To take the survey now click here!
Bianca Laureano is an award-winning fierce-haired Puerto Rican LatiNegra sexologist living in New York City. For over a decade Bianca has worked with communities of Color on various topics connected to sex and sexuality. She is co-founder of The LatiNegr@s Project and hosts LatinoSexuality.com. Bianca is an independent scholar, writer, and radical educator. She identifies as a radical woman of Color and you may read more about her at BiancaLaureano.com. She is joined by an unpaid intern, Tasasha Henderson who is helping with promotion and distribution. You may contact Bianca with any questions or suggestions at LatiNegraSexologist@gmail.com.
This project is an attempt to bring LatiNegr@s, Blaktin@s, Cariben@s, Afr@Latin@s, et. al. into conversations around sex/uality. Often we are not included completely, and only presented as either ethnically Latin@ or racially Black. The questions below center demographics, resources available and used by LatiNegr@s, and forms of sex/uality information from various people in our communities.
Responses to this survey are 100% confidential and your responses will not in any way be connected to your identit(ies) unless you agree to have Bianca contact you via email for additional survey questions. If you chose not to share your contact information your response will be anonymous. This information will help begin to shift conversations and begin to provide LatiNegr@s with the opportunity to share our own experiences. The findings will be made available by July 2013 at LatinoSexuality.com and folks are welcome to use the findings in their own work to bring awareness, inclusivity, and justice to conversations about LatiNegr@s and our sexuality needs, resources, and narratives. The citation will be a communal citation and not one solely attributed to Bianca as this is a communal effort.
This is phase one of a budding multi-layered project centering LatiNegr@s and sex/uality. Additional parts of the project includes media, workshops, and community building among LatiNegr@s. If you are interested in joining other parts/phases of this project please reach out to Bianca at LatiNegraSexologist@gmail.com.
Although each question is "required" with a red *, please note if you do not want to comment or do not have anything further to share please write any word you choose (i.e. n/a, see above, etc.) to move through the survey.
Many thanks in advance for your time, input, and participation.
To take the survey click this link.
Showing posts with label latinegros. Show all posts
Showing posts with label latinegros. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
LatiNegr@s & The 40th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
[originally published at The LatiNegr@s Project]
This week marked the 40th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the supreme court decision that made abortion legal in the US. In much of the coverage around this anniversary there has been a lot of discussion regarding Latin@s and Black men and women*. What is missing is the inclusion and narratives of LatiNegr@s.
As readers know LatiNegr@s are both ethnically Latin@ and racially Black. Our experiences matter and must also be included. Our experiences may very well be similar to Latin@s of any racial group and racially Black people as well. However, we also have specific experiences because we are both.
The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health has data and a focus on abortion access. They also have a new project Yo Te Apoyo with a video discussing how to support a friend who is terminating a pregnancy. Unfortunately, it seems there is only one LatiNegr@ featured. This is a great example of inclusion, and I expect to see more of us included on a regular basis and in more numbers. However, I’m not sure how NLIRH has included LatiNegr@s in their past research. It’s safe to say we are rarely (if ever) featured in a headline and often discussed as only Latin@.
This is a similar approach we see in spaces focusing on Black women as well. Rarely do we see a ethnic breakdown of the racially Black women featured. Earlier this week Dani McClain published an article at Ebony.com asking why Black women are not represented in conversations about abortion and why we don’t share our stories. McClain examined the videos folks published for the 1 in 3 campaign and wrote: “Out of the 31 moving, intimate videos posted online, four appear to feature Black women.”
Although it “appears” to only feature 4 Black women, McClain has excluded the voices of LatiNegr@s. Perhaps the appearance of a Black woman McClain is seeking is very specific to certain characteristics such as skin color only because she did not include this LatiNegra’s story (yes that’s me, the author). McClain’s question of why Black women are not represented or sharing their stories of abortion is valid and important. I’d like to take her question a step further and ask why are the experiences and narratives of LatiNegr@s not represented (yet)?
