Reality TV star Erica Mena has apologized for calling her “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” castmate Spice a “monkey,” but the author questions whether Mena truly understands the impact of anti-Blackness on Black children. The use of the slur “monkey” has a long history of racist connotation, and instances of Latino anti-Blackness with this insult have been seen in recent years. The author argues that being a parent to Black children does not excuse or eliminate racial animus. They emphasize the need to end excuses for using racist insults and address the deep-seated anti-Black social hierarchy that exists in Latin America and the Caribbean. The author also discusses the complexity faced by Black daughters of mixed-race Latina and Black fathers, who often receive conflicting messages about their identity. They call for the elimination of colorism and the celebration and affirmation of Blackness.
Source: theGrio [ Read More ]
