Students share their identity as being of African Descent from a Latin Country, also known as Afro-Latino

Hispanic Heritage month includes celebrating Afro-Latinos and their unique culture

by Rodney Manford STAFF WRITER

Hispanic Heritage month celebrates the accomplishments and contributions that Hispanic Americans have made in the United States. Afro-Latinos are amongst this community

The Afro-Latin culture is diverse and unique. Derived from people of African descent who are from Latin America, anyone who is from a Latin country and has African ancestry can identify as Afro- Latino.

Columbia, The Caribbean and Brazil are a few countries with many people of these roots. Many people in the United States identify themselves as Afro-Latino, including some at San Diego State University

Manuel Trinidad, a second year accounting student at Grossmont College who transferred from San Diego State University, was born to a Colombian mother and a Dominican father.

“I see a lot more Columbian representation out here in San Diego,” Trinidad said. “Being that the largest Afro- Latino population is in Columbia, you can tell I get a lot of my Afro features from my mom’s side.”

Born in the United States, Trinidad had the opportunity to visit his family in Columbia for the first time. Through that experience, he had the opportunity to connect with his family and roots.

“Being able to go back to Columbia and meet my family for the first time gave me a sense of what I’ve been missing,” Trinidad said. “Having your real family was a really great experience.”

Manuel Trinidad on vacation with his family.

Courtesy by Manuel Trinidad

He shared the importance of him being able to see his family in his native country for the first time. Celebrating his Afro Colombian heritage during his time there was what he enjoyed most

“I had a lot of fun enjoying all the foods that are traditional and getting a different sense of the culture out there because the culture is way different out there than it is here”, he said.

Trinidad described the culture as more family oriented, meaning that Columbia along with their Afro-Latinos are based more around a collective society compared to America.

Alianna McCoy, a second year student at SDSU majoring in Mechanical Engineering said her Afro-Latin culture is shown through her mom’s Dominican Republic side of the family.

“My mom is a first generation American. She was born in Washington Heights, New York,” McCoy said. “My grandma was born in The Dominican Republic.”

When McCoy was younger, she would go to the Dominican Republic every year to visit her family. There, she was able to pick up Spanish from her grandmother and see how her family celebrated their culture.

McCoy continues her traditions and customs both in and outside of the Dominican Republic, especially when she is around her family.

“We have a lot of family gatherings where everybody is always dancing for birthdays or barbecues,” McCoy said. “I love the food. I make empanadas, rice, beans, pork and chicken. There’s just so many good things that you can eat.”

Aliana McCoy celebrates her Afro Latino heritage by embracing her Dominican culture. Not only does she do this by appreciating their authentic food, she does it by gathering with her family and listening to Bachata and Reggaeton.