The primary issue is that we are not included. Either we are discussed only as Latin@s or only as Black people and rarely as both. Ignoring this connection/complexity is a form of erasure and silencing. We will no longer be silent or ignored! We will hold folks accountable for excluding us and support them in ensuring their representations are inclusive. If you are interested in sharing your story as a LatiNegr@ with the NLIRH Yo Te Apolyo project learn how to do so here.
If you know of research and projects that include us please share them!
*The terms wo/man are in reference to gender and not sex assigned at birth (SAAB). As a result, abortion is a topic that may impact people of all genders and not only folks whose SAAB is female or intersex. For these reasons the @ sign will be used to recognize gender and terms wo/man will both be used. For more information about how the @ sign is used read here.
This week marked the 40th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the supreme court decision that made abortion legal in the US. In much of the coverage around this anniversary there has been a lot of discussion regarding Latin@s and Black men and women*. What is missing is the inclusion and narratives of LatiNegr@s.
As readers know LatiNegr@s are both ethnically Latin@ and racially Black. Our experiences matter and must also be included. Our experiences may very well be similar to Latin@s of any racial group and racially Black people as well. However, we also have specific experiences because we are both.
The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health has data and a focus on abortion access. They also have a new project Yo Te Apoyo with a video discussing how to support a friend who is terminating a pregnancy. Unfortunately, it seems there is only one LatiNegr@ featured. This is a great example of inclusion, and I expect to see more of us included on a regular basis and in more numbers. However, I’m not sure how NLIRH has included LatiNegr@s in their past research. It’s safe to say we are rarely (if ever) featured in a headline and often discussed as only Latin@.
This is a similar approach we see in spaces focusing on Black women as well. Rarely do we see a ethnic breakdown of the racially Black women featured. Earlier this week Dani McClain published an article at Ebony.com asking why Black women are not represented in conversations about abortion and why we don’t share our stories. McClain examined the videos folks published for the 1 in 3 campaign and wrote: “Out of the 31 moving, intimate videos posted online, four appear to feature Black women.”
Although it “appears” to only feature 4 Black women, McClain has excluded the voices of LatiNegr@s. Perhaps the appearance of a Black woman McClain is seeking is very specific to certain characteristics such as skin color only because she did not include this LatiNegra’s story (yes that’s me, the author). McClain’s question of why Black women are not represented or sharing their stories of abortion is valid and important. I’d like to take her question a step further and ask why are the experiences and narratives of LatiNegr@s not represented (yet)?
The primary issue is that we are not included. Either we are discussed only as Latin@s or only as Black people and rarely as both. Ignoring this connection/complexity is a form of erasure and silencing. We will no longer be silent or ignored! We will hold folks accountable for excluding us and support them in ensuring their representations are inclusive. If you are interested in sharing your story as a LatiNegr@ with the NLIRH Yo Te Apolyo project learn how to do so here.
If you know of research and projects that include us please share them!
*The terms wo/man are in reference to gender and not sex assigned at birth (SAAB). As a result, abortion is a topic that may impact people of all genders and not only folks whose SAAB is female or intersex. For these reasons the @ sign will be used to recognize gender and terms wo/man will both be used. For more information about how the @ sign is used read here.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
When Language Changes: Using the @ Symbol
cross posted from my Media Justice column
“So if you want to really hurt me, talk badly about my language. Ethnic identity is twin skin to linguistic identity—I am my language. Until I can take pride in my language, I cannot take pride in myself.”
Gloria Anzaldúa, “How To Tame The Wild Tongue” in Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza. 2007. pg. 59.
Earlier this week I created a post on The LatiNegr@s Project about our use of the @ symbol. It stemmed from a question about if this was an appropriate term and form to use in a academic paper by a student in college. I was humbled and thankful to be asked this question and responded by providing this statement so the student could have a citation to support their use of the @ symbol.
