I got this cute note from a twenty-something man on Facebook and I just couldn’t resist:

Hi there, How are you doing? My name is Armando Gil. Just saw your website and I believe it is a great website. I would like to participate on your website if that is possible. I saw 2 categories which I am interested in. One of them is hottie of the week, and the other one is question of the week. Well, let me introduce myself a little further. I am Puerto Rican from New York, have a Master’s degree in Computer Security. I love Black women have always like them since I was a kid. In the Bronx, New York Hispanics and Blacks were the majority and still are the majority.

As for the question of the week, maybe you put “How close are Latinos with Blacks”, “Is it interracial dating when Latino and Black Date?” Something along those lines, because I have so much to say about that topic.

Well, since Armando had so much to say, I threw the question back at him, and he had some interesting answers:

BB&W: Let me ask you, what’s your take? I hear Hispanics (like some blacks) tend to be colorist, favoring lighter-skin over darker. Some black women have been so discouraged by this knowledge that they don’t pursue the men. I think a commentary from an “insider” would be good, so what say you?

Armando: For the purpose of this question I will say that I am Puerto Rican and that I will talk a lot about New York since that is where I am from.

In many of the countries the lighter you are the better that you will get treated. This is even true in the Latino countries such as Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Colombia, Mexico, and so on. In my opinion, this exists because of how people are raised, and some are not well-travelled to be able to experience different cultures. For example, in many of the movies you will see a black person stealing or living in the ghetto whereas, in the movies you will see a light- skinned person or white person living in a high-class area. So when they see this, the people will think that all Black people are ghetto and that all White people carry themselves better. I have met Black people who carries themselves well and White people who are ghetto. This is why, people should not go by what they see on TV.

Hispanics from the states are very different from the Hispanics from their country. Also it depends on where you are raised as well. For example, in The Bronx, New York Hispanics and Blacks get along very well. We live in the same ‘hoods’, listen to the same music, date each other , and see each other in the same struggle. Due to this we do not see ourselves as interracial when it comes for us to date. Also we must keep in mind that there are Hispanics who are Black, White, etc. A good example would be my family. I have family members that are White and Black, and Indian. The reason for this is that back in the days, Taino Indians were living already in Puerto Rico when Spanish people came from Spain to Puerto Rico. The Spaniards arrived in Puerto Rico with African Slaves. When they got to Puerto Rico, the Spaniards were raping the Taino women, African Women etc. This is why there are Puerto Ricans who are White, Black, or Indian. Now, that I live in Virginia people always think that I am mixed with Black and White. They would have never guessed that I am Puerto Rican if I did not say anything to the people in Virginia.

Many people do not know this, but Hispanics (mainly Puerto Ricans) and Blacks (African Americans, Nigerian Americans, and Jamaican Americans) led to the creation of what we know today as Hip Hop in the South Bronx, New York. The original Tats Cru was a famous group of Puerto Ricans from The Bronx that are well recognized in many cities of the world. Now they have other members. Crazy Legs is a Puerto Rican from New York that was part of a break dancing group called Rock Steady Crew. Dj Charlie Chase was a Puerto Rican that played Hip Hop records when Hip Hop originated. Not to mention, one of the biggest rappers from New York who have passed away was Big Pun. He was also Puerto Rican.

Moreover, a lot of the rappers from New York are mixed with Hispanic. Jim Jones is half Puerto Rican and Half Aruban, NORE is half Puerto Rican and half African American, Fabolous is African American and Dominican, Juelz Santana is African American and Dominican, Cam’ron is African American and Puerto Rican. Lastly, this shows that Hispanics and Blacks get along very well for the most part in New York.

BB&W: So I’m wondering, is New York City it’s own cushy incubator, where colorism between Hispanics and Black don’t exist?

Find and friend Armando here.