LaLa Vazquez wrote a personal note addressing all the drama that tends to ensue when people discuss her (and other Boricuas’ for that matter) racial background. She says that while both of her parents are Puerto Rican, that makes her Puerto Rican. But she also says that doesn’t mean she’s not “black” as well. LaLa explains that black and Puerto Rican are not always mutually exclusive…and she schools people on her Latina heritage and what she teaches her son Kiyan.
Her words when you read the rest…
A lot of people don’t realize that I’m Latina, which is fine. One thing about being Latina is that there isn’t one look that comes with the territory. I don’t expect people to know my cultural background just by glancing at me. I do, however, expect that when I tell people my family is from Puerto Rico, that I will be believed and not accused of trying to be something that I’m not. It usually goes something like this: a person having a conversation with me discovers one way or another that I’m Puerto Rican and fluent in Spanish. That person then expresses their shock over these realizations for any number of reasons–common responses are, “You don’t look Latina” and “I thought you were black!” I never said I wasn’t black. And since when does being black and being Latina have to be mutually exclusive?
In my experience, people tend to have an uninformed and rather narrow view of what it means to be Puerto Rican. For me, not looking like some people’s idea of a typical Latina has been challenging and often painful. I constantly find myself trying to justify who I am, and why should I? I’m proud of my heritage and my family. Both of my parents are from Puerto Rico. They raised two kids in Brooklyn and later in New Jersey, where we ate arroz con gandules and pasteles and listened to salsa music. I feel just as at home in Puerto Rico, where I still have tons of family, including aunts, uncles and cousins. Puerto Rico is in my blood. And that has nothing to do with the color of my skin.
I’m not angry with anyone who doesn’t understand the complexities of race and culture. And I’m also not interested in having long, drawn out conversations about how it’s possible for me to look like this and speak Spanish. In fact, sometimes I make it a point not to mention my parents’ birthplace because I don’t always feel like having the inevitable discussion that follows. Instead, I let people look at me and come to their own conclusions. As I start to get my feet wet in Hollywood, I already know that there are certain parts I won’t even be considered for. The character can be Puerto Rican and speak Spanish just like me, but Hollywood defines Latina as Jennifer Lopez and Sofia Vergara. As beautiful as they are, we’re not all one race in Latin America. But I don’t go to auditions so that I can give history lessons to film executives. I’d rather skip the entire process.
I’m raising my son to understand who he is, and it’s my hope that he’ll never let others define him. It reflects poorly on us when we don’t educate ourselves about the rest of the world and what it looks like. I encourage people who are interested to learn more, do research and ask informed questions. If you’re lucky enough to visit various countries in Latin America, you’ll be baffled to see the blackest of the black and the lightest of the light living together. And I dare you to ask one of them to prove their latinidad.
Very interesting. Your thoughts?
Thu, January 21, 2010 9:55 AM
first….I think :)
Thu, January 21, 2010 9:56 AM
O ma’am.. Kiyan 2 cute….
Thu, January 21, 2010 9:56 AM
I think it is sad that people still don’t know that where you are from has nothing to do with your race…..Good for her, give these idiots a history lesson if they need it!
Thu, January 21, 2010 9:57 AM
well said
Thu, January 21, 2010 9:58 AM
Wow..I am pleasantly surprised by Lala..I really appreciate this post..I am always explaining that Black and Latina aren’t mutually exclusive…People who try to make it that way are typically ignorant (or in some cases self-loathing)…I am glad she took the time to blog about this subject! Thanks LALA!
Thu, January 21, 2010 9:59 AM
I feel what LaLa is saying…she is right. Just like you have light/dark african americans the same can be said for hispanics
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:00 AM
Lala do us a favor and sit your a*s down! Why are you so concerned with people viewing you as a black girl instead of a “Latina”? Seems like you’re the one with the race complex. It bothers you that people see you as black first and then latina when they discover your true heritage. Get a life! You look like a black girl whether you like it or not.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:00 AM
Good for her… There are a lot of idiots in this world! i didn’t know that latina’s/latinos refer to themselves as latinidad though
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:01 AM
I can certainly understand where LaLa is coming from. Race will ALWAYS be an issue in this country, but sometimes it does get rather mundane to continue to have conversations about COLOR. All Puerto Ricans aren’t light, just as all African-Americans aren’t medium/dark-skinned. Races of color come in many colors! I really don’t get why that’s so hard to understand…
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:01 AM
Good for Lala for schooling them!
Some of these hispanics are in some straight denial. They are all a mix of indian(meaning native american), african, and european.
Latino’s are not a race. It’s either black or white. and hispanics didnt get that dark skin color hanging out in the sun. STOP DENYING YOUR AFRICAN HERITAGE
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:02 AM
now someone needs to explain all that to Sammy Sosa, who thinks because he is now pale he isn’t black anymore…
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:02 AM
Bravo Ms. LaLa … I can totally relate. A lot of people are so uneducated when it comes to race vs. nationality. If they only knew…maybe this world could take a giant step forward…(sigh)
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:03 AM
It’s about time! Someone needs to explain….people just don’t understand. People always think that you gotta look like where your coming from.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:04 AM
@ TruthHurts
You totally missed the point. Her point is why CAN’T she be both? Why does she have to be labeled as only Black or only Latina?
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:07 AM
How sad that she needs to explain herself. Well good for her some people are dum
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:09 AM
I just hate that people don’t know the difference between Nationality and Race….I think people taking issue with that she NEVER says she’s black….as she doesn’t in the blog….however it is her decision and her life. She clearly is very much a Black Latina…80% of Carribean Latins are of African dessent…don’t be surprised!
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:09 AM
@truthhurts–i pump my fist. lala, u r BLACK girlfriend, get over it. we (black people) still like you. wendy is almost lighter than you. AND?!? maybe that’s why she’s so busy “keeping up with the kardashians”?
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:12 AM
Very educated thought, well said
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:13 AM
True say. That’s the thing though no one knows what they are. Most are mixed but some can be more African than others and some are less African than others. It’s wierd but fascinatinig! Puerto Rican isn’t a race though. Neither is Dominican or Mexican which is what I never get when people say that’s what they are. If they don’t want to be labeled black or white and want to be “Hispanic” so be it because we don’t really know what they are, they aren’t exclusively or majority one “race”.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:13 AM
Excuse me, she was the one who opened her mouth in the first place and said that ‘SHE’S NOT BLACK, SHE’S PUETO RICAN”. She now can see thru those bug eyes that her skin color is BLACK? Hispanic can be BLACK too, really? And here I thought they were White Anglos Saxon Protestant. Freaking idiot!
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:13 AM
@ sam and truth hurts wow did you read what she said your both so stupid. She acknowledges is black, she is saying that her heritage is Puerto Rican and she is a black latina.
stupid people shouldn’t be allowed in public geez
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:15 AM
She looks black….. ;-)
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:16 AM
I thought she did an excellent job getting her point across! Some people are VERY IGNORANT and think all latinas are supposed to look like J-Lo or Daisy Fuentes! She seems to know that she is also of African decent as well, but it is offensive when she speaks spanish or acknowledges her Puerto Rican heritage and people look at her like why the hell is she speaking spanish when she knows she’s black! It’s 2010 people, read and become informed!
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:18 AM
African slaves were shipped many places as we know. When someone looks like LaLa, Sammy, even The Rock you already know african blood runs through their veins. When you see black folks here in America and they look just like you or your Aunt or Uncle, but when they speak they have an accent. That’s when I say damn Black is beautiful. It tells our story. Creoles, “Indians” Whites black in usually somewhere. Being Latina, Dominican, Jamacian, Haitian is beautiful its who these people are. I just think it rubs some folks the wrong way if you call a Latina or Creole black and they ready to fight, almost like don’t you dare call me black.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:18 AM
This made me like Lala a lot more. A lot of the time people want to separate themselves from being considered black unless it’s beneficial to them (cough, cough, Mariah, cough). Black is beautiful, don’t deny that shit!
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:20 AM
@Slam Lala didn’t say she wasn’t Black. She’s stressing that she IS Black AND Latina. Just like I’m Black and American.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:20 AM
She is so right when I deal with the same thing too but its too much of a headache to try and educate a dumb person.
I’ve been to 2 latin countries (ecuador) where I saw a guy who was black like Tyrese but only spoke spanish and (argentina) where the looked more like ur typical “latinos”. Its was beautiful and when I was there I was embraced and not judge or called a liar. There were people that look like me too. People need to do there homework
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:21 AM
I definately get where she is coming from but some of these celebrity are too touchy on these subjects. When people refer to her as a black woman, I think she may confuse that with culture, heritage etc… rather than just the colour of her skin. Thats why sometimes they are so quick to say no I am Indian, latin, etc… They forget noone is denying that she is latin; i mean you can be whatever you want to be but if you skin is black its black.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:21 AM
Interesting… good for her! Now if those Dominicans can ADMIT they are black too (rather than claiming they are Indian), the world would be a better place!!!
GTFOH… why is this even of importance when there are soooo many other things going on right now?!?
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:22 AM
*THEIR* homework
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:23 AM
okkkkkkkkkkay, I always thought she was mixed, glad to understand more….but, it was obvious that she is not black because how her body is shaped. Enough Said!
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:23 AM
To sum up that long as$ letter, she’s a black person from Puerto Rico. Nuff said.
Your race and your country are two different things. People can identify with whatever element of each they so choose. I don’t care.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:24 AM
I hate to say this, but was this even worth a post. Lala is cool…but I am just saying!
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:24 AM
@Memei – definitely won’t engage me in the banter. but the stupid remark…hold that. i don’t think intelligent people use the word stupid. read her message but i can read between lines.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:24 AM
Thank You LaLa, that’s why I messes wit chu.
No but seriously, My cousins are black Puerto Rican’s and I always feel like sometimes people don’t get that latino’s come in all races and of mixed races. But I def. feel like some latinos don’t want to be considered black. I don’t want to offend anybody but Latino isn’t a race. I know Mark Anthony and the entire ALMA awards don’t feel this way, but there’s a difference between race and ethnicity. It’s sort of like how being Jewish is referred to as if its a race sooo often, when it’s a religion and ethnicity.
It’s really simple LaLa’s a black Puerto Rican, Jennifer Lopez’s parents are Puerto Rican of european descent
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:25 AM
Umm star did you just say “it’s obvious she’s not black because of how her body is shaped”?!
LOLOLOLOL!
Clearly LaLa wrote this letter for idiots like you. BTW she admits that she is black. Wowwwwww…epic ignorance and stupidity is alive and well.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:25 AM
Sooooo many of you are missing the point.People look at her and based on her looks just assume that she is blk which is a bit of an insult, because it is totally discounting her puerto rican heritage. Its not saying that maybe somewhere back down the line she doesn’t have any blk in her, but people need to realize they can’t judge someone based on how they look. For ex. many people think Zoe Saldana is blk when she Dominican.
So if people think I’m another race than I am based on hiw I look is a bit offensive beacuse that’s totally discounting the heritage I am apart of.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:27 AM
I agree but to a point. Ms LaLa needs to address the racism issues in her own culture before lashing out on others. The reason ppl do not see her as Latina is because most Latinas do not want to recognize their dark skin brothers/sisters. I had this Latina tell me that she has a dark skin fam that she will never associate with because they are dark skin. So if the world does not know the diversity of Latin America, believe me that was by design.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:28 AM
It’s a shame that people do not know the difference between nationality and race. People confuse the two all the time. She’s not from Puerto Rico (her parents are); therefore she’s not Puerto Rican. She’s a Black American of Latin descent.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:34 AM
All she has to do is say she is Afro-Latina and people will get the point. She shouldn’t have to write the long stories every other month justifying herself to ignorant people as to what she is ethnically. With the last name Vasquez, she is obviously of Latin heritage. Lala, just ignore the ignorance and keep it moving and stop writing the long essays on race ok!
