Too Latina to be Black, Too Black to be Latina by Aleichia Williams, Is the most relatable article I have ever read, and I am sure it would be the same for other people of ambiguous features or mixed backgrounds. Alechia spoke about not fitting in, in North Carolina because people could not grasp the fact that she is a Black-Latina. This bias of what a Latina should look like or how a black person should act has come from the classification and stereotypes placed in society by the white man. When you are not accepted in either of your racial backgrounds you feel like you don’t belong, and it brings up the thought as to why one should have to look and act a certain way to be acceptable by society. This reminded me of Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon because gender non-conforming persons experience oppression in the same way. They do not fit into just one category so our existence is questioned. Alechia speaks about not understanding why one must fit into the roles of society and why we just can’t be seen as human. I really connected with this point of view, growing up as a mixed child being Black, Indian, and Hispanic people always tried to fit me into just one category. I would always be asking about how I am so mixed and if I knew how to speak all the languages and if I didn’t, I would be considered lesser than. If I had a dollar for every time, I get the question “What are you?” I would be rich. This always bothered me in the same way it bothers Alechia why does it matter if I speak the language or not that does not make me any less connected with my heritage and culture. The problem with society is that we use race to separate us from one another instead of bringing us closer. Alechia states, “I am Black, I am Latina, Also I am human.” This quote spoke to me because it reminded me of the moment, I realized I am who I am and I will never be able to please those in society but I can make peace with myself. Heather lee’s post illustrates exactly what many people of ambiguous features face due to stereotypes of race and what people should be and look like based on their skin color.

After reading The Power of Identity Politics, the many conversations I have made with my friends and family were proven correct. I speak to my mother often about how before colonization the world did not know race, homophobia, sexism, in other words, oppression. The article reads, “In other words, if white people had not created a false classification for people based on skin color genitalia or class status in order to maintain power and privilege over others would we even be having this conversation?” and answer is no. Colonizers stripped ethnic groups of their heritage and killed out those who did not want to give up who they are. It is the white cisgender Christian man that put the idea into all ethnic groups that fair skin is power. The Blonde woman spoken about in the article does not understand the significance of seeing more colored people on screen because she has seen people like her all her life. Yes, a person should not be hired because of the color of their skin but it is important to understand the power of representation of colored people and the power it has to lead us to be seen as equals to the cis straight white man.

This week’s reading was very interesting and I have enjoyed them a lot. I felt that both of the readings were very powerful. The article “The Power of Identity” and “Too Latina To Be Black, Too Black To Be Latina” by Aleichia Williams shows the difficulty of being accepted in different places throughout the USA. She lived in New York City where people from all over the world live in. New York City is the place for everyone doesn’t matter you’re Black, White, Latina, or Brown. Growing up In New York City was not a problem for her but when she moved to North Carolina. For her North Carolina was a lot different. Alicia Williams explains her experience where she is being forced to choose her identities because they clash. Her skin was dark so society already marked her as Black but her nationality was Hispanic and society doesn’t know because they first need to know her in order to find out where she’s from. Even though they were forcing her to choose a side between Black and Hispanic, she refuse and she accept herself as in and that’s what I loved about her. I believe as human beings we all have the right to chase who we are and we should know do what society wants us to do. It was very powerful to me how she refused everyone and accepted herself as is. 

Identity is the qualities, beliefs, personality, looks, and/or expressions that make a person or group. One can regard the awareness and the categorizing of identity as positive or as destructive. A psychological identity relates to self-image, self-esteem, and individuality. In the article “The Power of Identity Politics” by Alicia Garza she shares her experiences. She wrote about this defensiveness from white people when spoken to about “race issues” and said how they fall under the impression that “naming it somehow perpetuates the dynamic of underrepresentation”. Alicia was at a bar when she overhears a conversation between a white man and a white woman. They are discussing an actor when the white man says the actors’ race (Egyptian) and continues saying that its great actors are getting more representation. To which the white woman responds saying, “He’s a great actor, which is why he should be in more movies not because he’s a person of color.” I think it’s unacceptable and we should just focus on being human beings because that’s what we are in the end. I hate it when people keep talking about Black and White. We have to leave this racism behind us to do better in life because this is not taking us anywhere rather put us behind. Both of the readings were very powerful and I have people read them and understand that it’s okay to be different and to be Black or White. It’s okay to be Latina or Black, or Spanish. We all are created equally by God. Therefore society needs to stop making people choose between color and or things that he/she should do.

