AFRO-LATINA — LEXBÉY

Costa Rica (rich coast) is a beautiful, rain-forested country in Central America with coastlines along the Caribbean and Pacific. While there are so many reasons to fall in love with it, I think the best part about it is the adventure, the essence, the pure vida (pure life) lifestyle, and the food.

This is me in Heredia, one of the 7 provinces. I stayed at an old Costa Rican home that was transformed into a boutique hotel. Very charming!

If you know me then you know that I’m a proud Costa Rican, and first generation American. My family is from the Caribbean side of the country, Puerto Limon. Limon is the name of the province and the capital city. Limon is also known as Jamaica Town, where there is an abundance of afro-Latinos. This province is home of three popular towns which I’ve had the honor of visiting: Cohuita, Manzanillo, and Puerto Viejo. This area of the country produces most of Costa Rica’s Banana’s and cacao the boast the country’s principal commercial port.

The reason there’s still an influx of both black and creole population is due to the resistance of indigenous people. Part of the community traces its roots back to former African-slave Jamaican laborers, which is why there is a heavy Jamaican influence in this particular part of the country. They were brought during the late 19th century to build railroads, connecting San Jose to Limon.

Pictured is my great grandfather Aimsley Barker. From what I’ve learned, his parents migrated to Costa Rica from Jamaica. So although my grandfather was born in CR, he spoke patois instead of Spanish.

My Afro Latina Experience:

Being Black and hispanic has always been my norm. The food, the music, the culture, the customs, everything about who I am is rooted in being an Afro Costa Rican. First things first, hispanic is not a race. The term “Hispanic” is defined as an ethnicity, which means that latinos can classify themselves as any race and still be hispanic. In my case, I am very much Black, but ethnically I am Costa Rican. Throughout history, racial differences within Latino culture has been caused by government corruption, lack of representation within the media, war and underdevelopment, glamorization of skin bleaching, and anti-black propaganda. All of these have contributed to the deep rooted colorism within Latino culture, causing people to deny their Blackness.

Growing up, I’d have to say that being Black and Costa Rican in New York was fun but weird. On one hand, I loved being from somewhere that people didn’t even know about, and on the other I loathed having to explain where Costa Rica was on the map or how you can in fact be Black, Caribbean, and Hispanic. I personally knew who I was, but as I went out into the world it made me a little self conscious because I low-key didn't feel visible amongst other Latinos. I was even embarrassed to bring my flag to school, could you imagine?! Today, you can find Costa Rica on the top 10 best countries to visit. Everyone wants to travel there. A part of me wanted to be a gatekeeper and not tell anyone about CR, because I knew of its beauty my entire life.

As I got older, I realized that my nuances made me special. I also realized that my younger self was desperately searching for a sense of belonging. However, as I matured it became less about belonging and more about educating and embracing my culture. Being An Afro-Latina is an amazing experience, and I’m happy that I get to share a piece of who I am with you all. As stated before, Costa Rica is a hotspot right now, but I’m sure visitors rarely think about the culture, let alone the Black people that live there. I encourage all who decide to visit, to travel to the Caribbean side of the country, I promise your soul will feel refreshed!

THE GRAND PARADE!

Every year on August 31st, at 1 P.M there is a parade that takes place on the main streets of Limon. This parade is in efforts to celebrate the Afro-Carribbean culture in Costa Rica. During the parade you’ll see a lot of floats, colorful costumes, traditional foods, drinks, and music. You’ll see families gathered together under tents, dancing, singing, and reconnecting to their roots.

My first time experiencing this parade was in 2019. I can confidently say that almost all of Puerto Limon attended the parade, including Costa Ricans that live in America. Having this experience in real time made me a little emotional. Just being around a large amount of people that share a similar life experience with me gave me so much joy.

(From left to right): My grandmother, my Tia Ivonney, Tio Rogelio, and Tio

(From left to right): Tia Cecilia, and my mom

what I enjoyed most about the parade was being there with my family, and seeing my mom take part in the parade. She left Costa Rica years ago, so to see her in her element as a local in her hometown made my heart happy!

The genres of music that you’ll hear during the parade are reggae, calypso, salsa, and merengue. All of these sounds fill the streets as people dance the night away until 10 P.M. After the parade, there’s a bunch of local bars and restaurants that set up shop in the streets to sell food and drinks, this is all accompanied by a salsa concert where people dance in the streets until about 5 A.M.

By now, you all should know how special my culture is to me. I am deeply connected to all parts of who I am. To say that I am more of one than the other, would not be fair. Sometimes we try to oversimplify identities so it can make sense at our levels of understanding. People are scared of what they don’t know, or what they can’t necessarily define. I am a Black, Caribbean, and Hispanic. All of these things make up the girl y’all call “Lexbey.”

This picture was taken by my cousin. This is my family on the beach. Pura Vida!

To my Black Latinos, don’t ever let anyone oversimplify who you are. Take up space, speak up, and educate people about your culture. We exist, and I think it’s time for the world to get on the wave!

HAPPY LATINO HERITAGE MONTH!