You Took Roles for Black Women...But You Didn't Identify As Black..?

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[@ladybluelotus]

People stay doing the most. What really happened is she left Cuba thinking that her latina-ness would override her African features and she ran smack up against American colorism and featurism. The colorism got her the roles, but the featurism only got her blk roles. This is just another case of the Better Blacks. Better Blacks stay thinking their skin tone, hair texture, features, culture, religion, or class will garner them better treatment, and when it doesn't; they resent the blk folks they got grouped in with for existing. Black isn't a box. It's an umbrella that has sheltered many a people. And provided understanding and discourse that has enlightened the world.

[@dinaf_tommyf]

FACTS!!

[@JulianSteve]

Well written, TJ! Thank you!

[@macummings7818]

Say on! Say on! *Hard eye rolls forever* This anti Black shyt is endless.

[@robertaskeete5302]

Love this ❤

[@aanyamallick7747]

OMG! What books have you been reading because DAMN! That was so articulate. As someone who has a half Syrian half black mother and a dougla father I identify as afro indo syrian. I don't look racially ambiguous as my hair texture is 4b , my skin is brown and I have small features but I won't fall victim to the whole bi, tri or multi racial complex. I understand whatever you identify as depends on what you look like and what you grew up around, but you aren't monoracial. My father for instance has a dead beat for a dad, but still identifies as afro indian. He spent most of his life around his black family( my grandmother black and she was a single mother up until getting married later in her life) and has forgotten most of the hindi language, but he still accepts both because thats what he is. Her saying she's black and Cuban is kicking my ass🤣😭😭. Because yes, I am Syrian, black AND Indian but I'm also Jamaican. Both my parents are also Jamaican, only my great grandparents are immigrants.

[@Them_kids_momma]

Or just don’t go for black roles then. Since she so strong in being a Latina

[@NaturallyKoilyKuteness78]

This is what I'm saying. Why take the roles if portraying a Black woman was such a burden and then she married a Black man to boot. 😕

[@Them_kids_momma]

@@NaturallyKoilyKuteness78 god she irritated me. She was talking like it’s so horrible to be black.

[@prettybrwneyez7757]

It’s really just that simple. I don’t understand the mental gymnastics of these dummies caping for her in this comment section 😂

[@Indigolily80]

She should have made her own production company like Bette Middler, Robert Townsend, Spike Lee and Tyler Perry. That way she could have made roles for herself to promote the Cuban culture that she is comfortable and familiar with.

[@sharons5221]

!!!!!

[@kedeeky]

My takeaway is that people just don’t want to be assumed to be a Black American. It’s the “Black American” they don’t wanna identify with. That’s the pattern that keeps repeating.

[@manovrsb]

Afro Latinos grew up with a different racial hierarchy than Black Americans . Afro Latinos had multiple identities based on which group they mixed with . However in the anglophone black world , mixing with black is still black.

[@joshuaagbettor5610]

It's true that this has been the case in other instances. i don't think that Gina's experience is one of those. She clearly alluded to the cultural differences more than anything. I don't think that it's so much that she doesn't want to be black American. it's more like that being honest with herself that she knows that her culture is not the same as what Black Americans experience so she cannot relate.

[@moneybags999]

Exactly. To be a Black American = To be a byproduct of The (Collective) Struggle for civil rights & equality in America. I think black people from other countries don't want to be associated with "The Struggle" but they want to benefit from it.

[@leahmadalyn]

This!!!!!!

[@EssenceRendered]

Bs! The roles they play are of afro Americans! That is the quickest way to be mistaken for an afro American! She could have easily paved a route for blk Latinas but it is easier to step on the backs of afro Americans for advancement! She won’t be the first, she won’t be the last!

[@charlajefferson9220]

I am unapologetically Black/African American. If others don't want to share in our pride, then they can go elsewhere. I'm tired of it this self hate and only seeing the trauma of being Black. There is great beauty in being Black and I am here for it. I love being a melanated person with this amazing wooly hair and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. BTW, your skin, hair and makeup is popping.

[@danabenson4125]

👏👏👏👏

[@vanellesmith4598]

Agreed.

[@tashied422]

Preach. Those types of people act like anyone can just look at them and can automatically tell what types of food they eat, what music they listen to, and what holidays they celebrate. If anything Black Americans are tryna help those types of people on how they'll be perceived in America. If they wanna walk around here blind about that, then we should let them. Once they get that wake up call, don't bring your ass over here for help is all I'm saying.

[@JP-br4mx]

People have different journeys. I think people should be able to come to term on their on

[@booboobunny27]

It’s not about racial hate that Gina is talking about. It’s about personal identity. She doesn’t hate being seen as black. She’s saddened by not being seen as Hispanic, because she is. People don’t see her for who she is/ feels she is and that can be mentally and emotionally hurtful to anyone. I personally stand up for her because I get it. I’m black but no one sees me as black and it’s hurtful. I’m not bashing what people see me as, I’m just saddened by not being perceived as how I identify.

[@annecherae4950]

It's so true. Racially ambiguous Latinas are ashamed of their black side and claim they don't want the "black experience" which is why they only identify by their nationality. However, when it comes to making money they don't mind the "black" title so long as they get prioritised or pedestalised over non ambiguous blk women.

[@andylanegra-thoughtsfromth7451]

All of this

[@JulianSteve]

Yep, and it's messed up.

[@aanyamallick7747]

Oop, I see cardi b 👀 She's been identifying as Spanish(which, isn't even a race its a nationality or ethnicity of being born in or are a decendant of Spain) up until she got backlash for saying the N word on Twitter.

[@AfriAmericanPrincess]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Come on, Zoe Saldana!!!

[@shemeciahaskell322]

only she isn't racially ambiguous! she definitely looks black; look at her lips .

[@WarmZZy]

She was just so miserable falsely inhabiting black cultural identity to GET RICH 😭 Its VERY insulting.

[@darrellgamble00]

It always blew my mind that somebody would use my story, sometimes the city I grew up in, my struggle, make it and then throw it under the bus. If they're not about that life, the least they could do is respect it.

[@Yologism]

I'm so confused, is she black or biracial?? Or, is she one of those 'latinas' that does not know the melanin running through her veins is black inspired. Being black does not stop her being latina. I'm very confused by what she said. Is latina synonymous with saying she is part white?

[@sarai373]

@@Yologism she's thinking like the Dominican republic group of people

[@OrganicAlumination]

A person having mixed ancestry and being black depending on dynamic between parents and external environment can make for the cringiest things... Like I can tell by the picture she's black and white , and even if she's Hispanic it's afro Hispanic she has a percentage of African and European and the self hate that's perpetuated is so tiresome to my soul but has not ceased .

[@msthang5366]

VERY! For some reason I never cared for any of her roles

[@ALADA]

As a mixed race Brazilian myself it was very difficult when I learned about the process of whitening the population in my country, which as a governmental project that were presented in Europe that the population of Brazil would be white in 3 generations if more Europeans migrated to our country to have kids with light skin women. (A project that can be seem in a painting called the Ham's Redemption) The saddest part of it all is to live knowing that many black people in Brazil were brainwashed by this and the fact that I'm part of this project too, because once I questioned my mother what was the factor of her having kids with a white man, she said: I didn't wanted my kids to suffer what I suffered when I was a kid and what I have to deal until now for being so dark... It's completely heartbreaking having to hear this from a darkskinned person and in Brazil I've heard many times. So, for many years my identity was a very complicated for me to understand, because I was taking "compliments" - as them would say, about my complexion... Nowadays understanding my privileges and the place I occupy in our society, I just try to make dark skinned voices to be heard as much as I can... I'm now living in Berlin and as a DJ I dont play in certain events if I'm only black person in the lineup, I refuse myself and I make my opinion to be very clear. Thanks for your vids, is always helpful. I never miss one.

[@sonyacotton4881]

*(A project that can be seem in a painting called the Ham's Redemption)*

[@bluetaylor9140]

I've been to Brazil. The self hate is real! White supremacy did a number on Afro Brazilians.

[@keishajones3830]

This the comment right here. I applaud u girl! I do the same thing!I’m ADOS, but colorism is too real. I refuse to be “the black rep” in an all white setting. Why? Because I blend in! 😂😂😂 Lil background on me, My light skinned-ness is due to my grannies on down the line being raped. Where’s the glory in that? I love that my ancestors were survivors but….🙄. I ain’t about to be celebrating systemic torture and assault, ever. I’m glad you see what happened in Brazil for what it was, government funded eugenics. And forgive your mom if u haven’t already. She was doing the best she could, and needs all the love and Grace you can give 💕.

[@rctecopyright]

Blanqueamiento... yet ppl still act like these things don't exist even though they are hard written in the history books and it isn't that hard to find

[@darrellgamble00]

That is profound. I did not know first hand what happened there. I only read the plan from the European. What a poor excuse for human beings they can be. I did see a bit of a black power awaking in their movie The City Of God. Is that pervasive or it was just a movie not really prevalent on the ground?

[@joberry877]

As an 'Afro Latina ' I agree with you Sis. People really do think of mixed people when they hear that term. I've been told I'm way too dark to have Dominican heritage and all kinds of mean things. I was raised 'Black American' so I have a Black American perspective. It is extremely insulting when someone takes roles from Black Americans and then turn around and say 'Oh, I don't identify as Black'. Yes! Ppl get race and ethnicity twisted all day every day.

[@rosalynbeatty8310]

I know 2 Afro Puerto Rican women w/darker skin & straighter, longer silkier hair then Gina. They are very proud to the point of being outspoken & almost militant about their black Hispanic heritage. - they take it personally & chew out light Latinos who label black Americans as 'el cocolo!'

[@goodnplenty1873]

"the biracial complex of being two things becomes a center focus of the hardest struggle of Blackness, when the hardest struggle of Blackness is actually just being only black " Protect this woman. 🖤

[@macummings7818]

YESSS! OK? Sheesh!

