Boriqua Chicks

Who Is Black?

Reflections | 107 Comments

In this guest post, Rosa Clemente–Black Puerto Rican grassroots organizer, hip-hop activist, and journalist–discusses her Afro-Latina identity and the resistance that she often faces. I first learned of Rosa when I watched her proudly speak about her identity in one of the episodes of “Negro: A Docu-series about Latino Identity” produced by champion for Afro-Latin@s, Dash Harris. While recently speaking with artist and activist Favianna Rodriguez after a speech she gave in Chicago, I told her how exciting it was to hear her speak about identifying as Afro-Latina. During our conversation, she shared with me that Rosa Clemente was influential in this self-identification. Fast forward to today, Rosa and Boriqua Chicks connected on social media (thanks to author and activist Kevin Sabio of Chronicles of the Brown Black Fist) and she has shared her powerful story.

Rosa Clemente

Rosa Clemente speaking at a rally for death row prisoner Troy Davis, New York City, 2009. __{Photo Credit: Thomas Good / NLN)) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons}

Yesterday, an interesting thing happened to me. I was told I am not Black.

The kicker for me was when my friend stated that the island of Puerto Rico was not a part of the African Diaspora. I wanted to go back to the old skool playground days and yell: “You said what about my momma?!” But after speaking to several friends, I found out that many Black Americans and Latinos agree with him. The miseducation of the Negro is still in effect!

I am so tired of having to prove to others that I am Black, that my peoples are from the Motherland, that Puerto Rico, along with Cuba, Panama and the Dominican Republic, are part of the African Diaspora. Do we forget that the slave ships dropped off our people all over the world, hence the word Diaspora?

The Atlantic slave trade brought Africans to Puerto Rico in the early 1500s. Some of the first slave rebellions took place on the island of Puerto Rico. Until 1846, Africanos on the island had to carry a libreta to move around the island, like the passbook system in apartheid South Africa. In Puerto Rico, you will find large communities of descendants of the Yoruba, Bambara, Wolof and Mandingo people. Puerto Rican culture is inherently African culture.

There are hundreds of books that will inform you, but I do not need to read book after book to legitimize this thesis. All I need to do is go to Puerto Rico and look all around me. Damn, all I really have to do is look in the mirror every day.

I am often asked what I am—usually by Blacks who are lighter than me and by Latinos/as who are darker than me. To answer the $64,000 question, I am a Black Boricua, Black Rican, Puertorique’a! Almost always I am questioned about why I choose to call myself Black over Latina, Spanish, Hispanic. Let me break it down.

I am not Spanish. Spanish is just another language I speak. I am not a Hispanic. My ancestors are not descendants of Spain, but descendants of Africa. I define my existence by race and land. (Borinken is the indigenous name of the island of Puerto Rico.)

Being Latino is not a cultural identity but rather a political one. Being Puerto Rican is not a racial identity, but rather a cultural and national one. Being Black is my racial identity. Why do I have to consistently explain this to those who are so-called conscious? Is it because they have a problem with their identity? Why is it so bad to assert who I am, for me to big-up my Africanness?

My Blackness is one of the greatest powers I have. We live in a society that devalues Blackness all the time. I will not be devalued as a human being, as a child of the Supreme Creator.

Although many of us in activist circles are enlightened, many of us have baggage that we must deal with. So many times I am asked why many Boricuas refuse to affirm their Blackness. I attribute this denial to the ever-rampant anti-Black sentiment in America and throughout the world, but I will not use this as an excuse. Often Puerto Ricans who assert our Blackness are not only outcast by Latinos who identify more with their Spanish Conqueror than their African ancestors, but we are also shunned by Black Americans who do not see us as Black.

Nelly Fuller, a great Black sociologist, stated: “Until one understands the system of White supremacy, anything and everything else will confuse you.” Divide and conquer still applies.

Listen people: Being Black is not just skin color, nor is it synonymous with Black Americans. To assert who I am is the most liberating and revolutionary thing I can ever do. Being a Black Puerto Rican encompasses me racially, ethically and most importantly, gives me a homeland to refer to.

So I have come to this conclusion: I am whatever I say I am! (Thank you, Rakim.)

 

 

RosaClementeSpeaking

photo credit: Rosa Clemente 

About the Author: Community organizer, freelance journalist and Hip Hop activist Rosa Clemente ran for Green Party Vice President in the 2008 U.S. election. Along with Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, the pair became the first women of color ticket in American History. Born and raised in South Bronx, NY, Rosa Clemente has been a community organizer and a featured keynote speaker, panelist, and political commentator for over 20 years.

This article was written by Rosa Clemente and appeared first in The Final Call.

CLICK HERE FOR SPANISH VERSION.

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Comments

  1. Yes i am both black and Puerto Rican i have dark skin tone…. so it seem like people test me about my nationality…. I don’t have to prove to them nada at all

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  2. I’m a quarter Puerto Rican, a quarter Filipino, and half white. I have a lighter medium skin tone, could I identify as black since I’m Puerto Rican?

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    • In the United States there are black and white who played the race card and have always been and will be .I called it their Power base. They are very few American families of African dissent where you have more than two are three children with the same skin color, eye color ,hair texture and it because of the history in the America, when you go back hundreds of years where you had slaves from Africa and a large population of European men and the majority of women’s were women’s of color ,it is one of the oldest lessons of history .Sex has no color line and the ones who seem to have the most problem with that are people of the United States ,white and black.

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  3. Im African American I just gotta say though not all of us African Americans are this clueless. I always thought that all of us from north and south america as well as from the carribean and anywere else i missed that had african slaves are distant relatives the majority of our ancestors are at least partly African which is where the similarities are. We are different culturally and many times we speak a different language, but other than that we share African blood running through our veins we are all family to me sorry you had to deal with AA idiots that didnt realize this commonality that we all share.