This week we read an article by Aleichia Williams titled “Too Latina to Be Black, Too Black to be Latina” She wrote about how people’s perception of her stems from purely how she looks, rather than how she identifies and projects herself. People could not believe she spoke Spanish because of her skin tone and considered her to only have one identity. As a white woman this is an experience I have never encountered and never will. White people are considered the norm in our society while everyone else is highly critiqued. Black and Latin people are often described by the color of their skin first while white people are more often described by their personality and more specific things about them. This fact is something that when talked about with a white audience, usually turns into a banter and they become very defensive.

In Alicia Garza’s chapter “The Power of Identity” she wrote about this defensiveness from white people when spoken to about “race issues” and said how they fall under the impression that “naming it somehow perpetuates the dynamic of underrepresentation”. I think that even beyond this white people are ashamed and therefore can not hold these conversations with a listening ear for fear of then having to take responsibility. For most white people it is not a total lack of understanding that people have, it really is a sense of shame and not wanting to be held accountable for a number of reasons like losing power in the way Garza spoke about.

This week we looked into identity politics and how people of color were identified in the 21^st century. In order to understand better, we read two articles “Too Latina to be Black, Too Black to be Latina” by Aleichia Williams and “The Power of Identity Politics” by Garza Alicia which basically tells/explains to us how people and women of color were made to live and identify as. The article “Too Latina to be Black, Too Black to be Latina” talks about the life experience of a Black Latina woman who moved to North Carolina at the age of thirteen and was unaware about the culture of the people. The article talked about how kids from different races were not seen together and they were divided into three groups either you’re “Black, Mexican, or White”. She also talked about how she was treated after sitting in class with a “group of friendly-looking Hispanic girls” and one of the girls said to another in Spanish “why is she sitting here? Unknown to the girl that she also speaks Spanish and I believe this happened because of her skin color. According to the article, people constantly tell her that she doesn’t fit anywhere and “try to restrict her to a specific mold and identity” and people believed that since my “home language is Spanish that must mean I eat tacos and having kinky hair also means I bang to meek mill.” People kept saying she was “Too Black to be Latin and Too Latin to be Black” due to the skin color. I can also relate this to my classmate Heatherlee’s snapshot which shows an image of a girl who also went through the same thing. On one side we see her with curly hair and on the other side, we see her with a straight slick her and yet she is never good in people’s eyes. No matter what she does, she still gets asked questions like, “where are you from, do you speak African, is that your natural hair, when I see you, I don’t see black, why not have your natural hair out, you don’t love yourself, you might as well wear weave, etc. she is never enough just because of the color of her skin.  

From the article “The Power of Identity Politics”, the term “Identity” is simply a “means of describing what it entails to live outside what has been defined as the norm in the United States” and the term “Identity Politics” was used to “describe the life experiences of those facing systemic oppression, those who are not white, heterosexual, cisgender men”, etc. during times of the Civil Rights movement, women movement, lesbian and gas movements, etc. Identity politics was first developed by Black feminists who refused to be defined politically by a set of standards that wasn’t theirs. The term first appeared in the Combahee River collective statement in 1977 by a group of black feminists who got involved in the movement to fight for their freedom. Identity Politics is ultimately a strong political concept which aims to identify and understand “gender-based and racial systemic oppression” with the goal to ensure everyone is treated equally irrespective of gender and political identity. In addition, power is both simple and hard to define, because it prefers to “operate in obscurity and those who have power rarely want to acknowledge they have unearned benefits at the expense of those seeking equal treatment” but however, Identity politics tries to make that power seen and understood which is primary to how power operates. The Blonde’s indifferent attitude to the reality of politically marginalized people shows how power operates. Like the Blonde, some American Conservatives feel it is not right to Identify ourselves in ways that divide us, rather we should always feel as part of one human family but then, the systemic oppression exists irrespective of their own assertion. 

Furthermore, for the Combahee River collection, their life experiences were shaped by what they called “Interlocking Oppressions” from racism, sexism, capitalism, heterosexualism, etc. They committed to being anti-racist unlike their white counterparts, and anti-sexist unlike their white and Black male counterparts. This experience led them to understand the movement was primarily not for the freedom of all women but for the white women. They realized no one could fight for them, therefore they coined the term “Identity Politics” meaning they would form a politic based on their own experience and work for their own freedom. Moreover, black women cannot afford to see the women’s movement only acknowledged through the “lens of white women” because the experiences of Black women are unique and complex and should therefore be treated differently in order to feel as part of one human family. America is built on white Identity Politics because of the false classification of people based on their skin color. If we remain indifferent and support the assertions of the Blonde in this article, we should understand that until we examine the ways the Elephant in America’s room continues to shape our lives, we will always move in circles with no real chance of moving past it. When we intentionally close our eyes and don’t realize the power of identity politics in our society, it will deter us from changing how power operates.  