[@JulianSteve]

Mayowa said no lies. She's correct!

[@geminidems]

Hit the nail on the head!

[@hana7650]

Really

[@Fridaholic]

COME ON SOMEBODY

[@keisha_james]

I imagine that hell must feel like Zoe Saldana, Thandiwe Newton and Gina Torres in a circle complaining bout "I was only seen as Black/not Black enough" 🤣😭

[@eshadiva6600]

🤣🤣🤣🤣tragic you know what lol

[@sailormoongoon90]

ROTFCTFU!!

[@mynameispeaches]

My son is biracial and I asked him if he struggles with identity issues and he said no. It’s just a hunch but I think biracial women do the most with this narrative more so than biracial men.

[@sebleo11]

Meghan Markle, Mariah Carey

[@sebleo11]

@@mynameispeaches I know she mentioned Germany a few times but ever since ww2 they are no boxes to tick your ethnicity

[@Orchid_1026]

"The difference between race and ethnicity is kicking our asses." FACTS! The number of times I've had to explain the difference to people is astounding.

[@dajuice3999]

I feel the same way 😢

[@Hephbeu]

I’m black. I’m Jamaican. My culture/ethnicity and race are separate..I’m a damn proud Black woman!! PERIODT✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽 I’ve spent soooooooo much time explaining this to Afro-Latina’s only to get immense pushback😤..I think they just don’t want to identify..racism is too far reaching I mean for God’s sake Brazil was the last freaking Latin country to abolish slavery. And is 2nd to Africa in Black populous🤦🏾‍♀️

[@joshtondurrah8048]

I don't know about the abolish slavery part, but the African (Black) population in Africa is around 80%, whereas Brazil's African (Black) population is around 10%. Brazil is more mixed than anything, with the Biracial population around 45%. The second highest population in Brazil is White (European), with around 43%. I still understand your point, though it's hard enough getting African-Americans on the same page and caring and loving one another, and we are born and raised in the same place within our own culture. I can't imagine how hard that is for Africans outside America or Africa.

[@cutiepiea3687]

@@joshtondurrah8048babe we’re living great 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@BeaucoupFemme]

Gina Torres isn’t biracial. She’s not ( American) Black and White. She’s a Black ( race) Cuban ( nationality) she doesn’t identify as a Black American because she’s not. The issue is that she doesn’t identify as what she was playing and proclaiming it made her “sad” yet she continued to do it. She participated in the erasure of Black American women for her gain.

[@ivyrainbitch]

She doesn't need to identify as a black american because she isn't. Black Americans is a ethic group.

[@prettybrwneyez7757]

@@ivyrainbitch no she definitely doesn’t need to identify that way, but what she does need to do is STOP playing in roles intended for black American women for money. Being black American for pay is BS.

[@WinxMagicalHero]

@@prettybrwneyez7757 What’s your opinion on Black Americans playing African roles?

[@Izlandprincess1]

@@jamesl4033 I understand the distinction between black ppl based on ethnicity. I think the person above was saying if there is a problem with black ppl who arent American playing roles for black Americans then would they feel the way playing black people if other ethnicity? E.g. Eddie Murphey playing an African, the black Americans playing Africans in Black Panther etc. Is it such a big deal if the person is a great actor and looks the part? Cause what everyone sees is not your ethnicity but you race.

[@sunkistbabe]

Nope, she is black put culturally she is Cuban. It's just these these Afro Latinos have a hard time accepting their blackness because their culture is very anti black. You are correct she isn't an African American but she is still black. All people with significant African heritage are black regardless of nationally or the languages we speak.

[@andylanegra-thoughtsfromth7451]

As an unambiguous dark skin Black woman of Cuban and Dominican heritage.....this kinda gave me a headache. We know that Latino/a/e isn't a race, so it definitely felt like she was referring to her white side. The internal racist came through and it just hurts. Gina Torres was that Black Latina I was looking too, and it hurts that she uses "Latina" in the "I'm not like them" context... Like you know the struggle, but you never thought you were Black in the Cuban context, and that's definitely how those that are mixed race think in the Latin America. Ugh I'm disappointed. Really if you didn't think you were Black then don't take the roles. This is the representation Black Latinos have and I promise we're all not like this. Like you said, there are dark Black womxn all through Latin America. We don't all pass that brown paper bag test.

[@JulianSteve]

Well said, Andy. As an Afro-Latino, Gina's comments made me look at her differently. Then again, She did say some wild shit when the 'In the Heights' backlash started. I remember calling her out in a video. She's proving my point.

[@soulsearcher7077]

what is womxn ? i keep seeing this spelling, what is it supposed to mean? i googled but just get conflicting information

[@prettybrwneyez7757]

Period.

[@TiondaRae]

💯

[@andylanegra-thoughtsfromth7451]

@@ForcedDisruption ooo for sure! Like "mommy, so you're not Black?" like what?? And the fact that she's taking the Blackness out of her Latina context, but then she wants to come back and say "I'm Black"...like ma'am

[@imhereforfitnessvideos7213]

A lot of the Nigerians I know don’t even call themselves african American…they will specify Nigerian American. The cultures are different even if we are all Americans. She was simply saying she looks like a black woman but didn’t grow up immersed in African American culture. Just because we look a like doesn’t mean we grew up listening to the same music, eating the same food, having the same traditions. I don’t see a problem with what she said. Especially growing up in the Bronx, it’s very easy to live in areas where everything is catered to a certain demographic. There’s also a pretty big Afro Cuban population there and in Harlem.

[@Hotgirlbff]

yeah but she didn’t say African American. she said she didn’t identify as Black. i’m Nigerian American and i know i’m Black

[@blackmagic6]

I'm a continental African. I believe that it was Jessie Jackson who coined the phrase "African American." For me, this term has caused so much confusion and ought to be changed because Africans who nationalise as Americans can also theoretically claim to be "African Americans". This naturally can cause offence because these Africans do not have the same lineage of displacement, slavery, Jim Crow etc as the original black Americans. In my opinion, what Jessie Jackson should have said was the phrase "American Africans" when referring to blacks who have a legacy in America. Then Africans who become citizens of America would be free to be called "African Americans" thus giving a distinction between the two groups of blacks in the States. Likewise groups like Jamaicans, Dominicans, Haitians etc would put their country before the name America to describe what time of American they are.

[@maijennasis]

this is mad funny to me as someone of Cuban descent because the colorism/featurism go crazy in spanish speaking Caribbean countries as well so they’d definitely let her know she was black there too so her point missed me lmaooo

[@aaroncohoon5603]

Right , I recall reading some of Celia Cruz’s autobiography and she shed light on the racism she faced as an Afro Latina.

[@deejohnson3662]

A wise old Puerto Rican told me that 80% of Cubans are black.

[@yanique2011]

Thank you! There is crazy colorism in fully black countries so to act like she didn’t know she was gonna be seen as black in America because she’s “Cuban” feels like cap to me.

[@r.walker7986]

The issue is, Latinas come in all shades with all kinds of features but Hollywood rejects them/has no place for them if they don't look like Jennifer Lopez, Sophia Vergara, or Salma Hayek. Afro Latinas only qualify for black roles but they are/were raised Latina, which is different from being raised black, so if they get cast, they often have to put on their best black girl performance, almost like black-face.

[@shortbreadgirlscout3463]

Right! And it's still so weird to me that in many Latin American countries the white ones appear more in the media. For Americans they look for more mestizo looking people to stand as a symbol for latinos.

[@naturellegal944]

She has a better chance of getting a BET award than a Latin American Award, since afro-latinas are barely recognized.

[@prettybrwneyez7757]

Not almost. It is blackface.

[@Izlandprincess1]

I need some clarity...because there are black people in all sphere. But what does it mean to be black...can an african put on a black face because black in this sense only refers to black Americans? Can black american culturally appropriate africans? Also what does it mean to be raised as Latina or Latino? How does that make them different even if they share the same black skin tone? How would a child born to an African American and a black person from the caribbean (not Latina) identify? I thought that being black was just being black. Yes our ethnicities make us slightly different but arent we seem the same by others? They wouldn't treat us different.

[@r.walker7986]

@@Izlandprincess1 I guess you would have to see the cultures side by side to tell then difference. But in this case its less about reality and more about the often stereotypical tropes and signifiers that the casting folks are looking for based on their perceptions and understanding of what they think a black woman , a Latina woman, or an African woman in America is supposed to be in their eyes. For instance, when they want black, they want a sassy, neck jerking, sista-girl, real housewife.... For a Latina they want a voluptuous, fair skinned "fiery" spicy, sexy woman running around rolling her R's...

[@JulianSteve]

Thank you so much for this video, Mayowa. As an Afro-Latino, I was side-eyeing Gina Torres's comments a bit, but I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. I do not know if Gina Torres is a mixed-race Afro-Latina, but I do know that her dividing Black and Latino is a problem. Latino can mean any race, and being a mixed-race Latino does not make you Afro-Latino (I explained this more in my videos). People, especially those from or of descent from Latin America, are confused with ethnicity, nationality, and race. It needs to stop, and videos like yours are helping to educate and see why Gina's breakdown of separating the words Black and Latino affects us Afro-Latinos, especially those with two Black parents and dark skin. P.S. - Belcalis and Rosario Dawson are not Afro-Latinas, but the fans, and media love claiming them🤣!

