Life
Latinx communities are often the target of social, racial, and political injustice in America. Trump’s campaign normalized hateful rhetoric and discrimination: He referred to Mexicans as rapists and drug dealers, called them "bad hombres" during a presidential debate, and routinely repeated his ever-changing plan to build a wall to keep undocumented immigrants out of The United States. Since winning his bid for presidency, Trump's racism toward Latinx communities has only grown more vehement, more explicit, and more actionable. Trump's two most recent attacks — his pardon for Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was ran what he himself called "concentration camps" for Latinx people in Arizona, and the recent decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program — have only proven Latinx activists need to fight for their basic rights now more than ever.
From Sylvia Rivera, a pioneer of trans and queer liberation, to congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Latinx people have long been on the forefront on sociopolitical activism. They have been leaders, movers, and shakers inspiring revolutionary change for decades. Luckily, in the digital age, modern day Latinx activists not only have the means to reach their local communities, but their advocacy spans across the entire United States and beyond. Here are just some of the Latinx activists and groups you should be following on social media.
Latina Rebels
Latina Rebels is an online activist group run by five Latinx women. Their mission, as stated on Latina Rebels' Facebook page, is "to f*ck with your colonized expectations of acceptability." Latina Rebels share original and republished content; they are always intersectional, always passionate, and always on the forefront of Latinx-focused activism.
Diane Guerrero
If you're a fan of Orange Is The New Black (who isn't?), you probably recognize actress Diane Guerrero, who plays inmate Maritza Ramos. However, beyond acting, Guerrero is a dedicated activist for Latinx issues, and even advocated for the creation of a Latino History Museum on Capitol Hill this past summer. Guerrero's memoir, In the Country We Love: My Family Divided, details her hardships after her undocumented parents were deported to Colombia when she was only 14 years old.
Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodriguez
In addition to being the founder of Latina Rebels, Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodriguez is a writer, storyteller, and public speaker. Her writings explore her life as a woman of color, body image, feminism, decolonization, racism in academia, and so much more.
Xicanisma
Xicanisma (aka Chicana Feminism) is another online group that shares original commentary, articles, and social justice-themed memes. Their platform is extremely inclusive, and focuses on current politics' affect on marginalized groups such as women, the LGBTQ community, and people of color.
Princess Nokia
Destiny Nicole Frasqueri, who is more widely known as Princess Nokia, is a New York City native, a rapper, and a musician. Princess Nokia uses her art to explore her heritage, body image, and identity as a Afro-Puerto Rican woman. In addition to her music, Princess Nokia founded Smart Girl Club, a group that uses art, activism, and brujería (witchcraft) for self-empowerment.
Maria Hinojosa
Maria Hinojosa is a Mexican-American journalist and radio host who dedicates her platforms to adversity faced by Latinx people in America. Hinojosa is also a producer and anchor on Latino USA, NPR's Peabody Award-winning national Latino news program that has been on air since the '90s.
The Unapologetically Brown Series
The Unapologetically Brown Series is a multimedia project created by Salvadorian-American artist and writer Johanna Toruño that seeks to uplift women of color and their communities. Toruño's series highlights her expressive poetry, which she features on flyers she hangs around New York City. You can buy your own art print at the Unapologetically Brown Series' online store.
Juliana Britto
Juliana Britto is a Brazilian-American writer, senior editor at Feministing, and senior campaigner at Change.org. Much of her work explores the role of climate justice and feminism in marginalized Latinx communities.
Nalgona Positivity Pride
Nalgona Positivity Pride (NPP) is a body-positive project focused on eating disorder awareness, self-love, activism, and emboldening Latinx women of color. NPP keeps busy with their popular Instagram, webinars, in-person events, and their Etsy shop. Consider contributing to Nalgona Positivity Pride's Patreon to support all of their projects.
Aura Bogado
Aura Bogado is a writer and journalist who covers immigration and the latinx community in her published work and on Twitter. Bogado does not mince words; she bravely tackles systematic racism, fascism, racial justice, and immigration reform head-on.
The Afro Latin Diaspora
The Afro Latin Diaspora uses their platform to draw attention to the unique experiences, feelings, and narratives of women who are both black and Latina. They fight against the erasure of Latinx people of color as well as racism in Latinx cultures.
