would ask a person to choose also considering that we all are of mixed heritage if we look into our genealogy you and your sister are beautiful I love your content I look forward to your videos.

[@tsaiyana]

Wow this hit home for me. Especially what Arnells mom had to say. Not being enough of either side so you feel like you dont fit in.

[@savannahballard8271]

i related to this video a lot. i’m 75% white and 25% black. ive always struggled with being told i wasn’t “black enough” for some of my tendencies or other things of the sort. ive been mocked for my fair yet dark skin (which sounds very contradicting but i’m too noticeably tan to be 100% white and too noticeably light to be 50/50) i just wanted to say this video is helping me realize i can embrace both cultures and not be pushed around by people who don’t understand my situation. thank you.💘

[@reneerobinson3559]

So, do you mean like Olive? Very dark, but very light? I get you.

[@ladylaurenia]

But you're literally not "black enough" you're basically a white woman sis.

[@MelodyXpierce]

@@ladylaurenia There is no such thing as black enough. That's still 1/4 of her heritage.

[@BeSpiffyBeYou]

You are gorgeous Arnell! 😍😍 In this life, you have to do what makes you happy, people will ridicule you for almost anything. Get in tune and learn about the cultures within you..that being your Black and Mexican culture.. there is nothing wrong with that! Knowledge about your ancestry, background, heritage, and everything in between is a good thing! There’s many people who don’t insist to learn about their culture at all, but you don’t have to be like them. You’re YOU and you’re awesome! That statement about the natural hair thing is ridiculous... people are annoying AF, and it’s sad that it got to a point where you feel like doing those type of videos isn’t for you. Peace and love Queen ❤️❤️❤️

[@refinery29]

+bespiffybeyou Thanks for sharing!!

[@lashawnablanton4649]

BeSpiffyBeYou I agree 100%

[@taliasclafani9509]

I love that shes learning and embracing her heritage and showed us her journey and her honest feelings ❤️

[@hoodvogue9886]

this is a great video and i love that arnell is coming to accept her true self as an afro latina!!! but however i notice a lot of these ‘skin deep’ videos are mostly centered around lighter people (mixed people, latinx people , etc.) and i think that some darker people should be introduced into this series since i personally as a light skin person think that they struggle the most when it comes to stuff like accepting your race and who you are. just a thought :)

[@refinery29]

+curlyyheadxo Thanks for watching!

[@josephine_marie]

yep!

[@JaihlaTillman]

that shows a lot of empathy for you to say that. it's sad this channel and the world only give voices and hear out lighter complexioned people and completely DISREGARDS the dark skin/ brown experience. The owner of this channel is most likely a colorist.

[@danyellecastleberry6263]

So glad this video was done! I’m so sick of ppl telling others what they or how they don’t or can’t identify with something. Keep grinding Arnell😘😘😘😘

[@eyediosmio]

wow i wasn't expecting to get emotional watching this but i did!!! I'm half black half mexican too and i can totally relate. whenever i hear mariachi music it reminds me of my grandma and i can never hold back the tears lol

[@refinery29]

Awwww hugs!!! Thank you for sharing, we love ya!

[@aulanirhys]

Arnell...you are such a beautiful person both in and out...your aura was shining through girl...why does it matter what color skin any of us have...what is the color of blood...Red...if anyone needed a blood transfusion does it matter who it came from...we all bleed the same...so we should all show love and light the same...and stop trying to break people down because of the mere fact of a skin color... Love and light girl...keep winning!

[@refinery29]

Thank you for the positivity and spreading the love!!!!!!

[@whatdacurl94]

shes so cute

[@iiNDiie1]

So y'all telling me that if someone is 25% Mexican and was raised with her Mexican side more than her black side she has no right to talk about her Mexican side just because she's 75% black? 🤔 Y'all sound slow as hell!

[@HKchowder]

THIS TIMES 20000!! As a young adult who is part Black, Mexican and Japanese I have struggled so much to find a way to connect and express all 3 of my cultures! It is so hard being a part of a culture and sometimes not recognized because I don't look the part, my look does not define my heritage, all of which I am proud of!!!

