Heaven forbid you should have dark skin and claim to be Latina. Heaven forbid your hair has the slightest kink and dare to claim “Mexicana” even if you were born there. Lupita Nyongo got herself in a bit of hot water because she claimed Latina but she has dark skin, kinky hair and Kenyan parents.
There is always a need for us to identify, categorize ourselves based on ethnicity, race or creed. Some of us have attempted to avoid the boxes by saying we claim no labels which never works.. clearly! – In addition to that if you have dark skin and kinky hair you are just plain black with no heritage, origination or claims except for the color of your skin.
Here are the facts, Latin America is made up of over 20 sovereign countries and if you were born in one of those countries you are Latin American. If you are born specifically in Mexico, you are Mexican and Latin. If you are born on the Caribbean island of Jamaica, you are Jamaican.
With that said, Latin America and the Caribbean has many ethnic groups and races including, black people, European people, indigenous people and Asian people. Lupita’s parents are from Kenya which makes her heritage a mix of Mexican and Kenyan. She was raised in Kenya and only spent one year or her life in Mexico.
“I’m Mexican and Kenyan at the same time,” she said, according to El Mañana. “I’ve seen the quarrels over my nationality, but I’m Kenyan and Mexican at the same time. So again, I am Mexican-Kenyan and I am fascinated by carne asada tacos.
All of this came into question again because she was doing an interview which seemed pretty light about being a part of the Star Wars movie The Force Awakens with Latin co-star Oscar Isaac. The fact that they are both Latin American made for a great interview.
It is crazy because even though Oscar’s heritage is Cuban and French he is ‘allowed’ to claim his Latin American roots without the uproar. Lupita however received this:
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“Lupita N’yongo no es Latina! Es una actriz increíble, una mujer hermosa, pero de Latina no tiene nada. Nació en México mientras su padre estaba allí de negocio y solo vivió allí unos meses. Sus papás son de Kenya.”
Facebook app translation: “Lupita N ‘ YONGO IS NOT Latina! It’s an incredible actress, a beautiful woman, but of Latina has nothing. She was born in Mexico while her father was there for business and only lived there a few months. Her parents are from Kenya.”
And this:
“Lupita es Mexicana por accidente no por que tenga Origen Latino como Lo dice el señor Jorge Ramos. Ella es Africana. Oscar si es de Origen Latino.”
Facebook translation: “Lupita is mexicana by accident not because I have latin origin as it says Mr Jorge Ramos. She is African. Oscar if it is of Latin origin.”
Yup you read right, Lupita is Mexicana by accident! – How do you even write that much less formulate that in your mind? This is a clear case of racism and gross color-ism which is not new to the Latin American countries even today where Afro-Latin Americans have a hard time as being recognized as Latin regardless of where they were born.
Not everyone agreed with Lupita’s treatment in the thread however, there were a few sensible commentors on the video, for instance this one that called everyone out for there racism and colorism:
Si Lupita fuera Rubia y de ojos azules ahi estubieran reclamandola como Mexicana! Como es posible que sea el 2015 y tengamos la mente tan cerrada? Y la verdad no me sorprende en lo absoluto, nuestro hermoso continente Americano es un gran arco iris de colores pero lamentablemente lo unico que casi se ve en la tele es blanco, claro! Eso tambien se debe a que nuestras razas de color casi estan marginalizadas y no tienen las mismas oportunidades.
Facebook translation:
If Lupita She was blonde and blue eyes there were reclamandola like Mexican! How is it possible that it is 2015 and we have the mind so closed? And the truth I am not surprised at all, our beautiful American continent is a big rainbow of colors but unfortunately the only thing that you can almost see on tv is white, of course! That also is due to the fact that our races of color almost are marginalized and do not have the same opportunities.
Well said! One things for sure we still have work to do!
Latino’s and latina’s whatever dafuq y’all call it are black too.. smh
Not all are black.