[@imParisthoee]

what makes Cardi and Rosario not AfroLatinas? especially Cardi

[@JulianSteve]

@@imParisthoee I have videos talking about these topics… Long story short, one parent is mixed race Afro-Latino/a (half Black) and one is non-black Latino/a. That does not make their off-springs Black or at least half Black. So, they’re not Afro-Latinas🤷🏾‍♂️💯

[@adesuwa9112]

Yes yes yes! And also I totally agree about the thing w/ Cardi B and Rosario Dawson not being Afro-Latinas. For one- in interviews Cardi B has mentioned that her dating black men was pretty much her “dating outside of her race”. And two- I’ve never seen/ witnessed Dawson referring to herself as an Afro-Latina she’s always just appeared to be kinda racially ambiguous especially in the acting roles she would be placed in

[@RosalindGash]

Did SHE divide Black and Latino or was she explaining how casting directors, producers (and America in general) divided Black and Latino? Because what I heard her say was that she was both but she wasn't cast for roles for Latinas because she didn't fit Hollywood's stereotype for what Latinas looked like. Also, Gina is Afro-Latino because both her parents are Black Cubans. Yes, there's some European in there but that's normal for descendants of the Atlantic slave trade. I'm 85% African but I always used to get asked if I was mixed or what I was mixed with, and when I lived in NYC I was constantly mistaken for being Latina (Dominican or Puerto Rican). It's not as cut and dried as you all try to make it. You have to remember that she's been in the industry since the 1990s and things were very different back then. That's not her fault.

[@JulianSteve]

@@RosalindGash If Gina Torres is a Black Latina who is Cuban descent, she could’ve just said Black Latina, Black Hispanic, Afro-Latina, & etc. Why separate the words Black and Latina then? That would make it sound like the Black parent is not Latino/a and the “Latino/a” parent is non-black. This is usually the case with mixed with Black Latinos who are not Afro-Latinos. Mayowa literally says that in the video and I have said this before in my videos too. Sure, Gina came in the scene in the 1990s, but language evolves, and specifics matter. Like I said, there are different types of Latinos, so her dividing the two words make it sound like someone Black cannot be Latino.

[@nguzoloveinlofi3832]

Most Black Cubans I’ve met are very proud and not conflicted about their Blackness…

[@Indigolily80]

She should have made her own productions like Bette Middler, Robert Townsend, Spike Lee and Tyler Perry. That way she could have made roles for herself to promote the Cuban culture that she is comfortable and familiar with.

[@tiffanylee3866]

I agree with this whole heartedly

[@CoilyTwizzler]

Also I hate when ppl start doing the whole “I wasn’t Black enough 😢” song and dance bc those same people ALWAYS have a track record of trying to distance themselves from Blackness until it’s beneficial. They’ll declare proudly some link to ambiguity or something that makes them “not like other Blacks”…..until it’s time to take a role or a position for their own gain….then suddenly here’s the tears, like let’s be honest

[@happyclappy1805]

Louder please

[@lizziedanse8335]

SPEAK ON IT

[@cocoa105]

I thought the look of the other black women was interesting. She looked confused at the comment.

[@akanwa]

Biracials are always trying to sell their violin mixtape - “Sob Story” vol. 2. 😂

[@bowerydoll]

Thank you, sis. I saw that interview. It was beyond troubling that there wasn't a deepened conversation of her being Black AND Latin. So much erasure. I've had to check so many white people I know who are absolutely mystified and shocked when they encounter deeply melanated Afro-Latin foks who speak Spanish. Far too many of them have no idea of the brutal reach of slavery in Latin America and the Caribbean. It's a hellova thing to have to call-out Afro-Latin folks for pushing away from their Black roots. It's beyond frustrating and exhausting to hear responses from people like Saldana and Torres distancing themselves from Blackness while not having a damn problem with taking roles for Black women. I hope Saldana is FOREVER haunted by her decision to don blackface to portray the beloved Nina Simone. That child is deeply confused.

[@Jae.Edmond]

That was a disappointing take. You completely misunderstood her. Her struggle does not lie with being biracial, which she isn't and never says she is. She is Black and Latina, she says it in the clip you showed. However, America, with it's narrow view on race, would only allow her to play African Americans. Which she is not. When she started working in Hollywood 30 years ago. Back then, Hollywood didn't believe that a Latina could look different than Jennifer Lopez or Sofia Vergara. So, she would never get casted in Latina roles no matter how many she auditioned for. She had to put that part of herself away if she wanted to work and only play African Americans. I completely understand how that would be frustrating for her because she isn't culturally African American. I refuse to put the blame on her for that.

[@dominiquewyatt6704]

She still shouldn't played the roles, very simple

[@pikachu7572]

Tbh even though she's obviously black, I think she would be seen as mixed in Cuba because Cuba is like 50% dark skin unambiguous black. I think in this interview she's sad about being grouped with unambiguous black people. It's really disgusting and shady because no one forced her to grab those roles. That's what that laugh is

[@MIA-fq1di]

​​@@pikachu7572yeah true that's excatly the problem Americans need to understand that in other countries historically mixed and black were never the same and weren't treated the same either so ofcource mixed ppl believe that they are superior than black ppl it's not only in Cuba where they behave like this but everywhere where there are ppl of mixed ancestry they think they are better than black people so grouping them together with black ppl they feel like it takes their privilege and proximity to whiteness away from them

[@yellettelley]

@@pikachu7572😊

[@SheedMack88]

But if she doesn’t identify as a black woman why take the roles from BLACK WOMEN … Two Wrongs don’t make her RIGHT 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@nola06]

Say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud! Period!!!

[@basketweaver912]

Hearing her talk about that makes my lip curl. You took up SO MUCH space. And deadass did not feel Black…I hate that

[@Them_kids_momma]

So upset!

[@NaturallyKoilyKuteness78]

Annoyed😒

[@Carmensidea]

The privilege.

[@DancingDeity]

For real.

[@AS-wj1du]

Yet you probably welcomed her. Bp with low self esteem

[@faysoflife]

I get what she’s trying to say, she understands she’s black, but she identifies with Cuban culture, not black American culture. She’s not trying to say she’s not Black lol

[@AnyahEMB]

Growing up in The Bronx in the sixties, seeing a dark-skinned person speaking Spanish was rare. As more people were allowed to come to the states, we saw a rainbow of colors. The Internet has definitely opened up our understanding of the existence of black people all over this world.

[@ehismichelle]

People have no morals .. like you knew this was for a black woman and you are not but yet you took it. Now you’re trying to play victim …. So disgusting

[@RosalindGash]

People have no common sense... like you knew she started in the industry 30+ years ago when things were very different and casting directors and producers had stereotypical ideas about what each ethnicity/race looked like, but you condemn her for falling in line with THEIR policies so she could work... and, like, you don't seem to know that someone can be Black and Latina at the same exact time. Learn the difference between race and ethnicity, Suzie. Gina Torres is Black (race) and was born in the US (ethnicity) and her Black (race) parents are from Cuba (ethnicity) and raised her speaking Spanish (ethnicity) and immersed in Cuban culture (ethnicity). Gina Torres is a Cuban American Latina who is Black aka Afro-Latina. She didn't take any jobs from Black women and she's not playing victim. She simply explained what it was like for her when she entered the entertainment industry.

[@ehismichelle]

@@RosalindGash Sure let’s keep making excuses like they were not adults and could not read casting papers either…. I’m out y’all, I don’t wanna be in this conversation no more

[@angechrisman1694]

@@RosalindGash American and Cuban are nationality not ethnicity. Gina Torres is black (race/skin color), American (nationality), hispanic or latina (ethnicity/culture) with immigrant parents from Cuba. But she's in fact a Cuban-American woman and a black woman or afro latina

[@alexandrahendrick4352]

@@RosalindGash yes people can be black and Latina, but she herswlf said she doesn't identify as "black". She herself doesn't understand that she is Afro... i understand that she is a mixed race Latina, because they also have black Latinas and white ones, but she has to understand that in comparison to a white latina, people will view her as black.

[@carolperdue7534]

She should have said black American woman, instead of “black” woman. But like she said, there was no space for a black Latina when she started in the industry so she took the roles that were out there. To be Latina you had to look a certain way in terms of color, hair texture and she didn’t look that way. I think Irene Cara was in the same situation, most roles she played a black American, maybe in Fame her character was Latina. We have a f*cked up system that divides people.

[@amazingdoublea]

This conversation gets funny to me after a while even as a monoracial black woman. It's like how many biracial people regardless of look or cultural identity have to explain this before we get it 😂😂😂😂

[@RosalindGash]

Gina's not biracial. Both her parents are black Cubans. Yes, there is some European in the mix. But, that's all of us who are descendants of the slave trade.

[@Morenita570]

@Rosalind Gina is multi racial. Mixed Cubans that married mixed Cubans. She went back to Cuba with a film crew and did a story about her family. Like Vanessa Williams or Stephen Curry’s mother or Beyoncé’s mother.

[@natasharules770]

It all stems back to the cape-ing, black women have created a narrative for ourselves that we are responsible for fighting for others which has in turn made us fight for biracials to be seen as black when when they don't.

[@MsBahbii]

@@Morenita570 Ms. Rosalind Gash correctly acknowledged that both of her parents are of mixed heritage, just like all of us who are descendants of enslaved people. Both of my parents are of mixed heritage, as were their parents, but I consider myself black even though I look more biracial than some of these folks who have one white parent.

[@noimnotakpoppfpsheacy2526]

It doesn't matter what she thinks about herself, the reason she could have black roles is because she LOOKS like them.

[@12wer3wer9]

She is a black woman though racially!

[@rl.8011]

@@12wer3wer9 she’s probably mixed. And with mixed I don’t mean having small percentages of another race, I mean like 50/50% or 40/60%

[@joshtondurrah8048]

@@rl.8011 Yeah, she doesn't look more African than non-African.

[@siriusakari6729]

I am a black woman and I currently based in South Africa. What I have realized here is is that if you are not white and you are not black then you are mixed and that is okay because they have their own vibrant culture and identity which they embrace wholeheartedly. On the other hand, in America if you are not white then you are black even when you are obviously mixed, that one drop rule still lingers on like a bad cough to this day so to an extent I can understand what Ms. Torres is talking about. We unambiguous Blacks have a problem because we have been conditioned to accept mixed people as black even though we realize that they have certain privileges that we do not have. For example, we were so quick to claim Obama as black, something my European friends could not understand, to them he has a white mom and an African parent so he is biracial. Same with Meghan Markle, people out here forcing Doja Cat to be black and when she uses black culture to gain fame the moment, she reminds us she is not black we will get mad at her.