Since writing that post many folks have had something to say and shared an opinion. For those of you uncertain about how Tumblr works, you can look to the bottom of the page and see who has responded and in what way, sometimes clicking on a person who has “reblogged” the statement can also show more input. I’ll get into some of their suggestions and thoughts in a moment. Before that I want to make a few things clear: The post I wrote was specific to LatiNegr@s. It discussed the code-switching that occurs, as a first language for some of us, in our daily lives and among LatiNegr@s. As a result, many comments and suggestions asked about other ethnic and racial groups using the @ symbol. I think this is fantastic!
The terms “Latino” and the use of the @ symbol in identifiers such as Chican@, Xican@, Mestiz@, etc. are fairly new terms. This is something that occurs when we speak for ourselves, from the spaces we occupy, and when we claim new and more appropriate and representative self-identifiers. I believe this is not something we need to be scared of or find anger in. I think these are opportunities to be challenged (much like challenging our use of ableist language), be more inclusive, and reflexive of how we use language to include, exclude, and create messages.
Language is at the core of media justice.
Language changes and that is something we may celebrate, especially when it is changing in a way that recognizes and includes people who are experiencing multiple oppressions. The @ symbol does just that by challenging a gender binary and dichotomy that has been implemented to privilege men, masculinity, and maleness especially in romance languages such as Spanish. It is also inclusive of our transgender and gender queer community who are often excluded and omitted on a regular basis.
When someone challenges and questions the use of the @ symbol, claims this is a part of “rewriting language” and who do we think we are to do that, those folks are not yet at a space to understand how language was created and in that creation it can be changed (regardless of how long ago it was created). In addition, these folks are also continuing to erase and isolate people in our community that are the most in need of our support. Finally, they are upholding the misogyny that is present in language, especially in the Spanish language. The process of unlearning can be a struggle for many and one that several may resist.
I ended my above post by stating: “The questions still exist of how to actually speak the @ sign and this has yet to really be resolved. How have others negotiated this?” This is where the most responses were shared and presented. I really loved reading how so many folks considered pronouncing and speaking the @ symbol. People shared some really thoughtful and personal testimonios of using the @ sign and how to speak it when in use.
There’s a lot of food for thought about this particular topic, and I hope it continues. I’d love to hear how others are approaching the use of language, code-switching and speaking new terms such as the @ symbol. How have you negotiated these terms?
“So if you want to really hurt me, talk badly about my language. Ethnic identity is twin skin to linguistic identity—I am my language. Until I can take pride in my language, I cannot take pride in myself.”
Gloria Anzaldúa, “How To Tame The Wild Tongue” in Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza. 2007. pg. 59.
Earlier this week I created a post on The LatiNegr@s Project about our use of the @ symbol. It stemmed from a question about if this was an appropriate term and form to use in a academic paper by a student in college. I was humbled and thankful to be asked this question and responded by providing this statement so the student could have a citation to support their use of the @ symbol.
Since writing that post many folks have had something to say and shared an opinion. For those of you uncertain about how Tumblr works, you can look to the bottom of the page and see who has responded and in what way, sometimes clicking on a person who has “reblogged” the statement can also show more input. I’ll get into some of their suggestions and thoughts in a moment. Before that I want to make a few things clear: The post I wrote was specific to LatiNegr@s. It discussed the code-switching that occurs, as a first language for some of us, in our daily lives and among LatiNegr@s. As a result, many comments and suggestions asked about other ethnic and racial groups using the @ symbol. I think this is fantastic!
The terms “Latino” and the use of the @ symbol in identifiers such as Chican@, Xican@, Mestiz@, etc. are fairly new terms. This is something that occurs when we speak for ourselves, from the spaces we occupy, and when we claim new and more appropriate and representative self-identifiers. I believe this is not something we need to be scared of or find anger in. I think these are opportunities to be challenged (much like challenging our use of ableist language), be more inclusive, and reflexive of how we use language to include, exclude, and create messages.
