Too dark to be Latino: Sharing stories from the Afro-Latino perspective

Latino Los Angeles10/17/2024

1 minute read

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re highlighting a group you may or may not be familiar with: the Afro-Latino community.

Afro-Latino is a term that represents people who have both Latin American and African ancestry, and this community exists right here in Jacksonville.

As someone who is part of this community and identifies as Afro-Latina myself, it is important to highlight these stories.

Jacksonville has a growing Latino community that is making strides — from successful restaurants to booming businesses.

Jacksonville native Graciela Cain is a part of it.They are a proud non-binary Mexican American DJ and activist born and raised in Jacksonville with their own mural on 18th Street. But when people see Cain, they often say they don’t see a Latin person.“A lot of folks don’t get that,” Cain said. “They’re like, ‘What?’ ‘Huh?’”Adrian Ross, who is a Panamanian American and also a part of Jacksonville’s growing Latin community, agrees.“They say, ‘Oh, you’re Hispanic? Well, say something. Can you dance? Oh, okay tell me about some food.’ It’s like a quiz really when you tell them you’re Hispanic,” Ross said. Adrian Ross is a Panamanian American, also a part […]