[@forsoothdegucci]

It’s like this in the UK too. Biracial is biracial or whatever kind of mixed. The one drop rule holds strong in America and I think it can confuse people, especially in the media and Hollywood. I get that there are many different skin tones etc but it doesn’t change biology. Also, race being a social construct, the experiences of dark-skinned people, black or mixed could be similar. But I think we need more diverse stories too which could help educate - you know, if the casting was right. I think, let people be who they want to be and identify themselves and not let media or old fashioned one drop rules do it for them

[@Windsingerful]

Historically, Spain’s “flavor” of segregation throughout their colonies was a policy of “blanquemiento” (sp?), where mixing with whites generation to generation was considered “improving” the race and bettering yourself, your family, your social standing. So baked into the cultures is strong national identification, and the old black abuelo (grandfather) or abuela (grandmother) in the family closet as the thread tie to slavery/Africa…but that’s distant from now. They categorize with twenty different designations of color based on how you look (as opposed to the “1 drop” rule in the USA to keep as many people in perpetual, generational slavery). So you are “Cuban”, or “Dominican” or “Brazilian” (the Portuguese played the same game), and the public-facing lie was that there is no racism anymore…but just check the population of the poorest, most underprivileged, least educated…and you suddenly come face to face with where the Blackness is tucked safely away. A trip! I have both Cuban,Spanish, and Portuguese in my background, yet I’m American and Black, a descendant in most parts of USA’s chattel slavery system, so no delusion or desire for denial. ✊🏾Culture can be distinct, but nationality is not race (and race is a construct of division, as we are all a part of the many-hued spectrum of the Human race.

[@arushanioshaka5600]

Sad of what we when through I hope we heal and prosper

[@rosalynbeatty8310]

@Winsingerful: I hear Haiti has 33 color classifications. India has: white, fair, dusky (gauri or gold), & dark(Kaala)-- considered a slur.

[@Windsingerful]

@@rosalynbeatty8310 Sigh… Everywhere colonizers planted their wretched feet, destruction of people of color resulted. 🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️ Still impacted by the warping of the ‘mind-benders’…

[@LeOhio817]

Race: In the box, I put Human. Cut you, cut me, but both our blood is red. - Prince

[@LenasLovelyLocs1]

I’m so glad you pointed out the difference between race and ethnicity. A lot of people misconstrue the two. Mayowa, I can tell when you’re passionate about something because your beautiful accent starts to peek out for us 🥰 you’re beautiful girl and your locs are getting so long thanks so much for this video 🥹❤️❤️❤️

[@misterkgb1]

💯.

[@97gin24]

How is Gina black? Latinos are very mixed. You can’t just pick the biggest feature on her and label her black. She’s mixed race. Not biracial, but mixed race. Race is single, and it’s not a color. Even African Americans themselves have white ancestry. Race: Negroid. 100% of African origin. Which only Africans themselves have. Not afro Latinos or African Americans.

[@tulanibutler]

You hit the nail on the head, a lot of people don’t know the difference between ethnicity and race. Some even use one as an excuse to do certain things 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@tyronegladde5952]

I totally understand her statement. Its not that complex. She's saying her parents are Cuban which are afro/spanish/taino. Shes not included in the latino community as a Latina. In the black community shes not really invited as a FBA. She's in a box because how America places you in boxes. So you adapt to what the world, America sees you as regardless to which YOU identify yourself as. She said Spanish speaking Cubans, which Cubans identify as black/spanish/tainos. But not every Latina because the racial makeup is different. Some Latna are Spanish/Taino with bared african blood. Some are more black/taino with non or little Spanish blood. So it really differs. I see no problem with what she did, played black roles, identified with her black heritage, identified with being FBA because that what she expected to do. Now they are interviewing her and she just telling her truth. FBA sometimes always what to police your blackness. Alot of Cubans identify MORE with there AFRICAN roots then FBA. Thats a FACT.Ive been there and seen this with my own eyes, from culture, foods, fashion, religion, names. You have FBA that don't even identify with there black Africanist.

[@animezae]

Agreed

[@THEBATCAVE.]

I was listening to an NPR podcast last night and they had afro-Latin ppl speak about their experience with racism throughout their lives; and what I noticed from their anecdotes is that, they portray that their respective countries are above all the categorization that us Black Americans tend to participate in bc they believe they’re all just one. However they have hella names to describe how Black you may or may not look, they get told they have pelo malo (bad hair) etc. I think instead of addressing the colorism within their own communities they “rise above it”, and TO ME, it seems like they try to ignore the colonized history and instead, they just say their nationality to not acknowledge the differences amongst their own.

[@Intellectual_Wand3r3r]

THIS. It just seems to me like avoidance of doing the grunt work it takes to overcome the societal biases they face. Also, many of them are still in love with their enslavers (similar to some of us here in the states) so this prevents many from rising up.

[@annecherae4950]

They only pretend to " rise above it" in America. Back in their respective countries they practice the same colourist/racist behaviour against mono racial blk latinas.

[@Kami3mil]

Amen!!!!!!! Yep, that sums things up for a lot of what goes on in Latin America. Your comment is a beautiful observation. Maybe to add to this.... We got to also realize alot of Latin countries have cites that are essential separated by class and the lower class is oftentimes exclusively black or in some part indigenous. So for some people all they ever see is black faces and poverty. AND I see black and proverty come off as hand and hand in many places. Still, I know this is complex and no one persons story can be representative of everyone's story.

[@angechrisman1694]

@@Kami3mil Ppl associates blackness with poverty or "struggle" everywhere. Black ppl are expected to come from poverty/struggle 99.9% of the time regardless of your birth place, city, region, country or continent... Even when we think about most black athletes, musicians, artists, rappers.....

[@Morenita570]

@Brittiny That’s what my fully b l a c k Afro Latina mother did. It took her years to admit to the bullying and abuse she and her sisters went thru in PR. But she and her sisters did kick a lot of jealous w h i t e latina azz.

[@simplyjazznicole]

It's her truth so can't say much to that. But I find it odd how many benefit from black culture and once in good standing in the same breathe tend to almost look down on it. Her wording was a little weird to me. Almost like whoa is me I had to play Just...a black woman. The self victimization of it all when she was paid and compensated and took roles from actually bw who identify as bw is amazing to me.

[@naturellegal944]

Sunni on the "View" says the same, sometimes.

[@joshuaagbettor5610]

But she didn't take the roles from black women, she was chosen for those roles, because she was deemed a better fit for them by the people who created the roles in the first place.

[@simplyjazznicole]

@@joshuaagbettor5610 By not turning down a role she says didn't represent her. That action took an opportunity that the next woman who does identify as such could have taken. Just because something is offered to you doesnt mean you have to take it if it doesn't feel right for you.

[@Styl849]

@@simplyjazznicole also let's not act like colorism and texturism doesn't play a huge role in which black women are chosen. Not saying that she can't act but the fact that she is lighter and doesn't have 4C hair probably helped her more than it hurt her.

[@joshuaagbettor5610]

@@simplyjazznicole Accepting the role is not equivalent taking it away no matter how much it may seem unfair. Also you're assuming that the majority of roles that she got were specifically made for a black woman. Likelihood is probably not. Not to mention that even if they were, the directors still picked her over every other person who auditoned black or not. Whether or not she identified as black the likelihood is that she she still is. Also she specifically referred to culture, so she has absolutely nothing to answer for.

[@thezu9250]

I honestly think we need to acknowledge that “blackness” as an identity is a complicated subject. In the Caribbean and Africa everyone has a distinct cultural identity/ethnic identity. People don’t necessarily think about their skin colour first. So it makes sense that she is struggling to understand what “blackness” means because it’s different in the US. It is associated with black American culture. She is Afro Latina. She obviously looks black but doesn’t share black American culture. She also debuted in a time where there was no real distinction. If you didn’t look like Jennifer Lopez then you couldn’t claim a Latino identity as an actor. So she had to accept the only role that was available which was black American. I really don’t understand why we have to limit ourselves into one homogenous skin colour identity. Black cultures are very diverse and much more interesting than that. So if we’re going to tell people like her she can’t take “black” roles, then African-Americans can’t play African or Afro Latin characters or vice versa. It honestly just makes more sense to me to expand our understanding of what it means to be black. We should accept all the different variations that exist including Afro Latin.

[@joshuaagbettor5610]

Yup this makes a lot more sense than people getting butthurt over Gina's perspective. It's almost as if people can't separate their own sense of what their blackness is unless someone else validates their experiences for them.

[@Intellectualrigor]

Actually, I do think people should be playing their own ethnic parts.

[@thezu9250]

@@Intellectualrigor Thats dumb as there arent even enough black roles. No other race does this. They legit have white British European actors playing American roles and vice versa. Same with Asian actors. So why should black actors be forced to play by different and more limiting rules?

[@azizabahati7037]

Your FIRST paragraph is ON POINT! Black women aren’t allowed to play Latina roles. And Afro-Latina roles do not exist in American cinema. Don’t be so simple. A lot of people take up space in Black community erasing Black people and their experiences because they “don’t identify with the community” yet research it for the role. Hmmmm.

