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 ancestry in Latin America or Spain and/or who speak Spanish, while also being identified as Black people. These individuals are recognized by the United States Census Bureau, the Office of Management and Budget, and other U.S. government agencies.

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

This group is important because it shows the rich diversity within the United States. Many people come from mixed backgrounds, and understanding these different heritages helps us appreciate the many cultures that make up 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. They help us understand that race is not simple within Hispanic history.

Demographics

New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, and Rhode Island have some of the highest numbers of Hispanics who identify as Black. In these places, up to 15% of Hispanics see themselves as Black, which is much 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, who have African roots, live there.

In 2020, there were about 1.2 million Black Hispanics in the U.S., making up 1.9% of all Hispanics. When counting people who identify with more than one race, the number goes up to about 2.6 million. 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 have Spanish as their first language, and their families keep strong cultural traditions from Latin America. Many also feel close to African American communities, especially Puerto Ricans. This has led to more families mixing African American and Hispanic backgrounds. In 2022, it was estimated that about six million Afro-Latino people lived in the U.S., making up 2% of all adults and 12% of adult Latinos. Many of these individuals come from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

Health

Black Hispanics often face poorer health compared to White Hispanics. Researchers think that racial discrimination and segregation may play a role in these health differences. Environmental issues, like living near hazardous waste facilities or having poor air quality, also affect their health. For example, in places like the Bronx, air pollution has led to many children developing asthma.

Another big problem is not having enough access to fresh, healthy food. Many Black and Latino communities rely on highly 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 improve health coverage, many Black, Hispanic, and other minority groups still struggle to get the healthcare they need. This shows how important it is to make changes that address the social factors affecting health for these communities.

Civil rights

A 2021 survey by the Pew Research Center found that Hispanic people in the US with darker skin color often face more unfair treatment than those with lighter skin. For example, 64% of darker-skinned Hispanic adults said they faced some kind of unfair treatment in the past year, compared to 54% of lighter-skinned Hispanic adults.

In many Latin American countries, people with darker skin also face unfair treatment. For example, in Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Honduras, Argentina, and the Dominican Republic, people with darker skin have historically faced discrimination. Even in places where many people have darker skin, such as the Dominican Republic, unfair treatment remains a problem.

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, especially in telenovelas. They are usually shown as poor people.

According to a book, Latinx people make up 19% of the U.S. population but only about 3% of characters in media. A 2022 study interviewed ten Afro-Latinx performers from the play Platanos y Collard Greens. Many felt their race was hard to tell right away because it didn’t match typical looks. Some darker-skinned actors faced unfair treatment, getting fewer roles than lighter-skinned actors.

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 was created in 2011 and 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.