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:36 AM
It’s the same thing with Zoe Saldana. She knows and states that she’s a black woman but she also states she’s Latina and like LaLa speaks fluent spanish.You wouldn’t know they were Latin unless they told you.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:39 AM
The problem is that many Latinos (and other races for that matter)outright deny their African heritage. Yes, LaLa’s CULTURE is hispanic since this is how she was raised and her parents are from Puerto Rico, but clearly her RACE is Black. Many Latinos identify themselves totally with the country they or their parents were born in, and not with their African ancestry, which is where the problem lies. Wouldn’t it be easier if LaLa and others would refer to themselves as Afro or Black Latino. Then they wouldn’t have to try to “prove” their hispanic or African background, they could just identify it and be done with it. Why is LaLa so concerned that people thinks she isn’t Latina, but black. She is black, as she says, her family just happens to be from Puerto Rico. This is the only difference between Black Latinos and Black Americans–our families were born in different places. But we are all Black, period. Black Latinos, like Zoe Saldana for example, make the issue of race complicated when it really isn’t. Saldana only refers to herself as “AfriLatina” when she is specifically asked about her race. Otherwise she identifies herself and is identified in Hollywood as a Dominican actress. The problem is that many Black Latinos don’t want to be identified as black, but are forced to because of their dark skin complexion and African features. It would make more sense for Black Latinos to identify themselves as such, just as Blacks in America identify as African or Black Americans.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:42 AM
folk didn’t know that ?? lol ignorance reigns.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:44 AM
THE LAST NAME, AND HER PARENTS BEING PUERTO RICAN. SHE IS PUERTO RICAN TOO. I GOT TO BE HONEST I DON’T UNDERSTAND THIS WHOLE AFRO CUBAN. AFRO LATINO, AND BLACK PUERTO RICAN THING. NEVER HEARD SUCH TIL I RECENTLY GOT ON THESE BLOGS. I JUST USE TO REGULAR OLE LIGHT SKIN/ DARK SKIN BLACKS FROM MISSISSIPPI. I DON’T KNOW I’M JUST CONFUSED. WHEN SHE WAS ON MTV SHE ALWAYS MADE IT CLEAR SHE WAS PUERTO RICAN. AND THAT’S GREAT, OH WELL WHATEVER. LET HER BE WHATEVER SHE SAYS SHE IS.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:45 AM
@ memei before you start calling people stupid you should try to understand whatIT IS you ARE READING.. she never once states that she is a black latina she say BoTH my parents are from puerto Rico and theN endS with “PEOPLE SAY You don’t look Latina” and “I thought you were black!” I never said I wasn’t black. And since when does being black and being Latina have to be mutually exclusive? if she is was saying she is both why even say to someone I’m lATINA WHY NOT SAY I’m mixed…Y take so much effort to prove your latina as opposed to Black…I’m Both But I Identify with black…When some one says Are you black I tell them yes But When they see my Mom they Ask what is she…I tell people I’m Mixed Black and Puerto rican end of story …BUT LALA IS PICKING HER RACE SHE MAKES PEOPLE FEEL LIKE SHE IS PUTTING ONE ABOVE THE OTHER …iF SHE TRULY FELT MIXED SHE WOULDN’T FEEL THE NEED TO CORRECT PEOPLE WHEN THEY CALL HER EITHER OF THE RACES THAT HELP TO MAKE HER…BUT SHE DOES AND THAT THERE IS STUPID….
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:49 AM
1.I wish people would stop using the word RACE. its a made up word made up by a white man to exclude one group from another. There is one race. HUMAN.
2. Good for Lala. I’m glad that she is speaking out about something that is bothering her. I completely understand. Just like we might look at a light skinned black woman with long hair and say that she must be mixed. Why? The world needs to get over this complex with skin color, hair length, etc etc. It’s petty, and like many of you said. The world will become a better place.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:49 AM
some of you all are very ignorant. if someone asks me what i am, i say african-AMERICAN. so why shouldn’t she say black latina or black puerto rican or whatever combination she prefers. she shouldn’t have to deny her culture or where she’s from b/c some of you have this huge chip on your shoulder, always assuming that someone who is proud of their heritage is denying their blackness. please! she is what she is. get over it. she obviously is black and has no problem with that.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:50 AM
I agree with some of the people in this…I am an Anthropology professor and RACE and NATIONALITY is two totally different things. Lala is a black woman. That is her race. Her nationality is Puerto Rican. @nay…Zoe Saldana is a black woman. That is her race. Her nationality is Dominican. Zoe Saldana HERSELF tells people that she is a black woman. She understands and awknowledges the difference between race and nationality. IT IS A HUGE DIFFENCE that people just don’t understand. Those people are not stupid, they are ignorant. Ignorance is not an insult, it just means lack of knowledge. If you don’t know, you are ignorant to the fact. That doesn’t mean you are stupid. Scientifically and logically, race and nationality are 2 different things. Now at the same time, there are people who get very worked up and insulted when people consider them black. That is not a false statement. A white man from Kentucky and a Polish or British man is the exact same thing. Just white people from different countries. We can awknowledge that, but ignore the same fact with the black race. A black man from NY and a African or Dominican man is the same thing. Just black people from different countries. Please learn the FACTS and not talk because you want to condemn a race that is in your blood. This is not an opinion. IT IS A SCIENTIFIC FACT.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:51 AM
Wow, wow, wow, it still amazes me that in this day age people are so uneducated and ignorant. I was born raised in the Caribbean and although the majority of people that live there are black (depending on the island), there are a lot of Caucasian, Asian, Hispanic and many more people that were born there and have lived there all their lives. We are all West Indians ( derived from the region West Indies and not from having an Indian background ). A lot of people seem to be confused by this and i really don’t understand why. One time a co-worker said that someone didn’t look Trinidadian so i ask her what does a Trinidadian look like and she failed to answer my question.
I think if people would research the terms “race”, “culture” and “heritage” they would get a better idea. Unfortunately all this confusion is based ignorance.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:51 AM
@max and @trina … well said…point blank period. if she didn’t feel slightly uncomfortable about the black thing, she wouldn’t have released the letter.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:52 AM
I have been living this all my life and have had the same conversation that LaLa has had to explain endless amount of times growing up. I am proud to be a Latina and embrass my color, shape, and beautiful culture. My kids have the best of both worlds.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:52 AM
* “nationality” instead of culture
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:55 AM
umm…what da hell roles is lala auditioning for???
lets get to the real situation at hand…lol
it reminds me of when paul mooney said, “everybody wants to be a nigga but nobody wants to BE a nigga”.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:55 AM
Ok..who’s checking for her to fight her for what she calls herself?
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:56 AM
What is really sad is reading some of these post, just goes to show how the words are right there and people still don’t get it…the woman said she was black….damn!!! She is not saying she is not…
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:59 AM
As a black woman whose parents are from Panama I understand it’s annoying to explain this. Part of the problem is how race is treated in Latin America in general. Many folks do not want to admit to their African heritage. It’s a sad state of affairs. Even though it’s annoying to explain that yes you can be black and speak Spanish fluently, it’s always good to be able to educate folks.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:00 AM
Ummm to Truth Hurts and slam…
Well I’m Puertorican and even though I look “spanish” I never deny my african blood…I’m actually proud of it. I have aunts that look “black” it’s not that she’s ashamed of someone telling her she’s a black girl…is that she is from a Puertorican culture/background. People are soo ignorant. I don’t understand latin people ashamed of african heritage…it is also part of our culture (music, food etc. She is both black and puertorican..why does she have to choose???
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:00 AM
By her last name, I’ve always thought she was from a latin/black mixture, but why is she offended by the “biracial” assumption? I’ve been told more than once that I look like I come from different Nigerian groups, when I’m definately Black and American. That’s definatly not a rude assumption. I’m actually flattered, that maybe if NIGERIANS think I look like them, I may have some ancestors from there. Opens up the dialogue between people of different backgrounds. No harm, no foul.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:00 AM
And acting roles? all she does is VH1 Reunion shows
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:03 AM
All I am saying is that if you called a light skinned puerto rican “white” they would chop your head off!! Why does no one get offended at that.. We people from latin countries are simply proud of our heritage and rep it hard.. Black americans can’t do the same so its almost like their jealous that they don’t have a parade to go to every year and a flag to wave. The color of ur skin dosent define you. Your heritage does,, Everyone can look at my skin and see I’m a shade of brown. I’ve never met a person in my like that was a shade of BLACK!! U guys are way to caught up on the color!! Black means nothing to me.. I don’t identify with it.. My people are a mix of african, indian, and european decent.. For anyone to confirm to the option of being soley black or white is ridiculous!!!!!
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:04 AM
well my question is why are we (as a society) so concerned with labeling people…running around trying to figure out “what” someone is so we can categorize them…does it really matter? she shouldnt have to explain anything to anyone and no one should even be foolish enough to ask
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:04 AM
SOME OF YALL CAN’T READ.
SHE NEVER DENIED SHE WAS BLACK. SHE SAID THAT SHE ISN’T AFRICAN AMERICAN!
SHE JUST ADMITTED THAT SHE IS A BLACK PUERTO RICAN!!
PLEASE READ OR LEARN TO. IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:05 AM
@ trina you are stupid. What did she just say in the letter she is black and a latina. I don’t care for the rest of your life story. ‘blank stare’
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:06 AM
i have always thought she was cute..by her last name i figures she was latina…
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:08 AM
@ Anth123 well said. I think a lot of problems stem from this, people blurring the lines between race and nationality
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:08 AM
During an undergraduate Spanish class in college, I watched a video that told the history of Puerto Ricans and Domincans. The Spanish enslaved African and Indian people who then mated with each other creating both groups.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:08 AM
@ Dominican, please dont mistake our stolen identity for jealousy. No we do not have a direct connection to Africa so we do not celebrate Africa necessarily1 (besides skin color) but we celebrate ourselves through…king day…black history month…and education…accomplishments that other blacks were not able to achieve in this country… Really, waving a flag at a parade has nothing to do with culture. Ur ethnicity could be dominican, but if you have never lived there you do not have a complete understanding of that culture anyway…sooo… jealous? no
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:09 AM
It’s about GEOGRAPHY people, not race. Don’t mix the two.
La La is a black woman from Puerto Rico. She just want everyone to respect what components she is made of. She IS Puerto Rican and should not be penalised for acknowledging so. Puerto Rican is NOT a color. She IS Black, but race has nothing to do with heritage OR Geopgraphy.
What’s so hard to understand?
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:09 AM
Wow… never knew she was latina. She looks black to me. It’s a good thing she wrote this explaining her situation.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:09 AM
@ Black Puerto Rican
well said to
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:10 AM
And we need to think about who created the two options of what the makeup of race is.. White or black.. It was created by old white men who didn’t care to differentate the rest of us… And we have the audacity to conform to it!!!
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:12 AM
Good for you Lala!
Its time people recognize (BW are you listening) that black Americans come from various cultures and have family in many parts of the world (born in the US but my fam is from Nigeria). I think its great that she can speak fluent Spanish. People that we assume are Latin may not even be able to speak their native language (which is not a put down, but a reality for many).
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:12 AM
How could one NOT know??!! There are “BLACK” people all over the world…who cares?! She is a BLACK HISPANIC LATINA…so am I!
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:14 AM
Seriously, WHO CARES??? Nobody’s worrying about Lala and what she is or isn’t. The truth is she’s a chameleon who likes to be BLACK when it’s convenient and latina the rest of the time. She’s so irrelevant.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:14 AM
why is this even a conversation. Black is a race Puerto Rican/Latino is an Ethnicity that’s elementary duh.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:16 AM
No one care about how you guys are trying to decipher race, color, religion, etc…The simple fact remains that whatever her cultural identity is people will see her as what they look at. Does it make it fair, no, but that is reality. The point is, she is trying to audition for her cultural roles but are not getting them because she does not look the part. That is why she is letting casting directors to not be judgemental and understand that someones skin tone does not make them person come from a different cultural background.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:17 AM
I agree wholeheartedly! It’s stupid to think that black folks aren’t in Puerto Rico… Just like there are Black Europeans. Just because both of her parents are from Puerto Rico doesn’t mean they aren’t black. People only see black and white when there are SO many shades in between. Again, some of you are still saying she looks black… She is!!! She and her family are also Puerto Rican. Why is this so hard to understand!
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:17 AM
LaLa is alot closer than most to stating what I have felt for years – since when does your culture/country of origin define your race??? Look at the history of how the native people of some Latin countries originate – many are simply a blend created by Spanish/other Europeans mixing with African/Haitian/etc. folk (don’t forget slavery was in the mix as well). Basically, it’s just the USA who decided that Latino was another race – the census is wrong, and so are most people! Educate!!!
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:17 AM
@shelly-chelle thats what she is saying she is black (meaning skin color) but her heritage is Puerto Rican.
I am Nigerian born in the States. If asked I always say I am Nigerian not AA etc….
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:18 AM
To all of you with something negative to say please go read a book. Seriously the fact of the matter is that there are many cultures that inhabit the earth, and in one way or another we will resemble other races. Grow up and stop being ignorant! Lala just made it plan and gave a history lesson and you dog her? Please read read read read! You make yourself appear so ignorant talking foolishly about her! She is right to the 18th power! You negativity will engulf you, so wisen up and educate yourselves!
