Chapter 1: The Misconception of Race

Throughout my experiences, I've often found myself explaining to white individuals, "No, I am not black." If I had a dollar for every instance, I'd be quite wealthy. The reality is that brown people often remain invisible to many white individuals, who overlook our very existence.

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It's crucial to clarify that I am brown; I identify as Native American. Every brown individual in Latin America is either Native American or Afro-Indigenous. So, whenever you see someone of this description in places like Los Angeles, Arizona, or on vacations in Costa Rica, Peru, or Mexico, remember they have Native roots. Unfortunately, many of them may be unaware or indifferent due to the extensive whitewashing and colonization we have faced.

Colonization forced Native Americans not only to construct colonial cities on our ancestral lands and surrender our territories but also to assimilate into European cultures. Tragically, we were compelled to forget our true identities to gain acceptance in this new societal landscape. The nations we now know as “America,” “Costa Rica,” “Mexico,” “Peru,” and others have rebranded us as “Latino” or “Hispano,” stripping away our Native American identity.

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We are not just Latinos; we are Native Americans. While not every Latino is of Native descent, every Native American has often been inaccurately categorized as “Latino” or “Hispanic.” Furthermore, various black and Asian communities also face daily racial violence. Racism is not confined to a single group; it impacts all of us—black, brown, and Asian individuals in Latin America.

In this region, I often feel unseen. People sometimes question my identity with, “What are you?” They fail to recognize that we, the Native Americans, are still present and will always be here because this land is ours. Many mistakenly believe that Native Americans are an extinct group, wiped out during the genocidal acts committed by Europeans. However, we are very much alive and represent the largest demographic on the continent. We are the Indigenous people they could not erase.

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Sometimes, it frustrates me when others think I need to validate my identity. I know who I am and where I come from. We did not vanish; we are still here, grappling with the effects of racism. As the original inhabitants of this land, we have endured the harshest forms of oppression.

Dear white individuals, why must you assume I need to be black to experience racism? Why not take a moment to educate yourself about how your ancestors arrived in this land and understand the diverse racial groups suffering due to not being white?

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White Latinos exhibit blatant racism towards us every day simply because we don’t conform to Caucasian or European standards. We constantly face discrimination from white people, who often overlook my brown skin and Native identity. Even platforms like Medium fail to recognize my name and assign me a racial identity I do not identify with. I am not black; I am Native American.

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Your Native friend is a writer and artist who enjoys coffee with milk and a sprinkle of brown sugar. She has spent the last five years traveling and has lived in four different countries, showcasing her art in various exhibitions across Indonesia, Mexico, Italy, Argentina, Spain, Chile, and Peru.