Sticker From CAFÉ CON AZÚCAR

To coincide with countries from Nicaragua to Mexico to Brazil celebrating their independence from colonial rule, September 15th — October 15th marks Latinx Heritage Month. This Latinx Heritage Month, I am holding two truths top of heart, body, spirit, and mind:

Let’s celebrate the resiliency of our people, indulge in our food and drink, and enjoy all the virtual Zoom events.

I love our community and miss it so much during quarantine! (What I wouldn’t give to laugh too loudly at a bar drinking mojitos right now….)

For those of us who identify as non-black latinxs, it’s been time to talk about anti-blackness in our community.

Whether you start the conversation at home or in one of our affinity groups — we must call out white supremacy, colorism, and anti-Blackness. We have to do better.

A Quarantined To Do List

Don’t know where to start? I’ve created a list of must-do activities to celebrate our people all while taking steps to dismantle the anti-Blackness that lives in our community. Read on, get inspired, and take action!

• You can cook and eat all our delicious foods (I’ve got tostones on deck for tomorrow) and donate to organizations that advocate for latinx communities. (Translatin@ Coalition and The Young Center for Immigrant Child Rights are on my list!)
• Watch Gentefied or One Day at A Time for the 3rd time… and demand justice for the cops who murdered Breonna.
• Not really sure what Latinx means, but you’ve started using it cause…it seems like everyone else is? Do some research on the difference between Latinx, Hispanic & Latino and while we’re all at it…let’s discuss the difference between race & ethnicity.
• Play Quimbara on repeat and talk to your Non-Black Latinx fam about the systematic murder of Black people by police in this country or how their constant complaining about your tan is another form of colorism (i.e. racism).
• Support your favorite Afrolatinx owned shop….and support your other favorite Afrolatinx owned shop.
• Consider joining our White, Black, or Non-Black people of color affinity groups (starting in October!) to hold yourself accountable to unpacking white supremacy and working towards a more equitable future.

– Kimberly Diaz, CEO, oneTILT