As we kick off Black History Month this year, I wanted to make sure I did more than show my support and appreciation for Black Excellence in the past, present, and future. I wanted to help bridge a divide that in many ways, is hard to understand.
When I think back to the events of last summer, I think of the sadness and anger many of us felt regarding George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. I also am reminded of the same emotions I felt when I learned about Vanessa Guillen. Those feeling were shared by many, but the question I kept hearing was "Where is the national outcry for Vanessa?" As businesses began jumping aboard the Black Lives Matter (and they absolutely do) movement, the additional question occasionally thrown out was "What about Latinos and Latinas?" At the center of those questions is where I see this divide. It isn't us vs them, but more of good for them, but what about us?
It boggles my mind because I see a larger movement for all minorities to the same place. However, that journey will be prolonged if we are too blind to see that all of us and our allies want the same thing. As Latinxs, we need to have the same pride for Black History Month that we do for Hispanic Heritage Month. We need to celebrate, mourn, and show pride for those that have paved the way for all of us. When racists and bigots see our beautiful faces and our rich cultures and heritage, they don't see the shade of white, red, brown, yellow, or black that we are. They see someone lesser than themselves in one way or another.
Black history is Latino History. Roberto Clemente. Celia Cruz. Minnie Miñoso. Arturo Schomburg. Rosario Dawson. None of these names exist without their African and Latino roots. This year, lets look past the me and see the us.
Un fuerte abrazo!
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