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  4. I have to admit I’m astounded by some of notions of what defines someone as being black in America amongst black Americans. Over here the UK we have a pretty sizable number of people’s who either directly come from or are descendants of West Indians (Caribbean), a region that has is not exclusively made up of ‘typical’ black looking people. l can honestly tell you I’ve never seen nor heard anything remotely comparable to what you’ve been experiencing & writing about. It seems to me that there is a very rigid set of characteristics that must be met before someone can qualify as being black in America, by other black Americans. The West Indies and to a greater extend the Caribbean is made up of so many different (black) people of varied complexions, hair types, who speak different languages; English, French, Spanish, Dutch and in some cases Hindi. And they are not considered anything other than black.
    I should point out that black people over here of direct African decent also exercise the same views; Black may come in different shades and sounds but it’s still black.
    I can’t imagine going through what you do in relation to this topic, I would lose my mierda on a daily basis.

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  5. Black or White are mindsets that can be had by people of any color. White supremacy is what causes people to create subgroups other than African or Black to be able to enjoy white privilege, but just as there is White privilege there is Black privilege. I believe we are very privileged to have such a close connection to nature. We are more connected to the sun due to our melanin, our hair even grows towards the sun. I wish the mission for us all whether white or Black or anything else was to be more in tune with nature rather than the unnatural state we live in today. This was the mindset of the Taino or African people, the mindset is with nature. This may sound racist but if this world were turned right side up Blacks would be on top I believe there would be no suffering or greed, I mean look at how the Moors civilized Europe rather than exploit them. Christopher Columbus wrote in his journal after he arrived in the carribean that the natives did not know greed and would make good servants. Like I said, it may sound racist but what is racism? Who invented racism and for what purpose? It is not only “White” people that support white supremacy, “Black” people do too. We use these terms White and Black but when you look at the color of people who is truly white and who is truly black? The reason I wave the rbg flag and fight for black economic empowerment is because I live in a world of white supremacy and must combat unnatural conditions in a way that best suits reality, fire with fire. White supremacy is used by people of all colors in all countries by people that speak every language. The true fight isn’t white and black but natural vs unnatural, good vs evil, love vs hate. White supremacy is the unnatural and Black supremacy is the natural. The world of white supremacy is one of lies, deception, murder, greed and theft, and nobody of any color should be OK with that unless you secretly enjoy it and the benefits you get from it. Ask yourself if its natural for Africa to be the most resource rich continent on earth with the poorest people and for european countries to be so resource depraved and have so much wealth. From the food we eat, the medicine we take, the mis-education, mis-diagnosis, mass poverty of Blacks worldwide, we owe it to everyone of our ancestors to stay true to nature.

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  6. it is basic history that Africans were transported all over the world to be slaves. So that includes Brazil, PR, the Caribbean, so on and so forth. We are made to be ashamed of our color in order to maintain control over us. Honestly the color of your skin is nothing do be ashamed of. What does skin color have to do with the content of your character, or your ability to thrive in a positive way? Absolutely nothing. So for those of us who are of African descent and do know not know or acknowledge that we were shipped all over the world as slaves is really sad on your part, and even sadder when at this day and time you are still ashamed. Not all black americans are stupid, and we do know and realize that you are of african descent as well. It is just the system of institutionalized racism that is speaking. We do know better.

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  7. Reading this artical then reading the sneers of her peers shows just how afraid we are of our darker tones. Here’s a woman embracing her African roots which she has every right to do. Also which she was not raise to embrace. As Africano world wide has been looked down upon. Africans themselves are afraid to claim the color black…well where did that afro or round nose or full lips come from? Every one of every race will claim everything else except black. Its sad how we just want to shove that and anyone else who claims it under the rug. Should she be ashamed for claiming her Africans roots as so many DON’T do? She is who she says she is. And OBVIOUSLY has Africa flowing freely through her veins. You guys can run from it if you want. Thats all good and dandy (scary asses) but don’t get mad at the ones who dont follow.

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  8. I enjoyed this article and it was, for me, very thought–provoking. For me the larger question is: what is black? Is there such a thing as “black?” Is it simply a social construct based, in large part, on how one looks? Do you have to have a certain shade of skin color to be considered “black?” If you have broader features, does that make one “black?” If you have kinky hair, does that fit the criteria? I embrace the “Africaness” in me but even that description leaves me, an African American, wanting. That ties my ancestry to an entire CONTINENT without ethnic or cultural identity, without ethnic specificity. I realize that is perhaps the best that African Americans can do.

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  9. Many of you are in denial. By the definition which many of you use Black Americans are not Black either. I have yet to meet a single one who is not part white and some even have native blood as well. Oh the same mixture as Domicans and Puerto Ricians.

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  10. Well written! I, as an African American, have classified Puerto Ricans MOSTLY, as people of mixed races but in the back of my mind, I think, “In the U.S., they’re black!” because of our ridiculous, old, one drop of Black blood, you’re black rule. My thing is this. I am a mix of European, Native American, and of course, African heritage. MY DNA test results show that I’m 16% European, so does this make me now, “mixed” as many Puerto Ricans say? I am Black because that is my CULTURE! Blackness is not just your skin color or hair texture. I am a mix of three races so how is that different from a black person from a Spanish or Portuguese speaking country? I look Black, But when I speak Spanish, people think I’m Cuban or Dominican. It always bewilders me when Mexicans, or Cubans, Brazilians, you name it say, “We’re a mix of races.” Yeah! No kidding! So are African Americans! So are European Americans! Some mixes you can see, some, you can’t! Aren’t we all are a mix of races? I don’t look like a mix of races. People look at me and say, “She’s Black.” People look at my aunt and walk up to her speaking Spanish, so does that make her not African American because she LOOKS more mixed than me?! Just as this writer stated, you are what you choose to call yourself. I’ll be glad when we all just call ourselves HUMAN. I’ll also be glad when people are not ashamed of the African presence in their blood. This goes for European Americans too! We’re all a mix….. some more mixed than others. It’s the shame and denial of the African blood that bothers me with so many in the Latino community. That is what this writer speaks of. HECK! Humankind started in Africa, so technically, we’re all Black! LOL!!! Labels. I’m getting very tired of them. I am a human trying to be. How’s that?!!! Tee hee hee!! YEAH!

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      • With all due respect Melvin Robertson Jr, in response to “she is who she says she is. Who are you to tell her different?” That should be the case for EVERYBODY. Who is ANYONE to tell ANYBODY what they need to identify as.

    • I think you mean Mulatto. Most people in the Caribbean are mulatto African and Spanish. Remember the Taino were all but wiped out.