[@JusticeLong3317]

While reading your comment I think you and the person that agreed with you didn’t understand why people were upset. So, here’s a few things. What you are recommending “we” should do is really what Gina Torres should be doing. Gina Torres should recognize that Black is not a monolith and that a person can be black and not American. Also, it’s important to note Gina Torres was born in New York and Raised in The Bronx so it’s not like these ideas should be completely foreign to her. The same way Mayowa acknowledged that she’s Nigerian born in Atlanta so she was socialized under African American, the same would happen to Gina. In addition this, one thing that I find particularly troubling about your comment is that it seems to ignore the main issue here. Gina Torres auditioned and took roles playing Black women but herself does not identify like that. So what she essentially did was participate in the erasure of Black American women in hollywood. Imagine if Chadwick Boseman, Angela Basset, and Michael B Jordan came out saying they felt forced to play roles in Black Panther despite receiving a great deal of success from that film? The obvious response would be they could have not played those roles. Also, I saw your response to the person saying that they feel people should play their own ethnicities. Now I’m not necessarily agreeing with that person but when you said “That’s dumb as there aren’t even enough black roles. No other race does this. They legit have White British European actors playing American roles and vice versa. Same with Asian actors. So why should black actors be forced to play different and more limiting roles” This statement ignores the fact that the experience and plight of Black Americans is different than that of White American’s. White Americans have plenty of opportunities in Hollywood so no matter how many Tom Holland’s, Tom Hiddleston’s, Christian Bale’s there are in Hollywood there still is always going to be room for the Brad Pitts, George Clooney’s, and Scarlet Johannson’s. Whereas, it has been documented that American society actually prefers foreign blacks to the American ones. Don’t believe me? Well in White Fragility by Robin Diangelo she explains, “Corporations are more likely to favor white women and immigrants of color of elite backgrounds from outside when choosing executives” (DiAngelo, 2018). In addition to this, “Similarly, racialization explains why Afro-Caribbeans who share immigrant social networks transnationally and comprise a single ethnic group are lauded in the United States and denigrated in the United Kingdom (Bashi 2007) each group is categorized as "black," yes, but their place in the hierarchy is different in the United States and the United Kingdom. The author continues, “the concept of ethnoracism allows for the idea that, White managers may have different racialized stereotypes for African Americans and Afro Caribbeans (Waters 1999c, Waters 1999d), resulting in favoritism, or a biased preference for Afro Caribbeans (Bryce-Laporte 1972, Dominguez 1975, Model 2008d).” Since Gina Torre, is Cuban this applies to her. Many Black American actors like Larenz Tate and Samuel L Jackson have all said that Hollywood prefers the British blacks to the American ones. Also I find your comment about if she can’t play black roles then African Americans can’t play African or Afro Latin characters or vice versa a little disingenuous. As it’s not a vice versa thing. As African American actors do not get famous and make careers out of playing the diaspora. For example, All the Black American actors in Black Panther had their breakthrough roles as playing their own ethnicity. Chadwick Boseman-Jackie Robinson, Angela Bassett - Bernadine, Michael B Jordan-Creed. However, the African actors from that film did have their breakthroughs playing Black Americans. Even the Black Americans who played Nelson Mandela. That was not their breakthrough roles for any of them. Honestly you really can’t name a Black American actor who got famous playing Africans or Afro Latinos. However, if you google Black British or Afro Latino actors roles that got them famous they all be were playing Black Americans. So I do not think that logic can be applied here. Our circumstances are just simply different. Link: www.researchgate.net/publication/327287957_White_Managers_Ethnoracism_and_the_Production_of_Black_Ethnic_Labor_Market_Disparities

[@kaseyb.4440]

From what I heard her say in that clip is that for her she has always identified with the Cuban nationality, and her Latin culture. Sounds like she understood that she is a black woman but couldn’t identify with the African American culture because that wasn’t her upbringing in a Latin home. Sounds like to work she had to mold culturally because of her phenotype, and ethnicity and culture were not considered. In Hollywood we understand that they have made black people one thing when we embody every trait and characteristic out there, but there aren’t many roles that are going to showcase every part of our beauty or humanity under the sun.

[@imhereforfitnessvideos7213]

Agreed. I think this video is a bit of a reach. She clearly says she presents as a black woman. Just because you look black skews not mean you grew up immersed in African American culture. Especially if she’s from the Bronx, there’s a lot of Latinos there and in certain Parts people can easily get away with not even speaking English because all the supermarkets, restaurants, stores, etc are catered to that demographic.

[@narlywaves2371]

The issue is she benefited from it and resents it..

[@kaseyb.4440]

@@narlywaves2371 Great Point

[@joshuaagbettor5610]

​@@narlywaves2371 She resents it because it doesn't represent her. There isn't anything inherently wrong with that. It's not like she's being bigoted. It's just her honest perspective.

[@THEBATCAVE.]

It’s crazy to me and maybe I’m privileged to have grown up in the US, which doesn’t shy away from letting us know what it is and what it ain’t lol. But we also speak *another* European language due to colonization. I feel as though Afro-Latin ppl see theirselves and their culture as different and see us American Black ppl as regular, as if we don’t have our own culture. The only difference is we don’t try to separate our Blackness from ourselves just because colonization happened.

[@theamateurconnoisseur]

THIS comment! 💯

[@NaturallyKoilyKuteness78]

Hearing the women in the behind saying "mmmm" during her comments was just as cringe as what came out of her mouth. I don't identify as Blaaack, but I didn't have a problem working roles that were meant for Black women (she won't say that part though) smh. 😒

[@lulaseripe]

As a South African, I have thoughts for DAYS; however, we have a whole race assigned to multiracial people known as coloureds. So, coloured to us means something completely diffferent. But it's interesting to see how all this plays out internationally because I feel like our discourse sometimes gets stuck because of not completely understanding the difference between race and ethnicity. Anyhoo, you look amazing - looking forward to the astrology vid!

[@CosmicEremite]

We need to back to something similar in America. The closest thing we have is Creole. Mixed people need their own group. Period.

[@lungamadoda6992]

@@CosmicEremite how are you gonna do that? Are you going to force mixed race people to marry each other so that they can form a community?? I’m just curious

[@rosalynbeatty8310]

@@lungamadoda6992 Yeah, you can have full brothers and sisters in one family. Some can look light, with straight hair and light eyes. Others are dark w/ dark eyes & curly hair. Cousins, grandparents, aunts & uncle's can all look a variety of ways. Having their own creole or mixed category divides familys. A few years ago, biracials in the USA petitioned for their own section on the census. They won. But the average white person ignores this. & see's them as black.

[@tcg1972]

'Colored' was almost synonymous with the N word during the Jim Crow Era in the South. Today if you say 'Colored' especially in the North, it's definitely like saying the N word. These terms and countless others were created by Whites during an extremely racist time to degrade black Americans.

[@joshuaagbettor5610]

​@@CosmicEremite Or just stop needless division/ gatekeeping in order to make people fit into boxes.

[@stephaniemartinez5268]

Thank you for talking about dark skinned folks from Latin America and about the impact of African American culture on the world. And thank you for blessing us with your make up looks!!! As someone who is Garifuna (Black community indigenous to Central America and St Vincent) and figuring what Latinidad was to me, I stopped calling myself Afro-latine years ago. I felt like even in Afro-latinidad, there was an erasure of Blackness and Indigeneity of Blackness that didnt sit well with me (as how I was seeing it in my personal life and social media and mainstream media overall). It also feels like a form of assimilating Blackness, African-ness into the white, colonial structure of Latinidad. Im not feeling that so Im good.

[@Jewel296]

“People take African American discourse as bullying”‼️‼️‼️

[@sharons5221]

!!!!!!!!

[@LATEIR]

THANK YOU for acknowledging my Black American ethnic group specifically & what we have contributed to the entire Black world, especially when it comes to the English language an how to express it in our own way in order to relay global messages. Most come to American an are already xenophobic/ Anti-Black American. Most come to America an fail to realize how “black” ties together for us RACIALLY & ETHNICALLY. We understand that most foreign blacks only identify ethnically an that is okay. But WHY come here an take up roles made for us, then say “WE” put you in a box? WE don’t even know y’all exist until you’re in our faces telling us an blaming white Americans actions on us. It is very weird.

[@matxalenc8410]

I agree with everything. It's nice not to be hated. Sometimes I get nervous listening to the commentary of other Black ethnicities because of it.

[@Intellectual_Wand3r3r]

It is weird! Like if home girl didn’t say anything, I wouldn’t have known she was Latina. I don’t believe she’s even biracial in the way that we normally define it. She may be pulling the whole “I have a white/non-Black grandparent” card because she certainly doesn’t look it.

[@RosalindGash]

Gina didn't "come here". She was born here. She is American. Also, she didn't say that we put her in a box. She said America and the entertainment industry put her in a box, and that's true. When she started in the industry in the 1990s casting directors and producers were very narrow-minded and had set ideas about what each ethnic/racial group should look like. It was very much about stereotypes. That's not her fault. She did what a lot of actors back then did, she got in where she fit in. It is possible to be BOTH Latin and Black and she's not responsible for the industry's short-sightedness when it comes to race and ethnicity.

[@Izlandprincess1]

So to get it straight if you are black from another country then you shouldnt take up roles that are ethically for black Americans right? Which that makes sense somewhat. But what about black Americans playing roles that are not ethnically black Americans say Eddie Murphy playin an African or those Americans playing Africans in black Panther. How can we differentiate roles that are based on ethnicity and not just someone who is a good actor for a role that has nothing to do with race. Or is it that those black person shouldnt go to america to be actors because they are "culture vultures"

[@LATEIR]

@@matxalenc8410 tbh i get bad anxiety everytime i see a foreign commentator. I almost just know we’re gonna be brought up an shyt on for no reason, so this was a sigh of relief lowkey.

[@zeeqq105]

There are black people who look like you and me all over Cuba who identify as black. The problem in America is they equate blackness with only African American. And it’s bigger than us. I like you and people like you. Being a Nigerian American raised in America you get to see everything. People like you can help unify us as black people globally. Yes, I said globally. 😂

[@sck7503]

From what you showed us, I understand that she is saying she is a Black women but she’s not an African American woman (i.e. how she understand Black within a NYC racialized context). So the way people understand the Black experience is not a Afro-Latina experience, that’s where the box comes from either you are “Black” i.e. African American or “Latina” but not both i.e. AfroLatino roles which is a different experience than which Hollywood and America has understood as being the Black experience

[@MsLaLa-nq6mi]

I was called racially ambiguous once, I was so offended. Clearly I'm black.

