Finding Latinx

In Search of the Voices Redefining Latino Identity

By: Paola Ramos

Narrated by: Paola Ramos

Length: 7 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Latinos across the United States are redefining their identities, pushing boundaries, and awakening politically in powerful and surprising ways. Many - Afrolatino, indigenous, Muslim, queer, and undocumented, living in large cities and small towns - are voices who have been chronically overlooked in how the diverse population of almost 60 million Latinos in the US has been represented. No longer.

In this empowering cross-country travelogue, journalist and activist Paola Ramos embarks on a journey to find the communities of people defining the controversial term Latinx. She introduces us to the indigenous Oaxacans who rebuilt the main street in a post-industrial town in upstate New York, the “Las Poderosas” who fight for reproductive rights in Texas, the musicians in Milwaukee whose beats reassure others of their belonging, as well as drag queens, environmental activists, farmworkers, and the migrants detained at our border.

Drawing on intensive field research as well as her own personal story, Ramos chronicles how “Latinx” has given rise to a sense of collectivity and solidarity among Latinos unseen in this country for decades. A vital and inspiring work of reportage, Finding Latinx calls on all of us to expand our understanding of what it means to be Latino and what it means to be American. The first step toward change, writes Ramos, is for us to recognize who we are.

©2020 Paola Ramos (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"A journey towards the long-overdue representation of Latinx people through the term "Latinx," inspiring a collective sense of identity and solidarity." —Marie Claire

"Paola Ramos explores Latinx identity and makes a case for why it is important that we as a community find a term that evolves with us as a community. She believes and demonstrates in her book how the term 'Latinx' might be the best term that captures our wide spectrum of stories and histories." —Popsugar

"Crucial. . . . A long-overdue examination of identity and belonging while living as Latinx in the US. From farm workers to drag queens, from Oaxacan to Muslim, the people Ramos highlights illustrate the complexity, diversity and beauty of Latin@s from coast to coast." —Ms. Magazine

Great Book

I’d highly recommend to the Latinx and non-Latinx communities. I grew up in Miami and have traveled within the US and internationally and this book still managed to give me a whole new perspective. I found the book educational, informational and inspirational. If you’re curious about what and who is Latinx, check out these stories.

Finally noticing Latinos across America!

Well articulated Audio book. Extension of Latinos points of view across the U.S was fantastic! Felt the emotion from every persons story. Thank you for this. I now know people like me are out there.

Great book but bad production

This is the clunkiest audiobook production I’ve heard. I loved the book so I stuck with it, but wish I’d just read it to be honest.

We are all HUMANS.

Well done Paola Ramos. I am not Latin. I am blackity black black and I am an American. I enjoyed reading this as I found so many of of the struggles in this book transcend the social construct of race. They are human problems. As a black person living in America I could identify with a lot of the stories being told and the struggles with the differing skin shades. The book is a 10/10. Just read it with an open mind and you’ll be left feeling empowered in the skin you are in. I hope this book gets around so that everyone can be a little more thoughtful about those around them. I have so much to say but a really huge THANK YOU TO PAOLA RAMOS.

A good explanation of the Latinx term.

I decided to read this book due to the work that I do in the community with the Latinx population. The book allow you to understand that there is no one type of Latino. My image of Latino have change after reading to this book.

The different experiences of Latinos who live in Miami and other places within the United States

I loved it. It makes you think and recreate past experiences. Well written and spoken.

Amazing!

Truly a timely book. It was so well researched and read. I couldn’t put it down.

Amazing!

This book is very eye opening. Paola! Your book is great. Thank you for all of your important work. I am thankful for you.

I enjoyed it

Pretty easy to hear and understand. Gave me lots of perspective on the Latinx experience around the country and definitely learned a lot.

Eye opening undestanding!

This book provided a understanding of the Latin community. The diversity is so all encompassing it's hard to begin to realize. I also solved the mystery of the Cuban community (I never could understand why so many were republicans). I am a black American who lived through the civil rights era and know its been a never ending struggle and I see it's the same for black & brown. Learned so much from this book thanks for writing it.