7/25/2019 Towards a Useful Definition of Latino Art

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Towards a useful definition of Latino Art

Latino art is art that is informed by a unique history. That history includes

coming from, or having family roots in what is broadly referred to as Latin

America - the Caribbean, Central and South American countries and

cultures. The particular history that is a part of and that informs all Latino art

also includes the experiences of being an outsider, of racial discrimination,

the struggle for human rights and dignity, of stereotyping, marginalization,

and underrepresentation in this country’s politics, media and education

(schools, libraries, and museums).

For a term like Latino to serve a useful purpose, while keeping these

common elements as part of its definition, it would also have maintain the

distinctions of the various groups it refers to. If these precious, uniquehistories are not given the enough emphasis, then the term Latino can

 become almost meaningless, cut off from diverse people’s ancestry, from

their adversity, and triumphs. There’s the risk ironically that such well

intended language can move us closer to the very assimilation and loss of

identity which progressives, activists and those of us who would honor and

draw from our past fight at all costs to avoid.

 No doubt there is resistance to history. There are plenty of people and

institutions even now that would rather not face up to the deplorable wayminorities have been treated in this country. There has been tacit and overt

cooperation with injustice. The legacies of colonialism, slavery, legal

discrimination, and stratified class are in fact with us today, in compelling

ways, but they are only seen as such when we have a historical memory.

Latino art, if it is to function as more than merely art produced by a person

of Latin American descent, is informed by this history and perspective.

What form that then takes has all the latitude contained in the word art,

which is of course boundless. The aesthetics and values of such people

speaks of their experience, and their aspirations in light of what they’veknown. By Latino art, we are enriched and moved towards the more just

and beautiful world that was our ancestor’s dream, and that was their wish

for their children.