(Image: Kristina Sanchez)

Last year Jakiyah McKoy, a young Afro-Latina, was denied her crown due to speculation over “how Latina she is.” Just sad. What was your response to that situation? What has to be done in the pageant world to embrace people of all ethnicities and races, skin tones, and hair textures?How do you identity? Do you consider yourself Afro-Latina, or use another term to describe your race and/or ethnicity?

I was distraught by this incident. Who would have thought this would happen to a beautiful seven year old in 2013? I was upset with this situation and felt this was an injustice. I consider myself an Afro-Latina. On my father’s side, I have Afro-Latino aunts, uncles, and descendants and would have never known that if I would have never done research on my family or asked questions to my family. Latinas come in all shapes, sizes, skin tones, hair textures, and much more. This is what makes ‘mi rasa, tan rica!’ The pageant world needs to realize these things and needs to embrace all women.  I understand pageant regulations must be put in place but I believe modifications should be made to these regulations. I believe in her case, she should have been permitted to keep her reign. I was appalled by the title of the many articles I read on her situation: Little Miss Hispanic Delaware stripped of her crown for not being ‘Latina enough.’ Makes me question what somebody may think or believe of myself. I know who I am and I believe that is important to participants in the pageant world. Jakiyah McKoy knows who she is and I therefore believe, she should have maintained her crown as queen.

I do consider myself Afro-Latina. My ethnicity is comprised of many races. The many races have brought variety, in skin color, hair texture, body types, etc.,  to my culture. I enjoy this about my culture and wouldn’t trade it for the world! ‘Soy latina! Latina soy!’

What is your earliest memory of identifying as Afro-Latina/Blatina/Latinegra, etc?

My earliest memory would have to be within my house. My sisters and I have different skin color, hair, and body type but they are still my blood sisters from the same biological parents. I’ve met many people that asked if we were adopted but I always chuckle and say, ‘No! That’s my sister.’ We all speak Spanish, were raised in the same house with the same morals, and have embraced our culture together. Of course as time passed, I grew to realize how different people are and how cultures have blended.

Who inspires you?

My biggest inspiration is my mother. She pushes me and motivates me to excel in all I do. She’s compassionate, understanding, hard-working, loving, serious, intelligent, and beautiful. She never gives up despite how hard the situation may get, she continues to persevere. She is my mother before she is a friend to me.  I love her, respect her, and do so much for her. I am thankful to have such an amazing mother like her.

Which Latina matriarch do you most identify with and why?

I would identify myself with Celia Cruz. She is my favorite singer/performer. I love her music. I feel through her music, you get to know who she is and how she loves her island: Cuba. She embraces who she is and where she comes from and this is why I would identify myself most with her; I know who I am and where I come from. ‘Yo soy Kristina Sanchez. Yo soy Panameña y Puertorriqueña.’

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?

Embrace your mistakes; Learn from them. Never forget who you are and where you come from despite where you may be going! Above all, educate yourself about yourself, your people, your culture, and all others around you. Education is the key to success!

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