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:23 AM
Wow. I have a lot more respect for Lala after this post. I’m really glad she touched on a topic that I have been debating about for years. It’s wonderful to see such a successful woman touch on a topic that hits all corners of the world. It boils down to the unfortunate pre-disposition of what a Latina should look like. Further more, it goes beyond race and right into ignorance and judgment. Lala gets a HELL YES! from me for speaking on this in a very tasteful and intelligent manner.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:23 AM
lala sit ur flat ass down we all knew you were p.r. so please shut up with ur square ass self the only latins with flat asses r p.r. sorry honnie we all knew what u were… and p.r. think they r white alot of them sad thats why the dont like dominican cause they r latin blacks.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:24 AM
lala sit ur flat ass down we all knew you were p.r. so please shut up with ur square ass self the only latins with flat asses r p.r. sorry honnie we all knew what u were… and p.r. think they r white alot of them sad thats why the dont like dominicans cause they r latin blacks.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:26 AM
Zoe put this article on her myspace page that really broke the whole race and tje Dominican Republic down. Apparently the racism over there is crazy and to be considered black is ugly. The article states that many go by the “one drop” rule over there. Meaning that if you have “one drop” of white blood then you can consider yourselves white. The author spoke of the hardships that many black latinos faced. Said that if they ride the bus people stick stuff in their hair or ask them if they just got out of prison. The author was from the south and said that when she visited the DR she was treated worst than in the south. Zoe said in am articlr that the first time she was called a nigger was when she lived in the DR.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:27 AM
do your research. Puerto rican is a hertiage created from spanish enslaving the africans. Which is why Ricans come in a range of skin color. when jim laws were created. if you had any black you were considered black. (Due to black people in american being a range of colors after slavery)
The Rican nation saw the miss treated that happen after slavery so they wanted to distance themselves from the african heritage. If jim crow laws were created in puerto rico, then Ricans would be calling them selves black too.
That is the reality.
The sad thing is that they are so proud of the spanish hertiage but the spanish were the slave master.
I am not saying they shouldn’t be proud, but they should atleast research why they are mistaken for black so much in america.
Maybe then Rican wouldn’t be so offended for being “mistaken” for black. It called the jim crow laws.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:27 AM
I am dominican and my dad is black and my mom is white i dont say im bi-racial i say im dominican the rest is OBVIOUS in how i look..so i dont theres anything wrong wit Zoe saying shes dominican or lala saying she puerto rican same way i know MANY people who are black who say my fam is from barbados or jamaica or kenya so what?? i dont understand why automatically we wanna deny our african roots by saying “im dominican”. BTW, this post was not random it was FOR latina magazine she wrote this article for them..
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:32 AM
***Blank stare*** when LaLa tried to claim that as her real hair!! Like we all forgot those horrible weaves she used to wear on Mtv and Soul Plane….Girl please…stoppit!!!!
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:35 AM
And for those saying we have a problem with being black now that a latina is acknowledging her RACE is black now some black folks on here are criticzing her.. its so ridiculous its like we cant win. At the end of the day who the F cares what race we are..we are ALL of the human race anyway! get over it im sick of this race BS which seems to exist more with people of color than anyone else how annoying
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:35 AM
I feel you La La and the ignorant comments posted here prove her point. Try being Black American, both parents Black and being asked at least 3 times a week if you are mixed or latin…One of my 2010 resolutions is to not get upset by the questions. Because my friends want to know why I am so upset, and I don’t have a plausible answer. :(
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:41 AM
First of all I think that you ask yourself why you are going so hard on this issue. Call yourself what you want. What does it make yyou uncomfortable they people don’t recoginze where your parents are from when they look at you? What difference does it really make anyway.Who cares? Did you really need to bring this up to get some attention! I’ll stop because I really could write an essay but I think you get my point. I feel sorry for you.
You are really ignorant regarding the matter of which you speak. Apparently you do not understand the difference between Nationality and Ethnicity or so-called Race. Your parents coming from Puerto Rico means that their nationality is Puerto Rican. If one or both of them has African heritage then their ethnicity is “black”. Your ethnicity is “black” or African or Negroid. Get real La La. Seal was born in the UK. Tehchnically that makes him British in terms of his nationality and guess what- he is still black. I guess he is supposed to make a big fuss and say dammit I’m from Britian. I’m european. You make me laugh.
Get educated my sister. It is great that you want to honor your parents by revering the cultural aspects that they raised you with (speaking spanish, eating aros con gandules). I eat fried rice that does not make me Chinese. I’ll stop because I really could write an essay but I think you get my point. I feel sorry for you.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:43 AM
She’s black. She’s Latin. Why SHOuLD she have to put a hyphen in between these words, as if she is an “exception ” and not AS black, Latin, or American as the rest (the majority)? White people don’t call themselves Euoropean-American like AAs… and yet most AAs have been in the US longer (Irish, Polish, Italians came in the 1900s).
And also people need to stop thinking blacks around the world have the same culture and thus HISTORY. When people say something like “African-American” it doesn’t just assume what you look like but also your ancestors HISTORY. If you come from or your parents come from another country, your ancestors’ history is different!
Sure if there are two people who are black, they may share the identification of being black (if we go on by the definition of having African ancestors). But how can we call a (black) Somali, Kenyan, etc “African American” when their history is different than the definition assumes (from U.S. slave trade, to emancipation, to U.S. civil rights, and all the figures that influenced politcal issues and culture,etc)?
Just imagine if you (assuming you’re black and identify strongly with the history of blacks in the US) were abroad, if you had kids abroad and were raising them… let’s say in Sudan. Yea like most there you are black, but your history is different. And now with kids you would probably want to stress your American history, culture (from food to traditions ), and language (English) and your kids have to balance being SUDANESE and AMERICAN.
And yes there were be plenty there who will be soo baffled that you are BLACK and AMERICAN (people still think Americans are just white).
So it’s not about trying to shun one for the other… its just about saying “this where im from, this is what influences me, and though we share a lot there are many things we do not”.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:46 AM
@beautifuldaidreamer @ TruthHurts
You totally missed the point. Her point is why CAN’T she be both? Why does she have to be labeled as only Black or only Latina?
100% cosign…
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:47 AM
They have college courses dedicated to these subjects. So I can understand the confusion people may feel. Hell, I’m even more confused about what Lala was trying to say after reading these comments. I really didn’t care what the hell she was until she brought it up.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:50 AM
And I wonder why is she of any importance? No disrespect but I’m wondering why we care about people who are famous from having kids by someone famous?
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:51 AM
I understand what she’s saying. There are alot of ignorant people out there and trying to explain the difference between race and nationality can become tiresome. It’s just like when people assume that ALL blacks should be called African-American. First of all, there are plenty of WHITE AFRICANS that migrate and become US citizens and are AFRICAN-AMERICANS. As well as BLACK AFRICANS who do the same. It really doesn’t matter because in the end before we even open our mouths, we’re all black.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:53 AM
I’m w/ you LaLa. I’ve never seen Zoey, or Christina Milian get a role playing a hispanic. America loves to put people in boxes regardless of whether you fit in them, and it upsets me.
It upsets me even more that Black people believe that only Black people come from America. 1. Slavery did not just take place in the U.S. and 2. Latin America has almost the EXACT same history as the U.S., so this shouldn’t confuse people.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:56 AM
What people do not understand is that most Latin and Hispanics do not want to be considered anything but their heritage. I see this all of the time due to me being both African-American and Panamanian [in short terms, one of my parents is from Panama]. The Panamanian side of my family does not always identify themselves as being Black, they see themselves as Panamanian and that’s fine with me because hey, that’s what they are comfortable with and it demonstrates the pride that they have for their birthplace aka home. To most Latins and Hispanics, it’s a complete insult to be called anything but what their heritage is. To some it’s the only way they can truly identify who they are due to race being so common. Like previous poster mentioned, Zoe Saldana considers herself a Dominican actress, not a Black actress but Dominican.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:57 AM
Call me what you want but as an African American, who refers to themself as Black, I don’t think this is an issue. I think Latinos and Hispanics are just that, Latinos and Hispanics. That term in and of itself includes many cultures. The term Black, for me, identifies those persons of African descent living in the USA. I frequently hear other people of color define themselves by there country of origin, black British are British (or Caribbean etc), Cubans are Cubans, dark or light, Nigerians are Nigerians.
I think she is probably just confusing somewhat ignorant people by saying she’s black because the Latinos and Hispanics I know make it very clear what their nationality is; I’ve lived in Miami & NYC and I am seriously trying to remember an instance where a Latino referred to themselves as Black & didn’t mention their country of origin in the same sentence and I can’t think of one instance…not one.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:57 AM
I think what needs to be stated is the unpleasant aftertaste that many immigrants of color tend to leave in your mouth. The truth: Many of them feel they’re better than African Americans. That’s including Caribbean’s, Africans, Euro-Africans & Latinos. I live in NYC…the Dominicans are just as black as night, The Puerto Ricans don’t like the Dominicans, some Puerto Rican’s think they’re white, the Africans don’t want nothing but your braid money or your cab money and all the men from these cultures want white women.
Just look at the Major League Baseball.
But the truth is African Americans built this great nation of the United States from the beginning, from one of the harshest forms of slavery (chattel) making it possible for immigrants of color to reap the benefits of the American Dream.
Yet somehow this history is always skewed or disrespected. Believe you me. I’m first generation Caribbean and it wasn’t till I took some history lessons in college that I began to understand the dynamic history of the African American. The rest of my family couldn’t give two shits…they think African Americans are scared of a job…and I know for a fact that most Afro Latinos are afraid of they’re own five o’clock shadow…
They are the worst when it coms to their African heritage. They deny deny deny…like John Edwards…look at all the MLB players…they’re black but they’re Dominican and act as if they’re raceless….
I can go on and on…if we’ve all learned one thing from these blogs…to be black is not something to be proud of if you aren’t proud of it…
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:58 AM
NikNak,
Zoe Saldana has had a role where she was considered Latin/Hispanic. If you watched her earlier role, before Drumline, which was a Dominican ballet dancer in Center Stage. You can tell she was not Black due to her name being Eva Rodriguez and her family looking like they were Latin/Hispanic.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:59 AM
When are we going to learn that we cannot determine a person’s racial background based soley on skin color. I am an African American women and married to a coco skinned Black man, but our little girl is very light. When we are alone people always look at me, and I can tell they are trying to figure out if my Husband is white. I even had a church sister that constantly asked me why my daughter was so light and where her skin color came from in our blood line! I think she may have been implying that either me or my Husband was not her biological parent, I just could not figure out who she thought the cheater was (LOL!!!). I say all this to say embrace a person of color not matter what, because truth be told we are all mixed up with some other race in some way.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:59 AM
And I’m so over people talking about “admitting” to Blackness.
Being Black is nothing to be ashamed of, and maybe if some of you would stop associating words like “admit” w/ it, people would stop thinking something’s wrong w/ it.
Black people are the first ones to run w/ “But you’re Black …” trying to claim everybody and their mother.
If someone doesn’t want to be Black, why on earth would I want them as a Black person.
All of Black America needs a big therapy session, seriously.
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:00 PM
I’m so tired of you IDIOTS thinking its ok for these people to say that they are black. America has allowed any and everybody to claim that they are black. Clearly LaLa and other celebs claim that they are black when its convenient or when they get a check for it. LaLa is not black…her parents are not from africa or were from africa and enslaved here IN AMERICA. ITS SO STUPID to let these bi-racial, mixed, multi-racial people claim that they are black when its convenient. For example if a company or school has a quota to fill and a multi-racial person is an applicant they can claim “black” if they have the slightest drop of black blood in them according to america’s way of thinking…LALA I hope you read this…you and your “baby daddy” are not black…your are Latina(?) And your “baby’s daddy” is mixed…SINCE WHEN DOES HALF OF SOMETHING AND HALF OF SOMETHING ELSE MAKE A WHOLE BLACK PERSON? YOUR ARE EITHER MIXED OR MULTI-RACIAL HOW BOUT WE GET PEOPLE TO START CLAIMING THAT ON THE CENSUS THAT WAY YALL CAN HAVE YALL OWN LIL SECTION…WITH NO CONFUSION…HMMM.
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:02 PM
Lala youre just trying to explain away your black heritage. NOT GONNA HAPPEN! Are you mad that you look black? Nobody cares! We are understand that Latin people want nothing to do w/their Black side and that is fine. Why do SOOOO many Hispanic people that look Black hate the way they look?
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:03 PM
White Africans? Gurl Bye.
Soon as they hit America shores they’re white. Don’t delude yourself. There’s also a tone difference between foreigners and immigrants.
Foreigners are European and Immigrants are usually brown people.
A Black African will never be on par with a white (colonizer) African and don’t you forget it.
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:04 PM
I took a “Black Woman in America” class in college and my professor was black but she was from Cuba and her last name was Rodriguez. She refered to herself as an Afra-Cuban and made a point to break the whole race and ethnicty thing down.