[@youwomanyou]

I have too. And you see this picture sis. 💀This is peoples way of saying they are confused they find attractive because you’re unambiguously Black and because they find you attractive you can’t JUST be Black. It’s trash.

[@Intellectual_Wand3r3r]

@@youwomanyou yesss! It’s ridiculous. And don’t have one trait that’s not “typically Black” and God forbid you’re well spoken. Shit irritates my soul 🙄🙄😑

[@Izlandprincess1]

😂😂😂 do we blame it on ppl trying to fit or not fit ppl in a box and/or their general thought on what they think a certain race of ppl should look like?

[@MsLaLa-nq6mi]

@@youwomanyou THANK YOU! They'll say something asinine like you're pretty what're you mixed with.....I'm black mixed with blacker.

[@roots4140]

Yeah.... it seems to be the new way to refer to light skinned black women. It's a ridiculous term actually.

[@jppierre28]

This is wild to hear from her especially bc she starred as a black woman lawyer in the same show Meghan Marcle starred in! 🤯The show is called Suits and it used to be my jam.

[@naturellegal944]

I watched "Alias", the TV show because of the strong black female character Gina played. I'm so disappointed and confused by her statements. I couldn't wait to see her on both "Alias" and "Suits".

[@roots4140]

I loved that show, mainly because of Gina Torres. She was a badass!

[@alicegauteng2358]

Suits was my jam too❤

[@odoziekene9826]

Because she was casted in that role. She doesn't need to feel like a black person to act a black role

[@joshtondurrah8048]

@@odoziekene9826 And that is the problem.

[@zarimc]

I actually understand what she’s saying. Many non-American Black people don’t identify as Black, they identify with their ethnicity/nationality. It’s a unique Black American experience to identify as our race because we don’t have the same national connection to America like people have to Jamaica, Cuba, Nigeria, etc. So when non-American Black people don’t identify as Black, they’re not identifying with being Black/African-American, not saying they don’t racially identify as Black. Especially in places like Cuba, most Cubans I’ve interacted with identify with being Cuban regardless of race because of the history of racial formation. This is true for a lot of Latin American countries. So if she’s being coded as a Black woman, despite not identifying with being Black American and still wants to act, then she’ll fall into those roles. To me, that speaks more to casting directors than to her as an actress. Also, I don’t think she’s racially ambiguous. Lightskinned, yes. Racially ambiguous? No. There’s definitely a larger conversation to be had about colorism and the erasure of dark skin Black women, but I personally don’t have a problem with what Gina Torres expressed about her identity. I don’t know the race of her parents, but it’s fully possible for them to both be Black Cubans, so I don’t think this is an issue of picking between being white or Black, I think this is mostly an issue of how race and ethnicity is defined in the US compared to other countries.

[@ReadyorNot811]

Well said.

[@zarimc]

@No Worries nah I don’t identify with that FBA bullshit. I don’t care that Gina Torres doesn’t identify as Black American and I agree with her that there need to be more roles that allow for Black people to be shown and identify with being Latinx. Until then, I don’t really care if she’s put into roles identified as Black Americans, but I do care about her taking up space that could be given to dark skin Black women.

[@leeah2211]

“Because we don’t have the same national connection”, you lost me here. 🙄

[@goldenovaries]

Well said!

[@zarimc]

@@leeah2211 when someone identifies as being American, that’s generally associated with being white. Black Americans have a distinct cultural/ethnic experience in this country that is different from white Americans. That’s why most Black Americans identify as being Black or African-American, not American. Hence not having the same National connection to America as a landmass/nationality/ethnicity. In places like Jamaica or Cuba, their ethnic identity is tied to their national identity (nationality). That’s not the same for Black Americans in America.

[@808sirenz9]

As a mixed person I hate when people try to explain my experience to me and how I think and feel and should act

[@zheahra]

I admire your look as usual. Right. I'm tired of ppl wanting to be more than "black." You speak Spanish, and you have a different culture than AA. That's all good. But you're black first.

[@prettybrwneyez7757]

Ok. She’s sitting on that screen with a nose and lips bigger than mine but wanting to skate away from blackness…I just can’t.

[@joshuaagbettor5610]

She's not trying to be more than black. All that she's doing is telling people what her honest perspective of her ethnicity is. I honestly think that you are confusing what she is saying and projecting ideas that have been presented by people who look like her. It's really weird to act like your perspective on her ethnicity somehow matters more than her own.

[@roots4140]

She's telling you that in Cuban culture, you're Cuban first. The same is actually true in Nigeria, in most African cultures actually.

[@lgfigugg]

and it is not just because a person does not identify as black that he will not be treated as black. race is about phenotype and race relations occur passively (if you say you are white, will you be treated as white? No! That's because your phenotype is black and people will judge you based on that)

[@adesuwa9112]

EXACTLYYYY 👏🏾👏🏾

[@GayHimbo]

First of all the vibrancy of the chartreuse in the eyeshadow w the teal scarf was a sensation. What a color combo ♥ As a Cuban we really do say things like this all the time it’s so embarrassing. I think part of it is that in a lot of latinx countries there’s an assimilationist push to invisibilize race and transitively antiblackness. “We all share one culture, we’re all Cuban, we’re all mixed” that kind of thing to silence discussion about colorism and anti indigeneity/blackness. I was lucky to have a parent who taught me the distinction between ethnicity/race young and it’s been p apparent as a white Cuban w all the privilege that confers. I wonder if my family’s unambiguous identity as white Cubans has to do w my grandparents leaving during Castros regime when segregation and by extension, race were commonly understood. Bc I have encountered Cubans who have immigrated later that simply identify racially as Cuban which is super curious. I think part of it is that Castro pushed to ~end racism~ (and did work against racial inequity to a degree) but created this false notion that racism had ended in cuba and cuba was a raceless country. It seems like some latinx countries are able to rest on the “we’re a melting pot, we’re all one” fallacy more easily than in the US. Which is why you get ppl w views like Gina Torres or Zoe Saldana. Though there are absolutely activists and people having these convos as well, they’re just not platformed the same way. There is a common attitude of national identity first in Central America (I wanna say in response to the Haitian revolution and governmental fear of similar revolts) which led to the patriotic propaganda that informs the later perception of racism being an American concept or that discourse on racism is a result of American thought leeching into the culture. But it manifests a little differently in each country. Like i know that in Puerto Rico there’s an inverted one drop rule, where people w proof of white lineage can simply claim whiteness so now 80% of the population identifies as white (even if visibly not). And that privilege incentivizes ppl to have apathetic responses to racism and align w white supremacy. I wonder if theres parallel legislation in the Dominican Republic bc for the longest time you’d see a lot of observably black people identifying as tan, brown, cafe, or simply Dominican, but never black. i suspect that’s to distance themselves from Haiti due to historical anti-Haitian propaganda in the carribean, esp the DR. But I have to do more research to learn what exactly led to that.

[@blaqobsydian44]

THANK YOU so much for your channel. I don’t think I’ve ever disagreed with anything you’ve said and I’ve sure as hell learnt a lot from you. Thank you for picking up the baton and speaking up for DSBW. The disrespect we get, when we’re just trying to live our lives in peace is DISGUSTING. Stay blessed Sis!

[@ANOTHERENIGMADRAGON]

Gina Torres is wrong for auditioning for roles meant for black women if she didn’t identify as such. However, she is afro-latina with Cuban heritage so I wonder if she meant she didn’t identify with African-American culture? Like people saw her as AA, but she identifies as Cuban ? Idk. Also, I think another issue is that she probably couldn’t get casted as a Latina bc of her black features, and since she’s seen as black, she auditioned for black roles. I think this ties into the erasure of afro-latinos. (Not condoning her actions, but I think there’s more to it).

[@prettybrwneyez7757]

There’s no more to it except MONEY! She faked out because she’s a selfish, greedy capitalist. End of story.

[@agygy6124]

I think thats what she actually said, that she felt like she identified more as afro latina no so much AA

[@sphaleriteme]

@@agygy6124 but this is what every other black actor from other parts of the world face when they wish to act in America. You get the role cause you are first black then you learn about the character and act out your best version of it. I would never feel like my culture (yoruba) was belittled because I acted as a black person from another culture, unless I did not value my black side at all. It's telling that Ms. Torres chooses to glorify her latina culture over being black

[@joshuaagbettor5610]

There's nothing to condone. She's a good actress. She didn't steal roles from black women, directors either didn't favour the black actresses or just thought that Gina was a better fit. Which makes sense, again because she is a damn good actress.

[@agygy6124]

@@sphaleriteme I don’t think it works like that, why is it that you are separating black and yoruba or black and latina? I dont think that what she said was inherently wrong, if you’re a black latina and you keep getting type casted as a black american which you don’t want because you want to highlight black latinas because apparently being black-latina aka a black person whos latina seems to be of controversial nature because latinas roles only go to white or with white latinas then yeah id be mad I dont think shes mad about being black just american which I get, also nobody is casting african specifically nigerian people as white in mainstream media, if theres an african role they’re going to pick a black person and not type cast. Theres layers.

[@Tullahgit]

I haven't finished the video so I don't know if you bring this up but I think it's very important to point out that black people and black movies usually don't want a non-ambiguous black woman to play these roles. She was what they were looking for.

[@joshuaagbettor5610]

Exactly. I think that she is being portrayed as taking roles from dark skinned black women when that was never the case.

[@seachelle2316]

Zendaya *turned down* portraying Aaliyah b/c she knew that thought while she might be what white directors are looking for, she would be crossing boundaries by doing so. the self-awareness to know that u may be participating in the continuing erasure of unambiguous black women w/ actual ties to black culture or at least black identity has always been there, some folks just don't care to consider it cause for all they hate black (american) culture, they'll jump at portraying it thinking that it'll get them further along. people can be both victims and perpetrators of colorism and texturism. yea, Gina was chosen by white directors, but she agreed to be the caricature they wanted. Don't forget that.

