Even on the Moon, Esmeralda Santiago Would Still Be Puerto Rican
Even on the Moon, Esmeralda Santiago Would Still Be Puerto Rican
Esmeralda Santiago sat at home on what felt like the first day of autumn in Northern Westchester, New York. Meanwhile, in Villa Palmeras, Santiago's birthplace nestled within San Juan, Puerto Rico, I was perched at my desk, ready to delve into her life. Santiago’s legacy is unprecedented. It wasn't until [...]
For Alex Pryor, Yerba Mate is More Than a Plant — It’s a Way of Life
For Alex Pryor, Yerba Mate is More Than a Plant — It’s a Way of Life
At some point in the last few years, you may have found yourself torn between getting yourself yet another cup of coffee or walking towards the fridge for a Guayakí Yerba Mate. The drink contains a little less caffeine than your average joe but tastes like a flavored tea, although [...]
Ludmilla, Princess of Pagode, Talks New Music And Leveling Up
Ludmilla, Princess of Pagode, Talks New Music And Leveling Up
Ludmilla is the uncontested princess of the Brazilian music genre pagode, a subgenre of samba. Akin to western R&B music but drenched in Latin culture, Ludmilla thrives in the world of pagode. The 27-year-old spent her childhood and teenage years in Rio De Janeiro’s Duque de Caxias suburb. At eight [...]
New Music Picks: Thalia, Kenia Os, Kali Uchis, and More
New Music Picks: Thalia, Kenia Os, Kali Uchis, and More
Welcome to LATINA’s weekly roundup of the best new music. This week’s list features Thalia's team-up with Kenia Os, Kali Uchis’ new album, and iLe's fierce track with Ivy Queen. Also on the list: Y La Bamba's resilient anthem, Møya Rey's empowering "Back Up," and Wisin's collaboration Emilia and [...]
Combining Jewelry, Art, and Mysticism With Serpentine
Combining Jewelry, Art, and Mysticism With Serpentine
Sofia Ordaz, the designer of the Mexican jewelry brand Serpentine, focuses her brand on life’s mysticism. Drawing inspiration from the natural and organic elements of life, Ordaz has created a jewelry line that asks more questions than it answers. She told LATINA, “My inspiration has always been magic and the [...]
The U.S. is Facing a Bilingual Teacher Shortage
The U.S. is Facing a Bilingual Teacher Shortage
While there has been a growing teacher shortage in the United States for a couple years already, the pandemic accelerated and aggravated this trend. A recent investigation by ABC News found that more than three quarters of states are facing teacher shortages, especially for specialized roles like special education and [...]
Did Oscar Winner Iñárritu’s ‘Bardo’ Sink Under the Weight of its Own Narcissism?
Did Oscar Winner Iñárritu’s ‘Bardo’ Sink Under the Weight of its Own Narcissism?
After back-to-back Oscar wins for his work on Birdman (2014) and The Revenant (2015), Alejandro González Iñarritu’s status as a Mexican auteur suddenly exploded on the international film scene despite having defected to Hollywood over a decade prior. In the years since, Iñárritu has kept mostly out of sight, [...]