South America represent! This one goes out to all of you from The Caribbean, Central America, and Latin America!
1. Translating.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-people-reading-book-sitting-on-chair-711009/
Okay, so this one is awesome, but definitely does not always feel awesome. This is like a secret superpower that you can whip out whenever you need it. At a Latinx restaurant with your American friends? Will I still order in Spanish? You betcha!
If your family doesn't speak English very well, there is an unspoken role that you, my anglophone friend, are given; the translator. This isn't a Google Translate type of, every now and then it's okay to slip up, type of translation. This is, fijate siempre (always pay attention) because there WILL be a quiz.
And this goes from English to Spanish, and Spanish to English both. I've sat watching La Rosa de Guadalupe sooo many times and had to explain what was happening to my younger sister or American friends.2. The food.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/sliced-vegetables-in-white-ceramic-bowl-1292984/
Um... need I say more? I'm a second-generation Peruvian-American, so it is my unofficial duty to inform you, my dear reader, that you have not LIVED until you have tried Peruvian ceviche. This amazing sour seafood dish is one of many dishes that will make your mouth water.
I'll never forget visiting my grandparents every weekend to eat authentic Peruvian food; aji de gallina, ceviche, lomo saltado, just to name a few dishes.
There are so many delicious dishes from different countries too! Mole from Mexico, Paella from Spain, Pupusas from El Salvador, and so many more!
3. Music.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/crowd-in-front-of-people-playing-musical-instrument-during-nighttime-196652/
Bachata, Cumbia, Merengue, Reggaeton, Salsa, etc.
If you've ever been to a Spanish get together, I guarantee you've heard Suavementeby Elvis Crespo, Selena Quintanilla, and maybe more modern artists like Daddy Yankee and Becky G.
Not only are these the best songs because they have the best beats to dance to, but more and more artists are singing in Spanish (Taki Taki, Mia, and even portions of Cardi B songs). Although it bothered me at the time, I miss sleeping over at my grandparents' house but failing as soon as the Puerto Rican neighbors would turn on their Reggaeton.
It feels like Latinx music grows with our generation, creating a more modern version of all the tracks we grew to love as children. Our music breathes culture and history and is quickly becoming more representative of the Latinx diaspora.
4. Family.
My grandparents and my sister celebrating my sister's 16th birthday.
Henri Hodge
Hispanic families are typically pretty big, but you love every one of your family members whole-heartedly! (Even the tia that isn't really your tia... yeah we all have THAT tia).
I have never experienced a bond as close with anybody else as I have with the bond that I have with my family.
Even if we are in the middle of a huge argument, I know that at the end of the day, they have my back. Family always comes together to make ends meet if money is tight, make food for Hispanic, help with life advice, and hit you upside the head with a chancla if you fall out of line.
Latinx identity is more intricate than just, "I'm Hispanic!". Many of us have only one parent from another country.
Although this list is a bit short, I would be here for years if I wrote all of the amazing things about being Latinx. So for now, hasta pronto! See you soon!
