Dany Garcia Hosts Digital Panel #LatinxTheMosaic for Latinx Heritage Month

Dany Garcia has presented her latest thought-provoking initiative, #LatinxTheMosaic, to discuss the intricate and sensitive intersection of racism and colorism within the Latinx community. Prominent figures, influencers, actors, filmmakers and trailblazers in the Latinx community used their voices to tell their stories, educate and bring awareness to these roots within the culture.

Historically, lack of knowledge around race and ethnicity has created barriers to understanding the community’s complex roots, long-institutionalized inequality and deeply ingrained racism. The proud and homogenizing banner of “we Latinx are a syncretic racially mixed people,” known as “mestizaje,” imagines Latinx as a mixed- race population without anti-Black racism. However, this mythological tale of Latinx racial tolerance gets disrupted within these Afro-Latinx narratives, which chronicle their own victimization and experiences with discrimination.

“Body image, and especially from a fitness perspective, is really something that works against the Latinx community,” stated Garcia. “There is this conversation of, ‘oh you’re curvy or you’re too curvy or are you slim, can you get your hips slim, your hips are too big.’ All of a sudden, the way a natural body type is, becomes something that can also be judged. It was important to me to always be Dany Garcia — Latina, Cuban bodybuilder, because I was breaking stereotypes on how a body should look. I think that freedom of how I want my body to look and protecting that and being very proud about that is very important.”

With the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others, it is critical to equalize within the Latinx community, the most racially and ethnically diverse population in America. Bringing this important conversation to the forefront, Garcia has united inspiring thought-leaders to grapple with, offer context and provide clarity to these issues. The honest dialogue confronts racism, colorism and celebrates Black influence within the culture. Through the dynamic and multifaceted Latinx community, the collective supports and celebrates everyone until equality is true for every Latinx individual.

The virtual discussion now streams through multiple social channels broadcast using Garcia’s accounts. The goal is to have a genuine dialogue, while honoring and advocating for unique, intersectional experiences.

Afro-Latina author, educator and visual artist, Reyna Noriega, has crafted a poster for the initiative; a beautiful depiction of celebration, authenticity and honor of women and Latinx culture. The initiative will also round out with a special surprise from Hello Alice, a free, multichannel platform that helps businesses launch and grow.