We all got some black heritage in us. So I’m not going to discuss all that s**t. Cause I already know what’s good.
It states she was born in Mexico to two black parents,she is not saying shes mexican/Latina decent.
She’s Kenyan born in Mexico and there are still black people who are Mexican and black people who are Latina. Mexican isn’t race and neither is Latina.
So…. Lol
People are confusing nationality and race. She can claim Mexican because she was born in the country of Mexico.
Thank you
Thank you some people need to read a book !
Of course.
Thank you. They acting like she’s disowning her Kenyan heritage.
Of course! People are painfully ignorant. Don’t you claim American cuz you were born…..in AMERICA?? Don’t mean you not black! Ugh!
Not true
There are afro-latinos like me, I don´t see the problem.
The only problem is that she lived in Latin America for less than 2 years and doesn’t have Latino roots. 90% (or more) of Latinos have African Roots dear. Try explaining to someone how a straight haired, blonde, green eyed, white girl is a Latina! No one believes it. ?
Nacionality and Race are two different things. Nacionality is the place where you were born and Black or White is a race. So she is a Black Latina ..she doesn’t need to look like a regular Latino, straight hair light skin. Her nationality makes her Mexican in this case. I’m a black Latina born in Mexico too, I do understand what she is saying, I hope I was able to clear your doubts or questions Caroline Kirkland De Varela
Ivon Gamboa I am a white Latina. Born and raised in Panama. I have no doubts. I am only commenting to my friend how no one believes it because of my color of skin. Y como latina, te comento, en MIS ojos, Lupita no es latina. Nació en Mexico..pero no es latina.
They continue to spew ignorance in the name of prejudices, she was born in Mexico, she is Mexican. Then you wonder why the USA treats the Mexicans like they do, they are only getting what many of them are. Being Latino is only a matter of geography, being Hispanic is only a matter of language, educate yourselves and then your prejudices will soon be seen as irrelevant
Agree
Being Hispanic has to do with geography as well.
But your overall opinion is correct. I’ve experienced the same prejudices from my own family since I’m mixed and from both sides of the fence. But for Lupita’s case, she’s Mexican and Mexican people will just have to accept that.
Thank you Hannah Lang
Hannah Lang being Hispanic only means you are from a country which speaks Spanish; Spain is a Hispanic country but is not a part of Latin America; Brazil is part of Latin America but is not hispanic
Teach Dee!
You know what Dee.. You are right. I retract my previous statement.
But isn’t it kind of colonialist to refer to yourselves as Latino or Hispanic? ? Isnt that allowing Spain’s conquests to define their ethnicity and identity? The ppl you refer to had geographic and cultural homes before Spain…unless they ARE Spanish..right?? getting your oppressed to define themselves by a colonialists culture and be proud..brilliant. .kind of ” willie lynch”-ish…no?
We are the only f**kin idiots who don’t wanna be what we are
She didn’t say she wasn’t black….she’s Mexican because she was born in Mexico, n she said she’s also Kenyan
Lonique Renee Brooklyn Ryan Oh I thought both of her parents are from Kenyan my apologies I love Lupita but at the same time we do always go there. I
Eww, harsh language when you clearly didn’t read the article.
Alisha get a life.
Where you were born geographically has nothing to do with what you are genetically.
Don’t go there sweetie, I have a fab life and the other thing is that I read, something you clearly don’t do . Happy Holiday. I’m not here to argue with you. ✌
That’s like saying I can’t call myself british/English because my parents are from Sierra Leone
You don’t have to relate to Mexico or any Mexican, nacionality and Race are two different things. Mexican is a nacionality and Race is black or white etc etc.. I was born in Mexico and I live in USA for more than twenty years and that doesn’t make me an American cause Is not my place of birth but I’m black and that can’t go no where.. I. I’m a black Latina and because our ancestors were slave and they separated entire family and sold to different countries we all black regardless where we were born are related. I hope I was able to help you with your question.