[@refinery29]

Thank you for your sharing

[@mrzMindless1]

I appreciate KZbin for putting this as recommended for me. I have been going through discrimination just because I am black and Mexican. Like I’m not black enough to be black. I don’t know why there’s such a problem. I’m a college student and I’m apart of the bsu and I always get shamed for what I am. At first I didn’t care because it didn’t happen often, but seeing people my skin color telling me I have to choose a side basically sucks. I appreciate Arnell for doing this💓 I love her and this channel. Thank you so much for this.

[@cantwaitactnow6002]

Ignorant people make me sick. There are black girls with dark skin who have the same texture or even looser softer curls than Arnell. But because she’s light she can’t be part of the natural hair movement? She has naturally curly hair that grows out her scalp! How can she not take part ! She could be helping someone out with her hair videos. God knows she was helping me out I was wondering where her hair videos went. Arnell please keep your head up and focus on the positives I know it’s hard. But there are people out there who love you want to see you do well and love your videos. Focus on that. The haters don’t have to watch but they do. They’re just helping you get paid. Don’t let them stop you ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@YvonneMugure]

We have different hair texture but I would still watch your natural hair videos and just alter them to fit me! So not sure why anyone would ever make you feel like you can't share your skills because of your hair texture. We love it girl!

[@jabresestaton6527]

So now you have to have a certain hair texture and a certain skin color to do natural hair videos? Okay internet 🙄

[@lucydragneel4511]

Jabrese Staton she ain’t say that idiot. There’s people with 4c hair that do natura hair videos too

[@jabresestaton6527]

Lucy!! Dragneel she said that’s what people were saying in her comments, I made the comment for people saying she’s too light or her hair isn’t the right texture to be doing it

[@jabresestaton6527]

Lucy!! Dragneel I know there’s people with 4c hair doing videos cause I watch them, all they have to do is find someone with their hair texture and watch their tutorials

[@블랙스완-t7v]

She is making that up- she looks straight up black. I found it funny how she claims to be "mixed" when she looks full black and is not even light skin. Her hair looks curly (same texture as mine) so I don't see why she feels her hair does not look "black". Her mom is the one that is half mexican, and her mom looks it, which makes sense because she is half. I don't understand people like her who deny their blackness despite the obvious black ancestry. If she said this around whites they would laugh at her because no white person would mistake her for mexican or even mixed race. It seems like dark skin blacks go so far as to single other blacks out unless they share the same skin tone as them. This girl is clearly a black brown skin women, just like me. Not all of us blacks are dark skin but im not going to sit here and pretend im not black just because a dark skin women has a problem with me.

[@noodle2269]

Xher Blood What? She literally looks lightskin/mixed, not darkskin... are you okay?

[@itschilly6232]

Arnell, just making this video showed the strength and endurance of these 2 vibrant cultures, Mexican and African. Be proud of them both!

[@JayMuneeDIY]

I love Arnell so much ❤️

[@lokita6192002]

This is dope! My mother is Mexican and resides in Mexico. My father is black from Illinois. I was lucky to be able to embrace both sides at a early age. But I hate!!!!! When they ask me what side do I identify or I’m not black enough or not Mexican enough. I speak better Spanish then most Mexicans in LA lol. This mix thing can be hard sometimes

[@aquariuslewis9194]

I’m glad the good comments are flushing out the bad comments bc I don’t want to see them cause then imma go off.

[@denisemarieclarke8181]

I am half black and half Iris and adopted by Puerto Rican’s I absolutely love your videos because we have the same hair texture and hair struggles. I really enjoyed this video and please don’t let the hate stop you!!

[@kayenjee]

When Jessica (the hair dresser) said it is okay to claim both races, I literally cried. It is what I (still) needed to hear after being similarly bullied 20 years ago.

[@audreyhinton7821]

Arnell, I never knew you were black and Mexican until you said that today. It dosen't matter because you, your mother and your twin are beautiful people. So embrace all the good from both sides and enjoy life. Ok.

