She Speaks for Latinas but Can’t Speak to Them?

I don't know if it's just me but, as a latino (brazilian), watching american content on Youtube and listening to phrases like "i'm to white for that" or "she seems pretty white" makes me thing that people in the US believe that you can't be white and latino at the same time haha. Nothing against Brett, i really like her content, it just got me thing about you guys perspective on this.

I’m mexican, I don’t just happen to feel represented by Jenna nor Anya nor do I freaking need to. We can connect and empathize with others regardless of gender, ethnicity, skin color etc. like we’ve been doing that forever until wokness started to make it such a big issue.

As a peruvian, living in Peru, I feel closer to Anya. When you listen to her you feel something familiar, I feel like we could speak about common experiences and share similar cultural codes, that's completely different to Jenna. Beeing Latino is not only sharing a language but cultural codes as well. Being Latino is not racial at all, you could be white as a Sweden or black as a subsaharian african and be equally Latin.

Born and raised in Brazil, I speak both Portuguese and Spanish and must say that the language is a fundamental part of being immerse in a culture. I do not think that Jenna and Rachel have had a true Latin experience if they’ve always lived in the US and don’t understand the language, it does not matter how many Latin family members they are surrounded by. With the language comes music, popular culture, sayings, expressions, jokes… that help build a country’s identity. You even think differently in different languages.

There is a difference between ethnicity and culture. She shouldn’t feel ashamed for not being fully aware of culture but if you pretend to be aware and you’re not then you look foolish.

No, it's not that Anya Taylor-Joy just speaks Spanish. She does it exceptionally well, to the point you can't believe she's also fluent in English, because Spanish sounds like her native language. I'm from Argentina, and I'm telling you: people who aren't native Spanish speakers, sadly, will never appreciate how good her Spanish is. On top of that, she has a perfect Argentine accent, which is kinda mind blowing.

I’m Argentinian born with Uruguayan parents. I was raised in Sydney , Australia 🇦🇺 .. when I speak in English I have an Australian accent. When I speak I Spanish I have a Rio platense accent. I’m bi lingual , I read and write in both English and Spanish. I am fortunate enough to have parents that speak to me in Spanish . I wasn’t allowed to speak English at home . As a child I hated it as an adult now I feel blessed that my parents stuck to the values and taught me Spanish.

As Argentinians, Anya makes us proud, not only for her constant affection for our country, for our Spanish-speaking culture, but also for her humility and friendliness. I like to believe that this has a lot to do with its true multi-cultural nature; and not posturing like others.😏

What Americans and some others need to understand is for us Latin Americans the concept of "latino" is different. It's not you having latino parents, it's being raised in a Latin American country. That's the only way you can completely understand what Latin America is and thus what being latino is

I’ve never once in my life been like “oh wow I feel so represented bc of that Latina character” it’s different for everyone but I don’t think representation is as important as they say it is

As an Argentinian I always LMAO when I listen to "latinas" trying to speak Spanish in movies. Except Anya, she's amazing.

The thing I LOVE about Anya (as an Argentinian myself) is that she doesn't FORCE IT. She seems a lot more relaxed and authentic. I feel like in the US the "conversation" is just telling them what they want to hear about what latin American people look like or do. So that's why they are more prone to claim that Jenna is a "latina" without even questioning it. I've had my "argentinianness" questioned while traveling in Miami because I'm too white and speak English too well, which just tells you there are heavy preconceived notions of what a latina looks like.

I am Argentinian and go to school in the US. Moved here after high school. I am tired of people victimizing themselves for being "latinos/as" when they grew up going back and forth from their mansion and some beach in Florida. Like, I'm sorry, no, you are not a victim. Plus, if you had grown up in the economic/political shit show where I did you'd see how meaningless and stupid it is to be barking all the time about how badly people have it in the US. Yes, be proud, but for God's sake don't play the victim when you're not. Thanks Brett for a great analysis :)

It’s just sick the need of label someone with a race/ethnicity that americans suffer. I’m “white” due german and spaniard heritage, but I was born and raise in southern South America so I identify myself as “latina”. My blood absolutely boiled when i was in the states and had to take a COVID test to went back to my home country, the nurse (an afro american woman) asked my race, and I was like “why is that relevant, wtf… but yeah, I’m latina” then HER RESPONSE WAS “HONEY, YOU’RE ABSOLUTELY WHITE” OMFG, I swear I never hated someone that bad, who did she think she is??? It’s absolutely rude to deny someone’s self perception by their looks! Latinos are mixed af, northern latinos doesn’t look like southern latinos AT ALL, but americans tend to think that we all look mexican 🫠 Argentina, Chile and Uruguay are mostly white due the italian, german, british and spaniard influence, but still latinos! 😤 it’s like stating all americans are white, when americans can look asian, black, latinos, arab, etc, etc, etc.

As a white "Latino" I feel incredibly underrepresented in the media. You don't see white hispanics represented anywhere. In American movies, commercials, etc- the characters/actors are always brown/ish. On another note, I'm Uruguayan and speak with the same accent as Anya. Other hispanics have a hard time understanding Rioplatense Spanish. Especially if they're not native Spanish speakers.

I've got Scots and German heritage. I speak neither language, but I don't go on and on about it all the time, so nobody thinks I'm a hypocrite. I certainly don't think the woman is required to speak the language to have a cultural connection, but perhaps not putting yourself in situations that make you look hypocritical would be a good idea.

I am a latina who was born America, my first language was Spanish. Growing up, I honestly never felt "unrepresented". Sure, when I see a latino actor in american shows or movies I get excited but I never saw it as an issue or felt opressed. I never paid attention to the race or color of the person. People just want to make it an issue... my community has a good amount of movies and shows with hispanic actors.

I'm Argentinian. I met Anya because I crossed paths with her on the streets last time she was here. She's so humble and she's as Argentinian as Messi, Maradona, Dulce de leche and Asado.

I don't understand why Americans insist that not knowing your "supposed-to-be" native language doesn't matter. it does matter.

You don’t have to speak Spanish and you don’t have to be immersed in the culture but don’t claim to be a representative for that culture if you don’t live that culture or have any connection other than “my great grandma” came from X… just be proud and that’s it. No need to proclaim your self to something you’re not.