Queene Rulah, the self-hate is out of control among our people.
She is who she is… Human
Yea lmao…
Y would she be roasted? She’s just as gorgeous as the people in her country!
The ONLY reason she is “CLAIMING” to be Mexican is because she was born there. Her parents worked there for 3yrs…. left right after giving birth to her and went to Kenya, she GREW UP in kenya. Her parents sent her back to Mexico at the age of 16 to learn Spainsh for “7months”….. That’s it!!!! So she has lived is Mexico alittle LESS than a year her whole life and have NO mexican roots, ZIP, NADA. See it doesn’t matter who you are OR what race your parents are, if you were born there, then your Mexican…… BY the way Lupita, skin color have NOTHING to do with it……. I was born in Spain, my great grandmother is Mexican along with White……..LOL, Ok lupita, you’re Mexican. Why do you think we have our BLACK, colombians, Domincians, Puerto Ricans, Cuban…… Slave trade
They mention a guy in there that is french but he was born in Cuba but they allow him to claim his Latin roots, racism is well alive even we Afro Latinos have it hard but they swear it’s not a problem there. Pshhh
I truly understand what your saying Treionna, I think it’s MORE difficult because other than she was born there and ONLY went back to learn spainsh and only live in Mexico less than a year…..”TOO ME” she doesn’t far under the Latina to me…. No type of Mexican blood running through her veins, NO mexican roots, and I think thats what folks are looking for…….. I have Latina roots
Your totally right I agree and that’s what people are saying she not latina but im just showing a example from the article there was a french guy from Cuba and he have no Latin roots but he accepted and no one comes for him when he claims Latino. I do agree with u tho and same I do too.
Who to tell if her family doesn’t have Latino roots. I know persons who are African but there fore parents where Irish. It shouldn’t matter if she was only born there. If she has embraced the culture it has helped to shape who she is. At least she went to learn Spanish there at a young age. Afro Mexicans and other Latino were only recently recognized has being Latino and Afro Mexicans. So yes it has to do with race.
Sooo this means what? There are Mexicans in America who say they are Mexican and not American and were born and raised here and speak no Spanish. She was born there no matter how many years she stayed she is a Mexican African. There you have it. Im Dominican and Italian and wasnt born in neither but my parents were. But I claim Latin American all day.
Whatever Nika Guyton, I was having a conversation with Treionna, and it was my opinion…..you ain’t got to like, heck you can even have ill feelings bottom like I stated MY OPINION…… Just like you stated your’s. Girl bye !!!!!!
Looll! Get it together girl! You is African, of Kenyan descent…
Would you say the same thing if she were American but raised in Africa?She’s Mexican with African upbringing, roots or culture. She can read her own birth certificate.
Lol….Kenyan citizenship laws until 2010 did not allow dual citizenship. When she was born she was registered as a Kenyan at our embassy there. She can “claim” dual citizenship now as we have a new constitution that allows dual citizenship. If she was an American born in Kenya, she would not be a Kenyan. And even claiming dual citizenship by birth is still a process….not automatic.
Wow!! Well, damn
The point is WHY though?..WHY does Lupita feel the need to even acknowledge the Latin nationality/ She in herself is NOT Latina.. whether she lived in Mexico for 50 years her DNA is not made up of anything remotely Latina… The race card is not geared towards the Latinas and they have every right for their comments.. the point is if she is so PROUD of herself… then why even open up this for discussion.. Roast on..Roast some more until she gets it… Too often our Black women have to claim some other nationality to feel more ‘connected’ Fuck that. I do not respect her for her statement nor do I stand by it… It actually dropped her beauty down several notches.
Her race is Black and her nationality is Mexican since she was born there also learned the language.
