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4 Must-Read Books by Afro-Latina Authors
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ZORA Fam,
As celebrations for Hispanic Heritage month commence this week, we’re thinking critically about what it means to be Hispanic or Latinx. ZORA contributing writer Adriana Maestas points out in a recent essay that these terms, which often serve as a catch-all cultural identifier, may sometimes exclude Black and Indigenous people.
Latinx culture includes a variety of cultures, colors, and backgrounds and now is the perfect time to get to know more about the many layers of Hispanic heritage. If you’re looking to learn more about Latinx culture and history, we recommend these offerings from Afro-Latinx authors. Their stories are all about pushing back against stereotypes and sharing insight into the joys and challenges of life as Afro-Latinx women.
Halsey Street by Naima Coster
This debut novel tells the story of a Dominican girl discovering the effects of gentrification on her Brooklyn neighborhood and on her family.
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Written in verse, this novella tells the story of a 15-year-old Afro-Dominican girl growing up in the Bronx who uses slam poetry to escape her strict household and…