The lines between the Black and Latinx cultures, in the modern-day imagination as ‘blurry at best,’ partly not just due to shared contemporary experience but due to rich musical, cultural flow, collaboration, and artistic history, too.
Roger Sekoua on Pexels

As the country encounters the most recent in what it is representing a so-called "foundational history of Black death and egregious violence by police," which the state reportedly approved and perpetuated, people converse about what happens next within their communities, inside their homes and even in large cities.

After demonstrations on the street that result in arrests of protesters, alleged police brutality, and even killing of some, how does America as a nation, "keep the momentum going," in order to develop lasting change and effect against "anti-Black violence" and racial discrimination?

This initiative is particularly critical for the Latinx community, one which, according to writer, Angie Jaime, struggling with its own traumatic and painful relationship with the impacts of colonialism.

As young Latinos, who are representing the most ethnically and racially diverse populace in the United States and beyond, being a witness and typical to experience "anti-Black racism" is too typical.

If you are among the many in the Latinx community who experience racial discrimination, you are not in a hopeless situation. The good news is that you can dismantle racism. It may not be that easy but it is so possible. Here are a few of the many things Jaime recommends, which you can do to fight racism.

Discover Your Own Areas of Improvement

Part of your commitment to combating criticism even with your closest family members and loved ones should start first by taking a closer look at areas of your life, where you need to improve your own behavior in your everyday life.

When Getting Involved with Black Culture and Arts, Understand both Their Background and History

Jaime describes the lines between the Black and Latinx cultures, in the modern-day imagination as "blurry at best," partly not just due to shared contemporary experience but due to rich musical, cultural flow, collaboration, and artistic history, too.

There may be times when shared experiences differ simply because of the lasting effect of era slavery, as well as the modern-day prejudgments against what Jaime described as the "dark-skinned Black people which the white Latinos, and even the browns, are not satisfied with.

So as not to experience conflict, it is best to talk to a family member and know the essentiality of "hair in Black communities."

Elevate and even Center Black Voices if You Can

This, perhaps, is the most up-front point although it is at the center of dealing with anti-Black racism each time you might experience it. And, as you do the essential work of teaching yourself on the Black experience, and contributing to solving racism, you may feel that urgency of speaking on behalf of the Blacks among your other Latino friends and acquaintances.

Consider Anti-Black Racism as an Urgent Crisis

While Latinx experience also comprises of slavery, exploitation of natural resources and horrors of colonial violence, among others, and as Black and Indigenous experience is, in the US, closely associated with the colonialism project, this particular project to on various forms in many other nations where "the diaspora and Latinidad" presently exist, and while you, as part of the Latinx struggle with such an experience, you must hold in your heart and mind as well, that such an encounter was, and is radically different for the Blacks.

The connection between these two, Jaime explained, is complicated, not to mention, an outcome of shared pain, but currently is a moment to switch concentration to your Black relatives' experience.

Check these out!