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:05 PM
i have the same problem… i overhear people talking about me in french, spanish, or italian. not knowing i am fluent in all three. i simply reply with care what you say you don’t know what languages i speak. then they look at me baffled as if i was supposed to only speak english… I respond i am from a latin speaking country in the caribbean and they are astonished. I thought she was black… even if i was black, you dont know what languages i speak. my skin tone is mulatto. my hair is dark and curly and i have light eyes… this is not the typical look of “spanish native” however my question to you is what is the look of a spanish native? or french native? or italian native for that matter? open your eyes, this world is culture diverse. we can not just be limited to assume someone’s ethnic (note i did not say race for a reason) background just because of their physical features or dialect. I have spoken to people from many cultures and i have gotten the same remark from all… “you are Morracan/Ethiopian/Mixed/Black and something/Italian and something/A mutt/ South African/ Brazilian/ Puerto Rican/ Jamaican/ Trini/ Guyanese” etc etc. and the most ignorant one was “I’ll tell you what you’re not… you’re not hispanic.” You’d be surprised to know where people are from and what languages they speak if you just ask instead of assuming.
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:06 PM
And we care because……..
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:06 PM
For those who don’t understand, if she were to fill out a job application and she gets to the part where it asks her about her race, she would check: Black….then she would go down and check: Of Latin decent! Get it???
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:12 PM
Ppl get educated on the african diaspora …don’t be a fool, go to school!
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:13 PM
@Winter,
I think you missed the point.
She is saying that she is equally as hispanic as a non-Black hispanic. She is JUST AS Puerto Rican as Jennifer Lopez.
Because her parents are Black does not mean that she can no longer be Hispanic.
Hispanic ISN’T a race, it’s a made up term to identify the people who come from Spanish-speaking countries of the Americas.
Just as noone (w/ the exception of Native Americans and there’s some argument against that as well)from the U.S. is truly from the U.S., they may have immigrated hundreds of years ago, or 50 years ago.
The same holds true for Latin American countries. W/ the exception of the Indians (who bear relation to U.S. Native Americans) everyone else generally originate from Europe or Africa. A lot more mixing took place in Latin American countries, so when you see a typical Hispanic,you are seeing a mixed person especially especially a mix of white and Indian.
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:14 PM
I think she and Zoe can call themselves whatever they want. But when the role calls for a black actress. Don’t go for the audition or take the part. Keep going for the roles that ask for Latina that Jennifer and Sofia would get.
I don’t understand why someone would get offended for referring to her as black. That’s what you see first. That is only natural. Now if you say your heritage or ancestry is from Puerto Rico and they don’t believe you that is their ignorance not yours. So I think she has a problem with being called black. Hell even the President refers to himself as a black man of mixed heritage.
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:17 PM
How can people sit here and say they thought Lala was black. Her last name speaks for itself. I knew she was puerto rican. All this Latino/Latina or puerto rican and dominican what is the difference? Why do dominicans say they are different from puerto ricans? Their race and background whether they have dark or light skin they are not consider black. Black people have their light and dark skin so does it even matter. we as individual know who we are. Shit if Lala wants to clear stuff up– I heard that her boo Carmello Anthony is puerto rican. Just sayin.
But in reality who cares. Neither one of them is paying my bills, lol
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:25 PM
LaLa is absolutely correct. I’ve been to San Juan, Peurto Rico and the people there are for one gorgeous and two, all different shades. I was even shocked to have a guy come up to me, be darker than I was and speak Spanish. It totally threw me because you just don’t expect it. After going I’m no longer ignorant to it and know that Peurto Rican’s come in all shades. Good job on what you wrote LaLa. It was very well said and articulated.
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:26 PM
It’s soo different culturally here because it’s soo black/white and one drop rule bull crap. I know there’s racist latin americans but in my experience being puerto rican, we’re all one culture..we like the same music, food and we act and talk pretty much the same no matter what color you are. Speaking for myself I love black people lol and I think black is beautiful and no i don’t think i’m better or look better because I’m lighter and have straight hair. But yah people let’s educate ourselves on the AFRICAN DIASPORA. google it. wikipedia it. Knowledge is power.
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:31 PM
I’ve always thought LaLa was black/mexican,not that it mattered one way or the other because I’ve liked her and how she carried herself.I am glad that she broke it down to me so now I know.And I never get offended when deny they’re black,so what hell half the time some of the dumb shit our people do is an EMBARRASSMENT.I AM PROUD TO BE BLACK but at the same time I don’t knock the people who are not proud of it its their choice.LIVE AND LET LIVE!
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:31 PM
@mocha there is a difference between being dominican and being puerto rican. i’m both so i know that everything is different. we may have similarities but just ’cause we’re “neighbors” doesn’t mean we’re the same. plus you mentioned ealier that we dominicans should admit to be african and not indians (something to that effect) but we’re both. you think the island was just empty when slaves where brought over. i proud to say that yes african roots are in my blood but you can forget what also is out there
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:37 PM
Carmelo is NOT PR his mom who is Black claims his dad is, whom he is has never met……..
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:40 PM
FYI Carmello’s ass is black.not that it matters jus facts.
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:41 PM
As far as I’m concerned, latinos are just black and white people who speak spanish. Simple as that. Black americans are called black mainly due to the tone of their skin. Just as whites are called whites mainly due to the color of their skin. Of course you have other features that differ (i.e. hair texture, physical features, etc.)
Black latinos = LaLa, Sammy Sosa, Rosie Perez, most Dominicans, etc.
White latinos = JLo, her hubby, Jessica Alba, Salma Hayek, etc.
Call me crazy but I think there should be a requirement in this country to have diverse neighborhoods. No more black neighborhood, white neighborhood, spanish neighborhoods, asian, etc. Every other house or apartment should be a different race. That would force us to get along to learn & respect each other’s cultures, etc.
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:44 PM
who gives a fuck what u are LALA!!! u have bigger things to focus on like ACTUALLY getting married to carmelo, whenever that happens..somebody please have a REUNION SHOW so she can do her dam job and STFU about her personal life..GEEEZ!
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:47 PM
This is what happens when idiots don’t read. She’s not saying there is anything wrong with being black, but she is bringing the awareness out that her heritage is Puerto Rican. We have this problem among Black people, people think I’m Jamaican and I’m African. LaLa is simply pointing out that although she is Latina what makes it different from being black. when you look at her she looks Black but she has a different blood. Doesn’t mean she hates Black people.
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:47 PM
We are all mutts and we got everything in us somewhere down the line. it don’t matter the color of the skin its not even important.
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:54 PM
i just wish us “african americans” knew what country in afica we originated from.
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:55 PM
It all boils down to people knowing and acknowleging their culture and the history that goes behind it..She is noting that she is a black latino meaning she is black and can speak spanish and that is her heritage. Just like some people have no clue that being brazilian is not just fair\white of portuguese descent, but that the second largest black population outside of Africa is from Brazil and speak portugese. Get it togethor people and learn geography and history.
Thu, January 21, 2010 12:57 PM
I think Lala is a great mom. Sounds like she has a good head on her shoulders.
Thu, January 21, 2010 1:00 PM
would her son be considered puerto rican too?
Thu, January 21, 2010 1:00 PM
if she really was going to preach and teach she should have. Decades ago AFRICANS migrated to Puerto Rico thus resulting in the darker skin tone for some . My probelm is other cultures denying the African part of their heritage. If ur going to teach Lala break it down so the ignorant can be shamed.
Thu, January 21, 2010 1:05 PM
i thought nationality meant where you were born..so shouldnt lala and zoe’s nationality be “American” and Ethinic Origin be ..Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic?. Why would lala or zoe have to claim black? Every country has their mix of different races. Just because lala and zoe have dark skin doesnt mean they have to say im black puertorican or im black dominican. they can just fully state what theyre ethnic origin is and move on. all the other crap is nonsense.
Thu, January 21, 2010 1:14 PM
Boricuas come in all colors we are a mix of Spaniard, African and Taino Indian and that is what makes our cultural so unique and beautiful! Most Latin American countries are mixed with Indian, European decent and African decent. People need to get over stereotypes and embrace different cultures and I wish hollywood would show different types of Latinas because we do not all resemble JLO! Go to Carolina, Canovanos, Loiza in PR those town are close to San Juan!
Thu, January 21, 2010 1:19 PM
“And since when does being black and being Latina have to be mutually exclusive?”
Can someone go and tell Zoe Saldana this, please? Everytime this site and other black Web sites talk about her, I roll my eyes. This girl doesn’t want anything to do with black people unless it involves getting a check for her latest movie. I really want to like Zoe, but I distinctly remember reading an article in Latina magazine a while back where she did that whole “I’m not black, I’m Dominican” thing. No body ever said she wasn’t Latina, but like a lot of Latinos, she’s runs from any mention of her name and black in the same sentence(I’m looking at your Sammy Sosa). This is all despite the fact that she plays black women 90% of the time. She’s actually a good actress, but I’m not a fan because self-hate is not attractive.
Thu, January 21, 2010 1:22 PM
For everyone that says Lala is just fronting and she is really black. You really need to just stay quiet because it shows your ignorance. Obviously you aren’t well traveled because if you have ever taken a trip to Puerto Rico you will see that they come in all shades. I Absolutley Hate ignorant people. People please open a book, travel and educate yourself
Thu, January 21, 2010 1:32 PM
@jjay zoe saldana shouldnt say shes black. Because she isnt she is a mixture of different races..Is there black in her? Obviously, but thats not the only race. Point is she is DOMINICAN. there is no self-hate there is no denying. DOMINICAN DOMINICAN DOMINICAN. POINT BLANK!
Thu, January 21, 2010 1:36 PM
im dominican. light skin, light eyes, straight hair. If i was to yell out im black. I’ll be looked at funny. Do i have black in my family? of course IM DOMINICAN! Do i have indian, white of course IM DOMINICAN! wtf i should only be able to state my ethnic origin and nothing else and not have to explain anything else to anybody. Just like lala or zoe. Im with them 100%
Thu, January 21, 2010 1:36 PM
her voice is annoying. hate her
Thu, January 21, 2010 1:40 PM
I totally agree! My family is from Honduras and we come in all shades. I, myself, look African American but I have experienced this ignorance all my life and it definitely is unfortunate. I fluently speak Spanish and it obviously does NOT sound like it was something I was taught in school. Since I look black, I am immediately told that I’m not spanish, but 100% black …
Thu, January 21, 2010 1:46 PM
Her son would be considered half puerto rican! duh!!!…But what she is saying is true, i am guilty of thinking she wasnt p.rican because she looks “black” but that is so stereotypical, and I have stopped judging ppl.
Thu, January 21, 2010 1:53 PM
My life is a nutshell. Speak on it! I am from Dominican Republic and go through the same speeches. News flash ” I am black” , I am of Latina culture but I am racially black. I am a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated and people get so confused that I am fluent in Spanish. It’s 2010 folk..complexity. The diaspora was a real thing.
Thu, January 21, 2010 1:59 PM
Color can come in a variety. My lil boy and baby girl have a really nice caramel compelxion with reddish/brown (auburn) hair. Me and hubby are brown skin with black hair. When my son was a baby people thought he was biracial. One time a nurse asked my mom if his dad was white? He’s three now and both him and my daughter could pass for biracial, but they are not. I get upset when people ask where they get their “red hair” from? Freakin genetics…..obviously someone generations ago had red hair. Just because you see two brown people doesnt mean they cant make lighter babies and vice versa!!!!
Thu, January 21, 2010 2:00 PM
@ANTH123 .. I would hate to be your class. RACE is NOT a scientific fact. It is made up.
Thu, January 21, 2010 2:15 PM
america was built upon race differences, thrives off races, and always wills.
If it was not the case why do we need to fill out our race at all on all application? why not just nationality!!!!!
EVERYTHING HERE IS BASED ON RACE.. BE NAIVE IF YOU WANT!!!!!
- How do you kill the black race= dilute it
black men are now putting all races(light, white, 1st gen. mutt, foreign) before black women… but black women still look to black men first!!!!
Thu, January 21, 2010 2:22 PM
Congrats to her for addressing the issue and being confident in who she is. I hope she finds the strength to go to those auditions though and set those ignorant film execs straight.
Thu, January 21, 2010 2:23 PM
@star It’s obviouos that she’s not black by the way she is shaped. What exactly does that mean? I am black both my mother and father and I have no hips or ass but plenty of breast so what does that mean? I have always thought that Lala was mixed because of her last name. I like it that she clarified what she is exactly and she acknowledged that she doesnt have a problem with being called black she was just stating that its more to her. Thanks Lala for setting the record straight.
Thu, January 21, 2010 2:25 PM
LaLa is the only bald headed Puerto Rican with a hair weave ive seen thus far..um I think she has some black in her as well as Latin. But she can be what ever floats her boat. Maybe the next nose job will work next time Lala lol.
Thu, January 21, 2010 2:38 PM
this is the problem with people today. WHATS WRONG WITH BEING A BLACK GIRL????????? please somebody tell me!
