Black and Latina - Tatyana Ali

Tatyana Ali on being a Black Latina

Photo:  AP

Tatyana Ali is more than the sweet actress you remember from her days as Ashley on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: she’s a recording artist, dedicated political activist and star of a new show, Love that Girl.  We recently chatted with the talented and beautiful Harvard grad, who broke down what it means for her to be a Black Latina in Hollywood and how no matter what, she’ll always love tostones.

NBC Latino: Does Hollywood type cast you?

I think that Hollywood does typecast. It happens on so many different levels. Whether you’re Latina or not, it’s about race, culture, or about personality. I’m always type cast as the sweet girl, or the smart girl – which means you won’t be cast as the sexy role. However, Hollywood does its best work when you make people question what they know. Those are the best TV shows, projects and films, where you create a sense of empathy in the audience for a character that they would probably never identity with. So the trick is to defy as many of those as possible, whether it’s culturally, racially, personality type, or sexually. That’s what I’m concerned with as a dark brown girl.

NBC Latino: You are like several other young Hollywood stars, part of the melting pot. Your mom is Panamanian, your dad is Trinidadian.  In a world of categories, you defy categorization. How do you define yourself?

I think of myself as Afro-Caribbean. That means that I’m a black woman, especially in the U.S. because that’s how we’re seen. Afro-Caribbean is broad enough that I can include all the influences in my life, like music, calypso, and speaking loudly and using my hands in speech. And also I think for me, it’s about the way I was brought up, with hospitality, generosity and kindness. There’s warmth in Panama in and in Trinidad. People welcome you in the homes, and if you’re out of town, people will share their lives with you and immerse you in your world. That’s something that I was raised with and that’s how I try to live in my daily life.

NBC Latino: Did you grow up with any specific cultural traditions that made you feel Latina?

Oh yeah. We’re a dancing family. Music is a huge part of our lives. Every time my family gets together for a cook out, it begins and ends with music. I love all kinds of music, and here’s the thing: with salsa dancing, I’m about a medium in skill. I’ve never taken classes or anything, but if I’ve got a partner that can lead, I can do it. One thing that I love about the culture is that if you’re in a salsa club, you can dance with as many people you like. It’s a given you dance with one guy, for one song, or two, and it another asks you t. every time you’re dancing with someone, it’s a completely different experience. Being able to follow can be a bit challenging, but you can twirl and take over when you want.

NBC Latino: How do you keep culture alive?

Through food, culture and music. I don’t cook as much as I’d like to, but when I do, I cook what I grew up: tostones, rice and gandules. And sometimes I love having Trinidadian food to honor my dad’s side – dishes like curry fish or curry chicken. When my friends come over my house, they know it’s going to be something ethnic!

NBC Latino: What message do you hope to pass onto to little girls, whose backgrounds might be similar to your own?

Don’t hesitate to talk and tell people who you are. A lot of times it’s so much easier to fit into other peoples boxes. To get you far in this life though, you need your real identity, the real you. What I’m finding now at this age in my life, is that I’m more willing to speak up and say ‘Oh no, it’s actually like this.’  When I do that, it’s like a whole world of opportunity opens up. When you take the courage to stand up for yourself and define who you are, other people will open up to you. Deep inside, everyone’s longing to be themselves.

Check out Tatyana’s sit down with Mun2, where she chats about being a Black Latina, here.

-NINA TERRERO, NBC LATINO STAFF

 Watch the video and full interview here:


http://www.mun2.tv/candy/original/black-and-latino-tatyana-ali-extended-interview

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