Dascha Polanco Breaks Down Why It's Possible To Be Black AND Latino

Watch her school a clueless radio host on race and ethnicity.

One radio host in New York City recently got schooled by "Orange is the New Black" star Dascha Polanco on the difference between race and ethnicity.

During an interview last week with Power 105.1 The Breakfast Club, Polanco and the show's hosts discussed the controversial casting of Zoe Saldana, who is of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent, as the legendary soul singer Nina Simone in an upcoming biopic. But host Charlamagne Tha God became very confused about how someone could be both black and Latina. (Hint: Being Latino is an ethnicity in which any combination of races can exist.)

Outcry over Saldana's portrayal of Simone has been constant since her casting was announced in 2012, but it reached a fever pitch when the biopic's trailer, released earlier this month, showed Saldana in blackface. Polanco said she, like many of Simone's fans, had concerns that make up was used to darken Saldana's skin and wished her "OITNB" co-star Uzo Aduba could've played the role instead.

But while discussing if an "African-American" woman should've portrayed Simone, host Angela Yee said, "but then some people will say 'well, Dominican people are also black.'"

"I consider myself an Afro-Latina," Polanco, who is also Dominican, quickly answered. "We're very black."

After Polanco said "Afro-Latina," host Charlamagne Tha God interjected, asking "What's that?" But even after his fellow hosts and the actress explained it was simply a "black Latina," Charlamagne continued expressing confusion about the difference between race and ethnicity.

"I consider myself to be a black woman, and I think a lot of Dominicans should, because from what I see that's what we are," Polanco said.

"But why not be Dominican, though?" Charlamagne asked Polanco.

"I am Dominican," she said. "I say I'm Dominican."

"But you said you consider yourself a black woman, but why not just be Dominican?" he asks again, seemingly unaware that you can also be black and American because one is a race and the other a nationality.

"Because I'm from the Dominican Republic but I am a ... we're talking about where you're from, your country, and you're talking about race/ethnicity, right?" she said. "So I am Afro-Latina."

*Mic Drop*

Watch the full exchange in the video above, starting around the five minute mark.

Before You Go

Gina Torres

9 Famous Afro-Latinos Open Up About Being Black And Latino

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