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  12. Wow!! Really enjoyed reading this…and yes, I agree with the fact that “El Americano” is uneducated and misinformed about our roots! I am constantly told how I’m not dark enough…especially considering that my family is from the Town of Loiza, PR and I grew up there as well! Our African Caribbean heritage is very strong and alive!…and proud people of it! It upsets me as well when people say this

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  13. I am Puertorrican, not black, no white, no indian. We are a mix a diferents cultures that includes those principal three and more. I am wrong saying that I am black only, because I am denying my other roots. And looking her better she has the color skin of a indian, a mix nose and wavy not curly hair which is part of a mix of black and white races. I am very proud saying I am Puerto Rican, latin and hispanic. I am a mix of a wide variety of races, but 3 are the base, Taino (indian), African (black) and Spain (white).

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    • As I said to the lady above you. She is who she says she is. She indentifies with black. Who areyou to tell her different?

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  14. I agree with some of what she sais except that the fact is puerto ricans are mixed with Spaniards! Look at the history because i have!

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    • Exactly, we are also mixed with Spanish. Our Puerto Rican culture doesn’t have us picking and choosing because all of our roots are heavily influenced in our Puerto Rican culture.

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    • God, I wish there were more Latinxs on this forum. It’s feels like many non-Latinoxs are using this as a platform to dictate what Latinxs need to identify as. We should respect whatever a person chooses to identify themselves as and not take it personal.

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  16. Well written! I’ve ufortunatley had a life time of this ignorant divide. Since early in life this issue has plagued me, my Father is a native ” white” puertoRican and my mom a native Black Colombian. It seemed I was never black enough for most of the African American folks and too Black for the Latinos ones, which left my sisters and I in the middle of a very nasty and hurtful situation. Sad to say that even as an adult I’m still struggling with these issues due to my husband’s Puerto Rican family’s refusal to accept me and my children because the color of our skin………………….

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    • This is the same with me. I’ve grown up with denial on every side, racism, etc. And from you’re own family. All my sister’s and I are different colors so it makes it almost impossible for people to understand. It leaves a longing in our hearts, why can’t we just be?

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  17. All I have to say to you article is that I’m Dominican, and I consider myself a mix of raices which reprent Spanish, African Americans, Naives (Indios) ; therefore for me to say I am black is impossible because I represent all three raices and I just hate when one person wants to describe as being black im visibly mixed. I think everyone should represent what ever they want to represent.

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    • You can be what you want to be, but Africans were in the Americans before the Asian migration. When the Asian mixed with the Africans that had already inhabited all of the Americas, the offspring produced the American Indian. But even then, where did the Asian come from. Africa is the answer. Africans produced the Asians and the rest of humanity.

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      • Not true. According to science and DNA this is false what you say. Asians were in the Americas first about 10,000 years ago.

  18. This discussion is very representative of the differing viewpoints surrounding what Puerto Rican is. I can understand those of you who assert that Ms Clemente should not reject her Hispanic roots. I don’t feel that she is rejecting her Hispanic culture at all. She is simply combating the ignorant notion that Puerto Ricans are not of African decent. Trust me this notion is pervasive in both the Black American and Puerto Rican communities I know from experience – my father’s mother would rather see him with his Puerto Rican first cousin than be married to my Black mother. Please don’t reject this article simply because Ms. Clemente acknowledges her African decent. She embraces both her African and Puerto Rican heritage in much the same way that Irish people in Jamaica who are 100% white acknowledge their Jamaican culture. She is simply saying that most Puerto Ricans are Black too.

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  19. Many of us who were born and raised in Borikén were taught to reject our blackness, or colorness, in subtle ways but sometimes overtly. I saw this in my family where the darker women would not go out in the sun to avoid “stains”, would die their hair lighter to appear white, would wear green or blue contact lenses. Because as in many other countries with diaspora, lighter skin implies more socioeconomic opportunity. Many go over their litany of spanish, taino and african, yet more than 75% of the boricuas in the last census declared themselves white only, not mixed. Gracias Rosa for this great piece and thank you for being a reclaiming voice for that part of our roots that is such a vital part of who we are as a nation.

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  20. All African-Americans are not in the dark,The Willie Lynch syndrome was a powerful tool,I to understand what you feel I live in Puerto Rico, and had not known of this divide until moving here, in Gary Ind as a child I had friends who’s families were indigenous to this island & and we all got along very well . But as you say lack of education in the African-American community and in the indigenous communities in Puerto Rico has caused this ignorance..You are Blessed keep doing what you are called to do. Be Peaceful

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  22. You totally dismiss our Taino and Spanish roots! In the name of proclaiming your blackness you ignore our beautiful mix! Some of us are black, some blond with blue eyes and some carry the true ancestoral roots of our island (Taino). We were just Tainos before the slave trade. I think your confused if you feel were all black or African! Everyone does not carry African blood!!!

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    • You missed the mark completely. Read the article again. You and others like you are exactly reason why she made this post.

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    • I agree, as well. Being Puerto Rican is a mix of different cultures but some are more dominant than others. For example, you’ll see Puerto Ricans with strong African features or Taino feautures and even a mix of African, Spanish and Taino. This is what I love and am proud of with the beauty of our culture. In my opinion its not the same as an African American who has a different culture and despite being mixed has predominant African blood. Then again I respect people who say they’re biracial when they have one African American parent and an Asian or other race/ethnicity. It’s all about respecting what people identify themselves as and not imposing your views on them. Live and let live with respect.