Language is at the core of media justice.
Language changes and that is something we may celebrate, especially when it is changing in a way that recognizes and includes people who are experiencing multiple oppressions. The @ symbol does just that by challenging a gender binary and dichotomy that has been implemented to privilege men, masculinity, and maleness especially in romance languages such as Spanish. It is also inclusive of our transgender and gender queer community who are often excluded and omitted on a regular basis.
When someone challenges and questions the use of the @ symbol, claims this is a part of “rewriting language” and who do we think we are to do that, those folks are not yet at a space to understand how language was created and in that creation it can be changed (regardless of how long ago it was created). In addition, these folks are also continuing to erase and isolate people in our community that are the most in need of our support. Finally, they are upholding the misogyny that is present in language, especially in the Spanish language. The process of unlearning can be a struggle for many and one that several may resist.
I ended my above post by stating: “The questions still exist of how to actually speak the @ sign and this has yet to really be resolved. How have others negotiated this?” This is where the most responses were shared and presented. I really loved reading how so many folks considered pronouncing and speaking the @ symbol. People shared some really thoughtful and personal testimonios of using the @ sign and how to speak it when in use.
There’s a lot of food for thought about this particular topic, and I hope it continues. I’d love to hear how others are approaching the use of language, code-switching and speaking new terms such as the @ symbol. How have you negotiated these terms?
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Black Beauty in Caribbean, Central & South America
As you know I'm one of the co-founders of The LatiNegr@s Project and during my search to see if anyone has published images and/or videos from the Afro-Latin@s Now! Conference I came across this media posted (not sure if also created by) a media maker named LaMorenaReina69. I really adore these videos as they represent Black people living in many countries in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean and various countries in Central and South America. Check out these videos below.
Black Beauty in Bolivia
Black Beauty in Brazil
Black Beauty in Colombia
Black Beauty in Cuba
Black Beauty in Dominica Republic
Black Beauty in Ecuador
Black Beauty in Mexico
Black Beauty in Panama
Black Beauty in Peru
Black Beauty in Puerto Rico
Black Beauty in Suriname
Black Beauty in Uruguay
Black Beauty in Venezuela
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Latino Sexuality Links To Check Out
I've been doing a lot, i mean A LOT of writing these past several weeks. What can I say, I've taken Anzaldua's advice and "put my shit on paper." Here's where you can find many of my musings:
Preparing For "The Talk" With Your Child Part I
This article focuses on what I've learned and what I would have done differently with my mentee of 17 years, Candy.
Preparing For "The Talk" With Your Child Part II
This article focuses on several issues not touched upon in part one such as when is the right time to talk to your child about sex, how to prepare, resources and books with a focus on children of Color, as well as suggestions from specific needs parents identify.
It's OK To Call Us Black
This article is a discussion about the intersections of Blackness with Latinidad using the film Miracle At St. Anna by Spike Lee as a popular culture reference and example of how people don't identify LatiNegros.
How Do You Discuss The Multiple Layers Of Love?
My contribution to a larger section on writings dedicated to Love.
A Misuse Of The Bodies Of Women Of Color
This article is in the spirit of Audre Lorde's "Open Letter To Mary Daly" where I take a well-known Sex Therapist to task for his use of Janet Jackson's body to address an ad about abortion that was aired for the 2010 Super Bowl.
In Defense Of Pornography
My Op-Ed in El diario/La Prensa and my pro-sex perspective on pornography with a highlight to Vanessa del Rio. The article is originally in Spanish but here is the link to an English translation if you scroll down.
A Call To Action For Black History Month
As the title says: a call to action.
The Hyde Amendment Killed Rosie Jimenez...Because of Roe & Rosie I Exist
My contribution to a series of writing regarding the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
La Femme Fetal
My article on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and highlighting the one song about abortion that comes from a pro-choice space.
