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Latino Twitter/X Is Here to Stay. Oyes!

Latino Twitter/X is a dynamic and influential space on the social media platform that has transformed how the Latino community communicates, organizes, and expresses its cultural identity. Over the years, this digital ecosystem has emerged as an essential forum for dialogue on social, political, and cultural issues uniquely relevant to Latinos. It serves as a vibrant meeting point where voices across diverse backgrounds converge to discuss challenges, celebrate achievements, and advocate for change.

One of the most significant aspects of Latino Twitter/X is its role in political mobilization and social activism. With the power of hashtags and trending topics, users amplify voices that are often marginalized in mainstream media. Movements addressing immigration reform, social justice, and economic equality gain momentum on this platform, enabling rapid dissemination of information and coordinated action. This immediacy and connectivity empower individuals to rally around common causes and build a collective identity that spans geographic borders and generations.

In addition to its political impact, Latino Twitter plays a vital role in cultural expression and preservation. It provides a space for sharing music, art, literature, and personal narratives that enrich the cultural tapestry of the community. Through humor, poignant commentary, and storytelling, users forge connections that transcend socio-economic barriers and geographic distances. This cultural exchange not only reinforces a sense of pride in Latino heritage but also challenges stereotypes by showcasing the community’s diversity and resilience.

Ultimately, Latino Twitter is much more than a social media trend, it is a powerful tool for community building and social change. By giving voice to experiences that might otherwise remain unheard, it helps shape public discourse, influence policy debates, and foster a more inclusive society. In a world where digital conversations often set the agenda, the importance of Latino Twitter continues to grow, reflecting and driving the evolving narrative of the Latino community.

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Latinos are at the forefront of SNL's 50-year celebration. Pedro Pascal, Marcello Hernandez, and Bad Bunny represent a people and a culture. Latino X/Twitter is having a field day!

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Maria Contreras / For De Los

I love this picture included in this great article about how the demise of Latino Twitter would impact the Latino community.

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"As I scrolled through #nomames, I felt a funny irony. Just as my parents’ Spanish tongue made them feel like outsiders, five decades later, my own language inadequacy left me feeling like a stranger in a strange land." - Andrea Valez

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If you're worried about your digital footprint, this article with resources on deleting yourself online is great.

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Mid-Term Election Pains

These midterm elections have been a kick in the gut. Every election is hard but I find myself barely surviving the most recent ones. Not because I didn’t know who was going to win or because who I voted for lost but because this nation continues to show its true colors.

It would be too easy to start with the Trump win in 2016. Yes, that ushered in an era that has stained our country and will go down in history as an all-time blunder. It is what happened after his win that scares me. Hate became ok. Racism became the norm. Misogyny became standard operating procedure. In four years, decades of progress were thrown out the window.

What brings me fear is that this country is perfectly comfortable staying where we are because that is what the majority wants. That is why candidates like Herschel Walker and Dr. Mehmet Oz are allowed to run and almost win. They would not change the status quo they would only uphold these new beliefs for their benefit.

We use to be a country of progress and a country of hope. We are no longer a welcoming place. We are longer trying to better ourselves. We have instead reverted back to name calling and shaming people for being different.

There was a time when I could see a part of myself in candidates that ran for office. It gave me hope for a better future. That time has passed and I no longer see myself in this country, let alone a candidate. Everyone who is happy with the many steps we have taken back want to keep it as primordial as possible because that is how they will thrive. They would not prosper in a land of opportunity where equality is valued.

I survived these elections by doing my part. I voted. I informed myself as much as I could. But the pain of seeing this country try so hard to stay as oppressive as it can be is too much for me to bear.

Photo by Element5 Digital: https://www.pexels.com/photo/i-voted-sticker-lot-1550340/

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A Reading of My Opinion Piece

Photo by Thgusstavo Santana: https://www.pexels.com/photo/yellow-concrete-house-2102587/

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Queer Korea: From War to K-Pop

Los Angeles City College Professor Mickey Hong invited Dr. Todd A. Henry a professor in the Department of History, from the University of California San Diego, to showcase his Zoom presentation on the LGBTQ culture that has been overlooked in South Korea on Oct. 19th, 2022.

            The Zoom presentation coincided with October LGBTQ History Month in the United States. Dr. Henry covered two eras of South Korean LGBTQ culture. The post authoritarian era, 1990’s – Present. And the long Korean War era of 1955 – 1980.

“There’s no gay people in Korea,” was what Dr. Henry said he heard while working at a gay bar in South Korea in the late 1990’s. His time there is what inspired his work on the subject. He has written a book, “Queer Korea” and has produced a documentary, “Paradise” that relates to his Zoom presentation.

            “My goal is to create a dialogue and debate…,” said Dr. Henry as he described the struggles of South Korean LGBTQ people. He mentioned that there are pro and anti LGBTQ festivals held simultaneously in the country, same sex marriage is still not recognized, and a rise in homophobia that began in the 2010’s.

Dr. Henry also spoke about the Millstone Couples, same sex partnerships, that began in the late 1950’s in response to the lack of men in cities due to the ongoing war. These couples were a social arrangement for women that were widowed or of marriage age to gain financial or social standing.

            The Millstone Couples were not limited to major cities but also practiced in smaller rural areas in South Korea. However, as common as they seemed the country still labeled these partnerships as “deviant” and “criminal” and were not legally recognized as marriages.

            “Homosexuality is some kind of foreign import…” is what some South Koreans believe Dr. Henry says. 

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-alley-373290/

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Let's Stay Home Today

Please do not go. Stay. I need you here. Angelenos stop leaving this gorgeous place. I understand things have gotten expensive. Rent is ever growing. We need to stay.

            How did we get to this point? I no longer recognize my neighbors. The melting pot is not melting anymore. Somehow the pandemic gave landlords and rental companies the go ahead to make up new rental prices. Pricing out my friends, my family, my people.

Rent on the west coast went up 20% during the pandemic according to a research study by Pew Research, “Key facts about housing affordability in the U.S.”, pewrsearch.org. Forbes reports that in Los Angeles rental prices went up 17% alone, “The Status Of Rent Increase In California”, forbes.com. Places that were affordable all of a sudden became an unwelcomed place for the people that live there. We belong here!

The exodus from Los Angeles is so bad that we lost a congressional seat this past year, “California loses congressional seat for first time”, calmatters.org. We have lost representation at a time when we cannot afford to not be seen. My Angelenos are leaving. Los Angeles is becoming the city of strangers. Please do not go.

            People of color are the people leaving this great city. Public Policy Institute of California estimates that 11.6% of people of color left Los Angeles from 2016-2020, “Racial/Ethnic Differences in Who’s Leaving California”, ppic.org. Why are we allowing ourselves to be pushed out when people of color are the majority in this city. People of color make up 63% of Los Angeles County according to census.gov. Stay.

We work and strive for a way of life. Sometimes working multiple jobs. We deserve not to worry about where we live. We deserve not to worry about if we CAN live. I remember a time when having a job guaranteed a roof over your head. Now it doesn’t even guarantee peace of mind.

We need to fight for what it means to have a livable wage. What it means to have affordable living. We can set the standard as a people for this city. We have the power. We have the rights. All we need to do is come together and make our voices heard.