I think identity politics are something that has empowered all of us to take pride in the differences that make up our individual identities. I take pride in being a member of the LGBTQ community while also cherishing my black skin. I love being a man and cherish the women in my life. But I liken identity politics to a fully loaded gun; a gun is a tool that can be used by a person for nefarious purposes. I totally believe Trump and his political team used identity politics to help him when the 2016 presidential election. He made it very clear who he considered his core supporters but disguised his actions as progressive steps that ultimately only benefited his support group. For example, he approved a female nominee to take the vacant seat when Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed; a move that on the outside looked like a progressive for a man known to exclude women from management roles. However, he was strategic in picking the candidate as she was approved by his core group of supporters.

This is a great example of controlling the narrative as Garza mentioned in the reading. Garza states that “Controlling the story of who we are and what makes us who we are is an exercise of power…the more people you can get to invest in that story, to make your story their own, the more powerful you become.” It is important that we continue to fight for equal footing for all humans, regardless of race, sexuality, gender, and any other difference that makes a person unique. If we don’t acknowledge our unique histories, we can never expect said history to be included in conversations at the table in which we are working so hard to be seated. In learning that ‘the system’ is essentially an ongoing force of oppression designed to keep Christian, cis-gendered white men in privilege, I’ve also learned that we have to address the injustices that put them in there in the first place. My classmate, Raquel Hernandez, posted a snapshot of a meme that sums up the opposition to this. 

I remember having a conversation with someone about why I supported the Blacks Lives Matter movement and not the All Lives Matter movement. He was a straight, cis-gendered white male and couldn’t grasp the concept of acknowledging the pain other races had endured because they happened in the past. I tried to explain how the traumas of these historical events could be echoed in the experience of non-white people. How it’s not as easy as just saying we’re all humans because that has not been our experience. I gave him an example of how my sister, whose mom is white while our dad is black, struggles to be accepted socially. When she doesn’t straighten her hair, she is told it’s nappy or that it looks unprofessional. However, when she straightens it, she can sometimes pass for races other than black. Her natural hair is not something she was taught to embrace because we were told that we needed to be interculturally competent and able to adapt in order to be successfully. That, like many of her ancestors, she needed to be as close to white as she could be if she wanted to get anywhere.

I absolutely loved this week’s readings! In my last content response, I commented that I didn’t feel like other nationalities were represented when speaking on oppression. However, this week gave we had one reading named “Too Latina To Be Black, Too Black To Be Latina” by Aleichia Williams showing the difficulty of other nationalities. The second reading is called “The Power of Identity Politics” by Alicia Garza where the author writes about the prejudice and ignorance of white people’s remarks. I am very passionate about these discussions and I personally enjoyed the readings.

In the reading “The Power of Identity Politics” by Alicia Garza I felt the reading was powerful and to the point. Those are my favorite type of readings. Alicia Garza began the reading by telling the readers about an experience she had. She was at a bar when she overhears a conversation between a white man and a white woman. They are discussing an actor when the white man says the actors’ race (Egyptian) and continues saying that its great actors are getting more representation. To which the white woman responds saying, “He’s a great actor, which is why he should be in more movies — not because he’s a person of color.” This remark on its own is irritating. She completely misunderstood what the white man was trying to address. The white woman continues by saying, “I’m really sick of hearing all of that stuff. Black, White, blah blah blah. We need to stop doing that shit. It really gets on my nerves. When are we going to get around being human!” I had to take a minute after reading after this because my blood was boiling! Because arrogant and ignorant people speak like this ALL the time. This type of talk happens today and it will continue to happen tomorrow. I commend Garza for keeping her cool because I am not the type of person to let things like that go. If you want to speak freely (and others can hear you; especially in public) then be prepared for a debate from me. This kind of talk is disgusting. She completely ignores the issue her friend was trying to make and makes excuses for her community. When are we going to going to get around being human? When everyone in the POC community starts getting treated like human beings that’s WHEN! What do we need to stop? Being proud of our communities being represented? Proud our communities are in high-paying industries? That we are rising to more than the stereotypes? No, we will not stop. Garza continues by obviously describing her discontent with the remarks and explaining what the white woman was ignoring. She was ignoring the brought-up issue that POC are underrepresented. Garza uses her experience to explain the reason remarks like this continue to happen. She gives us insight into the term identity politics which means: identity politics is the radical notion that your world view is shaped by your experiences and history and that those experiences will vary in relationship to the power a group or an individual has in the economy, society, or democracy. Remarks continue to happen because America is built on white identity politics. Garza proves this point by explaining our history, we (POC) have been subjugated for generations. The fact that it is hard to find the right shade of makeup for someone that looks like me, or that there are clothing stores that only go up to a certain size by using whiteness as our representation. The remarks continue because there are those who are ignorant and stubborn to see the reality that the power continues to be held by white people. The political is personal because our voice for the POC community continues to be dismissed. 