American Idol & Representations of Working-Class Whiteness
How are racially White people represented on American Idol? Is there a difference when they are poor White women? Poor White men? If so what is the difference? Is there White privilege they can claim?
Why I'm An AdiPoser
Reasons why I took my clothes off for the Adipositivity Project.
Preparing For "The Talk" With Your Child Part I
This article focuses on what I've learned and what I would have done differently with my mentee of 17 years, Candy.
Preparing For "The Talk" With Your Child Part II
This article focuses on several issues not touched upon in part one such as when is the right time to talk to your child about sex, how to prepare, resources and books with a focus on children of Color, as well as suggestions from specific needs parents identify.
It's OK To Call Us Black
This article is a discussion about the intersections of Blackness with Latinidad using the film Miracle At St. Anna by Spike Lee as a popular culture reference and example of how people don't identify LatiNegros.
How Do You Discuss The Multiple Layers Of Love?
My contribution to a larger section on writings dedicated to Love.
A Misuse Of The Bodies Of Women Of Color
This article is in the spirit of Audre Lorde's "Open Letter To Mary Daly" where I take a well-known Sex Therapist to task for his use of Janet Jackson's body to address an ad about abortion that was aired for the 2010 Super Bowl.
In Defense Of Pornography
My Op-Ed in El diario/La Prensa and my pro-sex perspective on pornography with a highlight to Vanessa del Rio. The article is originally in Spanish but here is the link to an English translation if you scroll down.
A Call To Action For Black History Month
As the title says: a call to action.
The Hyde Amendment Killed Rosie Jimenez...Because of Roe & Rosie I Exist
My contribution to a series of writing regarding the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
La Femme Fetal
My article on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and highlighting the one song about abortion that comes from a pro-choice space.
American Idol & Representations of Working-Class Whiteness
How are racially White people represented on American Idol? Is there a difference when they are poor White women? Poor White men? If so what is the difference? Is there White privilege they can claim?
Why I'm An AdiPoser
Reasons why I took my clothes off for the Adipositivity Project.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
LatiNegr@s Project: Rafael Cordero Molina
Rafael Cordero Molina (1790–1868) is often described as The Father of Public Education in the island of Puerto Rico. He's said to have offered children on the island education for free regardless of their class status or race. He established his home as a classroom to teach youth and today his home is historically preserved in Puerto Rico (unfortunately the Afro-Taino museum was not). He died before having to bear witness to a new form of colonization by the US in 1898.
His work has influenced several educators. One such educator is Arturo Alfonso Schomburg as it has been written:
Schomburg was also inspired by educators. His favorite figure in the field was Rafael Cordero Molina. It was Schomburg's admiration for this Black Puerto Rican educator and his extraordinary contributions, which helped to shape his own educational philosophy. Rafael Cordero Molina founded the first school for Blacks, mulattos, and the poor in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1810. Cordero's school was said to have been one of the best schools in Puerto Rico. The students at the school achieved high levels of literacy and academic achievement after short periods of enrollment.
Rafael Cordero Molina believed that the first duty of a nation was to educate its people. He felt that education should be available to all members of a nation and that no one should be left behind, regardless of class, race or gender. The goal of education was to cultivate and empower the individual so that he could improve his life and position in society, and ultimately free himself and others from repressive situations. For this reason, Cordero believed that education was of primary importance to minorities, the poor and the disadvantaged. It became apparent that Cordero's educational approach enlightened his young learners. They became increasingly concerned about their rights and their role in society. Cordero's school produced several renowned figures in Puerto Rico's political and literary history, such as José Julián Acosta, the famous abolitionist, Román Baldorioty, political reformist, and Alejandro Tapia y Rivera, "the Patriarch of Puerto Rican Literature."
