Let’s Talk About Cardi B’s Identity and Public Scrutiny

As a staple of hip hop music and pop culture, Cardi B continues to stand out not only for her talent but also for her uncanny wit and comebacks online when responding to the “Haters.” Born Belcalis Almánzar to a Dominican father and Trinidadian mother, Cardi B has always embodied and embraced her Afro-Caribbean heritage. However, despite proudly representing her Afro-Latina roots, Cardi has been subject to scrutiny and often denied recognition of her black identity.  But why?

The Dominican identity is diverse and extremely multi layered with a significant portion of the Dominican population having African ancestry. Yet, the mainstream narrative often overlooks or downplays this Afro heritage. Dominicans, including those with visible African features like Cardi B, are frequently not acknowledged as black by society at large even sometimes by its own people often denying their African roots.

Interestingly enough, Cardi’s experience contrasts with that of other Dominican celebrities like Amara La Negra, Trina, Fabolous, and even Ice Spice whose identities s as black artists have never been questioned by the media. So why does Cardi face persistent doubts about her identity?

One notable aspect of Cardi’s public image revolves around her highly publicized feud with Nicki Minaj. The origins of this feud are complex, rooted in industry rivalries and social media misunderstanding that seem to have never been resolved. However, it’s telling that Cardi, more than Nicki, faces more online trolling and harassment from certain segments of the public and media. This harassment often attacks her identify as a black woman, with many angered at the fact that she uses the “N Word” in her lyrics with online trollers tweeting “She’s not black, why is it ok for her to say that?”

CARDI B is NOT black! (THREAD) pic.twitter.com/UjT1kU2AFk

— • • • • (@xcivyo) April 13, 2024

Cardi’s assertive defense of her identity on social media is both admirable and unfortunate. While she actively confronts trolls on Twitter, it’s disheartening that she even has to justify her blackness. If Cardi refrains from explicitly identifying as black, she risks being labeled as the “I no black” Dominican, so it puts her in a lose-lose situation.

Despite her success and visibility, Cardi B’s journey as an Afro-Latina public figure shows the persistent struggles faced by Afro-Latina women in the entertainment industry and beyond. Her experiences highlight the urgent need for broader conversations about race, colorism, and representation in pop culture. But also, it’s a conversation of Cardi’s authenticity of her African roots serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of understanding ones heritage. Dominicans are descendants from Africa and it is time for the world to understand that Dominicans are in fact Afro-Caribbean.