Black Hispanic and Latino Americans

Black Hispanic and Latino Americans, also called Afro-Hispanics, Afro-Latinos, Black Hispanics, or Black Latinos, are people in the United States who have roots in Latin America or Spain and/or who speak Spanish. They are also identified as Black people. These individuals are recognized by the United States Census Bureau and other U.S. government agencies.

Being Hispanic or Latino is an ethnic category, not a racial one. This means someone can be of any race and still be Hispanic or Latino. For example, a person who identifies as Black and also has Hispanic or Latino background is called a Black Hispanic or Latino American.

This group shows the rich diversity in the United States. Many people have mixed backgrounds, and learning about these helps us appreciate the many cultures in the country.

History

The idea of being Hispanic has always been complex and cannot be limited to just one race. Many important people show this mix, such as Martín de Porres, Beatriz de Palacios, Spanish conquistador Juan Garrido, who set up the first commercial wheat farm in the Americas, and Estevanico. Juan Latino was the first person of African descent to study at a European university and later became a teacher. These stories show that Hispanic identity includes many different races and backgrounds, making it rich and varied.

Demographics

New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, and Rhode Island have many Hispanics who identify as Black. In these places, up to 15% of Hispanics see themselves as Black. This is higher than the national average of 1.9%. The Northeast part of the United States has the most Black Hispanics, partly because many people from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic live there.

In 2020, there were about 1.2 million Black Hispanics in the U.S. Most Black Hispanics come from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, but there are also many from other parts of Latin America and the Caribbean, like Panama, Colombia, and Honduras.

Black Hispanics living in the U.S. often speak Spanish, and their families keep strong cultural traditions from Latin America. Many also feel close to African American communities. This has led to more families mixing African American and Hispanic backgrounds. Many Afro-Latino people come from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

Health

Black Hispanics often have poorer health than White Hispanics. Researchers think racial discrimination and living conditions may be part of the reason. Environmental problems, like living near places with waste or bad air, also affect their health. For example, in places like the Bronx, bad air has caused many children to develop asthma.

Another big problem is not having enough fresh, healthy food. Many Black and Latino communities eat mostly processed foods, which can lead to health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Even though laws like the Affordable Care Act have helped with health coverage, many Black, Hispanic, and other minority groups still have trouble getting the healthcare they need. This shows how important it is to make changes that help these communities.

Civil rights

A 2021 survey by the Pew Research Center found that some Hispanic people in the US with darker skin color face more unfair treatment than those with lighter skin.

In many Latin American countries, people with darker skin also face unfair treatment. This includes places like Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. Even in countries where many people have darker skin, unfair treatment can still happen.

In media

Since the early days of movies in the United States, Black Hispanic actors were often cast as African Americans. Critics say that Hispanic media, including from Latin America, often overlook Black Hispanic and Latino Americans. They are usually shown as poor people.

Latinx people make up a big part of the U.S. population, but they do not get many roles in media. Some actors feel it is hard for people to see their race right away.

Juano Hernandez, an Afro-Puerto Rican actor, became famous for his role in the 1949 film Intruder in the Dust. After this film, many thought he was African American instead of Puerto Rican.

Miles Morales is a well-known character who is an Afro-Latino American. He appears in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.

In 2020, The Owl House started on the Disney Channel. It features Luz Noceda, an Afro-Latino character whose parents are from the Dominican Republic. In 2021, LATV Networks premiered Blacktinidad, a TV series focused on the black Latin experience.