2018 continued to be a challenging year for the Latino community. Past anti-immigration rhetoric now turned to action in the form of immigrants being denied asylum as well as families separated at the border. The political instability in Venezuela continued and Mexico and Puerto Rico continued to rebuild in the wake of natural disasters that befell the regions in 2017. Yet, there were moments, in which perseverance was on full display, heroes rose, and the community shined brighter than ever before. Here are some of the most inspirational cultural moments of 2018.
Emma Gonzalez Calls BS
In February tragedy stuck at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, as another mass shooting occurred on school grounds. In the wake of the Parkland shooting, students became activists for gun control reform. Chief among them was Emma Gonzalez. A survivor of the shooting who challenged the establishment. Famously and publicly “calling bs” on the NRA and those in Washington who refused to implement sensible gun reform in the wake of the tragedy. 2018 saw Gonzalez transform from victim, to activist, to example for generations young and old.
Guillermo del Toro Wins Oscar Gold
In March, Guillermo del Toro scored a one-two punch at the Academy Awards. Nabbing Best Picture and Best Director for his film Shape of Water. His wins come on the heels of Alejandro Iñárritu and Alfonso Cuaron just a few years prior. Showing again that some of the very best in film making today is coming from Mexico.
Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez Makes History in Congress
No list would be complete without including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In June, Cortez pulled off the biggest upset of the U.S. mid-term elections. Defeating long-time incumbent Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary in New York’s 14th congressional district. More impressively, she did it without corporate money. The feat became official in November when we won the general election. When she takes office on January 3, 2019, at the age of 29, Ocasio-Cortez will be the youngest woman to serve in Congress in the history of the United States. Yet, perhaps more important, is that Cortez does not hold back and is looking to shake up the status quo in Washington, like no other before her.
Vlad Guerrero Makes It to the Hall
While he fell short his first year on the Hall of Fame ballot. He would not be denied the second time. In July, Vlad Guerrero would make history in baseball and the Dominican Republic, by becoming the first position player from the DR to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He is also only one of just three Dominican-born players to be inducted into the Hall, joining former teammate Pedro Martinez and the great Juan Marichal. His speech was short and sweet, just like his swing.
Ana Maria Archila
In September, U.S. Senate hearings for then Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh captivated the nation. Already a contentious nomination process, eleventh hour sexual assault allegations by Christine Blasey Ford a former high school classmate of Kavanaugh, brought the plight of victims of sexual assault the forefront and put the nomination was in jeopardy. Many attended the hearings and protested outside the halls of Congress. Among them was, Ana María Archila, the co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy, a progressive organization, Archila famously confronted Republican Senator Jeff Flake in an elevator.
“We demand to know what you’re thinking,” Archila said. “Do you stand with these women? Do you stand with this nation, who deserves due process?” The Senator was silent and could not look her in the eye. The incident would captured on video and would go viral. After the video went viral, the Senator would call for a F.B.I. investigation into Ford’s allegations.
Lin-Manuel Miranda Gets a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Best known for creating and starring of the ground-breaking Broadway musicals “Hamilton” and “In the Heights”, Lin-Manuel Miranda received a much-deserved honor in November, to add to his Tony’s, Emmys and Grammys. A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Also, being immortalized this year was another Latina you may have heard of before – Zoe Saldana!
Miles Morales Enters the Spider-Verse
Deviating from well-known and established canon is always a risky bet. But it’s one that’s paid off for Marvel and Sony Studios in December when Miles Morales made his big screen debut in Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse. The half Black, half Latino teen from Brooklyn, acquired his Spidey powers much like the O.G. Spider-Man, Peter Parker—by getting bitten by a chemically enhanced spider. The film opened to commercial and critical acclaim. It’s debuted at number one and Oscar buzz is building for its animation.
Girls Rule Reggaetón
In the male dominated genre of Reggaetón, its common to see and hear names such as Daddy Yankee, Ozuna and Bad Bunny pop up. But 2018 was the year of las mujeres. They not only broke through but dominated. There wasn’t a week that went by in 2018 when artists such as Becky G, Annita, Karol G, Natti Natasha or Leslie Grace weren’t dropping solo tracks, collaborating with one another or mainstream artists such as Selena Gomez, Will Smith and Jennifer Lopez wanting in on the action. This core group of Latina artists leveled the reggaetón playing field in 2018.
Victor Manuelle Breaks the Guinness Book of World Records
Victor Manuelle, the Puerto Rican salsa singer, songwriter, and producer, capped off the year by singing his way to no less than five new Guinness World Records titles. In December, the artist was presented with the Most Charted Titles on the Billboard Latin Airplay charts (71) and an additional four titles for his success on the Billboard Tropical Airplay Chart. Over his 25-year career Manuelle sold millions of albums worldwide earned him the following record titles:
• Top 10 hits on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart – 57
• The most Top 10 hits on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart (male) – 57
• No. 1 singles on the Billboard Tropical Airplay Chart – 28 (shared with Marc Anthony)
• Most charted titles on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart – 71
The numbers don’t lie! Here’s hoping la comunidad has even more reasons to be proud in 2019!