Omg, I'm still coming down from the highs I experienced this past weekend...
I had my bestie in town so we went to a flamenco show then a Broadway show in the city on Saturday despite the -15 degree windchill, which was THE WORST HAHA.
On Sunday, we took a Bad Bunny-themed dance class together before the epic Benito Bowl party we hosted later that day, which was SO FUN...especially the decor.
Go see the vibe in this hilarious reel I posted on Instagram. Angelo's part made me laugh so hard LOL.
Everyone started arriving around 6:30pm and the anticipation kept building and building as we talked, ate, and danced like crazy. Around 8pm, the halftime show started and we were instantly in awe of the dancers, the various scenes, and the symbolism.
But what really impacted me was watching Bad Bunny say, "God bless America!" then list every country in both the South and North American continents.
My mom pointed out to me later that the football said, TOGETHER WE ARE AMERICA, which instantly made me think of my abuela...
As a kid, I used to refer to my country as America, like many others did, but when I visited her down in Mexico, she would always remind me that the USA is not America. "Son los Estados Unidos de América."
It might seem like a petty thing to correct, which I thought at the time, but specificity and precision with how we label things is particularly important, especially when that label could exclude a whole group of people and their history.
A brief review...the Americas were stumbled upon by Columbus but he thought he had reached India. Amerigo Vespucci was the first to recognize the Americas as a separate continent.
It's funny to think that if Christopher had believed he had reached a different continent that we might have North and South Columbia (or Colombia) on our maps instead of North and South America.
But that's how history can feel sometimes. So many things can change with one small belief, decision, or event.
That should provide us with a lot of hope because no matter how small your words or actions are, they could have a ripple effect for months, years, decades, or even centuries after.
Sunday night felt historic to me in that way...maybe because it was the first Superbowl halftime show done in Spanish but also because it was the first time I saw every Latino and inhabitant of the American continents represented in some way on that stage.
The image of each flag being ran through the field is still replaying in my head. It brings tears to my eyes as I write.
Once the halftime show was complete, I looked over to one of my friends who was crying. This moment meant and means so much to the many people who have felt excluded or different in this country, especially Latinos.
We were yelling and singing at the top of our lungs...we felt unbridled, fearless, unapologetic, and fired up.
Good timing too because we're coming into the Year of the Fire Horse next week on February 17th.
I feel the energy already...I see people rising up, showing up, and standing up with an energy of love, protection, and passion to create a world where everyone feels safe to express themselves and their cultures.
Recently, I've also had some heartbreaking conversations with people and one is still running through my head...
This person is Latina, she's an immigrant, she has an accent, and she told me she has multiple forms of ID on her just in case. That and she feels like she has to hide the things that make her Latina.
When I was a kid, I remember wanting to look more like my cousins on my dad's side or many of my classmates...blue eyes, lighter hair...
But ever since my teens I've wanted the exact opposite. There are many times where I've wished that I looked more Latina cuz a lot of people don't think that I am.
Comments range from, "You don't look Mexican!" to "There's no way you're Latina." And then I start talking and/or dancing. No one can deny my identity with the way I speak Spanish or get down to salsa, merengue, cumbia, bachata, and reggaeton LOL.
But even if I didn't speak Spanish or dance like Shakira (I'm half joking haha, I just have to nail the belly dancing), that shouldn't determine my identity or anyone else's.
There are so many Latinos living in this country that don't even speak Spanish and some that haven't ever been to their parent's or their grandparent's native country. That doesn't make them any less Latino...
Because language, culture, and appearances don't determine identity. You determine identity. You decide who you are and what parts of your lineage you want to take with you.
Of course don't lie about your genetics LOL but if Latino culture speaks to you, then celebrate it with us! Respect the culture and you can come enjoy it with us!
Currently though, I see many Latinos hiding the things that make them Latino because of how the population is being targeted. That makes me feel sad...
And at the same time, there's people like Bad Bunny who are actively pushing against that energy, and doing so in a direct yet loving and joyful way.
Everyone has that ability to engage in activism in a way that feels exciting and embodied. That will look different for everybody but the important thing is to speak up, show up, and contribute in whatever way you feel called.
And if you've ever felt excluded or different than others in any way, if you've ever felt like too much or too little, if you've ever been confused by your identity and place in the world, know that I'm navigating these waters with you.
You're not walking this path alone. Our ancestors are cheering us on.
Big hugs,
Kimberly
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