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  23. You know sometimes we just get so full of ourselves. I’ve been told I’m white, I’m black, I’m hispanic, I’m Latino, I’m Taino. All we do is create more prejudices in the world. Just be an up standing human being and help humanity instead of creating more strive between people.
    “The moment a little boy is concerned with which is a jay and which is a sparrow, he can no longer see the birds or hear them sing.”
    ― Eric Berne

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  24. WHY A RECONSTRUCTION OF AMERICAN RACIAL LINES NOW???
    Over the years we have witnessed endless gloating of minorities’ media about the dwindling digit of majority white American. But what these minorities have foolishly overlooked is that such change does not forecast an end to white economic and political supremacy or white majority going down without fights to rightfully safeguard their centuries old interests. There is panic among white strategists of course but also highly sophisticated productive actions to ensure the future is on their side. Indeed the future belongs to them unless they inadvertently blow it, because beside economic assets they have ownership of the most valuable assets which is the mind of American growing minorities. Most blacks mistakenly believed such upcoming social alteration to be beneficial to their community, seemingly unaware of the great strategy of American new agenda of racial reconstruction and its pernicious impact stalking them. With such threat white strategists have no choice but use what is at their disposal and each minority either self-protect or else. Blacks are prone to self-sabotage, complacency, turning blind eyes to threats from within, few of many weakness making blacks vulnerable to what was to come. The great strategy had two main components
    First strategy: dismissal of Hispanic as racial group and fragmentation of that group to boost the dwindling white majority with Hispanics of European feature. Tempting and good news for so many however bad news for those compelled to stay in between that new ladder of a vicious caste system. Hispanic may have lost something but the main loser in fact is the weakened black community and its growing, bitterly divided diversity.
    Second strategy: fragmentation of black community to weakened and undermined economic and intellectual institutions left by civil right movement. Here the strategy was different the concept of (“give them the right rope and they will hang themselves without getting your hands dirty”) was skilfully applied with Clean hand. For the first time some blacks were no longer black. The media and willing puppet were copiously used to spread the good news of brand new race of people called biracial. Genetic unveiled to prove it. Like a tsunami it hit the black community. Joy, relieve, panic and confusion settled in a community overwhelmed and exhausted by deep rooted stigma and prejudice. Here was indeed good news for some and a bad news for the future prospect of that community. The prospect of moving to a better racial ladder must have been a thrilling relieve for some of those foot soldiers of the great strategy. Some of those foot soldiers in their enthusiasm have made it their job to terrorise and bully any light skin blacks daring to openly claim blackness. They have deliberately fostered colourism, fear, distrust, unnecessary hatred and hostility to guaranty a permanent rift, severing historical tie by any means. They use sugar coated post racial rhetoric to justify themselves and blackness as a dirty word. The logic of the word Post-racial is supposed to depict the end of race as a factor to define a citizen. Instead this so called post-racial is constructing new racial lines at the expense of black community, damaging it in the process. To cope with such disaster some blacks pretended not to see what is happening while others embraced it hoping their children may benefit from such change of identity. They blindly bought into the deceitful notion of post racial. (“Give them the right rope and they will hang themselves without getting your hands dirty”) with such wisdom and well applied strategy it is hard not to give credit to whites’ intellectual superiority.

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  25. Thank you so much for this insightful post that is speaking the TRUTH.

    I have seen this common rejection of the collective African heritage and Afro culture by many Afro-Latinos worldwide and it is so sad.

    African Diaspora worldwide are plagued by colourism which was inherited from the racism of our collective colonial history, and are still suffering from this current neocolonial era.

    We must get informed about our own history – not what we are led to believe for an agenda that does not have our best interest.

    In doing so we can truly start healing and reclaiming our truth, our identities, our voices – and consequently, our success. To thrive positively in the world together.

    Understanding Colourism – Naija Phoenix Appeal to Africans & Diaspora:
    http://www.zarachiron.com/2014/01/colourism-spiceworlds-disease/

    Thank you again for this brilliant piece!

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  26. And once you do the history of the indigenous people of all Island of the continent of North Amexem renamed North America and of the land of Mu now under the pacific ocean ……..You will discover the Moorish bloodline ……….

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  28. Very educational. Only been to PR once, but enjoyed it thoroughly. I just assumed as I walked down the street that there were African, European and Native ancestries here – having that confirmed is very cool and interesting.

    Unless one considers one’s “hispanicity” (language grouping) the most important factor of whom one is, then it’s just another characteristic, like skin color, eye color or hair color and not especially significant.

    I’ve visited the Caribbean and South America (especially Brasil and Honduras), also the islands of Indonesia and the Pacific, Europe, China, Japan, Mediterranean, North Africa; been to just about every continent except Antarctica and what I’ve found is, the “crossroads places” continue to be the most interesting. The mixing of people, languages and cultures going back thousands of years are fascinating.

    As humans and proto-humans, we’ve enslaved each other, been unspeakably cruel to each other, helped each other, allied with each other, gone to war, loved and ignored each other, traded with each other, etc. and I keep hoping and praying that eventually we’ll work it out before we wipe ourselves out. I guess I’m just too naïve, but I’ll go on working towards it if I still have breath.

    Thank you for helping me be educated about the world.

    ~Bat M.

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  29. Jasmine is wrong. The Taino natives were a people just as the Borikens were. There were many tribes that inhabited Puerto Rico- the Tainos were also in the Dominican Republic.

    A simple google search should provide you with a few hundred reputable sources of information.

    As for Puerto Rican ancestry it is a complex issue. Most Puerto Ricans have Spaniard and African blood running through their veins, a smaller percentage have native blood. Others have French and Corsican ancestors. But Puerto Rico HAS developed it’s own cultural and ethnic identity and culture. For Clemente to say otherwise is insulting and ignorant at best.

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    • I agree with you 100%. Puerto Rico has developed it’s own cutural and ethnic identity. Ethnically we are Puerto Rican and we should be proud or ourselves and our Caribbean cousins.

      I feel like Cuba and Dominican Republic are similar to us and we need to promote our Caribeno culture to the world.

      I hope in the 2020 census we have a new category for Puerto Rico, Cuba and Dominican Republic under Caribbean so we can get more representation and funds and ditch the pan-ethnic label that gives us no power or opportunity of Hispanic/Latino.

      It is a big reward if we do and it will give us more of a voice as a people and unity our communities tighter which would be a good thing. Their is nothing to fear but fear itself.

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      • The culture in Cuba is obviously African and Black Cubans know that Africa Runs Deep and is the Root of Cuban Culture; it is the music, food and religion. What people love about Cuba is not just the revolution but the African Culture which also has a large Haitian influence. There is more Haitian influence in Afro Cuban culture – than PR – so if you claim Cuba you must claim Africa and Haiti – is this what you are willing to do? Even Fidel Castro has acknowledge the overwhelming African Presence in Cuba. It seems as you want to transform African Culture into some White Latinized notion that erases having to pay homage to Mother Africa for the way she has enriched all of Latin America!