Nearly all of San Juan, Puerto Rico's schools at that time charged tuition. Cordero Molina's school, however, offered education at no cost to poor children of any race. The school gained so much respect that even San Juan's upper class began to enroll their children. Schomburg's strong identification with Rafael Cordero Molina may have accounted for his strong beliefs in equal‑opportunity community education.
Read more about him in Espanol aqui.
foto credit: artistasdepuertorico.ning.com
Friday, February 5, 2010
LatiNegr@s Project: Hype Williams
Hype Williams is on this list because he has given me the line I have falling back in love with and use often, especially with my homegirl Superhussy, from his first film Belly:
"yo, I'm tired of this. Let's go to Africa."
Now, Hype Williams is an African-American and Hondoruan filmmaker from NYC. You may know him mainly from his music videos, which I agree, at one time, were amazing. I mean check out two of my favorites: Busta Rhymes video Gimme Some More
and Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See
Here's a montage with intro by Kanye West for when Williams won The Video Vanguard Award by MTV in 2006. You will hear him thank his mother for her support in his craft.
foto credit mtv.com
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
LatiNegr@s Project: DLG
I remember being asked on formspring what my favorite salsa album was and responding that I have lots of love for DLGs album Swing On!
For those of you new to DLG (Dark Latin Groove) they were one of the first hip-hop/soul/r&b/reaggeaton blend that I was exposed to in the 90s. Here's some of their videos:
I'd go as far as to say that lead singer Huey also played with ideas of masculinity for Latino men at the same time perpetuating oversexualization that demonstrates how complicated and layered we all are.
In this video we have a love interest who I read as racially Black and possibly a LatiNegra.
I think in this live video there is a lot of eroticizing of Huey, the lead singer, and lightest. It's not obvious when you are a young girl watching such images, but as an adult who has grappled with identity and probably will because I'm committed to learning and knowledge production, it is so apparent in this video.
You may have heard of DLG from these last two videos which I think many people remember them the most. Muévete from their first self-titled album:
Also No Morira (No Matter What) was on that album. Here's the video:
Now, DLG broke up when Huey wanted to pursue a solo career. New one of them kept the name and came back with a new lead singer, a woman, and I have to admit I'm not that into their new lead or sound. They have fulfilled their purpose in my life and I appreciate them for that.
Monday, February 1, 2010
LatiNegr@s Project Begins
I've partnered with some fabulous people to help increase the awareness of LatiNegr@s during Black History Month.
Please consider submitting something to our LatiNegr@s Tumblr page. You may submit a video, foto, website, link, quote, whatever you'd like that you think represents LatiNegr@s!
Meet the co-collaborators:
LatiNegro is a writer and poet who helped create this project from its inception! He writes at Inside My Head where you can read his poetry and reflexive musings.
Prof.Susurro writes at Like A Whisper and always has amazing intersectional analysis on everything from current events, popular culture, feminisms, and social justice agendas.
YOU! We'd love to have more folks contributing in any way they can virtually or in other ways. Please contact one of us! If you have people you think would be great to join in on contributing let us know that too and we will reach out to them.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
LatiNegr@s Project
I'm collaborating with several other writers and bloggers (specifically writers of Inside My Head and Like A Whisper) to include LatiNegr@s during Black History Month. If YOU are interested, or know someone who may be, please let me know or send them my way. Leave a comment below with a way to contact you and I will make sure that you are in on the project announcement and help plan the project!
Paz
Read more about my post that started this project here.
Paz
Read more about my post that started this project here.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
LatiNegr@s To Look Out For in 2010
Jimmy Smits y Wanda De Jesus
I've worked on this list, that is still being added onto, so please send suggestions and I'll do an updated version!
Check out my piece on LatiNegr@s To Look Out For In 2010
Roberto Clemente
Sofia Quintero
foto credit:
De Jesus y Smits: http://bit.ly/53g0HM
Clemente: http://bit.ly/67H0CQ
Quintero: http://bit.ly/5LYJ3j
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