Actress Jenna Ortega went viral on Aug. 23 following an interview with internet personality Carolina Reynoso. At the end of the interview, Reynoso reminded Ortega that she is Latina enough, no matter what anyone else says. The comments were filled with affirmations and support until the clip reached X.
Ortega, whose parents are Mexican and Puerto Rican, has long had her identity as a Latina questioned by people in her community. For many Latinos living outside of the United States, Latinidad isn’t dictated by genetics or heritage, but by the lived experience of residing in a Latin American country.
Others claim there are preconditions to being a “real Latino,” such as speaking Spanish fluently and celebrating Latin American traditions.
One comment on X said, “She is American with Latin heritage. If us Latinos, born and raised in Latin America, feel she is not a Latina, why is our opinion brushed off?”
Latinidad is a complex, multifaceted identity. In all honesty, I’m unsure if most Latinos even understand the intricacies of Latinidad.
First and foremost, Latinidad has a different cultural meaning in the U.S. than in Latin America. In the United States, “Latino” is a broad pan-ethnic term referring to individuals from various Latin American countries. When we refer to someone with Latin American heritage as Latino in the US, it allows us to acknowledge the socio-cultural context that person might live in.
For example, “Latino” is an important phrase to use when describing individuals at risk of punitive border policy or predatory policing practices. Latino is a necessary identity to factor in when having conversations about public policy, education and culture.
Reducing Latinidad to the ability to speak Spanish or geographical proximity to a Latin American country is myopic at best and dangerous at worst.
What’s even more confusing about the lines drawn in the sand is that Latinidad is perhaps one of the most diverse identities possible. By definition, Latinidad encompasses people of any race from any country insofar as that country is Spanish-speaking. But for some reason, the United States is obfuscated from the conversation of Latinidad despite its booming Latino population.
Latinidad is not grounded in location or language. It is grounded in roots. The word “Latino” tells a story of culture, tradition and travesty. It captures the unique lived experiences of a Latino in the U.S. or otherwise.
Ortega might not speak Spanish or have been born in Latin America, but neither was pop star Selena Quintanilla. Yet, no one ever asks if she is Latina enough. That’s because we know the answer is yes, to both.