    • Yes! I have many friends and family members who have Corsican heritage, since there was a great migration of Corsicans to our Island in the mid 1800s. I myself have a Spanish grandfather, a French- Jewish grandmother, and a French great-grandfather. Puerto Rico is a mix of races.

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  30. Thank you Rosa Clemente for your great article. I am Afro-Native-Euro American. I celebrate all aspects of my ancestry. I am Black and proud of it. I am Catawba and Muskogee Native American and proud of it, and I am Irish, Scots-Irish and English, and proud of that as well. I have always felt a strong solidarity with Boricuas and others who share a similar multiracial world view.
    Being in my 50s,

    I can assure you that coming to a point in my life where I could express that level of comfort in my identity has been a journey. Black, White, Native and Latin@ Americans have expressed both hostility and solidarity with me during my life. More hostility early in my life, and somewhat less now.

    The fact that I became active in the growing Latino community in Washington, DC starting in the late 1970s woke me up to new possibilities in life. Unlike in my early life, my trigueño (wheat) colored skin did not make me stand-out as an “other,” as most Latin@ people are of that same color. I spent decades performing as a conga drummer in Salsa music and Afro-Caribbean folklore, which, together with my performance of Andean Native American woodwinds music reconnected me with my own ethnic heritage.

    During 30 years of marriage to a Latina woman, and as a bilingual person I have seen all of the good and bad dimensions of Latin cultures. I have seen how the Mexican dominated Univision and Telemundo cable networks virtually and intentionally exclude any representation of African and Native American existence. I have seen the mentality of “mejorando la raza” (improving the race), which is a perverted belief system across Latin America that teaches people that you must marry someone who is white or lighter skinned than yourself to Improve your race.”

    Racism existed in Latin America from the time of Spanish colonization, but in fact the population is heavily integrated between Native peoples, African descendants and Europeans. Therefore the aggressive denial of Black and Native ancestry becomes a focal point in many people’s lives. as they “pass for white.”

    This problem has the potential to actually increase the level of racism in the US as Latin American immigration accelerates. We can already see that with acts of ethnic cleaning carried out by certain Latin gang members in southern California. We need to address that problem head-on.

    These are the dynamics that the Black and Brown consciousness movements of the 21st century will have to confront. They are similar to the efforts in the 1960s that allowed Black Americans, Native Americans, Mexican Americans and Boricuas to move toward having pride and self esteem in regard to being who we actually are.

    Peace.

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  31. Islam, Peace. Nationality determines political status and all Free National Citizens must apply a Nationality to the Free National Constitution of this Republic, the United States of America. Now Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, not a nation and Africa is a continent composed of over 54 countries and various inhabitant nations. Now a nation is an aggregation of men consisting of a jural society and sharing the same customs, culture, tradition, creed, and especially historic continuity that is expressly written/recorded and recognized and accepted as Actual Fact Scientifically and especially in the science of Anthropology which is specifically the study of humans and their history. Now Spain, after the expelling of the Moors in 1492, had the lands belonging to the Moors renamed from Moorish to Spanish in a papal Bull signed by the Pope, along with the people and their possessions after they had been escheated to the state of Espana and the various captured kingdoms in the Empire. Pardon the run-on sentence. Now during the 1500s although the political status of these people whom inhabitation and dominion extended the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa and North South and Central America had been reduced due to the Polity of the ruling state, their Nationality namely Moorish remained intact. So now In American Law and pursuant to it, The Moorish People formerly the subject of the Emperor of Morocco(Sultan.Mohammed) had their Nationality taken from them from 1774-9 and 1865 during the time of Slavery and the people whom had been gaining their independence in the various islands had been organizing and setting up countries to be civilized jural societies even after the loss of the influence of the Moroccan Empire and the Islamic Kingdoms that had been losing power over those islands at that time. Now lets fast forward to 2015. in 2015 the census defines White as strictly a LEGAL STATUS and has no scientific or Anthropological basis. White also defines as consisting of the Original People of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The Moors, or the Moroccan people are the descendants of the Ancient Moabites whom sojourned west from the land of Canaan which is modern day Arabia after gaining permission from the pharaohs of Egypt to travel west and in later years they established themselves kingdoms known as of 1913 Morocco, Tripoli, Tunis, Algiers, etc. Now the people still inhabiting these places are the inheritors and true possessors of the Moroccan Empire and this would conclusively be the Nationality of the people whom were denationalized, namely Moorish-American. Moorish-American being Moorish, or a descendant of Moroccans, Born in America. Due to La Isla De Boriken being populated by Moors Spanish-Speaking and otherwise during the reign and loss of political power of the Moroccan Empire during the times of John Lionpounce (Juan Ponce De Leon) and others, it can be legally concluded that the people of that island would Anthropologically, Politically according to American Law and Scientifically, Moorish-American. This will remove all instances of the use of names that delude to slavery (Negro, Black, Colored, African-American etc names that were used for the exclusive use of designating slaves from “Africa” who had no political allegiance to a foreign power with the military strength to defend itself) I hope this small note finds you all in Love Truth Peace Freedom and Justice and I leave as I came: Objectively and lack of belief system or dogma but laden with Science and Mathematics for the True way of Life which is Peace. And so I leave you with it.

    As Salaamu Alaikum.
    Ana Habaka
    (Peace Be Unto You, I Love You)

    Reply

    • Dude, the moors or Moorish Americans have no claims to any part of America! The only people who have a birthright to the lands of America, are the Native Americans, the Amerindians, you know, the copper colored Natives that Columbus, Cortez and Pizzaro saw by the millions when they and their ” Moors” got here?! The moors are nothing to America, their birth right is in North Africa and the Middle East .

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  32. Dear commentators,
    Just because you speak Spanish does not mean you have Spaniard ancestors. Just because your family has generations of people who live in a certain country does not mean you have derived from the tribe that lived there. I am an American, that being said, i am fully aware that i am not a descendant of any Native American tribe. Whether or not you choose to acknowledge that is your business, but know this: The earliest proof of human life is from Africa…. So in some way, shape, or form your are in fact of African descent.