[@Ash-kh4bg]

So I'm the only black person who sees mixed people and doesn't care if theyre mixed or say anything.......like I whos minding other peoples business that much?

[@ihateyouall7026]

honestly im just too stupid to realize anyone is mixed until im told. but even so, like you said, it’s really not anyone’s business. people who are so obsessed with someone else’s life like that sounds like projectionnnnn

[@joannasherrod985]

Amen. U do u boo. U have to walk in ur skin. Please don’t let those haters stop u from doing natural hair as ur hair is natural, which simply means without chemicals.

[@leyva612]

Yaaass Afro Latina!!! Both ethnicities and cultures are so beautiful in each way!! Just like you Arnell ❤️

[@refinery29]

yassssss!!!!

[@letrishanowlin1949]

Haters gunna hate regardless!!! Continue to be who u are, and continue to make your natural hair videos and whatever video you feel!!!

[@maitesheart]

*Sigh* I'm sorry, you have to be put through that. Be proud of who you are no matter what they say if they don't get it, feel sorry for them because "They" will see the beautiful you. Now you worth girl and let it shine! My mom is Mexican and Italian, my dad is Black and Italian.

[@jaguarzepedaaz]

I'm white skinned but mixed with hondurian and chicana. It's hard growing up and being told i'm just hondurian and not mexican as well. I love this and how you went above and beyond with both cultures and choose to embrace them equally. ✊💕

[@aria2357]

As someone with both black and latina heritage, I love this video so much.

[@refinery29]

+lil'olebumble YAS! That's what we like to hear!!

[@skater4life1031]

Loved this story. Makes me feel so blessed and connected to listen to other women who are like me and my daughters! I’m mixed Latina-white and my daughters are Afro- Latina. Lots of struggles but it brings us closer. We are a community of strong women... La Raza y La Familia!

[@Aaliyahblifestyle]

This was amazing Arnell. I absolutely love you and what you represent

[@rachaeldrussell9048]

you're soooo beautiful Arnell! I've been following you for ages and it was really cool to see you talk about this

[@erinlou4837]

I love arnell & alissa sm

[@santarosabeachgirl7753]

Proud! First generation Nigerian dad and Puerto Rican mom 🇳🇬 🇵🇷🤗

[@z333star]

She and her sister look EXACTLY the same😫❤️ both beautiful

[@UnKnown-nz9qi]

Wow Arnell you did such a great job sharing your journey. Although I don't consider myself mixed race I do identify with some of your struggles. I don't look like the rest of my family. My hair texture and complexion is very different from theirs and from most other Black people that I know. So I grew up wanting to belong to something that I didn't look like I was a part of. Keep living your truth and ignore the negativity.

[@gettinghealthyval]

yasss arnell. you have given me natural hair inspiration make more natural hair videos girl. I love them.

[@simplylessie1543]

I'm not mixed race I'm just full black but my parents are from africa which is pretty diverse. My mom is ethiopian and Congolese and my dad is Ivorian and I love that because it's two cultures that I can learn from. Often time I do find myself having to pick one specific side (my mom's because I grew up around her) but I really felt like I could relate to this video because it does get confusing at times. Thank you for this❤

[@skarrdz7804]

WE LOVE AN AFRO LATINA REINA YEEEEES ♡♡

[@refinery29]

+kalerdz! YAAASSS!!!

[@Atomicqueen9]

Yass

[@sherlyndiaz4829]

shes not an afro latina... she's simply biracial. An afro latino/a is someone who is of african descent, from a latin american country.

[@josephine_marie]

LOL. she's not afro-latino,. Afro Latino means you are a Black person or a person with significant African ancestry with origins in Latin America. I wish people would educate themselves before making superficial bubble gum comments.

[@carinadimaguipo717]

Yaaassssss 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@MzAbstractMind]

I hate when ppl force someone to pic a side. Love all parts of you. You don't have to deny one side of you to please nobody! Embrace all of you. Tbh, if ppl do that, it might be a bridge to help bring our cultures closer...show how similar we are rather than push us apart.