Thu, January 21, 2010 2:38 PM
I have a new foudn respect for LaLa. I have always been baffled by lame commenters who say ‘oh well I am Latina not black’ and they are as black as day (eg that Cecille girl – dunno if I spelt it right). The other day I was watching Tyra and my jaw nearly hit the floor – well it did – when she introduced a guest and said well she is not black she is Latina – she is just heavily honey coloured….like wtf Tyra???? You are supposed to be more educated than that (in my books anyway). Thanks Lala
Thu, January 21, 2010 2:38 PM
are people not reading? She said she IS Black. A Black Hispanic. How is this escaping some of you.
I understand that reading more than three lines at a time can be taxing for some of you, but sweet Jesus, READ!!!!!
Thu, January 21, 2010 2:47 PM
OMG…I totally understand why she’s tired of talking about it, but that’s exactly why you have to be perfectly clear when you do.
There are three races in the world, caucasoid, negroid, and mongoloid. You are either one, or the other, or a combination.
Puerto Rico is the name of a country, and Puerto Rican is a nationality, nothing more, nothing less. In the country of Puerto Rico, there are whites, blacks,Asians and mixed people. The same thing exists in America, where there are black, white, mixed, or Asian people. They are all Americans, just like they are all Puerto Rican. The only difference is who conquered the territory. Puerto Rico was colonzied by Spanish speakers, America was colonized by English speakers.
Although, Lala clearly states that she can be both, she doesn’t clearly state, that she is a proud Black Latina. She seems to be defending her “Latina” heritage, because people always think that she’s black, and she’s both.
Puerto Ricans tend to be a mix between Taino Native Americans, Spanish slave owners, and African slaves. By looking at Lala’s RACE, not her nationality, she is clearly a BLACK PUERTO RICAN. Now that she lives in America, and is clearly an American citizen, she has dual nationality, so she is also a BLACK AMERICAN…why can’t she be both LMAOOOOOOOO!
Thu, January 21, 2010 2:47 PM
It’s sad that LaLa has to contantly explain herself, but the majority of people on this earth are ignorant to different races/cultures because they havn’t been exposed to them. You gotta read and watch more than BS tv shows.
Any why don’t people know that ALL people of color are just that….people of color. The original people that God created. We all come in different shades,but we ALL have MELANIN in our skin.
Thu, January 21, 2010 2:49 PM
@jjay zoe saldana shouldnt say shes black. Because she isnt she is a mixture of different races..Is there black in her? Obviously, but thats not the only race. Point is she is DOMINICAN. there is no self-hate there is no denying. DOMINICAN DOMINICAN DOMINICAN. POINT BLANK!
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so Zoey should not emancipate herself from mental slavery? Whoever told you that there are no black Hispanic peoples??????? They are not all red indians some were black for obvious historic reasons. The earliest blacks were not even slaves – they were traders….big ol traders. History should be mandatory and I dont mean selective history!
Thu, January 21, 2010 2:58 PM
wow la la..I’m very impressed. As a morena (that means brown in spanish) latina myself I get extra tired of ignorant ppl thinking that all hispanic ppl can only look like Jennifer Lopez (who I love btw, just making a point). We come in several shades of brown and we’re not all “denying” being black..what’s so bad about being black?? (sounds like their hang up not mine).. I really appreciate her shedding some light and it’s sad that in 2010 the ignorance is still alive and well
Thu, January 21, 2010 2:59 PM
Well, I applaud LaLa for speaking up. I have a mixture of Cuban and Creole(Native American Indian)in me. But, at the end of the day I’m considered black and I have no problem with that. The funny thing is that I have long jet black hair and brown skin with a red tone. Some blacks look at me and the first thing they say is, “you’re not all black what are you mixed with” and then I have Latin’s or people from islands that come up to me and say the same thing. So I would suggest everyone learning their background culture and become aware and educated of who you are. I feels great to know my background and be able to share that with others. I understand LaLa and it is great that she spoke out and up and gave everyone a quick lesson!
Thu, January 21, 2010 3:00 PM
Hey, I’m not hispanic but I know where LaLa is coming from.. I live in So Cal and I have an old friend who is CUBANO and when MEXICANS hear him speak spanish, why is it that it’s so surprising to them that a black person of DARKER SKIN speaks spanish..They think they own the language..Rosie Perez said on the Arsenio Hall show that hispanics can look like any black person they don’t have to necessarily look like an aztec/indian…Spanish speaking people do have dark skin, nappy hair and speak spanish..Like my uncle always said the US is the most prejudice country…WAKE UP PEOPLE…
Thu, January 21, 2010 3:03 PM
HISPANICS ARE BLACK THEY HAVE BLACK IN THEM…CULTURALLY THEY ARE DIFFERENT!!! like me i’m black but i have creole heritage (french and black descendants from louisiana)
Thu, January 21, 2010 3:08 PM
@antiidiot i never said there wernt any black hispanics but they shouldnt have to state that they are black. I just dont think they should have to claim theyre black or anyother race except for their nationality. Especially coming from such a mixed country like Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. I have a question, Im light skin, light eyes and straight hair and both parents come from dominican republic. Yet most of my family and my grandparents are dark skin. What am i considered? a white hispanic or a black hispanic? am i only considered a black hispanic if my skin is black? Im lost here!! Really I am, im not being sarcastic…Can someone school me?
Thu, January 21, 2010 3:21 PM
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RACE AND ETHNICITY… IN LALA’S CASE… HER RACE IS BLACK AND HER ETHNICITY IS PUERTO RICAN.
Thu, January 21, 2010 3:30 PM
From reading some comments its seem America has not progressed much, even with the election of Obama and ESPECIALLY with people of color. African Diaspora existed in ALL of america not just the US. Knowledge is power.
Thu, January 21, 2010 3:30 PM
Boring, black people only want to tell you about their culture if it is not directly African. ‘Oh I’m a quarter Chinese, I’m an eighth Russian, I’m a tenth Arab…” etc. I wouldn’t mind but you never hear any American black stars struggling to tell you their parents are from Ghana or Nigeria. Beyonce for example is always trying to push her ‘French Creole’ side, however there is a ringing silence when it comes to her father who clearly IS NOT ‘French Creole’. We know there are many black latinos / latinas in the world, Lala VASQUEZ has NOT discovered how to split the atom and is clearly not hanging round with the right people if she is always having these conversations. What a waste of life.
Thu, January 21, 2010 3:45 PM
@ sg
Read my post again. I never said….
dominicans should admit to be african and not indians (something to that effect) but we’re both.
Thanks
Thu, January 21, 2010 3:54 PM
Look,I think being black is an american thing. Yes people, dont like the color of darker skin. And they feel animosity towards being black probably because of the reputation “black” people have all over the world. But fuck color. Like there are some Africans who dont like being called black. Color is a hard thing to brace. So people just go by their nationality. It doesnt that all of them hate being black but some people like being identified by their native culture, in their native country, where they grew up.
Thu, January 21, 2010 3:59 PM
I think it’s funny how everyone wants LALA to say she is black well what about our spaniard and taino background do those get forgotten,we are a mixture of all three one does not dominate.
Thu, January 21, 2010 4:02 PM
My name is also Lala and i am also puerto rican and also get stares when i start speaking spanish in front of strangers…because I have blue eyes & light skin!! even my own family calls me “nenita blancita” (little white girl)..but i am who i am & at the end of the day I am a PROUD puerto rican! Love you LaLa!!
Thu, January 21, 2010 4:02 PM
Honestly, why is it a big deal? Why is race important in 2010!!! I mean who cares, black, white, Asian, Indian, etc. your still a HUMAN BEING at the end of the day. I think we put way to much focus on WHAT we are instead of WHO we are. WE ARE ALL MIXED with different heritages not just one, nobody is pure anything. Yes, their is a big difference between race and ethnicity. Spanish/Hispanic is not a race! There are techincally three race classification which are BLACK, WHITE, and ASIAN! It is no big secret (at least to me) that their are black spanish people or white spanish people. I don’t see the point in getting mad, most people are still going to base what you are on what you look like, at the end of the day and that doesn’t necessary makes a person ignorant or racist.
For example: President Obama is biracial but he looks like a black man! So most people would assume he is black if they didn’t know him personally, same as Halle Berry and a few others. People go by first impresion once they get to know you so why get mad? I’ am light skin black woman and some people assume that I’am either Hispanic (in which some Hispanic people actually speaks Spanish to me) or biracial, but I don’t get mad, I just correct them and we both move on. See it is not that serious.
@ Keepin it real and Max…CO-Sign competely!!!
I agree, I think Lala needs to direct this mostly at Latin America first! It is no secret that Latin America place an emphasis on skin color and are a bit racist themselves. I know plenty of dark skin hispanic people that has African heritage in them but some deny it and would get mad if you call them out on it by saying I’ am NOT black as if being black is the lowest thing on the totem pole! For example, Eva Longoria states that her family use to make fun of her because she was dark skin as a child but praised her sisters who were light skin with light color hair and eyes. So before you can educate the rest of the world, you need to take the this debate to the heart of the problem which is in Latin America.
Thu, January 21, 2010 4:14 PM
People really give a hoot about all this! seriously though!
Thu, January 21, 2010 4:29 PM
I grew up in Brooklyn also and blacks and Puerto Ricans grew up together as one. A Puerto Rican used the N word just as much as blacks did and it wasn’t no thing. I love my Puerto Rican people to this day. I would never date a white guy but I’d date a PR in a heartbeat. Don’t let’em make you ashamed of your heritage gurl, you’re beautiful. Live your life and stop worry’n about what other people think.
Thu, January 21, 2010 4:30 PM
Wow Americans are funny.
Nationality and race are two different things.Nationality is your place of birth or if you citizen of a country by Naturalization.Technically the real Latins are actually the Italians.The Latino term is being mis-used in the U.S. Italians,French,Portuguese,Sapnish etc.. are all Latins,not just Spanish speaking people.I don’t understand why Americans also referred to everyone of Spanish speaking countries Spanish even when they are not from Spain.
African slaves were sent throughout the Americas,Brasil,Colombia,Haiti,Puerto Rico etc….
Well being Puerto Rico,Dominican,Cuban is not a race but a Nationality.
How come Whites don’t have that issue? accept non-Whites,specifically of Spanish speaking countries.
If you meet a White person from France,they are French by nationality but they are still proud to be White.The same goes if they are from Germany,Poland,etc…..
So Lala,Zoe Saldana are Blacks by race but culturally are Latin/Caribbean.Majority of Blacks in the Americas are mixed anyway,so Dominicans or Puerto Ricans are nothing special in that case.
In a way Brasilians,Haitian can be considered Latins as well.Since French and Portuguese are part of the Latin/Romance language and culture.
Thu, January 21, 2010 4:31 PM
@OOOH
What’s the “reputation that black people have all over the world”?
Thu, January 21, 2010 4:33 PM
I nderstand how Lala feels, it is super annoying how people can be so ignorant. Being from Reunion an island where u found all skin shades from dark black to light/white black, i’ve been subject to these kinda questions. Being asked wat are u? I’m always like humm!!! Even though am very light skinned with long hair, I know am black bcs like any islander i carry about 80% black blood on my veins even though there is some asian and european down the line. But itz annoying when u tell some1 ur black, but they still judge u based on ur skin colour and ur hair texture. Some people need to grown a brain and read history of Africa and its people who r scattered all ova the world in different shades.
Thu, January 21, 2010 4:49 PM
u Americans sure know how to segregate &distinguish…
i just can’t comprehend how race or ethnicity is relevant to sum1’s existence
Thu, January 21, 2010 4:53 PM
@lol
You speak about “us Americans” sure know how to segregate and distinguish…YET isn’t that what YOU just did with YOUR comment..
Pot calling the kettle black (non pun intended)
Thu, January 21, 2010 4:54 PM
@ ANTH123
I appreciate you giving feedback about differences between nationality and race however some of your information is not accurate. No disrespect but there are differences between race, nationality, ethnicity, and culture. Your response spoke more towards ethnicity than nationality.
When it comes down to it LaLa’s nationality is American. She didn’t state that she was born in Puerto Rico, she said both of her parents were. It was my understanding that she was born in New York and then moved to New Jersey. Her cultural backgrounds stems from Puerto Rico.
One more thing, to the people who were offended that she didn’t just sum things up by saying she was bi-racial or mixed, well she’s not. She clearly stated that BOTH of her parents were from Puerto Rico. Her son however has a mixture of American and Puerto Rican heritage.
Peace :)
Thu, January 21, 2010 5:00 PM
BIG CYBER HUGS for Keepin it Real, Winter and Mirabella…..Well said.
Thu, January 21, 2010 5:10 PM
@SMH….i said “u Americans” because evidently i’m not American…i thought that was obvious…
Thu, January 21, 2010 5:11 PM
AND DO U EAT HAM HOCKS, GREENS, AND CORNBREAD THEN
Thu, January 21, 2010 5:12 PM
yea whatever.. there’s a mixture of races all over the world. who cares Lala. NEXT!
