By Evelyn Fernandez

The Latinx community is incredibly comfortable saying the n-word. Anti-Blackness and colorism are not newly developed prejudices in the Latinx community. However, in today’s political climate these prejudices are often swept under the POC rug in order to promote broader solidarity between the Black community and communities of color.

It is dangerous to assume that a person-of-color rejects white supremacy and is in solidarity with BIPOC. There is a lack of consensus in the communities over who is “racially allowed” to say the n-word and whether that right can be earned through historical or present-day experiences of marginalization. Another issue in this debate includes non-Black Latines unconcerned about the Black community’s opinion on Latinx usage of the n-word. The Latinx community has historically detested African heritage and rejected the identities and experiences of Black-identifying Latines, resulting in a division of the communities. It is important for the Latinx community to be in authentic solidarity with the Black community because solidarity rejects and fights back against white supremacist ideology implemented in Latin America to erase Blackness and Indigeneity. 

Non-Black Latines can enact their solidarity with the Black community by refraining from saying the n-word, and speaking out against non-Black Latinx usage of the n-word. It is our responsibility to educate our community about our histories and how Black and Latinx solidarity fights white supremacy. In intimate and public settings it can be scary or uncomfortable to speak out against Latinx usage of the n-word. Expect to not be supported. You cannot force someone to stop saying the n-word, but you can make them incredibly uncomfortable. 

Evelyn Fernandez has a Bachelor’s degree in Humanities and Communication (Class of 2021) and is beginning the doctoral program in Latin American and Latino Studies at UC Santa Cruz in Fall 2023.