A first-generation Dominican American and Afro-Latina who explores her cultural and linguistic identities. She initially struggles with internalized racism and shame regarding her Spanish language and Dominican heritage. Through reflection on her history, she transforms this shame into a profound pride for her lineage.

A Dominican immigrant to the United States whose primary language is Spanish. She speaks with a distinct accent that blends Spanish phonetics with English words. Her linguistic differences make her a target of ridicule from American children.

An older family member who maintains the customs of her homeland in the United States. She wears traditional Dominican clothing, serving as a visual link to the family's Caribbean roots.

American children who enforce assimilation through mockery and exclusion. They ridicule the speaker's mother for her broken English. These children drive the speaker to initially reject her heritage in favor of fast food and American culture.

A diverse historical group comprising Indigenous Taínos, Spanish colonists, and enslaved Yoruba people. Their history includes brutal violence and forced labor. Despite this painful past, they laid the foundation for Afro-Latino culture through their physical labor and artistic creativity.

A famous Afro-Cuban American singer whose music permeates the speaker's cultural consciousness. She popularized salsa and other Afro-Caribbean music forms in the United States. Her confident embrace of Black Latina identity acts as an artistic touchstone for the speaker.