She is Black,( my bad) KENYAN (not Nigerian) and Mexican by way of being born there
My question is ALTHOUGH she was born there THEN PARENTS LEFT, she went back at the age of 16 to learn spanish THEN LEFT again ONLY spending LESS THAN A YEAR IN MEXICO PERIOD….. so my question to her would be HOW IN THE HECK can you relate to the Mexican people when you only lived there LESS than 1 YEAR…. you have NO Mexican ROOTS, NO MEXICAN HERITAGE other than being born there, and went back as teenager to learn spanish for several months.
You don’t have to relate to Mexico or any Mexican, nacionality and Race are two different things. Mexican is a nacionality and Race is black or white etc etc.. I was born in Mexico and I live in USA for more than twenty years and that doesn’t make me an American cause Is not my place of birth but I’m black and that can’t go no where.. I. I’m a black Latina and because our ancestors were slave and they separated entire family and sold to different countries we all black regardless where we were born are related. I hope I was able to help you with your question.
Myself brothers and sisters are afro carribean heritage born in Britain ….England for those who don’t get it yes ….
BLACK BRITISH. …BUT I DON’T CLAIM TO BE ENGLISH …my heritage is Jamaican….. I never ever lived in Jamaica some of us have never even laid eyes on the island but we still say we are afro carribean. ..
Lol. I was born in the United States. My mother is Mexican-Japanese and my Father is Black(because he doesn’t know his tribe)-Chinese. Spanish was my 1st language. In my house we ONLY spoke Spanish. Went to Mexico every summer as a child.
As an adult when people meet me for the first time and hear me speak Spanish they label me as a Latina, but I’m American. Do you see the difference?
It’s not about my roots or who I was around more. I am American because I was born in America. I have Mexican roots which gives me I guess some leeway to identify with my Hispanic culture, but at the end of the day I’m American.
Well I’m truly glad we all can give our OWN opinions without disrespecting one another having such nasty attitudes and comments…… We’re all abults. Everyone have a blessed evening
I’m black and born in Mexico.. I’m a black Latina.. I Do understand what she is saying.. There is black people out of the United States, slaves were sold in countries like Cuba, Mexico, Brazil, Haiti, Jamaica, Dominic republic, Nicaragua, Guatemala etc etc.
I’m black cuban….. so black latina or hispanic. I agree with you. Some ppl will never get
Lol my family has so many mixture of cultures its not funny. And the slave trade caused that. Anyway you take it mixed cultures make some darn cute babies. People need to just get over it.
Why do you have to emphasize on Black? . Like people just say they’re Mexican, White, Asian. It’s ridiculous and society need to stop thinking this way…
@Dianna Rhooms culture is different from race. Lupita isn’t denying she’s black. You can’t create mixed babies with culture…
Cute babies everywhere too.
@Yolanda Hill what’s wrong with emphasising on black. You are aware white is a race too.
It’s not always necessary, as it’s obvious a person is black. However, no need to shy away. Full stop IMO
Dianna Rhooms woow… I would have thought love made those mixture of cultures not slave trade. In Africa there’s a lot of mixture of cultures too because you date and make children with a person you love not because of their complexion or culture.
Hannah Okorafor absolutely it’s “Black ” obvious. So no need to mention . We are the only race that say this unfortunately. Although there’s nothing to be shy about, but it does become annoying …
I think all this is going overboard. No reason for people to think she is denning she is black. Believe is not easy to born in country where you don’t look like the rest of the population and be call nasty names cause of your color and the people you think is your people cause you look like them denied you too cause where born in another country it’s just a total mess. But I do understand what she is saying. Cause I’m living it and proud of my color and I’m Latina even if I left my country when I was young ,that is what my birth certificate says. But it’s funny the double standards of some people (not talking about anybody here) when I some people make fun of Africans but when a famous African is claiming to be Latino then they have issues. That is my opinion. I hope I didn’t offend anyone, I just expressing myself.
Yes I do agree it’s annoying
My nationality is cuban my race is black. I don’t need to say I’m black that’s obvious but many times when I state my nationality ppl give the side eye, like girl you black… and I’m have to tell them yeah black Cuban born, maybe that’s why ppl feel the need to put a race to their nationality.