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    • So, since you know that the first human being came from Africa, you have just established your own roots. The thing is that we do not know if this human being was black-skinned.

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      • The first person being dark skinned has nothing to do with roots. Skin color, well the different facets of skin color, is determined as generations go by and a people adapts/mutates to theirclimate/lifestyle. This is the ignorance that the article is trying to clear up: sit down, read a few books, and get in touch with the inner you that truly wants to know the truth about the evolution of humans. We all come from the same place, but our need to compare and place people in stereotypical boxes is insane.

  33. What’s so crazy is AA or Black folks, are talking like WE own the only black experience out there. This entire hemisphere is filled with our brothers and sisters that are descendants of the Diaspora. We are all in the same boat, we are of mixed race and have different cultures in our bloodlines. Men and women of color have it hard in this World-throughout! We do ourselves the biggest disservice arguing about who is the blackest. Get over that crap and lets come together and come up with a collective plan on how to get ourselves out of this mess we are in and make things better for our future generations. Damn, we can sound so ignorant and self – defeating. Go watch “12years a slave” and understand how strong of ancestry we come from and lets start a think tank and get something moving! “Viva la Raza De La Gente de Color”

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  35. I saw a few people mentioned that this article did not speak mention anything about Taino natives. That is false because she did. Taino was the name given by the Spanish who raped and pillaged the land. Taino simply is a greeting like saying hello. This is why she said Boriken ( boriquan). The true name of the indigenous. Also, you cannot believe that the slave trade was the first time that Africans had ever been to the western hemisphere. It was not the first introduction. Languages and trade systems from Africa to these places had already been established. Africans and native Americans, both indigenous to these lands were intermingled before European exploitation. To me claiming latino or Hispanic is just stating that you come from indigenous people who were raped and oppressed by Europeans who happened to speak Spanish. So to continue to use that term is aiding in oppression.

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  36. Spanish folk don’t wanna go there, as it relates to blackness and racism. Wanna throw stones at other Europeans, when in fact, they’re the worst offenders. Latin blacks hate themselves because they’ve been told to by their slavemasters. Behavior was the same on both sides, our black foremothers were raped with impunity by Caucasian men. As a result, the mulatto class was created. In latinidad, blackness is an obsession even for those that are not black. Yet, afrolatinos are pressured to be as white as possible. Negras dare not be in relationships with blackmen from any part of the world. On the flip side, it’s acceptable for white and mestizo/indian men to lay with blackwomen. Think we don’t know? But, these same chocolate colored women are beneath the blancas that were created from their loins. Racist Spaniards want to maintain the status quo. If these morenas stop seeing themselves as tools for whitemen…The Jig Is Up! They can distance themselves from their forefathers by bringing up the black blood in them. “How can we be racist, We have black blood in us?” It’s an old trick that embeds them to the black race…Obsessed! To the mulattos that constantly yap about taino indians and europeans…Get A Life! None of what we’re discussing is about non-black people. Tainos been extinct for centuries, they died from disease and violence. Come up with a better argument, and stop hating the black race once and for all. African-Americans are triracial just the same, but, we still love Momma Africa. Afrolatinas are daughters of Africa…Never Forget That!!!

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  37. Being an optimist never hurts. Very well stated and interesting enough to research! Thank you Rosa Clemente!

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  38. Wow! Rosa ,what a beautifully black mind you have and so profound. It takes a lot of courage and strength to do what you do ;take it from a “black” man. When ever any of “us” identifies ourselves with real intelligence,it causes problems. My findings have been that most “Latinos” and some “Blacks”(Don’t) associate themselves with race as much as they do with nationality ;of which is “WRONG” !!! Sad but also true;most people’s of color ,have no real consciousness of a” diaspora “. These are just some of the products of “white supremacy ” . If we would only stand together we would “own”this planet ;hence we are the most divided group on this planet. Divided by complexion,religion,socioeconomics,nationality,sexuality,language,gang affiliation…. .the list just goes on.

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  39. Thank you so much for this article and I do agree when people comment to the fact that we dont know whats being black cause we are not black. My kids are dark skin full blooded puertoricansSo yes I do get upset with the ignorance of people that don’t know the culture but what I dont agree is to the fact that this article makes it sound like we are only black when we are a mixture of taino indians , black and european.a mixture of three cultures each rich on its own . So we need to go back and learn from our cultures. We are now even considered to have the perfect mixture by DNA. So we need to enrich ourselves from all three and not just one and stop choosing what we want to choose cause we all have the mixture wether we like it or not. That’s my opinion.

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    • But isn’t black ( as in african american) also a mixture of many different things? European, native american etc? There is no full blooded anything on this earth as man has always traveled, conquered and spread his seed.

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  40. Amazingly beautiful article! Wishing people all over would embrace who they are to the max verses the inferred reality of our existing dna that they shame. Black & Brown is beautiful! Embrace your roots, embrace your sisters and brothers! Thank you for this article! ❤

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  41. Interesting article but entirely glossing over of not only the Spanish influence but totally ignorant of the root Taino culture that make up Puerto Ricans and other Caribbean indigenous people.

    Look at her and you see a grand conglomeration of ethnic influences. She is so eager to fit herself into a box of being black and that is her own obsessiveness about her identity but that doesn’t make it completely accurate. Her ancestors were in Puerto Rico before the introduction of the Spaniards and the people of the African continent into her bloodline.

    Like I said… Interesting perspective but not accurate and a genetic test would easily prove that.

    At the end of the day, anyone can identify as whatever they feel fits them best – we are humans and seek identity – but let’s not deny the sciences of genetics and anthropology in the process.

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  42. Hey, you identify with your African ancestors but that doesn’t take away from the fact that you also have Spanish blood running through your veins and much of the culture you practice (eg. speaking Spanish) originated in, you guessed it, Spain. You are a mulato woman, you are both African and European. It’s not as simple as what you are making it seem.

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    • Eighty percent of Black Americans have European blood running through our veins; yet, we consider ourselves black. What’s the difference?