Thu, January 21, 2010 5:14 PM
FIRST OF ALL PUERTO RICAN IS NOT A RACE. BUT I UNDERSTAND WHAT SHE IS SAYING. MOST LATINOS ARE BLACK. I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND WHY ITS SO EASY FOR AMERICA TO VIEW BLACKS AS BLACK AND NEVER ANYTHING ELSE. WE ARE LATINA AS WELL. I ONLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE WHO TRY TO SAY THAT THEY ARE NOT BLACK.
Thu, January 21, 2010 5:16 PM
First of all ONe is a Race and the other is Ethnicity, Puerto Rican is a Ethnicity just like Russian is a Ethnicity, Black is a Race, u can be Black Puerto Rican, just like u can be a Black Russian
Thu, January 21, 2010 5:17 PM
posted by ccd
Thu, January 21, 2010 3:08 PM
@antiidiot i never said there wernt any black hispanics but they shouldnt have to state that they are black. I just dont think they should have to claim theyre black or anyother race except for their nationality. Especially coming from such a mixed country like Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. I have a question, Im light skin, light eyes and straight hair and both parents come from dominican republic. Yet most of my family and my grandparents are dark skin. What am i considered? a white hispanic or a black hispanic? am i only considered a black hispanic if my skin is black? Im lost here!! Really I am, im not being sarcastic…Can someone school me?
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That is the problem right there. Why should they not be proud of who they are – BLACK? Let me tell you something for nothing. White people do not acknowledge anyone who is non white as theirs. You would be considered black if your family is black. It’s not about skin colour. I have a friend who lives in Port Elizabeth, South Africa who is lighter than Mariah Carey. She is so light you can see all the green veins running through her. She has 2b/3 type hair. Both her parents are black through and through. I call her orange Abigail for S’s and G’s. She never claims to be mixed although she easily could. My best friend is mixed. Her father is white and her mother is black albeit very light. When her father got her mother pregnant – his family disowned her and her mother was ashamed of having a mixed baby and so she was raised in the rural areas….hidden away. She cosideres herself black. She has a white brother who spits when he sees her. White people are not that into you…stop thinking they are. Happily all that negativity is behind her now (although she is scarred) and she now has a family of her own that accepts her. Know your history its very important.
Thu, January 21, 2010 5:23 PM
There are millions of afro latinos. I don’t understand why so many americans think it’s weird that there are black latinos. For example Colombia has a pretty large % of black ppl.
Here’s a picture of Shakira in Colombia surronded by black colombian kids.
Funny thing is if those kids came to america many ppl would be shocked because they are black with spanish names and they speak spanish and come from a country outside America lol
Thu, January 21, 2010 5:26 PM
I didn’t take the hour to read all the above comments so excuse me if i repeat a point…
I’m taking Black psych in undergrad and it took me a while to realize that ethnicity and race are mutually exclusive. Meaning in LALA’s case she is from Puerto Rico but looks African American. Her race in America is Black but her ethnicity is Puerto Rican. Just like there are Black Canadians… All people of darker skin tones originated in Africa but got dispersed during slavery. I wish more people took the time to explore their heritage instead of relying on shallow labels.
Thu, January 21, 2010 5:29 PM
lala
who cares!
no i need to write a 3 letter paragrah stating my desents. We are all mixed with everything under the sun we don’t sit there and write an essay on it. It sounds like you have issues way deeper then what we percieve. THE ONLY THING I WANT TO KNOW IS LALA. IS WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO VISIT THE DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR THYROID ISSUE!!! your gigantic eyes are killing me softly.
but seriously though you put yourself in this industry that is based on judgement. a few comments from people just stating your black you should not prompt you to write this nonsense. i hope you are writting an essay about your sons nationality and race as well since you cleary have all the time in the world to do one
Thu, January 21, 2010 5:36 PM
guess cause i grew up in NYC i would have definitely said lala was PR. The bugout for me was went I went to college and the Puerto Rican girls were all light – even lighter than JLo. PR girls like LaLa and black Latinas are all over NYC. I applaud her for acknowledging that Puerto Ricans have black heritage, though cause I once had a PR chick argue me down over that. Dumbass. And Dominicans, please stop it, blacker than most of the black folks I know but think speaking Spanish makes them different.
Thu, January 21, 2010 5:38 PM
To the person way at the top who commented on “latinidad”–that word is Spanish and it basically translates to “Latino-ness.” So that last phrase is parallel to saying “I dare you to ask them to prove their Blackness.” It’s not what Latinos call themselves.
I’m not gon get into all the folk on here with low reading comprehension that missed that the whole point: she is Latina and Black. Being one does not negate or exclude the other. The End.
Thu, January 21, 2010 5:38 PM
LALA, u are the one who needs education. BLACK is a RACE!!!! Your RACE is BLACK!!! Your heritage and nationality is PUERTO RICAN!
Thu, January 21, 2010 5:41 PM
I didn’t take the hour to read all the above comments so excuse me if i repeat a point…
I’m taking Black psych in undergrad and it took me a while to realize that ethnicity and race are mutually exclusive. Meaning in LALA’s case she is from Puerto Rico but looks African American. Her race in America is Black but her ethnicity is Puerto Rican. Just like there are Black Canadians… All people of darker skin tones originated in Africa but got dispersed during slavery. I wish more people took the time to explore their heritage instead of relying on shallow labels.
___________________________________
Exactly!!!! Her ethnicity is Puerto Rican but she is a black women. She is in denial. Some people refuse to accept who they r. If Mariah Carey can acknowledge that she is black………….ANYONE CAN!!!!
Thu, January 21, 2010 5:45 PM
THE ONLY THING I WANT TO KNOW IS LALA. IS WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO VISIT THE DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR THYROID ISSUE!!! your gigantic eyes are killing me softly.
DEAD!!!!
Thu, January 21, 2010 6:20 PM
@Dominican
I was just wanted to say I have A FLAG and a PARADE as an American who is Black.
It’s called the 4th of July and my flag has 13 stripes and 50 stars.
I am American the country everyone runs to be free, but if Obama asked them to sign up for the military they would say I’m from somewhere else.
So keep your parade and your flag, just remember because of my flag you get to have a parade and flag..
Thu, January 21, 2010 6:21 PM
This is want i sent in yesterday!! i can’t believe you actually posted it.. see THATS WHY I LOVE THE YBF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
anyways You CAN be a LATINA AND BLACK.. YOU ALSO CAN BE A LATINA AND BE WHITE , SPANISH DECENT TOOOO!!!!
Thu, January 21, 2010 6:41 PM
Lala we know the game. Claim your black heritage when it’s convenient and latina when convenient. Whatever’s floats your boat.
Thu, January 21, 2010 6:42 PM
@ Nay….
youre missing the point. puerto rican or dominican or whatever IS NOT an ethnicity. its a nationality. just like american. so ure saying, its not black, its dominican. thats NOT the same category. Black is the ethnic group, dominican, puerto rican, etc. is the nationality. therefore, they can be a black dominican just like we can be a black american. well said lala
Thu, January 21, 2010 6:51 PM
BLACK IS RACE…..PUERTO RICAN IS NATIONALITY…..LATINA IS ETHNICITY! THAT IS THE CORRECT TERMINOLGY!
Thu, January 21, 2010 6:54 PM
@ Texas Baby…
I was only speaking of the terms. I didn’t really mean to speak directly to what she was talking about. I was just speaking about the comments other people were saying and using some of what she said in her letter as an example. I don’t really follow mainstream news so i didn’t know where she was born or anything like that. But thanks for the information.
Thu, January 21, 2010 7:05 PM
@ ccd….
so most american blacks are mixed with something. i have brown skin, but i have scottish native american and creole down the line…so im not black? whats the difference people? just because they speak spanish its not the same? all black people who are native to the americas and have been for generations have been mixed up with something else. we are still culturally black! unless one of your parents is distinctively something else like white or asian or indian or something THEN your mixed. damn, blacks are going to do this forever. you just cannot put an end to ignorance can you?
Thu, January 21, 2010 7:46 PM
wow…I’m surprised by how many still feel the need to dispute heritage.culture.simply put skin color. Yes most ppl make quick assumptions on what race ppl r. I admit I plead quilt of this myself at times. I just wish that more ppl would move past this minor speed bump in the road of life. There r a host of subjects that r more important than this…but thats just my take on the subject!!! —-notimeforhate
Thu, January 21, 2010 8:02 PM
I just recently came back from Puerto Rico and was surprised that there “black” Puerto Ricans. I like how Lala eloquently discusses this issue but I also thinks she shouldn’t be to judgmental of people that haven’t been exposed to other cultures. She should be proud of who she is and use ever opportunity to educate others that all Latinas don’t look like Jennifer Lopez.
Thu, January 21, 2010 8:05 PM
Lala’s letter confuses me. Puerto Rican is a nationality. Latina or Black is an ethnicity.
Thu, January 21, 2010 8:13 PM
1st of all u cant be both if ur not both!! what sense dies that make?? im black. black mom and father, relatives…i have slanted-asian eyes. thats like me sayin why cant i be black and asian… she likes it both ways, im jus confused on her whole reasoning…
Thu, January 21, 2010 8:57 PM
Wow I am Puerto Rican! Both of my parents were born and raised in P.R. My father is a white puerto rican and my mother is very dark. I feel where lala comin from I go thru that every time i tell someone i’m puerto rican. It used to bother me, but i realize that people are ingnorant and uneducated so I feel sorry for them.
Thu, January 21, 2010 8:59 PM
PREACH LALA!!!!!! There are black Hispanics…why is that surprising to people?
Thu, January 21, 2010 9:00 PM
I’m glad that La La explained that to the peeps. What many people fail to understand is that there were slave ships that passed through South America and other Carribean islands. So yes, there are some Latinas with African blood.
Thu, January 21, 2010 9:01 PM
Lala did a great job with this post.
I am Dominican and get a lot of grief from African-Americans for not wanting to claim to being ONLY black.
I am FIRST AND FOREMOST Dominican, Latina, Caribbean, immgirant THEN black. I embrace all my ethnic/racial identities but being Dominican to me is number because it’s my culture that comes first. I speak Spanish, eat Dominican/Latino food and follow a lot of Dominican/Latino traditions and values.
of course I count myself as black but IT’S NOT my primary identity.
Thu, January 21, 2010 9:03 PM
whoever is talking shyt about Zoe Saldana please stop.
Zoe reps hard for being Dominican first and foremost and yes she embraces being black too. Not being African-American but being black.
not all blacks want to be associated with black-Americans.
There are plenty of black Caribbeans, black Latinos and Africans who do not want to be grouped with black-Americans. and that’s jsut fine just like I wouldnt expect a black-American to want to be around black latinos, black Caribbeans or Africans.
Thu, January 21, 2010 9:11 PM
THE ONLY THING I WANT TO KNOW IS LALA. IS WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO VISIT THE DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR THYROID ISSUE!!! your gigantic eyes are killing me softly.
DEAD!!!!
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LMAO!
Thu, January 21, 2010 9:32 PM
Wouldn’t her nationality be considered AMERICAN since she was born in NYC. The last time I checked, NYC was AMERICA. She’s of Puerto Rican decent.
As per the comments, I can tell there is still a lot of ignorance regarding ethnicity/race/nationality.
Thu, January 21, 2010 9:40 PM
hithere
not all blacks want to be associated with black-Americans.
There are plenty of black Caribbeans, black Latinos and Africans who do not want to be grouped with black-Americans. and that’s jsut fine just like I wouldnt expect a black-American to want to be around black latinos, black Caribbeans or Africans.
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Hahahaha! Well maybe you hang around some very racist people. I hate to inform you, but those “other” blacks who don’t want to be associated with us lowly American blacks get a rude awakening when their Negro behinds get treated just like the rest of us. I know many of these Negros think they are much more superior than us lowly American blacks. Whether they want to be grouped with us or not, they are. Racists could care less where their black behinds came from. They see black skin and see us all less than them.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:09 PM
@E-Boog, you indeed have a direct connection to Africa…
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:17 PM
@lol….Duh, it’s obvious you’re not American. But I guess you missed the point. Basically you segregated and distinguished when you said “you Americans”.
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:21 PM
@Dominican
I was just wanted to say I have A FLAG and a PARADE as an American who is Black.
It’s called the 4th of July and my flag has 13 stripes and 50 stars.
I am American the country everyone runs to be free, but if Obama asked them to sign up for the military they would say I’m from somewhere else.
So keep your parade and your flag, just remember because of my flag you get to have a parade and flag..
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Thank You.Good point. Jealous casue “we” can’t wave a flag and have a parade…FUNNY (in a stupid way)!!!
