I am Hispanic/Latina myself (nicaraguan) and I want to help you guys if you consider adding a hispanic/latino character
HISPANICS/LATINOS DO NOT LOOK THE SAME: Not every Hispanic/Latino is tan with black hair. We vary. Some of us are white-passing (aka white), some of us are black (aka afro Latinos), some of us are Asians, and some of us are mestizo/indigenous (spanish+indigenous). Hence why Hispanic/Latino isn’t a race. But please don’t go around assuming someone’s race. Or telling them they’re this instead of that. If they are comfortable with identifying as Hispanic/Latino let them. This will cause more confusion or make them feel less Hispanic/Latino. But of course, it doesn’t give them the right to say the n-word bc this is a big problem in the Hispanic/Latino community. Only afro-latinos can say the n-word. (If you’re a white author or a non-black author DON’T USE this word)
NOT EVERY HISPANIC/LATINO CAN SPEAK SPANISH: This is another problem in the Hispanic/Latino community. Some Hispanics/Latinos tell other Hispanics/Latinos that they aren’t Latino/Hispanic enough bc they can’t speak Spanish. One’s ability does not determine who they are. It’s so annoying. I have a friend (Venezuelan) who can’t speak Spanish although her sister and her parents were born in Venezuela. Does that make her any less Latina/Hispanic? No. At the end of the day, she is still Venezuelan. But if you want to make your character fluent in Spanish go ahead but not all of your characters need to be fluent (unless it takes place in a Spanish speaking country or maybe they traveled abroad and can’t speak the language, that’s an interesting plot but back to the post). Make them have a sibling who can’t speak the language.
NOT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US ARE MEXICAN: Just because Mexico is next to the U.S does not mean everyone who speaks Spanish is from there. Here is a post I made about representation in the Hispanic community, As a hispanic (not a race) this needs to be said.
WE AREN’T DR*G LORDS: Do I even have to explain myself?
RELIGION: This usually applies to the older generations. The older generation is pretty religious and sometimes intolerant to the LGBTQ+ community. But not every parent though. The newer generation is either religious or atheist. Hispanic/Latino people have communions and most families practice Catholicism or Christianity but mostly Catholicism. Some Hispanic girls have gold Virgencita necklaces. It’s a small gold chain with the Virgin Mary. Although the majority of hispanics practice christianity/catholicism, there are hispanics out there who practice islam or judaism among many other religions.
LA CHANCLETA: Translates to the Flip-Flop. Personally, for me, I don’t mind if you put a chancla joke I’m okay with it. But just because I say it’s okay doesn’t mean every Hispanic/Latino in the world is okay with it. So if you get into trouble bc you joked about la chancla in your story, don’t say “Someone on the forums told me it’s okay”. I am only one person and I don’t represent the entire community. So be sure to reach out to other Hispanic/Latino ppl on the forums to see if it’s okay to joke about something.
NOT ALL LATINAS ARE SASSY AND FIESTY Don’t make all of your characters like Paola from 90 day fiance. Not every Latina is a gossip or smartmouth or sassy. Some of us are pushovers and some of us aren’t “spicy”.
LANGUAGE: Referring to reaching out to other people, PLEASE PLEASE DO! And if you don’t want to do that… RESEARCH!! Many Hispanics have their own way of talking in Spanish. Like the whole straw fiasco we have in our community. Some of us say popote, some of us say pajilla, some of us say sorbeto, some of us say calimete, some of us say pitillo, some of say pajita. I’m too lazy to continue so here’s a link: 11 Spanish Words for DRINKING STRAW: Infographic . Each country has their own dialect so if you plan to write a character who is, for example, nicaraguan, mexican, colombian, or dominican, be sure to reach out to people who belong to those ethnicities/nationalities as dominican spanish or nicaraguan spanish is different from many other countries. it’s important to learn the dialogue of hispanic countries if you want your story to be accurate.
PM me if you have any other questions or need translation. Good luck!
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Bookmarked!
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Thanks for making this post!
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of course!
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Yes, thank you for making this! I myself am Peruvian from both my parents and relatives and I completely agree! 
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Thank you for this thread!!!
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Bookmarking it 
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Not to mention, not all latinos are from spanish speaking countries! I always see this mistake when people refer to latinos. Very important post, thanks for making it 
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np!!
Bookmarked! 
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This is very helpful. My story I’m working on now is set in Puerto Rico. I’ve done a lot of research, but it’s always best to talk to people.
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