Latinx Is

something between Latino and Latina, reclaiming how we are defined
hombres sitting in front of lit mirrors with a table full of cosmetics & mujeres
with skin fades and ACE-bandaged-down breasts. Something like
drag queens

at La Escuelita and butches at Café con Leche, like your cool tio that          teaches 
you how to death drop and titi with a mustache. Something like your primo
that mysteriously disappeared from the family and is never spoken about. 

Somewhere between “When did you come into this country?”
& brown  babies
in hospital delivery rooms. Growing up in a country where we are told to go  back 
to wherever we came from. Somewhere between being oppressed by white-washed 

politicians that come from families that look like us & our bodies outlined with white chalk on sidewalks when we are killed. Checked boxes without nuance. Something between J-Lo & Jenny from the block,
Rita Hayworth & Rita Moreno, migrating across 

rivers & spending all your money on airfare. Something between
VapoRub & brujeria. 
Appreciating art by Goya & Trump-loving Goya products from Spain. Taco    Tuesdays 
& the waitstaff and cooks at Italian restaurants, children in cages & kids        bussed to

schools where they are called “Spics!” Teens turning to gangs for                  brotherhood/
sisterhood & in the hood, maricones getting gay-bashed. Alcoholism & Corona, tequila, margaritas, mezcal. Somewhere between a quinceañera
and a Sweet Sixteen.

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo & clutching your purse as brown boys walk by. Fetishizing Latin lovers & sex-trafficking girls who speak Spanish. Getting displaced by gentrification & “They’re taking over our neighborhoods!” Somewhere between

desirable & Undesirable. Being unwanted no matter what letter closes
us out—an o, an a, an x, an e.

Somewhere between Vanna White and “Wanna buy a vowel?” Somewhere  between
“Your English is so good!” and speaking Spanglish. Somewhere
between the right to live
the American dream & being a “welfare queen!” Somewhere
between “Gracias to the

Academy!” & filling up our prisons. Somewhere between “¡El pueblo, unido,  jamás
será vencido!” and “We’re Here! We’re Queer! Get used to it!” Somewhere    between Dia
de los Muertos & painting your face white to symbolize death. Somewhere    between “You

have the right to remain silent!” and “Silence equals death.” Somewhere      between
telenovelas and the new One Day at a Time. Somewhere between
Richie  Valens & Cardi
B. Gender fluid like Walter Mercado and Demi Lovato. Somewhere between
Lady

Bunny’s favorite snacks & Bad Bunny. Something like we were here on this land first and x marks the damn spot!