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:27 PM
okaaay lala. Your last name is Vasquez, dead give away. try being an afro-cuban or darker skinned latina and see how it really feels. people are ignorant and its great that you love who you are but it aint that serious.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:11 PM
AS A PUERTO RICAN IM OFFENDED. WHY DIDN’T SHE JUST SAY THAT ALOT OF LATIN AMERICA BROUGHT SLAVES OVER AND THAT THEY ARE OF AFRICAN DESCENT???? IT WAS LIKE SHE WASN’T TRYING TO STATE THE TRUTH BUT WALK AROUND IT. PUERTO RICANS AND OTHER LATINS (NOT SO MUCH MEXICAN AND SALVADORIANS) ARE MIXED!!! WE ARE A MIXTURE OF SPANISH (WHITE), INDIAN AND BLACK. SHE NEEDS TO BE PROUD OF HER AFRICAN HERITAGE AND STOP WALKING AROUND THE ISSUE.
Thu, January 21, 2010 11:53 PM
posted by Dani1
Thu, January 21, 2010 10:21 PM
@Dominican
I was just wanted to say I have A FLAG and a PARADE as an American who is Black.
It’s called the 4th of July and my flag has 13 stripes and 50 stars.
I am American the country everyone runs to be free, but if Obama asked them to sign up for the military they would say I’m from somewhere else.
So keep your parade and your flag, just remember because of my flag you get to have a parade and flag..
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LMAO! esp @13 stripes and 50 stars…you are killing me!
Fri, January 22, 2010 12:13 AM
Wow, I can’t believe LaLa is trying to justify how she has latched on to Black American culture. Yes, there are many black people of latin decent who live in the U.S., however they are proud and open with there heritage. LaLa has closely associated herself with Black Americans and goes out of her way to make herself appear more “Black” by wearing/styling her hair like a Black woman. The only way for LaLa to gain acceptance is to WOMANS UP and stay true to her heritage.
Fri, January 22, 2010 12:42 AM
lol what does your poost even mean??????
lol lol lol lol lol
Contrary to popular myth – black people are the same EVERYWHERE (with varying degrees of ignorance and self hatred. The white man did a good number with his divide and rule tactic)
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Author: ET
Comment:
Wow, I can’t believe LaLa is trying to justify how she has latched on to Black American culture. Yes, there are many black people of latin decent who live in the U.S., however they are proud and open with there heritage. LaLa has closely associated herself with Black Americans and goes out of her way to make herself appear more “Black” by wearing/styling her hair like a Black woman. The only way for LaLa to gain acceptance is to WOMANS UP and stay true to her heritage.
Fri, January 22, 2010 12:51 AM
i went to bresil for vacation and all the girls didnt look like the vixen on video or the way they show on tv , i am dark skin and they was allllllllllot of them with short not the typical one on tv and they tought i was bresilian SO you can look black and be latina !!!!
Fri, January 22, 2010 1:04 AM
I just have to say being born and raised Caribbean in America for University she made a very good point that many for you are failing to grasp because I presume you are Americans and have not really been much were else. There is no reason for her to call her self Afro-Latino because she looks/is of black heritage. The term Latino does not have a color labeled to it. It is a mixture of cultures that came from colonialism and colonization from countries such as Spain, France, England and other European countries.
A lot of you jump on her case as though she has an issue with who she is and it’s clear from reading what she said she doesn’t. A lot of “African Americans” should educate themselves on why they aren’t refered to as only being Americans while caucasian are refered to only as Americans when they also migrated here. None of you should be called Americans in this cause because the real Americans/ Native Americans almost no longer exsist and “African Americans” like to act as if they so proud to be black but yet the don’t want to be refered to as Africans or even be associated with it all they know is they are black but I wonder if they ever stop to think about how they became black. I see these think of people everyday and many of them come on this blog telling other blacks who are not from America that they should go back to where they come from. Black Americans are the ones with the bigger problems because you guys are to caught up on race. La La is Latino and proud she aint got say she black you’ll can already she that so you’re the ones who ignorant she just saying she come from a heritage that is mixed of other cultures therefore she and every other Latino weather skin light or dark should be able to compete for the same job. She’s trying to do her thing in Holly Wood and because she doesn’t look like J-Lo don’t me she shouldn’t get the job if all they asked for is a Latino which she is. And I real to how she feels because I am light in complexion my parents and grandparents are all very darked skin but most of my feature are those of someone Indian and I hate when it’s always “African Americans” or some other black person ask me “What are you?” because if I say black it’s hard for them to accept and I have to pull out a picture of my entire family to prove it. But the thing is I inherited my looks from some of my other ancestors who were actually Carib Indians. So keep you’ll ignorance to your selves.
I just got to say One Love to my Caribbean people !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fri, January 22, 2010 1:08 AM
wow…just amazed at the ignorance in this board lol…
Fri, January 22, 2010 1:19 AM
Oh and if you still fail to get my point in simpler terms Latino is a heritage (never mind that I said Black heritage I meant to say African) not a color so if she is to be true to herself she need to refer to her self as only being Latino because she is more than a “black person” born in Puerto Rico she has to embrace all parts of her culture. From living on an Island right next to Puerto Rico that is made up mainly of darker complexion/ black I also have to take offence when people label the dark Latinos as just being black because the have so much more culture than a lot of the other islands and it’s hard from people who don’t know about where they come from to understand. I suggest visit the Caribbean. It’s more than just a place to take a vacation. You’ll learn a lot about race and heritage by just watching the interactions of the people. We all live in peace together becaue we are all the same.
This also makes me wonder what Cubans should call themselves. Sigh!!!!! This world we live in
Fri, January 22, 2010 1:39 AM
people talk about how latinos are mixed, but so are black americans. most of us are mixed with white and native american heritage. however, we dont run around claiming how we are white and native american. its irrelevant. nobody cares what you are, people only care what you look like. sorry but it is what it is. everybody is mixed, so what. if you look black, then you are black. culturally you can be whatever you want.
i think many immigrants dont understand the major contributions that blacks have made to this country. we built america and made it what it is. yet we still remain open and welcoming to people. i could care less if your a black p.r., black cuban, etc and you dont accept your culture. i dont want everyone to be black, i want to be exclusionary like some of you are to us. you dont claim being black, fine. you love your country and your heritage so much, then go back there. my people have been here since the 1800’s, ive earned my right to be here. you should be proud to be considered black.
Fri, January 22, 2010 2:10 AM
Race was invented by the white man to keep all other people who don’t look like him down. STOP PLAYING INTO IT. It’s dumb. Humans have more genetic differences on one continent than they do across oceans. Think about it.
Fri, January 22, 2010 3:17 AM
To all the non-American blacks on the board, please get off your high horse looking down on American blacks. You are a n*gga just like everyone else, and regardless of your “rich culture” (like people really care about this fake, ‘I’m proud of who I am’ mess when you had nothing to do with what race/ethnicity/nationality you were born in. Please drop the holier than thou attitude. I can’t stand the little trite, “you black Americans are beneath me” mess coming from non-American blacks. Newsflash, racist don’t care about your rich “Island” culture or how many mixtures you can count in your background. You are still a n*gga when it’s all said and done and you will, if you haven’t already, get a very rude awakening if and when you come to America!
Fri, January 22, 2010 3:43 AM
Listen up people. I am first born latino american in my family. My parents came from Dominican Rep. in the 70’s. We are a family of 5 kids 3 of us are lily white and me and my younger brother are chocolate brown. My first language, taught by my parents was spanish, the only food I ever knew before attending school was rice, beans and plantains, drank Maltas like it was nobody’s business. Our first dance steps were to the beats of merengue,bachata,perico ripao, and salsa. This was all I knew until I learned english in kindergarten. I was taught to love, live and embrace my dominican background to the fullest. we taught not to be embrassed when “americans” white and black make fun of us because you speak spanish and your parents have certain traditions that americans do not understand or think its stupid. I am proud of my beautiful black skin color but I will always say I am dominican it’s in my blood and in my heart. My parents love for their culture,language and traditions have trickled down to each of us. My beautiful daughter will always know where her moms family came from as well as her dad’s (black american). All Latinos are mixed with spanish,italian, black and indian. We were colonized by the spanish, French and Italians, who bought the african slaves.These lands were full of Indian people. We were raped, sodomized and used for many years before we able to become independent. Our people struggled as well.
I will always be proud of my black skin and my spanish heritage.
Fri, January 22, 2010 5:22 AM
@ccd really. Zoe shouldn’t say she is black. she is black you dumb ass. Black refers to skin colour so she is. I think people are still confusing skin colour with nationality, heritage wow.
Fri, January 22, 2010 6:10 AM
@ TERI I AGREE.
Fri, January 22, 2010 6:15 AM
@ imj I agree with u too. Ppl act like black is the lowest thing to be called.
Fri, January 22, 2010 7:11 AM
I consider myself an African American woman. I have met Latino people, particularly, Puerto Ricans & Dominicans who are a lot darker, have kinkier hair and broader noses than I do; in short, they look more ethnic black or African descent than me. And they are always flummoxed when I tell them I am African American because they don’t know how to process my appearance with my culture. So they tell me, ‘No,no, you are mixed right? You don’t look black!’ Their ignorance makes me sigh in frustration because everyone with eyes to see now accept the fact that black people do not all alike. We don’t all have kinky hair and dark skin. I am an African American woman who looks (Italian, Greek, Jewish) with a tan, I have been mistaken for all three. And this makes certain Latinos I speak with uncomfortable because I clearly define myself by the culture and race I was born into. So where does that leave them when I have more of a European phenotype than they do? When they look black but I don’t? They think they have they right to tell me what I should call myself based on their color belief of what a black person should look like. I don’t object when they call themselves Spanish when they clearly are not Spanish, but merely the descendants of the slavery mess the conquering Spanish slavemasters left behind. If they choose to identify more with the Spanish slaveholders who owned their ancestors that is their business. But in America, the majority of black people chose not to identify with the slave masters who owned their ancestors. More often than not, we have always sided with the victims of slavery where we emanated from. I have never understood why Latinos who are black in appearance are so proud to speak Spanish, the language of their ancestors oppressors. But I guess it is their choice.
Fri, January 22, 2010 7:54 AM
I have a whole new respect for Lala. She gets 8 million cool points. I guess I was so used to seeing her in a fashionista/baller wife prism. (Not in a bad way) I didn’t know she struggled with this. It’s sad that people are that ignorant to understand that slaves were taken all over the America’s, not just the United States.
Fri, January 22, 2010 7:58 AM
Way To Go LALA, many people do not know that puerta ricans are of African heritage as well. When slave ships left Africa, they had more than one destination. Some stopped in what is now Puerto Rico and others stopped in what was them, the 13 colonies. Now is the time for us to know our heritage.
Fri, January 22, 2010 8:23 AM
I appreciate Lala for posting her blog. I’m black and my husband is Puerto Rican. They come in all shades and colors. His mother looks like a black woman yet some in his family appear “white”. While in Puerto Rico visiting we saw the color spectrum. My husband’s family is proud of their heritage, acknowledging the mixture of african, tiano indian, and spanish. Lala’s point is that others need to be educated and not look at her strange when she discusses her Latina heritage, they come in all shades just like African-Americans.
Fri, January 22, 2010 8:39 AM
LaLa is correct in her statement!
People lack a lot of knowledge in the differences between Nationality, Race, and Ethnicity. Obviously someone is not learning during school.
Fri, January 22, 2010 10:09 AM
@Teri
Preach girl!!
Fri, January 22, 2010 11:03 AM
These comments are interesting. I know it is easy to say who cares about race in 2010, but MOST people do. I didn’t care until I had my 2-yr-old daughter. My hubby and I are both black, but my M-I-L is half black/half white and my daugther came out very light and has curly hair just like her (my genes are no where to be found LOL).
I routinely get aasked “is she mixed?” or “is she adopted” and mostly by other black people. My old, dear 96-yr-old great aunt told me she “looked like a Mexican” when she was first born because her hair was straight and jet black and already down her back. “you’re so lucky”…WTF?
At some point, I feel I have to check those who rudely ask the heritage of my daugher as if I couldn’t possibly have given birth to her, but the issue would never come up in my household unless others didn’t bring it up.
Fri, January 22, 2010 11:46 AM
I am boricua.. but who cares? I don’t at this day in time.. when our president is mixed and my family looks like someone puked the ethnicity in our family. It not that serious, unless you are black skinned or white skinned. Racism doesn’t exclude cultural background. It’s all about how light and dark you are. So I am a light skinned black person and a dark skinned boricua and i f’n love it! lol
Love and peace!
Fri, January 22, 2010 12:21 PM
I didn’t read all 232 comments but it seems that we are missing the point from the few I have read. LaLa explained things on a personal stand point so let me give you more concrete information from what I researched. Which is broader. A “Race” is a distinct human being. There are only 4: Caucasians, Negros, Asians and People Native to the American continent. Everybody else is mixed. For example, you can see apparent traces of Negro in Samoans, Phillopinos and some hispanics….and Asian & Native American in Alaskans. “Hispanic” is not a race, it is a culture or ethnic group. In an Ethnic group you may have more than one race though most is of one race. So if you ask someone there race and they reply, I’m “Cuban” that is equavalent of somebody asking your race and you reply “American”. And as you know this makes no sense at all but people accept it because they are taught to accept it.