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  43. Thank you, you have said what my deceased father been saying all his live. It caused a big rip in my family. My father refused to speak Spanish to us and our great grand mother didn’t get to know him until a few months before her death she was 95. My grand mother left PR to come to the VI because of racial differences in the family. She was the black one all the others were light. She had the gaul to marry a black man instead of lighting down. I could go on but I won’t. I just want to say I feel you, I see you, I hear you and thank you..

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  44. The lack of strong voice is slowly killing blacks and allowing the spread a sinister pernicious fragmentation with a dire consequence for all of us.
    The hype of genetic is good because it teaches us the futility of race and identity. However our opinions of who we are doesn’t matter to those who intend to undermine us in order to favour themselves with the helping hand of prejudice. Period!
    But genetic is now been use by many blacks to escape the uncomfortable burden of blackness, hoping to freely indulge in our beloved cult of complacency. Bear in mind that the single drop of black blood can be use against us any time when we least expect it, with devastating consequence.
    Many Jews thought they were no longer Jew until HITLER and his gas chamber told them otherwise. The brunt of Slavery did not spare the so call mix-race in the name of genetic.such fact cannot be sugar coated with corny biracial rhetoric!!!!! Predictably any future gas chamber destined to exterminate blacks will surely include them!!!All these anti-black identity crisis among blacks is only reviving a far more sinister spectre of colourism often mindlessly promoted by some blacks!!!! These days, white’s racism is no longer the sole threat compare to blacks’ projected prejudice and shameless ignorance towards one another. We have suffered many defeats throughout history because of it. And history is repeating itself.

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  45. Why do you need to be black for that? Let me start by saying I support pride in one’s cultures and beliefs. If you want to be proud, you have every right to be. However, have accurate information; ignorance is not attractive, especially when it’s selective to suit your own agenda. The word Spanish has more than one purpose; it refers to the language, not just “of or from Spain (Spaniard).” The Webster’s definition of Hispanics states – …”coming originally from an area where Spanish is spoken and especially from Latin America…” Hispanic is a term used to group together people/things that come from one of the many countries that speak Spanish. You spoke about the slave trade making it’s way to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Let’s focus on Puerto Rico for a moment. Like the rest of the world, we are “mutts,” or a mix of breeds (true “purebreds” do not exist). Puerto Ricans are primarily a mix of Spanish, African American, and Taino (the indigenous people of the island or the “purebred”). That doesn’t make my “racial identity” Spanish, or Taino, or African American (or anything else that may have snuck in there somewhere); it’s that mix that makes us different. What about the Taino part of that mix, where they not important? The natives who were robbed of all their gold, forced into slavery, and then we’re completely wiped out because their immune systems couldn’t protect them from the new diseases brought over by the Spaniards and the African slaves. This is why there are no more Tainos; you could almost call it genocide. The Taino blood and culture was only preserved because of babies made by owners who raped their slaves and Taino and African slaves co-mingling. I am proud of every part of that mix and the popular culture that resulted. We should all treasure that mix; and not just your own, but also everyone else’s. With that being said, that doesn’t make me any less susceptible to racism. The fact is that we went/go through the same inequalities as ANY other “minority.” The reason you hear more about the struggles of one over the rest is because of the exposure/size of the the different groups. The minority group that has the most population is the one that’s heard the loudest. We all fight the same fight; to be acknowledged, respected, understood, influence important decisions and allowed to live in peace. I am Puerto Rican… but more importantly I am Human! We need to stop worrying about who is what race. That’s the kind of thinking that keeps racial barriers and discrimination strong. We need to realize that we are all family under the same roof. We have a broken home that needs renovation, but it can’t be fixed without all of us doing our part… United as humans is the only way progress will be made. Use the knowledge of yesterday to do it better today!

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  46. As a Puertorican myself, I am confused by this article. I agree with CulturalCommentator; the author seems to have “blinders” on. In asserting her “blackness”, she is denying her Spanish and Indigenous (Taino) heritage. Why choose only one group of your ancestors to identify yourself? You are mixed and there is no reason why that shouldn’t be as empowering for you to admit.

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    • Her choice to choose the black side is purely political. Learn about your ancestors before you write your next article about Puerto Ricans. Or stick to the history of the South Bronx and Harlem.

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      • You are entirely correct. The author can choose to highlight whichever ethnicity she wishes, but she should not generalize about Puerto Rican ancestry. Most Puerto Ricans have mixed blood (Native Indian, Spanish, and black African). However, there are many Puerto Ricans whose European ancestors arrived in the past century and the 19th century and brought their own spouses or married people of their own race. Therefore, there are many Puerto Ricans who are truly Caucasian. There are many also who are mostly black. And, according to a new DNA study, there are many who have very recent Taíno heritage. It seems that the native indians did not disappear as promptly as our history books tell us.

  47. Wonderful article Rosa. It has always been of interest
    To me Asa black American born and reared in New York of how easy it was to identify with those wh were
    In New York from Puerto Rico. We all seem to speak the same language. What a fantastic article.

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  48. I was born on the island, speak, read, and write Spanish. I associate with my ancestry being African, Spaniard, and Taino and so there for I am Puerto Rican. I don’t consider myself one single part of my ancestry but a collection of cultures molded in to one Puerto Rican. Just because you recognize you have black ancestry doesn’t make you enlightened.

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  49. In the United States blackness was determined by blood at least by whites. Up to 1/64 black blood meant BLACK. Of course, the reasoning was miscegenation. I am product of that reality and long ago I got more rude questions from blacks asking “What are you?” I have gray eyes and curly hair. Oops, had curly hair. It’s gone. Knowing the history of Puerto Rico, the Indians, the Spaniards and slaves, it is a wonder that any person of color would make such a statement or accusation. I used to call them the “blacker than thou” preachers. Skin politics among blacks has always been a sad legacy among people of color. Think there is none in Brasil? Go. There is a skin caste system whether they admit it or not. A hair system, etc. DNA certainly ends the talk of who is what, but it doesn’t account for state of mind. Clarence Thomas is visibly a black man, BUT–inside of Uncle Clarence beats the heart of Strom Thurmond. Skin color tells us very little about character, integrity or intelligence. It is just a convenient marker. Mr. Columbus never set foot in the continental United States, but he spread disease and semen all around the Caribbean and gave Queen Isabella and Spain the keys to the kingdom.