[@lala123love]

The braids and the way she styled it is amazing!!! Wowww great job!

[@lydiabrown4769]

The hairstylist did a beautiful job! The hairstylist hair and Arnell's hair are absolutely gorgeous!

[@StefanyeAndrea]

Wow in 2018 people are triggered by biracial people learning their cultures 🤦🏾‍♀️ that’s insane. She is curious of her lineage which is totally fine. My mom is half white and my dad is full black and I have a deep skin tone so I have white cousins and people can’t believe that a part of me is Caucasian. It’s clearly easier for me to identify with my black side because of my skin tone but having white cousins I do have that identity issue at times. So I’m glad she is exploring her heritage. Fuck the haters girl.

[@dachellewatson7102]

I do understand this. I saw someone in the comments say that you are "Only a quarter Mexican & you shouldn't be confused". I think it's stupid to only acknowledge part of yourself in the name of "blackness". My 3× great grandma is japanese/Chinese and I have features that tell that. It was so annoying when people teased me becuz my body type ddnt fit the common black girl and I couldn't claim mixed race becuz I ddnt fit phenotypic mixed girl stereotypes. I now identify as a mixed race person of afro and Chino Guyanese (my nationality) decent and it is so empowering 😊 thanks for this vid. I don't think I've found anybody who can relate more to this than you.

[@itsbritt9155]

Hmm I gotta just wonder ..Her dad is black and her mom is Mexican and black ...so shes mostly black with a hint of another race in her DNA like most black ppl. I can def see how her Mexican roots can attribute to her experience culturally but racially ? I can’t help but think if she didn’t have such a stereotypical mixed race aesthetic and instead had more of a stereotypical “full black “ aesthetic for example like KZbinr jewejewebee who actually has one black parent and one Latino parent would they had chosen her for this video ? Would her Mexican roots been so easily acknowledged by society? Would she had gotten so big on KZbin ? I’m just saying ...

[@coco_poppinjewels1323]

Never be afraid to be you. You're are very awesome and brave to even talk about something that's on a personal level.

[@losagold1779]

I love when strangers try to tell other people what they are, what their culture is, what their family story is. This isnt your story to decipher this is a video that some Americans can relate to.

[@joybradford6833]

I appreciate you opening up to us about your heritage as well as your journey to discovery more about yourself and all the people within your family that make you you! You are beautiful no matter what race you identify with, because you are God’s child as well! I am mixed as well and had some of the same struggles as well. I think it’s easier for those who have black in them to identify with blacks because we don’t look more like the other race to identify with that one. Society and people also put us in a category whether we want to accept it or not! I applaud you on embracing every part of you that makes you you! Blessings!

[@zioneamonie]

I love Arnell 😭 she’s so beautiful

[@shirleyhusar]

You and your sister are breathtaking be who you are live Who You Are. You are a blessing on social media and in life.

[@abisarai6120]

I love Arnell and I love that you were able to do this ❤️

[@isabellak411]

i love this video ! my mom is puerto rican and my dad is black and i was always told to identify as black because my father is black . but i never understood because i always identified myself as both hispanic and black cause that is both my cultural background from living in both households . being oppressed towards one , leaves many close minded on what else there mixed with and can experience and learn 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@FlyGemini79]

She has a beautiful spirit.

[@sokenzi]

I honestly had no idea you were Mexican. I watch you and your sisters videos and it never really mattered to me what or who you identified with because the content is the only thing I care about. Don’t let the negativity bring you down. You make great content!!!

[@takiam6677]

Arnell never feel ashamed of who u are! Thats what makes you,YOU! I know it will take time to get there,but your on your way!

[@honeybeflyforever]

Love this video. I myself identify as #afrolatina or #blaxican. I grew up with mainly a Mexican culture since that is how my mom was raised. I wish my mom had taught me spanish but I do understand some of it. I fully embrace the beauty of both cultures and stopped trying to prove I was enough for either culture.