Life Experience
When my nephew was 13, he was hanging with a white guy and I stated to him, I’m happy you are integrating with whites (he had a deep hatred for whites at a young age), he replied, “oh he is not white, he is Puerto Rican” This really angered me but I did check him and explained to him (on many occasions) the difference between: Nationality, Ethnicity and Race. He must have learned because he began dating a Dominican of CONSIDERABLE African Decent, he broke up with her, why? She kept telling him she was not black, he felt she didn’t know who she was. I’m a proud uncle! Please teach your kids the difference, but do not allow them to confront the general public with this information—because the conversation can become dangerous.
Here is something you may not know: Did you know there is a portion of southern Mexico that is made up of Blacks, go figure.
Fri, January 22, 2010 12:52 PM
I read some more comments and just wanted to advise: All Africans who came to the American Continent were not slaves. Remember we (including myself) should research our history before Europeans enslaved Africans. I have researched some, and it really shocked me.
Something important to research is to understand, why black Hispanics are the way they are. Find out their role in Latin America. I did because most people from Latin America always told me they did not have a race problem. I found those statements intriguing and wanted to actually find a place where race didn’t matter. Now I know the truth. My job is not to educate but inspire you. There is nothing like speaking to a Dominican, and knowing more about his or her culture than he/she does. Culture goes deeper than the food you eat, and the music you listen to. Because that can alter or change completely. After researching black Latinos, I don’t despise them anymore. I guess its true, you only fear and hate what you don’t know. “Know” and you will always have the upper hand: and that goes for any part of life.
Something you may not know: On the “American Hemisphere” Brazil have the most blacks in the millions, well over twice as much than the United States. hmmm–there is another shocking fact about that country, do you know what it is?
Fri, January 22, 2010 1:02 PM
@ lisa
SPEAK! and please inform these people who dont quite get it. Once everyone understands that first point alone, there would be alot less confusion. Black does not mean African American or even Black American for that matter.
Fri, January 22, 2010 1:02 PM
@ lisa
SPEAK! and please inform these people who dont quite get it. Once everyone understands that first point alone, there would be alot less confusion. Black does not mean African American or even Black American for that matter.
Fri, January 22, 2010 1:02 PM
@ lisa
SPEAK! and please inform these people who dont quite get it. Once everyone understands that first point alone, there would be alot less confusion. Black does not mean African American or even Black American for that matter.
Fri, January 22, 2010 3:31 PM
@tdotbanks
We have a parade and wave our flag because we have pride, black white , yellow green at the end of the day we are Puerto Rican and PROUD!!! Before you say that because of your flag we are free please educate yourself we as a country cannot vote in the general election of the president of the United States but we can enlist in your army and die for your freedom. Do me a favor practice safe sex and go F*** yourself!
Fri, January 22, 2010 3:32 PM
@tdotbanks
We have a parade and wave our flag because we have pride, black white , yellow green at the end of the day we are Puerto Rican and PROUD!!! Before you say that because of your flag we are free please educate yourself we as a country cannot vote in the general election of the president of the United States but we can enlist in your army and die for your freedom. Do me a favor practice safe sex and go F*** yourself!
Fri, January 22, 2010 4:08 PM
Author: Black Wallstreet
Comment:
I didn’t read all 232 comments but it seems that we are missing the point from the few I have read. LaLa explained things on a personal stand point so let me give you more concrete information from what I researched. Which is broader. A “Race” is a distinct human being. There are only 4: Caucasians, Negros, Asians and People Native to the American continent. Everybody else is mixed. For example, you can see apparent traces of Negro in Samoans, Phillopinos and some hispanics….and Asian & Native American in Alaskans. “Hispanic” is not a race, it is a culture or ethnic group. In an Ethnic group you may have more than one race though most is of one race. So if you ask someone there race and they reply, I’m “Cuban” that is equavalent of somebody asking your race and you reply “American”. And as you know this makes no sense at all but people accept it because they are taught to accept it.
Life Experience
When my nephew was 13, he was hanging with a white guy and I stated to him, I’m happy you are integrating with whites (he had a deep hatred for whites at a young age), he replied, “oh he is not white, he is Puerto Rican” This really angered me but I did check him and explained to him (on many occasions) the difference between: Nationality, Ethnicity and Race. He must have learned because he began dating a Dominican of CONSIDERABLE African Decent, he broke up with her, why? She kept telling him she was not black, he felt she didn’t know who she was. I’m a proud uncle! Please teach your kids the difference, but do not allow them to confront the general public with this information—because the conversation can become dangerous.
Here is something you may not know: Did you know there is a portion of southern Mexico that is made up of Blacks, go figure.
——————————————–
I am swooning over you right now! I love an informed man! I do not understand why people are holding on to something so silly and ridiculous. People do not even that black slaves were dropped all over the world (including indians too – not the amerindians – but the indians were called indentured slaves/workers)and its not just the Americas that possessed slaves. Asia – Phillipines, China, India had black slaves too. Why do you think Appleseed (Black Eyed Peas) is black and Phillipino? The pattern that I am seeing here is that some black people are lazy to know their real history….maybe even ashamed and that answers a lot of questions for me. That is why there is this black on black crime. You think your black is better than my black? No we are ONE. Saying I am not black I am Cuban/Peurto Rican/Dominican only shows how minimal your mind is. Read and learn things. YouTube is bursting at the seams with African History and the subsequent voyages. That is why some of you have these anger issues – it must be a dark place just not to know. Anyway, at first I thought you all were being ‘cute’ but I think you actually believe you are not black. smh. Start with YouTube. PS I have seen a lot of ….but I am light/white and my family is darker. You are black boo. and its FABULOUS to be black…..it always was!!!! FOr those thinking that being latina is better look at how Sotomayor was treated – and she could pass for white on a good day. Knowledge is your friend. White people do not care how many quarts of blackasian u have…u r still black. Be proud. I will stop because I am excited now and have lost focus but you get the gist
Fri, January 22, 2010 8:11 PM
um.teknically – her nationality is AMERICAN. SINCE SHE WAS BORN IN AMERICA. unless of course puerto rico is no longer a us territory
Sat, January 23, 2010 12:56 PM
YEA YEA WHATEVER…ALL OF THESE “DARKSKIN” LATINA/LATINOS HATE TO BE CALLED BLACK….BUT WHEN THEY ARE ALL OF A SUDDEN CONVIENTLY BLACK WHEN A CHECK IS IN THERE FACE. LALA IS ALWAYS ON FLAVOR OF LOVE OR SOMETHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH BLACK PEOPLE ON TV.
JUST BECAUSE YALL NEW YORKERS GREW UP AROUND THAT BULLSH*T (LATINOS USING THE N WORD ETC…) DOESNT MAKE IT OK. IF U HATE TO BE CONSIDERED BLACK AND CHERISH YOUR LATINO HERITAGE SO MUCH QUIT TRYING SO HARD TO BE ON B.E.T. AND DATING BLACK PEOPLE(MELLO) AND AT BLACK FUNCTIONS.
GO TO TELEMUNDO AND CREATE SOME SHOWS.
THEY DONT WANT TO BE BLACK, LETS GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT.
THE THING IS…WHEN A CHECK IS THERE FOR THEM ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY ARE BLACK
FOR INSTANCE: DOES ANYBODY REMEBER THAT zoe saldana PLAYED AN A.K.A.(A HISTORICALLY BLACK SORORITY, KNOW FOR TAKING ONLY LIGHTER SKIN BLACK WOMEN) TYPE CHARACTER IN THE MOVIE STOMP THE YARD? SHE WAS BLACK ALL OF A SUDDEN!!!!!!
Sat, January 23, 2010 12:57 PM
YEA YEA WHATEVER…ALL OF THESE “DARKSKIN” LATINA/LATINOS HATE TO BE CALLED BLACK….BUT WHEN THEY ARE ALL OF A SUDDEN CONVIENTLY BLACK WHEN A CHECK IS IN THERE FACE. LALA IS ALWAYS ON FLAVOR OF LOVE OR SOMETHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH BLACK PEOPLE ON TV.
JUST BECAUSE YALL NEW YORKERS GREW UP AROUND THAT BULLSH*T (LATINOS USING THE N WORD ETC…) DOESNT MAKE IT OK. IF U HATE TO BE CONSIDERED BLACK AND CHERISH YOUR LATINO HERITAGE SO MUCH QUIT TRYING SO HARD TO BE ON B.E.T. AND DATING BLACK PEOPLE(MELLO) AND AT BLACK FUNCTIONS.
GO TO TELEMUNDO AND CREATE SOME SHOWS.
THEY DONT WANT TO BE BLACK, LETS GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT.
THE THING IS…WHEN A CHECK IS THERE FOR THEM ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY ARE BLACK
FOR INSTANCE: DOES ANYBODY REMEBER THAT zoe saldana PLAYED AN A.K.A.(A HISTORICALLY BLACK SORORITY, KNOW FOR TAKING ONLY LIGHTER SKIN BLACK WOMEN) TYPE CHARACTER IN THE MOVIE STOMP THE YARD? SHE WAS BLACK ALL OF A SUDDEN!!!!!!
Sat, January 23, 2010 2:16 PM
Yay LaLa, I am of mixed race, but I look Colombian, I hate having to explain that I am also black, I think that those that are saying that “dark skin” latinos hate being called black is so untrue sweetie they are black RACIALLY their CULTURE?ETHNICITY is different. Their is sou much ignorance from people when it comes to the differences between race and culture, for example Black Africans (Nigerians e.t.c) are more accepted in the American Black Community than Latin Blacks, at the end of the day all of our Black ancestors came from the same Place Africa, the only difference is what Europeans brought them over to America and Where they brought them. but our cultures are different because of where they ended up. LATINO is not a RACE it is a CULTURE/ETHNICITY. HISPANIC is a not a RACE either it is classification.
YAY for Lala teaching her son about his culture and his race. Love Smart, Educated women.
@Dallasboogie…You are ignorant…That is all.
Sun, January 24, 2010 1:22 AM
I went to Spain and I was surprised to see a dark skinned lady in a restaurant speaking spanish. And she was from Spain. I understand where Lala is coming from though
Sun, January 24, 2010 1:39 AM
kut pic ever stop lovin this pic
Wed, January 27, 2010 2:36 AM
AND!!!!!!….you and millions other Afro-Latinos!
Thu, January 28, 2010 2:53 PM
besides the fact that Puerto Rican is a nationality for those born there (although some argue that they are no longer considered such because they are U.S. territory so they’re sellouts- I don’t necessarily agree) it’s also a culture, a heritage. What amuses me is that AA’s rant about being proud of your afrocentricity yet there are so many color issues within that community itself…which i’ve lived in for a good chunk of my life and still do. Stop worrying about color and racial issues across the world & fix them within your communities first. Black & PR aren’t mutually exclusive, like others have said…learn to differentiate the meanings of race, nationality, and ethnicity. Besides that, PR’s , like other places in the Caribbean, are a mix of Spanish, African, and Native. Yet everyone’s amount of each varies in their mix of it. Obviously the African ancestry may be obvious in a lot more than people from both sides talk about, for some like Sammy Sosa it even becomes self-hatred. but the term Puerto Rican also gives it to you in a nutshell because for those educated, non-ignorants that already know and are conscious about the triple mix background of these folks, are aware of the african presence. I applaud my Afro-Latinos of darker complexions or even lighter but still African features who really acknowledge and know your history and why your genetic makeup is the way it is. We’re caught up in a limbo where people try to make you choose and u just want to be who you are. and you idiots talking about Zoe Saldana, LaLa and other AL’s saying we’re black when it’s convenient, no we’re black all the time, and we’re also (insert nationality and/or ethnicity here) all the time. Regardless of what we identify ourselves, to ppl who aren’t us, we’re damned if we do, and damned if we don’t. I have that issue and Zoe Saldana said she is a black woman by race, however that is not the 1st time & it won’t be the last. 6et your facts straight. To my black latinos who are still in denial about their african roots, get your head right. Educate yourselves and stop the ignorance. To you white latinos, even the asian latinos and mulattos, nobody can tell u who you are or what you should be considered. It’s your bloodline and your heart doesn’t lie to u. Much love to everyone else who actually embraces diversity and knowledge, spread truth. God bless the human race and Mama Africa. RealEyezRealizeRealLies.
Thu, February 11, 2010 11:42 AM
IF YOUR PROUD TO BE BLACK AND LATINA/O, AND YOUR NOT AFRAID TO SHOW THAT PRIDE, THEN LISTEN TO THIS!!!
http://www.myspace.com/balantacimarron