"Spicy, exotic, fetish or sassy" are all words often used when Latinas are described in film, television and mainstream media.
To fight back against these one-dimensional stereotypes, HuffPost Latino Voices asked Latinas to raise their voice using the hashtag #LatinasAreNot. The response was massively overwhelming, from women striking down the notion that all Latinas look alike to mujeres proudly stating what they will no longer stand for. #LatinasAreNot playing, y'all!
In their own words, dozens of Latinas shared how they break the mold. Check out some of the best #LatinasAreNot tweets, so far.
#Latinasarenot to be put in ANY boxes-We're just as diverse of a group of people as it gets. What #Latinasare is proud to create sisterhood!
— Deanna Norcross (@DMCNorcross) November 6, 2015#LatinasAreNot "hoes." They are people who are not to be shamed for their choices; they are the ones with ownership to their body, not you.
— yaya (@hoestivist) November 6, 2015#LatinasAreNot spicy, caliente, hot, fiery, and any other adjective you can think of that applies to food
— Conz Preti (@conz) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot all impressed by a politicians ability to speak Spanish or of Latin descent. He needs to actually be able to lead a country.
— Jalinne (@LAJ32) November 6, 2015#LatinasAreNot "exotic". We're not these pretty things that were shipped from a distant country for you to gawk at.
— Luisa Basaldua (@luisamariaem) November 6, 2015#LatinasAreNot any less beautiful if they don't meet the set standards for Latinas (big ass, big boobs, etc)
— ☁️ (@lxopez) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot uneducated! We attend college, obtain graduate degrees & yes, have doctorate degrees @LatinoVoices //t.co/NBOhGlctwl
— Maria Arreola (@Mari_Said_It) November 6, 2015#LatinasAreNot going to take any rude and air head polititian's bulsh*t! #Fight4LatinosRights
— RenyAllen (@Renata_Allendes) November 6, 2015#LatinasAreNot r not in the US to steal anyone's oportunities or rights. We come 2 work hard so we can help our families n' ourselves
— RenyAllen (@Renata_Allendes) November 6, 2015#LatinasAreNot "virginal" or "spicy" objects for you to lust over. Our bodies are beautiful, strong, &most importantly OURS cc:@LatinoVoices
— Barbara Gonzalez (@ohhaibarbie) November 6, 2015#LatinasAreNot going to be silenced and erased from history. We got opinions and voces. //t.co/2ig6vhpIaP
— Arianna Genis (@La_AriGen) November 6, 2015#LatinasAreNot this meme. pic.twitter.com/cmxJTTKMHJ
— Michelle G. Lopez (@michelleglopez) November 6, 2015#LatinasAreNot millenial liberal & pro-abortion- some of us are progressive, moderate theologically, and pro-life from 'womb to tomb'.
— Theresa Romero (@theresaromero87) November 6, 2015#LatinasAreNot to be held back by the erroneous assumptions of others.
— Geraldine Estevez (@TheWriteWoman) November 6, 2015#LatinasAreNot your sassy bff
— Karina (@dingledodies9) November 6, 2015Peppers are spicy.
Spicy wings are spicy.
Habanero sauce is spicy.
#LatinasAreNot spicy.
— n a t a s h a (@NatashaVianna) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot just asses and curves and bodies for an entire society to lust after and sexualize.
— Danielle Campoamor (@DCampoamor) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot going to deny their heritage or culture to make you feel comfortable
— Spellbound-Seeker (@MunecaSasha) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot here to call you "papi" or speak Spanish on command to fulfill your demeaning sexual fantasies
— jade (@venuseos) November 5, 2015Undocumented #LatinasAreNot giving up. We'll work our butts off to make our families proud and overcome the obstacles we face. @LatinoVoices
— Kenia (@Keniaacc) November 5, 2015A majority of produce in the US is cultivated by Latinos. They are also the backbone of the restaurant industry #LatinasAreNot insignificant
— Madeline (@kittycano) November 6, 2015As the fastest growing minority in the U.S, #LatinasAreNot as visible on tv & film as we should be...
...So we're fighting to change that.
— Lisa Guerrero (@4lisaguerrero) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot afraid. We come from a culture of strong fearless women who are sensitive AND resilient ✊🏽
— Carolina J. Moreno (@CaritoJuliette) November 5, 2015@LatinoVoices #LatinasAreNot a "token" you can turn to because we are all different and don't agree on everything. We're not homogenous.
— Amaris Castillo (@AmarisCastillo) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot acting "white" when they are educated and speak eloquently about politics or social issues @LatinoVoices
— valeria (@earthtovaleria) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot The stereotype woman with a fiery temper. We are artists, writers, independent women with ambitions.
— Stephanie Ortez (@Sramacphisto) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot all white, indigenous American or mestiza. Many are of African descent pic.twitter.com/5QWMAhEW4k
— Stono_Rebel (@Stono_Rebel) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot sitting waiting for Prince Charming/ a rich man/ a man. We work hard to get what we want.
— Cristina (@mtz_7cristina) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot lazy. We work hard whether we are cleaning ladies, lawyers or mothers. There should be no shame in our job title.
— Kristi Soto (@kristianais) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot trying to steal your man, your job, your look, your anything.
— J.Lantigua-Williams (@JuleykaLantigua) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot one thing. We're diverse in so many ways. Don't try to put us into a box! //t.co/xvXyOMnFOh
— Janel Martinez (@janelmwrites) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot necessarily religious, we believe in our own values.
— Andrea Ruz (@yosoyruz) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot all the same. My mother's feminism is different than mine, but it is still feminism. #WeDontAllFitInBoxes
— Nancy (@Nancy_Amina) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot going to fit into one check-marked box. We are a million different voices. @LatinoVoices
— Melissa Morales (@Melissa_In_DC) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot raised to be mothers and housewives. I was raised to be anything I wanted and prosper on my own.
— Kenia (@Keniaacc) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot obligated to change their names to please the #FilmIndustry my name is Maria Elena Heredia not Mary Helen Herd @LatinoVoices
— Maria Elena Heredia (@MariaEHeredia) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot women you can make generalizations about. My latinidad is undoubtedly different from the next woman's.
— Janel Pineda (@Pineda_Janel) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot here to be fetishes. Of course we're sexy and beautiful, but we are much more than that, and we don't need your validation.
— Jazmin ✨ (@Jaaazzmminn) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot being "emotional" when we express an opinion passionately, and we're not "yelling" when we speak up #dealwithit
— Elba Flamenco (@ElbaFlamenco) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot are not maids. We occupy a seat on the Supreme Court of the United States. #dropsmicwalksaway
— Jane Y. Lopez (@jylopez5) November 5, 2015@LatinoVoices #LatinasAreNot always fluent speakers of #Spanish.
— Megan Figueroa (@megandfigueroa) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot here for you to ask us to say something in Spanish cause you think it's hot
— kelly kapoor (@Mrs_Cr7) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot bound to the kitchen, washroom, and bedroom. #WomenStandTogether @LatinoVoices
— Pearl (@PearlyDC) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot going to let anyone define us.
— Sujeiry (@LoveSujeiry) November 5, 2015#LatinasAreNot alone...ever. #cuddle
— Sonia (@soniawho) November 6, 2015And last, but certainly not least, #LatinasAreNot finished. They have a lot more to say when it comes to how we're represented in the media, government and online -- so stay tuned and join the conversation.
Also on HuffPost:
9 Badass Latinas Every American Should Thank
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.