Afro-Latino History and Liberation: Dr. Norissa and Jennisel Marte on Overcoming Internalized Oppression

In today’s episode of Radical Remembering, I speak with Jennisel Marte about the complexities of racial identity, internalized oppression, and the journey of reclaiming an Afro-Latina identity. Jennisel, who proudly identifies as Afro-Latina, shares her experiences growing up within a culture that often pressures Afro-Latino individuals to reject their African roots in favor of a whitewashed identity. Together, we delve into the challenges Jennisel faced in embracing her Blackness, navigating societal expectations, and decolonizing her understanding of her cultural history.

Jennisel sheds light on the importance of understanding how race, ethnicity, and culture intersect, especially for Latinos of African descent. She also discusses the erasure of Indigenous and African influences in Latino history and the need to recognize how colonization ...