Yoelys Navarro-Prendergast agreed. Who are giving you the side eye? I assume Black people. I just say i’m American. Give me all the side eye’s you want ??. Hey ladies i appreciate your comments ?, it feels good to have a post where we as one can come together and express are differences with positive vibes! ?.. Yoelys how/what do Cubans celebrate Christmas and cooked food’s? .. Anyone else as well different nationality ?
Now we really celebrate like americans lol… but back home “Nochebuena” (Christmas’s Eve) was the big thing, we ate macho asado (roast pork) black beans and rice and yam. Cubans still celebrate like this, not much of the Christmas presents and shopping craziness lol. Also families go to church on Nochebuena. Yolanda Hill
So are people with Mexican parents who are born in the US not American and Mexican…it’s the same type of situation
I guess I’m part Indian by accident. The nerve of some people. Am sick and tired of hearing if you’re not white your not true American if you ain’t looking like a Mexican you’re not Mexican. S**t I’m from the Caribbean and have friends who look more Latina than girls who are from Latin America. Grow the hell up. We are what we are and nothing else. Black yellow or blue. If you were born in a country legally you’re a citizen. Get over it. What’s wrong with being born in one country and having heritage with a next.
She can say that now because the country of Mexico finally decided to recognized the black latino in their national census and record very recently after centuries of discrimination and marginalization.
If people only read they would know that there is black everywhere not only in the US
Right.
Smh
She was born in Mexico. That makes her Mexican
Latins are just having a bad day….first Miss Columbia, now Lupita Nyong’o
Huh mama and poopa African so she a got damn african!!!
Smh, if two Asians have a baby in America, you telling me that baby ain’t Asian? Being born somewhere doesn’t change your ethnicity.
ethnicity and race are not the same thing.
Exactly.
I agree … This chick is pure African regardless of where she was born . Her family briefly lived in Mexico …. So what? They are from Africa. She sounds crazy trying to claim being Latina .
her first name is Latina and born in Mexico dnt see the problem .
Almost all black americans are something else mixed with black. Hardly any of us just African.
I am.
wonderful I claim all my ancestry! Im sure you are proud ! Me too
Everyone originated from the motherland so that means people are mixed with Black and not the other way around. Hallelujah!
Lupita is not mixed lol… She appears to be pure African
Now her. The hell with supporting Black actor / actresses who wants to claim everything but their African ancestry
Would you say the same thing if he were born here in the US but raised in Kenya?
Where did she deny anything
It does not matter what you r mixed with. You will alway be a ugly black woman ask Mary Jane
Well that’s just nice.. Smdh
Ugly black woman is not what I think. That is a metaphor from Mary Janes show.
Black British. …just saying didn’t ask for the title it was laid at our door from conception. ….born, breed in England ….it’s all u know …but my heritage is Fully Jamaican. …
British Nigerian (black) here!
I agree with your statements. I’m blessed to have many black friends with heritage from around the globe.
trying to find where she said she was a Latina
if that is where she was born then the truth is that she is a Mexican…. just as any person born in America would be American. There is the term Afro Mexicana Or Afro Latina. But it is quite accurate to claim citizenship of the nation one is born into…. #doggonepeople can we please be human one day????
Mexico is just recognizing their afro-mexican people. So I’m not surprised by the uproar
She was born in Mexico(she adopted Latin culture). However, she is African by race. That is what I understand from her statements.
If she was born in Mexico how can she “adopt” the Spanish culture?
That’s what they get for praise her all the time!!
Don’t people think she knows what she is. Leave her alone at least she didn’t pull a “Rachel”!
She’s Mexican, not Latian. She would only be Latina if she were Mexican by blood. She’s only Mexican by nationality.
Being Latina is a culture through shared language and geography nothing to do with race.