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  50. This is beautifully stated. Probably the only difference between her and myself is home country. I claim the United States and Costa Rica. I was raised in the US for the most part, but my parents are both Costa Rican. I’m a dark skinned Latina, so it boggles me when AA tell me that I’m “not really black”. When they look at my hair and complexion, I get “Oohhh…. that’s why you look that way”….. I’m done being offended by it. I’ve dealt with it my whole life.

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  51. Jackie if she takes a DNA test her jaw would drop to the floor. There’s dark complexed blacks the have 30 percent European admixture. So what would her admixture be prolly 7 percent black and 93 percent European.

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  52. You prolly have a black ancestor in your lineage but you not fully black sorry. There is more white spaniards in your lineage. You not african black. I think all these black wannabes actually diminish the real identity of what a black person is. During slavery light skinned black tried to pass or had house negroe status. Now that black is the new cool thing every mixed race, light white hardly can identify you racial type hollaring I’m black I’m black. Get the hell out with that shit. Fortunately I’m from the St. Thomas usvi and I’m very familiar with Puerto Ricans and Dominicans. I remember when a light bright Puerto Rican or Dominican would never admit they where black even the dark ones would say “im no black I’m Latino”.

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  53. Being Black is your heritage. Imbrace it and you will be free. The way blacks are treated in this world,why would you want to be black if you aren’t. To all the non believers who won’t accept me because my skin color is so light and bright ….forget you clowns. Thank you

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  54. DNA testing for ancestry is not accurate and a rip off. Stop telling people this b.s. If you have 25 great great great grandparents at least 20 to 23 will be excluded from the test not giving you what you came for. Do not believe me, go to 3 different one s and you will get 3 different answers.

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    • What are you talking about?! Autosomal DNA tests will tell you All of your ancestors back to your 5 great grandparents. You are thinking of Mtdna and Ydna, which is your Maternal and Paternal lines.

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  55. Thank you for putting into words so eloquently & succinctly what I’ve been tired of saying for the longest. My son, who is African American on his dad’s side told me the other day that “I don’t know what it’s like to be a Black woman in America.” Throughout his teenage years he would yell “You ain’t Black, Ma!” whenever I’d speak against racism or other injustices. I don’t know if it’ll work, or if he’ll take the time to read it (which is part of his problem), but I’d Iike to share this article with him.

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  56. Yes it all boils down to the fact that we are it is proven through the whole entire bible ,we are the Israelites the bible speak of . Jesus from the tribe of Judah.In school they only teach us about the trade Atlantic slave trade, when yet in the bible you can go eat to the beginning of time, the book of Esdras.They teach us our Mother land is Africa when God says its Jerusalem but yes we are spread through out the 4 corners of the earth ,hipe our people the real Israel wakes up and know who they are and that we are the best thing God put on this earth his choosen seed from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

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  57. I am black! But, my mother chose to give me a haspanic name. After the bandit/ saint JoaquiMarrietta. At first I wanted to learn the language. But, when I discovered the distaste for African Americans, as spanish, Brazilian, south american people have for us. I am not interested in dealing with the either. “Most come over here and try to pass anyway” The Republicans really want you out of this country! Only the black people and other liberals in the democratic party fought to keep the dream act! But even with that their are still those die hard racist Spaniards that still seek a place in the Republican Ideology! Just like Stupid ass Ben Carson does when it cones to us.

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  58. You are what you say you are, and that is the absolute truth for everyone.

    But…you say you’re black, but you’re light-skinned, and that came from somewhere: white ancestors. Do a DNA test and see that you’re pretty significantly white. Why don’t you embrace your WHOLE identity instead of putting the blinders on?

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    • Two melinated people are capable of producing lighter children. We don’t need to include Caucasians for that. Research dominant vs recessive genes. My mother is light complected and she is the product of two dark complected parents. Yet she has all of there blended facial features I have several cousins who are much lighter than both of their parents. Your race can’t do that but our people can.

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  59. Thank you, Rosa Clemente for sharing this piece. I too am a Black Puerto Rican and have struggled both internally and externally with the realities of my identification. I applaud you, mi hermana! Your article simply served to fuel my deep desire to one day embark on a research study that examines our collective (Latinos) issues around race….you know….how in one moment we can be called “Negrita” and in the same breath decry our “Blackness”….”Yo no soy morena!” Interesting dichotomy, to say the least.

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  61. Thank you so much for this article and your stance. The multitude of people of African decent that are spread throughout the earth are mind blowing and a very beautiful thing. I look forward to the season when more of us wake up to the truth of who we are, come together and really make a difference in the world.

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    • How can you say that when we’ve been black since the day we were born? How can you say that when both my parent are from Colombia, same area, both families deep ties in Colombia, yet my dad is black as night with straight hair and my mom is light skinned with curly hair. My brother sister and I are all shades in between with me being the lightest and my brother the darkest. He’s dealt with life as a black man because he fit the bill. Yet I live life almost as a passable white girl, but my curly hair and tan skin gives it away. So because I have light skin I shouldn’t stand up to defend my brother against this system that attacks any and all black men, regardless of where they’re from? You need to look past the bullshit you’ve been fed and the mistakes of a few idiots that don’t know who they are or where they’re from or else you’ll be just a dumb and stuck as they are, for real.

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  64. Beautiful article and well said. I would also add that even before the cruel and disgusting history of slavery, Africans (and Asians) traded with folks in the “Americas,” way before Columbus or Vespucci. Native people have had African ancestory way before colonization. #AfroTaino

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    • Dude just because you have Black African DNA, does not mean all Native Americans alway did and do. Native Americans were of only Amerindian heritage before 1492, before colonization and Slavery. Native Americans did not trade with Africans not Asians. If so were are all these trade goods that were traded? There is none, that’s why! Where are all the African haplogroups that would of been traded? Last I checked, Amerindian Haplogroups A,B,C, D and X, are specific to the Americas. There is no African Ydna E and A, there is No Mtdna L1, L2, L3. Those are native to Africa, not America! Quit with the Revisionist, Afrocentric Bullshit! Not all Natives have even too this day, have any African admixture. There are no ancient remains found anywhere in America that have any African admixture!

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