AfroLatino
2/8/2023
First: What is a Latino?
Background:
• The term Latino was first used by the Spanish, Portuguese, and French to identify south America and Mexico
(along with the Carribean islands, so any land they annexed) which was known as Amérique latine.
• In the US Census "Spanish speakers" or anyone of Latin descendent before the 1980s would be forced to
identify as white which hindered aid from reaching the Spanish speaking communities because they were not
white and did not live with white folk and very obviously needed help.
Definition:
Latino refers to someone who lives in the U.S. and who comes from, or whose family comes from, Latin America
Background
2
What is Latin America?
•
Latin America is comprised of predominantly Spanish speaking
countries. Including Mexico, Central America, and Carribean
Islands, along with Spain.
•
These are countries once colonized and invaded by the Spanish,
French, and Portuguese.
Not to be confused with Hispanic that refers to anyone with
origins in a SPANISH SPEAKING COUNTRY. So, it excludes
Brazil.
The terms Hispanic and Latino are exclusive to NonLatino/Hispanic countries and the academic/scholarly world.
Background
3
Afro-Latino term summary
history and origins
An Afro-Latino is a person whose origins are in Latin America and has full or mainly African descent.
Slavery was a main component to the African Presence in Latin America but as more research is being done in the history of
Latin America more evidence is coming forth that Africans have traveled to and from South America before the Spanish
conquistadors or English settlers came about.
•
Number of Afro Latinos in Latin
•
America.
•
Colombia: 4,671,160
Brazil: 14,517,961
Haiti: 10,114,378
Mexico: 2,576,213
Cuba: 1,126,894
Peru: 828,841'
Costa Rica: 390,000
Puerto Rico: 1,863,676;
Guatemala: 100,000
Dominican
Republic: 1,029,535
Bolivia: 40,000
Slavery was abolished in Latin American countries shortly after gaining independence, mostly around the
1850s.
Many Africans then formed their own communities in their country. While some did migrate to the US.
Before Jim Crow was enforced, in Florida, to promote economic tourism from Latin American countries,
Afro-Latinos were exempt from segregation (so long as they could prove they were Latin aka spoke
Spanish). But that was quickly shut down.
A look at Afro-Latino Culture:
Afro-Latino culture is an infusion of the Indigenous practice of their region and African ancestry
We are not trying to lump African culture with Latino culture and vice-versa.
xt here
African American Culture
Different between state, city etc.
African Culture
Different between country, state, city, tribe etc.
Afro-Latino Culture
Different between country,
state, city, tribe etc.
Importance to World History
●
Afro Latinos have been around for centuries now and have contributed throughout the world
to advancements in science and civilization. Moreover, their identity has contributed to the
acceptance of diversity and cultures as they represent a harmony of mixed cultures and
race.
They have greatly influenced the integration of the US as
they acted a activists and preservationists for both black
and indigenous cultures.
Importance to Black History
●
In addition to helping preserve thousands of African related diaspora many Afro-Latinos
were activists and even helped contribute to the continued research into all things
Black through the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Notable Afro-Latinos of the past:
Celia Cruz
Arturo Alfonso Schomburg
Roberto Clemente
Afro-Latinos of today:
Thank You