Or Latino!
I just find out that I’m not Mexican, I guess that why I was mistreated in Mexico. Not Latina either oh boy.. What am I?
If you were born in Mexico, you’re Mexican. Lupita is Kenyan-Mexican. Just like if she were born in America, she’d be Kenyan-American or just African American. But Latino is an ethnicity and you need to be of that ancestry to be such. Just like being born in Africa doesn’t make you Black. You need to be of that ancestry. So you’re Mexican, just not Latino. Ivon Gamboa Although, you have the right to identify with whatever you feel most comfortable I guess. I’m just going to the DNA/genealogy route.
No, she would NOT be African-American as African-American is an ethnicity…look it up…she would be Kenyan-American.
I guess that is what I’m gonna do.. DNA.. But seriously this is sad.. Eve was our mother, it shouldn’t matter what color you are or where you from, we are human beings..
Yup. ..mom is from Costa Rica and dad’s from Monserratt. ..I’m the first American born for my family. Brothers and sisters born in Costa Rica. ..this article is shows the ignorance of some…yes there are black latinas! !!
Its always made up drama on FB!
Lol
Sister you have nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone is celebrating your beauty….own it.
I am so confused now
I dont see anything wrong.long as she didn’t something else
Her Black ass is VERY Black! So, if she were born in Europe…would she be EUROPEAN???? #toomanystupidpeopleinworld
If she were born in Europe she would absolutely be European in geographical terms. It’s the same thing with anchor babies. Even if their parents were born elsewhere and these babies were raised elsewhere, these babies are still Americans
#byeFelecia You sound ridiculous!
And you sound ignorant…I mean, who can deny what I’ve said? If you’re born in a country, you’re a citizen of that country. That only changes if you give up your citizenship of your birth country which she hasn’t. She is Mexican by birth but African by heritage.
It’s not f@cking rocket science…duh??
And you act as though there are no Black Europeans…yet I sound ridiculous, huh!
Go have several seats, please and thank you!!!
STFU!
You sound STUPID TOO! SHE’S VERY BLACK! IDC WHERE SHE WAS BORN! SO, if she was born on the moon…would she be a martian???? ????????FOH #goofass
You’re an idiot…she never said she wasn’t black! Who said she wasn’t black….ugh!? I’m dealing with an uneducated fool.
OK, let me explain it to you like I would my second grade students–
She’s a black woman who was born in Mexico and lived there for a bit but raised in Kenya. That makes her RACE black but her NATIONALITY is Mexican and her heritage/roots African. Do you get it now?
What you want to do is pigeon hole her into one category that doesn’t completely identify who she truly is.
All you have is a bunch of immature insults but offer no logical argument to prove your point. So I’ll just leave you right there with your silly self. You have a fake profile so I think I’m dealing with a troll anyway..buh bye??
And you funny looking! There’s another one! Take yo funny looking ass on and stop replying to ISH yo Black ass assuming about! You blue black and PROBABLY THINK YOU’RE A DIFFERENT NATIONALITY TOO RIGHT???? ???????? #uglyassAnd further more YOUR opinion wasn’t asked…you come on my post and NOT THAT IT’S WANTED, BECAUSE you are a CLUELESS AS THE OTHERS!
I can wait to live in a world where you don’t have to explain what is you race culture country sexual prefence Can we just be people. She’s a wonderful human being simple as that.
People educate yourselves: Latina is African!
I mean I was born in America so I call myself American…. What’s the difference.
The difference is where you all your life in America or in other country/culture???
No… Cause there’s a thing called citizenship, and the fact that she can do whatever she wants
Uhmmm. Ethnicity /race and nationality are not the same. If a pregnant woman from Japan had her baby in Africa while on vacation, would her child be Black? Or African? Or an Asian person that happened to be born in Africa?
Did SHE say she was Latina? Or Mexican?
So when some “latinos” are born in the US they are not american ? Right ?
Really….?