C4SO is committed to more fully cooperating with the vision of racial and ethnic diversity in Revelation 7:9, so amplifying the voices of our Latina/Latino brothers and sisters is a step toward this Kingdom vision. During Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15), we taste the beauty of God’s desire for diversity amongst his people.

By the Rev. Jacilyn Perez Goodwin

In a recent conversation, a friend asked me how I identify myself and my experience as a Latina. For people with my skin tone, this is a common query. And for many like me, especially from multi-ethnic and Spanish-speaking backgrounds, this question is complex, nuanced and multi-layered. So, I responded, “Well, it depends.”

Thankfully, this sister entered with curiosity and asked me to tell her more, offering me the gift of being seen and heard. Her sincere invitation led me to explain my experience in trying to identify myself to others in ways they can understand.

I told her that my most genuine response is, “Soy Boricua.” (I am Boricua.) I wish I could translate the term Boricua, but whole books have been written about this topic. It’s not simple. In essence, the term Boricua keeps me tethered to my indigenous roots. The Taíno are the first people of the Island of Borinquen, renamed “Puerto Rico” by Spanish conquistadores in the 15th century. The Taíno called themselves Boricua. I am Boricua, but that’s not all. See, it’s complicated.

I realize that not everyone wants to enter this complicated narrative. They’d prefer a simple way to categorize me and others. So sometimes I use the broader (and more recognizable) terms Latina or Hispanic for myself.  But these terms (like Puerto Rico) were assigned by others. Latina/o and Hispanic are labels for an entire group of 660 million people from 20+ countries whose “official” or majority languages are romance languages. Many of these people of “Latin” descent would more readily self-identify in other ways, and while the terms Latino/a and Hispanic place a large swath of people under a simple, unified label, Latino cultures are as different as the “European” cultures of Iceland and Greece. You could Google “Latino/a vs. Hispanic” to see just how complex these terms and their usages are.

For Puerto Ricans like me, labeling is difficult. Boricua are descendants from many continents. “Soy Boricua” recognizes that as a multi-racial Spanish-speaking woman, there is a complex fullness to my identity. On the shores of la Isla Encantada, the Taíno made their home; the Spanish claimed dominion; enslaved Africans (of many ethnicities) were sold into forced labor. The result of that convergence are people like me. Complicated histories within a human person.

I am a Spanish-speaking, Afro-Caribbean woman from Puerto Rico. Soy Boricua. Having the dignity to truly talk about my identity with this dear sister was a gift. She saw me in more of my fullness and, in doing so, acknowledged the glory of imago Dei, God’s image, alive in me.

I invite you to be like this sister. Honor the true celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring the many people this moniker represents—including their individual histories and cultures.  Let this month be a reminder to intentionally learn not only about their Hispanic identity, but how they identify themselves. Be open to learning about their amazing contributions in art, food, literature, faith, dance, and advocacy work.

Latinos and Latinas have shaped America for generations. There are well over 60 million Latino/a neighbors in the U.S. today, nearly 1 out of 5 Americans.  We are not a monolith. We are individual entrepreneurs, artists, teachers, scientists, public servants, and clergy.  Listen to our stories, sit with us, and share in the abundance of flavors and worship we bring to our communities and to Christ’s Church.

Learn more about C4SO’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

The Rev. Jacilyn Perez Goodwin is Nuyorican born in Brooklyn. She is a vocational deacon serving Good Shepherd Nashville as the Director of Child and Youth Formation, bringing her 27 years of Christian education experience to the Church. She currently serves C4SO as a member of the Racial Diversity and Justice Advisory Team and as a member of the Ordination Preparation Team. She is wife to the Rev. Brian Goodwin, mother to two adult children, and steward of two small dogs.