It's hard to define Latino identity. Some people, when they think of Latinos, think of stereotypes: short people with dark hair and bronze skin. They don't realize there are no limits to what we can look like. We can be blond. We can have red hair. We can have blue eyes. We can be tall. We can be short. We can be curvy. We can be skinny.
The beautiful thing about being Latino is that we are, in a way, a reflection of the world's diversity. There are Asian Latinos, Afro-Latinos and white Latinos — and we are all equally Latino. Some say our culture is what connects us, and some say it's the languages we speak. Others think it's simply our shared experiences.
It's a special moment for Latinos in this country. We've passed the tipping point. Politically and with our buying power, we have become a force. As our influence continues to grow, the question now is: Who are Latinos? This photo essay is a response to that question. As a community we sometimes struggle to define our identity because we are diverse, but we are also deeply connected. We find strength in numbers while trying to reconcile our differences.
Want to be a part of this movement? Show the world how you break the mold using #LatinosBreakTheMold.
Responses have been edited for clarity.
Latinos Break
The Mold
By Carolina Moreno, Damon Dahlen & Christy Havranek
Creative Direction
Carina Kolodny &
Marc Janks
Web Design
Jonathan Shin
Editor
Samantha Storey
Motion Graphics
Isabella Carapella
Logo Design
Sam Ellner
Special Thanks To
David Flumenbaum, Shira Sky, Flavia Casas, Tanisha Ramirez,
John Leguizamo, Dascha Polanco, Anthony Mendez