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Latinos are the fastest growing demographic in the United States, and the number of people identifying as Afro-Latino as of the 2020 census totaled more than 1.3 million. Every state and the District of Columbia saw population growth, and for the first time in the country, births, not immigration, were the reason for the rising numbers.
Unfortunately, some who identify as both Black and Latinx say that while the community is growing, the overall sense of acceptance is not. In fact, many feel like they’re between cultures and uninvited to either cookout. Speaking Spanish, especially at home, causes some people to feel like they are not “really black”. Then, when the same individuals are among Hispanic speakers, anti-blackness, while not malicious, can be hurtful. Jokes about dark skin and comments about lightening one’s bloodline through marriage to offer a better chance of social mobility are common, but no less unwelcome by those forced to endure such “advice”.
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In the latest episode of Red Table Talk: The Estefans , which premieres Thursday (October 14) at 9:00 am PT/12:00 pm ET on Facebook Watch, things heat up as the topic of colorism arises in the Latinx community and a group of guests are not afraid to to go there.
Grammy winning superstar Gloria Estefan talks to her daughter Emily Estefan; and Gloria’s niece and Daytime Emmy Award-winning TV presenter, Lili Estefan. The hosts welcomed Love & Hip Hop: Miami star Amara the Black and strange eye Stern and FAMU Rattler, Karamo Brown, to the red table to share a candid look at the pain they felt growing up as a black child in a Latino family.
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La Negra has been very vocal about her experiences, particularly the racism she felt as a child star on the set of Sábado Gigante, a popular Spanish-language variety show. Today, she will happily enlighten anyone who will listen about what it’s like to be an Afro-Latina, while Brown has only recently become comfortable in his acceptance of his Latinx roots, having gone from a valued family member to negative ones as a child reactions.
In this exclusive clip from tonight’s show, watch La Negra explain why she doesn’t believe those who profess to be above the ideals of colorism or racism.
RELATED: Rosie Perez Says Afro-Latinos Divorcing Within Latinx Community Are ‘Dangerous’
DR Elizabeth Hordge Freeman, an expert on colorism in Latin American countries, is also invited to the conversation and will help the panel better understand the differences between race, nationality and ethnicity.
After recent events that have challenged racism and white privilege across the country and around the world, the Latinx community is just one group where members are beginning to confront anti-Black racism among themselves and in their families .
“Black and Latin: Racism Inside” Premieres Thursday, October 14 at 9:00am PT /12:00pm CET exclusively on Facebook Watch.