[@afroqueen698]

Race/ethnicity/nationality be tearing people up! The amount of pretentious college-educated people who will still use NATIONALITIES as race is what really gets me. Like please y’all there are Black Mexicans, Chinese (Hakka) Jamaicans, Desi Zimbabweans, etc. Black vs African American is another that gets me. If I had a nickel for every time someone called Naomi Campbell an “African American” model, I’d be rich as her.

[@Jabari-vm6jq]

You were spitting straight facts in this video. I'm Tanzanian but I grew up in the U.S. (DMV) and was also socialized from an Afro-Americsn perspective. So when you said "African American Discourse is liberating" when it comes to race, I was like DING DING DING. This video is already a banger.

[@FluteCheerios]

In addition to colorism in many heavy Black minority & majority countries, I also blame our own people as well. I think 🤔 besides the White supremacy, we don't discuss just how colonized some Black people are, mainly in the Black entertainment industry, too many Black artists & influencers claim Biracial women of all ethnicities as Black. The one drop rule is to blame for this, so there's no gatekeeping, or protection of Black identity, especially towards the Black woman. A lot of these dudes will put their preferences first, & then these same women who got their start in Black Hollywood, will transition into White Hollywood disregarding their come up.

[@crystalbailey4488]

“…just say your race. It’s okay.” Right! That’s exactly what I was thinking. People do tooooo much and it’s exhausting to watch lol! They really just look silly going in those weirdo anti-black circles.

[@AP-ts3lf]

I followed Gina's career and always thought she was brillant, an amazing singer and a great actress. As a fellow latina, I knew what she was trying to say and what she meant by things like: " Hollywood only sees latinas as Penelope Cruz types (White Spaniard)". In my country for instance, they started showing afrolatin characters as love interests or main protagonists only a few years ago, before that they were ONLY servants, maids and thugs. There were much clearer ways to articulate what she was trying to say. I personally would prefer african americans actors to play AA, Africans to play Africans, Black Brits to play Black Brits... so on and so forth and Black actors from Latin America to be considered for Latinx roles OR characters to be slightly re-written as Latin or part Latin and not necessarily African American if the best actor for the role happens to be an Afrolatino.

[@DirtyFastingLife]

If you are not identifying as black then why take black roles I think that is the point of this video and I totally agree don't take from a black actress that would have been happy to have that role

[@alexalynn5952]

I think you raised a really good point about how we perceive the two separate words combined (like afro-latina) as combining two separate races, and how that leads to erasure. Love your videos, personality, and insight!

[@lgfigugg]

I don't think gina torres is ambiguous. ambiguous people for me is zendaya

[@staciamj1]

But she is saying she is culturally Latina and didn't grow up culturally Black

[@lgfigugg]

@@staciamj1 but her phenotype is black and it is the phenotype that determines her treatment and not the culture. not "Latin" is a subcategory to define white people (like bad bunny) and also refers to geographic position

[@kokorobread5243]

Her hair throws it off for me ngl. I feel like the hair is always really a determining factor. Cause their are so many Indians with dark skin tones but what makes the difference is our hair type. Though too be fair even when I see dark skin Indians, there seems to be a slight different in undertone. And facial features would be a difference as well

[@danyyyyyyyy]

Zendaya is clearly half white half black. It's easy to tell.

[@Yaurii]

I wouldn’t say Zendaya is ambiguous. An ambiguous person would be someone like Bruno mars. He could pass for many ethnicities and races.

[@ThePinkpaws7]

You should learn more about Blackness in Latin America. Also, as far as I can see Gina Torres isn’t racially ambiguous. She presents as Black and, per her words, she is Black. Even though she doesn’t identify with Black American culture she is Black. Also, this conversation highlights how important it is to share more stories about Afro-descendants in LatAm so people can learn more about us and not make assumptions about us

[@roots4140]

Agreed.

[@moneybags999]

I wish people wouldn't associate "being black" with "being African American. but rather as being a member of the African diaspora or of African descent. Instead of saying "I'm not black" why can't people just say, "I don't identify as African American?" It would be like me going to Haiti & saying "I'm not black" as a way of expressing "I'm not Haitian." I can't count the number of people I've met from the Caribbean who look like Shabba Ranks & say "I'm not black. I'm Trinidadian or I'm Jamaican." Lol

[@JosiphiaRizado]

You made your point very clear. Great job

[@WilliamsPinch]

And the list of Latina actresses who inhabit black roles, but don’t identify as black gets longer and longer😏.

[@shylandethomas7381]

I don’t think she was talking about being Black and white. I think she was talking about being Black with a Latina ethnicity. In Cuba I’m sure there is a lot of anti blackness then in America Afro Latino identity was not pushed until like 10 years ago. So as an actor I’m sure she couldn’t get Latin character roles because she talked about how they only like latinas to look like Jlo in Hollywood. I’m sure she knows she black but she didn’t identify as a Black American and she had to fit into that role, with that history, and that culture. To this day people act like black people don’t exist in Latin countries.

[@25lighters91]

I got what she was putting down but she still violated I see by crying out now when that was her occupying a space a possible black actress who was closer culturally and intellectually to the role, but perhaps didn't fit the phenotype wanted for advertising the platform, it's arrogant, she should've focused on latin American films and creators of she felt that way

[@shylandethomas7381]

@@25lighters91 I believe she tried and was never successful there’s a documentary with her and other afro Latinos talking about it like Christina milian and that guy from jumping the broom. But like she said she had to take the roles for survival. I don’t even think she’s racially ambiguous, she’s clearly a black women, she looks like any one of my cousins but I think what’s she’s getting at is the box of having to be black American in Hollywood as a black person.

[@prettybrwneyez7757]

@@25lighters91 perfect response

[@Izlandprincess1]

@@25lighters91 what are some roles she played that was specifically meant for African Americans based on the acting? As far as I see it...some roles that JLo played could be played by a black person, except for example Selena who is a real person and not fictional. There are many roles that arent racially aligned...this now reminds me of the little mermaid and ppl having an issue with a black person playing that role after the image of the mermaid was always portrayed as white like many of those fairytales. Is Halle taking up a role she shouldnt? Is the mermaid only for white ppl? What about African Americans playing roles that arent ethnically theirs? But they are great actors and naturally look the part because they are of the same race.

[@animezae]

She was. It went over their heads

[@LadybeetleMaddox]

This is unfair. She is not biracial. She is a black Cuban. At that time, and heck even now there aren't roles written for afrolatinas or even black Cubans. We should just not audition because a role doesn't label us completely? Does that mean you should only audition for roles for nigerian americans?

[@animezae]

Exactly!!!!

[@chanelabdullah2087]

cuban people don't have negro hair type like her; she is a wannabe

[@modestkimm]

Yep

[@user-jn5bq4ip7p]

But mayowa has never denied her identity as a black woman. I fear you either missed her point or haven’t watched enough of her videos to understand that Mayowa identifies as a black woman, but she also no other choice. So for Gina to say she doesn’t identify as a black woman despite presenting as a black woman, then yes she should only audition for Afro Latina and black Cuban roles.

[@YouLuvKway]

Personally, I think that the conversations like these are starting to get weird and divisive. I feel like only bicultural/multiracial black people get this type of reaction and spark discourse. She stated in the clip that she recognizes that she is a black woman, and was talking specifically about the difference in culture(s). You speak often about your duality of having Nigerian parentage but also growing up within AA culture and how it’s informed your perspective and shaped experiences. I don’t understand why when women like her do it everybody starts shouting, “whoa is me!” We know that the term Black = Black Americans; and until very recently not too many Caribbean folk or continental Africans that came here wanted to be Black either. A lot of “non-ambiguous” black folk had an “I’m not one of dem” energy about themselves before social media and the age of the woke. African People have seldom in history seen ourselves as one in the same. Hell!- It was the very tradition of our ancestors to differentiate themselves based on a cultural identity or ethnicity that aided the colonizers in dividing and conquering the whole damn continent in the first place. IMO you both were speaking to the same issue: The erasure of African descended People in Latin America. Everything she said spoke to the fact that being a African descended woman from Cuba, she isn’t the typical image of a Cuban or Latinx person and she was typecasted here in the USA because of it. I feel like when we have these conversations about colorism/featurism and try to start gatekeeping blackness it becomes a slippery slope and we start nitpicking who in the diaspora gets to have a voice based off complexion. It’s giving Melanin Wars 🛑.

[@MALIK-sx2qq]

The conversation of discrimination, anti blackness and privilege within blackness against black people of certain ethnic groups NEEDS to be discussed . It’s not just about racial ambiguity! As a African American who is dark skinned I’ve experienced discrimination because of my ethnicity from being followed in stores by non AA black people , to people disrespecting my culture , to not being allowed in black spaces , to men being disinterested once they find out I’m African American to being allowed to enter spaces based on my accent and those assuming I’m not African American.

[@MALIK-sx2qq]

There’s a chapter in the autobiography of Assata shaker where her mother is able to gain access to a non black area simply because she spoke Spanish and was not thought of as African American . The U.S has not only built on the denigration of black people but specifically African Americans . We experience racism on a different level and within black spaces face discrimination heavily despite often creating those spaces .

[@arushanioshaka5600]

As an African sorry to hear that

[@Intellectualrigor]

@@arushanioshaka5600, respectfully, it's why the ADOS/FBA movement is growing. People are tired of the disrespect.

[@arushanioshaka5600]

@@Intellectualrigor aren't those movements more about reparation?

[@Intellectualrigor]

@@arushanioshaka5600,and identity. Respectfully, a lot of Black Americans are very angry that the diaspora is trying to alter who we are. I respect your cultural definitions, ours should be accepted too.

[@Jdavismoranti]

As an afrolatina I really appreciated this discourse!

[@chocolate4685]

Color is life. Blackness holds and carries more types of life(color) within it. Black people have black matter within them. Black matter is more color, sound and light.