The second reading “Too Latina To Be Black, Too Black To Be Latina” by Aleichia Williams is a short reading but also powerful. Where Aleichia Williams also explains her experience where she is being forced to choose her identities because they clash. Because her skin color is dark society automatically puts her into the “black” category. However, her nationality is Hispanic and society does not know because they first need to know her. So she has the “Hispanic” and “Black” category and her society is trying to make her choose an identity. Williams refuses and accepts herself as is. I think that is beautiful and the right decision. I feel for Williams because I’ve had a deep discussion with my boyfriend on how he feels because of his mixed race. He is half Kenyan and half Caucasian. He has told me he feels too dark to be part of the “white” category and too “light” to be part of the “black” category. It is unfair and heartbreaking to make individuals feel they need to fit into a category to be accepted. In my classmates’ snapshot, Heatherlee shows a photo of a girl who is going through something similar. On one side she is embracing her curls but she gets commented by the society saying “it’s nappy.” Then on the other side, her hair is slicked back and now society is saying “you don’t love yourself.” It’s unfair to try to win the love of society so do what makes you happy! Society will judge either way.

In “Too Latina To Be Black, Too Black Too Be Latina” by Aleichia Williams, who faced a “race crisis” back in their childhood. Aleichia attended a new school in a whole different state than what they were used to and it seemed like based on Aleichia’s appearance the kids tried to turn her down since they misjudged Aleichia’s race or ethnicity. Aleichia, who spoke Spanish,  made the kids at school eventually accept Aleichia since they only approved of individuals from within that particular race. I feel like just because someone doesn’t physically fit with what is expected of their race or ethnicity, it is not fair to jump to conclusions and cancel them out if throughout their own lives they share the qualities like language, food, music, traditions and practices that shape their identity. There is a misconception that all Latinos or Hispanics look and talk the same when in reality there is a huge diversity within itself. I am Dominican and my family members who also share the same ethnicity as me are either light skinned or dark skinned, and some have curly, wavy or straight hair making us all different but in a unique way. I don’t mind any of the differences in identity within my family because I know based on my heritage we are a mix of African and Spanish European descent. I enjoyed the fact that Aleichia stated “I’m learning to embrace every aspect of my identity and not let small minds put me in a box that just doesn’t fit. I’m Latina. I’m black. Also, I’m human. No one can take that from me” (Williams). This means that someone’s identity can be powerful in the way others may perceive them but what is important is valuing and taking pride in where one comes from and to not be ashamed of it. 

“The Power of Identity Politics” by Alicia Garza states “Identity is the elephant in America’s room” (Garza 191). This has been a big problem throughout history in our country that Black women in particular and many other marginalized groups from Latin America, the Caribbean, Pacific Islanders, and those from the LGTBQ community are all faced with discrimination and are excluded from obtaining equal opportunities whether it be politically, socially and economically against those who fall under the power of whiteness. The norms for these groups have changed since back in history when their lifestyles were forced upon the power of white supremacy, a kind of systemic domination. It didn’t stop these racial and ethnic groups from being in control of who they are as they took matters into their own hands in fighting against a set of standards that didn’t reflect their own identity. White women don’t understand the struggles that Black feminists encounter based on their different experiences in American society. There’s no way to compare the two especially while one race is oppressed and the other is privileged but it is important to target issues of each race to try and dismantle this political bias. 

Heatherlee’s snapshot helps us understand the ways in which black girls and women are the victims of negative stereotypes, discrimination and systemic racism that deny them from their livelihood in society. People don’t realize how difficult and annoying it can be for someone to constantly hear assumptions and be questioned about his/her appearance, behavior and personality that make up their personal identity not necessarily their race. You are not giving that  person a chance to be themselves when we live among a diversity of people that come in all shapes and sizes. We have to learn to accept who they are and respect their differences.