"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, 2015
Peppers 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, 2015
Undocumented #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, 2015
A 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, 2015
As 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, 2015
And 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.
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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.
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