Talkin’ about my latinidad!
By hola | Published | 12 Comments
We asked Hola Cultura’s talentisimo crew of American University student writers to compile links that speak to Latinidad issues important to them. Here are the results:
“Latinoamerica” by Calle 13, music video
Not only is the song beautiful, but so is the music video. It shows the range of different experiences, faces etc. you will encounter in Latin America, reminding everyone that no one is the same. The song summarizes the history of Latin America, describing what makes Latin America. Along with the political message that the song exerts, it also speaks of the beauty, strength and rich spirit of the land and the people. It speaks and gives examples of the sources of pride throughout Latin America that help the people persevere.
“Music Helps Shape Latino Identity in the U.S,” article
This article speaks of the loss of identity that second generation Latinos in the U.S. face due to the encouragement to assimilate. Our confusion and problems with being bicultural and bilingual but with the help of music they are able to reconnect and find their identity and be proud of it.
“Harvest of Empire” (documentary), trailer
Untold stories of Latinos in the U.S. It is the missing chapter in our history books that are being used in all schools across the U.S.
–selected by Aurelia Ortiz
Smithsonian Latino Virtual Gallery, website
This is a site with various interactive galleries about different SI exhibits on Latin American cultures and identities.
Maracuyeah DC, website
A D.C.-based DJ collective with a “Pan-Latin” style that combines hip-hop, dancehall, electro cumbia, and everything else that they grew up with.
— selected by Radhika Raman
The number of Latinos in media is growing but Latinos are constantly stereotyped. How can you carve your own identity if someone else does it for you? For me, these articles and videos represent those issues. But there is hope that awareness could move us beyond living and acting according to mainstream media stereotypes.
“Television Stereotypes and Affirmative Action,” article
“Latino Stereotypes and Representation in the Media” (Warning: strong language), video
“Challenging Lation Stereotypes in the Media,” webpage
–selected by Jessica Perry
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