[@mdeborah827]

Thank you for revealing how she sees herself and us. We are learning daily and hopefully Afro Latinos can open up new paths to tell their stories and be portrayed in a manner that is not anti Black American. Enough is enough already and we are exhausted.

[@smileyhumanbeing]

THANK YOU for talking about that pattern of how people say America is unique in "creating boxes" and discriminating. it feels like denial (saying this as the kid of non-black immigrants that raised me with this idea, but i've now learned it's not the case). AND the difference between race & ethnicity. I really appreciate the nuance and specificity you bring, thank you! also your eye makeup looks so good!

[@daynacurtis]

I kinda understand her but I don’t understand her taking on BLACK women roles. Why not go on a telenovla... oh yeah that’s right cause they’re colorist.

[@Lucidly222]

Thank you for making this video. I hope people watch until the end… especially my fellow black biracial’s. I watched a docu-series called “black in latin america” and it gave me a lot of Insight as well!

[@tinacole1450]

Good discussion. I don't know why we still have to put this on job applications

[@tfh5575]

she’s unambiguously black but i don’t get why spanish speakers of african descent don’t think they’re black lol. english and french speaking people of african descent never have any question on if they’re black or not

[@porscheamartin]

When did she say she was biracial? Maybe I missed it. I gathered that she’s Afro Cuban.

[@Fraylovesskincare]

And this is why I say the one drop rule is a joke.

[@angelinaoliver5587]

We really need longer videos please. I love hearing you speak I always learn new stuff😊

[@nuiwai5402]

I think ill have to watch this afew times... i really appreciate you having such an intelligent discourse on this topic.... it can take a long time to decide what your identity is.... its not simple....

[@VickieJ360]

🤦🏾‍♀️ That's why I Stop saying Afro Latin. I say I'm black that speak Spanish since my family comes from the island of Hispanola.

[@0ChildStar]

I just learned that I am Afro Latina from DNA results. I don't speak Spanish but, I do have family from Mexico. I just identify as Black. I did get cussed out for not speaking Spanish. I feel Spanish and English are both the languages of the colonizers. 🤦🏾‍♀

[@VickieJ360]

@@0ChildStar Very true. That's how the family when they don't speak the language.

[@stephenbrooks6514]

Girrrl, you preachin'!!!... As a Black mind, I'm so glad to have come across this video... This is always the level of public discourse that always needs to be had. Thank you. I just subscribed to your channel.

[@GoGetFree]

I feel like race is socially constructed from a “white perspective” so I have a hard time identifying with how people see me. It’s not aligned with how I see myself. In Nigeria, I’m not black I am Yoruba. In England, British-Nigerian. In America, Black. Maybe there’s more research for me to do but ethnic identity is a core value for me, it’s Native. Industrial identities like Race just don’t do it.

[@rhondaherbert9282]

You look stunning, Sis. Great content. Keep it up!

[@eems6859]

Your vibe brightens my day. I didn't agree at first but listening I was like "dang I didn't even think about that". So thank you. Also can I get a link to the full opening song. I be JAMMING OUT!!! It's too short lol

[@georgeannfisher6422]

Thank you young sister. Continue speaking the facts. I salute you!

[@minkahtaharkah3957]

Really crying at stinking goatttt omfg!!! This multiCULTI shit is so wild, so grateful for your videos in the midst. You hella fly everytime, that eyeshadow was really doing it for me this time!

[@adesuwa9112]

This was a good video- thank you for covering this topic. From the interview she had it seems like she def has a colossal misunderstanding of what it means to be black and Latino. It really is frustrating to see ppl like her say these things after YEARS of acting and taking roles meant for black women in the industry.

[@Izlandprincess1]

How can we identify roles that are meant for just black people or more specifically African American? Wouldnt being born in America makes her American? She looks like a light skin black person. What about someone who has Nigerian routes but born in America and cultured as an AA...would it be wrong for them to take up roles of a black person? E.g. would it have been wrong for Eddie Murphy playing the role of an African because he is not African ethnically? I think Hollywood doesnt care...if you can look the part and can act they will use you. I guess those black British actors better go back to whence they came then because they are "culture vultures". Cause I never knew some actors were british until they spoke their real tongue. Do the other races have this same issue of ppl who look like them but doesnt share their ethnicity stealing their roles or it's just a black issue?

[@LaTericeallover]

@@Izlandprincess1 ​ thank you! I’m so confused by these comments. She clearly of African decent, why do it matter if she plays African Americans or a black person from Canada or the UK. White people play everything, why would we try to put a Black woman in a box bc she grew up in Cuba or what ever? She’s black.

[@Intellectualrigor]

@@LaTericeallover, it matters because Black Americans are underrepresented in portraying our own culture.

[@hezeriahquinary-halliwell8635]

I think there are some things about her statement in need of nuance. I don't think she meant she didn't know she's black, or feel that she was black... she clearly felt, and knew she was Black because that's how she was often recognized. But the Thing about Latinos and Hispanic people is that though there is a difference between race and ethnicity, the majority of us prioritize ethnicity. For example I'm less than a quarter Puerto Rican, the rest of me is black... here in America I'm recognized only as black (racially I'm black and indigenous) but Puerto Rico id be called Puerto Rican... even though I don't speak Spanish... I have friends who are very dark skin, with prominent black features, and they ask me why do I call myself black or Biracially black ... and I tell them because that's my race and identity and my pride... I'm proud to be black . And I'm proud to be indigenous, even if it's only a little. But meanwhile they said , "what about being Puerto Rican?" Which was confusing because clearly that wasn't mutually exclusive from my identity... but then they would always tell me, that they themselves identified as their ethnicity and or home country. And they stood very firm on this lol... meaning that even though they were darker than me, and even more clearly black, possibly even monoracial... they would sooner be called latinx than be called black. They weren't ashamed of being black. But culturally they didn't feel black. They felt Dominican, or Puerto Rican... or Cuban etc. I think that's what she meant by "a box"... basically for Hispanic people, if you are Hispanic... that's just what you are. That's your identity... however I grew up in America, and both my parents are black so i don't carry that mentality. Now as for how are we as Afro Latino people treated in the context of this mentality... is a bit different. As you said , colorism is huge... also racism. White Latinos will be very racist to us and even have special slurs to refer to us as because we are Hispanic like they are. Then brown Latinos get a similar but often less harsh treatment... but the usual severity and specificity of how you are treated in this context is very dependent on whether or not you are of African descent. Though darker skinned indigenous brown Latinas get it bad as well, but still not as harsh as someone who is black. So it's still not kumbaya by any means 😅.... Anyways... I will say , there is a great deal of privilege in being biracial or not lookibg monoracial in many cases.. but mainly when you don't look monoracially black. I think she definitely needs to check herself on that privilege but I also think the team behind her probably marketed her strictly as a Black Woman. So I see what she means about her identity being denied. I'm not even sure if she's biracial. But I don't think what she was saying had to do with race , but more so culture in general. Kinda like Amara La Negra... who is A proud black woman... but culturally is Dominican. It's all pretty crazy and complicated ik 😅.... But identity can get like that. Long story short though, colorism is real and terrible... and though black is not a Monolith... I wish that looking or being "just black " would be enough. Love your channel btw 😁

[@moneybags999]

"they ask me why do I call myself black or Biracially black" ... "For example I'm less than a quarter Puerto Rican, the rest of me is black" If you're 3/4 black, you are not biracial. "But meanwhile they said , "what about being Puerto Rican?" Do you have any contact with your PR side? If you're less than 1/4 PR, what does that mean? Do you have a grandparent or a great grandparent from PR? "They weren't ashamed of being black. But culturally they didn't feel black. They felt Dominican, or Puerto Rican... or Cuban etc." This is the part that is a bit confusing because for them "black" means "African American" rather than "of African descent." I really wish this distinction was clearer! I totally get that they don't "feel" African American but that's not the same as black. Our black cultural experience here in the US is just one out of the many possible black cultural experiences to be had throughout the African diaspora.

[@hezeriahquinary-halliwell8635]

@Money Bags My Nana... (grandmother) came here from Boriken (Puerto Rico) as a little girl. Along with her brother and sisters.... while it's true I don't keep in rouch with many Puerto Rican influences, it is still culturally a part of me since I was raised partially by my Nana for many years. As well as my titi. and my mommy, who is half Puerto Rican... I just never quite took to it, because my daily life was just that of an African American. There are more reasons than that, some involving anti-blackness in the Spanish community, but that's more personal.

[@hezeriahquinary-halliwell8635]

@Money Bags perhaps this is true. But all I know is they always identified ethnicity before race... it was their pride and honor to be Hispanic. That's kinds just how the culture is

[@sapphirelane1714]

I never thought of it like this! Awesome video!

[@tonieboykin8364]

Love your outfits. Speak truth to power unapologetically. ❤❤

[@wokefromhome7389]

I'm so confused because I never felt like the roles she played were written to be black. Maybe I missed something in the Matrix but I thought it was clear that Zion was a multiracial culture. Didn't she play Cleopatra? Everyone claims cleopatra as part of their race so I never expected that role to be filled as black in Hollywood.

[@prettybrwneyez7757]

The lawyer in Suits was written to be a black woman. Try again.

[@animezae]

Right. She didn’t take a role from anyone

[@clowneryandbuffonery]

This is a phenomenal vid! The nuance of ethnicity vs. race, and how colorism can tend to prioritize different people as a result of colorism in discourse is profound! Thank you! This is literally everything ❤❤❤

[@TamaraGarrettAlpha]

You look gorgeous. Your makeup,etc. is so cute 😍

[@agapewithadot]

I can’t believe I been following you on TikTok for like 7 months and only just found your KZbin. Watched this one and the Diaspora Wars one and it’s soooooo on point. So on point. As a black Ghanaian raised in the us, idk i just appreciate this dialogue on a different level ✊🏿🫶🏿