What Does It Mean To Be Latino? | HuffPost

Latinos are more diverse than you may think.

By

Editor, HuffPost Video

As demographics in the United States shift and the Latino population continues to grow, the conversation about Latinos also grows louder. But what does it mean to be Latino?

On Thursday, HuffPost Live discussed the breadth of the Latino experience and the incredible diversity within the community.

"We're not just short, bronze-skinned [and] dark-haired," said HuffPost Latino Voices editor Carolina Moreno. "We represent all of the world's diversity. We can be Asian Latinos, Afro-Latinos, fair-skinned blonde Latinos."

Moreno recently spearheaded Latinos Break The Mold, a HuffPost interactive photo project that showcases the diversity within the community and includes personal narratives about the Latino experience in the U.S.

Freelance journalist Janel Martinez was one of the Latinas featured in the project. And while she is fiercely proud of her Afro-Latina heritage, Martinez told HuffPost Live she experienced an "identity crisis" growing up.

"For me, it was always a level of where do I fit into the equation as a black woman, which I totally embrace that identity, but [also] as a Latina," she said. "And growing up not necessarily having that terminology, a lot of my peers asking me, 'You are Latina? But why are you black? How can you possibly be both? And how can you be American, how can you be Latina, how can you be black?'"

HuffPost producer Carly Figueroa and HuffPost assignment editor Marcos Saldivar, who also shared their stories in the photo project, joined the conversation and discussed their unique experiences. Figueroa explained why she consistently felt compelled to prove her Cuban identity and Saldivar described the duality of his experience as a Mexican-American.

Watch a clip from the conversation on Latino identity above and the full HuffPost Live segment here.

Want more HuffPost Live? Stream us anytime on Go90, Verizon's mobile social entertainment network, and listen to our best interviews on iTunes.

Also on HuffPost:

Latinos You Didn't Know Were Latinos

Alexis Bledel (01 of10)

Who would've thought that little Rory Gilmore is a Latina? But Alexis Bledel, who starred as Gilmore in the CW series Gilmore Girls has Latino genes coming from both sides of her family. Bledel, who was born in Houston, Texas, is daughter of a Mexican mother and an Argentinian father, according to her official bio on IMDB. Even though she pretended not to be be fluent in Spanish in this Gilmore Girls' episode, Bledel's first language is in fact Spanish. (credit:Getty)

Kid Cudi(02 of10)

Kid Cudi became a music sensation after his song "Day n' Nite" debuted in 2008. Kid Cudi, whose birth name is Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to an African American mother and a Mexican father, according to Latina. Since his mega hit in 2008, the rapper has also ventured into the acting world. He plays Domingo Brown on the HBO series, "How to Make it in America". (credit:Getty)

Aubrey Plaza (03 of10)

Yes, comedian Aubrey Plaza is Latina! Plaza, who plays Amy Poehler's bratty college intern, April, on the NBC comedy Parks and Recreation is half Puerto Rican. She grew up in Wilmington, Delaware. "I have a huge family and tons of cousins in Puerto Rico. We actually hung out with them last summer, and it was awesome", she told Latina. Plaza had her big Hollywood break when she appeared as Daisy in Judd Apatow's movie "Funny People". (credit:Getty )

David Blaine (04 of10)

David Blaine, the magician known for his over-the-top, life threatening tricks, is Latino. His father is Puerto Rican, according to Latina. He has levitated on camera, he was drowned alive and froze himself in a 6-ton block of ice in New York City's Times Square , from which he emerged 61 hours later. (credit:Getty)

Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi (05 of10)

Although Snooki became famous by playing a Jersey Shore' guidette, a term which usually refers to Italians, Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi is actually Latina. She was born in Chile but was adopted by Italian American parents, according to her bio on IMDB. (credit:Getty)

David Gallagher (06 of10)

For ten seasons you watched David Gallagher play Simon Camden, the cute little blonde boy turned rebellious teenager in the show "7th Heaven." Simon was a member of the Christian, white, suburban Camden household. His blonde locks and green eyes made him a perfect fit for the Camden family. But Gallagher was born in Flushing, Queens, to a Cuban mother, according to Latina. (credit:Getty)

Odette Yustman(07 of10)

Odette Yustman appeared with Megan Fox in the action-thriller "Transformers." But her big break came when she starred in the 2009 horror film "The Unborn." The stunning actress was born in Los Angeles, California, to a Cuban mother and a Colombian father, according to Ethnicelebs. She's been appearing regularly on "House" since the show began it's eighth season this year. (credit:Getty)

Vanessa Marcil (08 of10)

Vanessa Marcil is best known her role as Gina Kincaid, the little vixen on Aaron Spelling's series, Beverly Hills, 90210. She later went on to play Sam, a tough business woman, for five years in the NBC show "Las Vegas." Marcil, whose birth name is Sally Vanessa Ortiz, was born in Indio, California, to a Mexican father and a French mother. (credit:Getty)

Louis C.K.(09 of10)

Louis C.K. is one of the hottest comedians now. C.K. writes, acts, directs, and edits his sitcom "Louie" Louis C.K. was born to an American mother of Irish ancestry and a Mexican father. The famous comedian lived in Mexico till the age of 7 before moving to the U.S. His first language is Spanish. (credit:Getty )

Noomi Rapace (10 of10)

Noomi Rapace is one of Hollywoods hottest international stars. The Swedish beauty became a household name after her big breakthrough role as Lisbeth Salander in the film of "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo". What most people don't know is the actress is also part-Spanish. Rapace was born in Sweden, to a Swedish mom, actress Nina Norén and a Spanish father, flamenco dancer Rogelio Durán. Rapace also got casted as Lisbeth Salander in the sequels, "The Girl Who Played with Fire" and "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest". She made her English language debut film in "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" as Madam Simza Heron. (credit:Getty)

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