Latinas, unsatisfied with our under- and mis- representation in mainstream media, are heading to the printers to change the narrative around our experiences through DIY zines.
The accessible art form is an underground megaphone of our generation with a rebellious spirit. Almost always submission-based, any one of us has the chance to be the next great Latinx storyteller. So, get started on that poem you’ve always wanted to write about your mami’s journey to the United States or that think piece about your experience as a person of color in academia, and start submitting or creating your own pubs.
We have a responsibility to write our own stories and project our own voices, and these zines are giving us all a chance to hop on the mic.
1. Muchacha Fanzine
Muchacha Fanzine is the Xicanx feminist zine with a goal of promoting social consciousness and helping to decolonize minds. With issues focusing on Madre Tierra, body positivity and decolonized travel, this zine is sure to change the conversation in big ways. So, pick up a few copies for yourself and a friend. You’ll definitely want to share this good word.
2. Life As Ceremony
Print journals do not get much more beautiful, or much more important, than Life As Ceremony. This bi-annual publication is curated by a group of womxn, all sharing their wisdom and perspective on certain, and selected themes. Previous volumes have focused on ancestors, healing and sex. Everything about this perfectly crafted journal will have your life feeling a bit more ceremonious.
3. Xicx Zine
Xicx Zine is actually a collective on a mission to create community without borders, one that shares stories and illuminates the voices of Latinxs through zines, workshops and events. Not only is this boss collective promoting their own work, they’re also so supportive of other zine-makers in the community. Give these xicxs a follow to stay up on all things zines.
4. High Mija
If you’re looking for some quality smoke sesh reading material, look no further than High Mija. Bridging the gap between stoner culture and Latinidad is at the core of this DIY zine. We dig the pages filled with psychedelic illustrations and fond memories of people’s first encounter with Maria Juana. However, what we love most is their dedication to reclaiming the herb from the hippie subculture and shining a spotlight on its indigenous roots.
5. Chiflada Zine
“A zine dedicated to creative Latinas y Latinxs everywhere” is the core statement of Chiflada Zine, a submission-based pub that is calling for more representation. “Chiflada,” meaning “bratty,” is the perfect name for a zine that isn’t afraid to go after the media for its lack of Latinx representation. Featuring poems, essays, stories and art from Latinxs all over the world, this zine is sure to have you feeling seen regardless of the gringo-ran media.
6. All Sex Workers Go To Heaven Zine
All Sex Workers Go To Heaven is the zine for queer sex workers of color by queer sex workers of color. In a society that dehumanizes sex work and the femmes who do it, this zine offers a space for Black and brown sex workers to display their stories and art. We can’t get over these pages filled with the voices of those in our community who are resisting societal norms and revolutionizing the conversation around all the ways to get it how you get it.
7. La Liga Zine
If your profile bio mentions anything about “disrupting neoliberal white supremacist media outlets and monopolies,” which would be the best bio ever, then you’ll definitely need to pick up each copy of La Liga Zine. On a mission to “function as a bridge between virtual safe spaces and real life experiences for the current and future Latinx generations to explore liberation,” this zine is in a league of its own.
8. St. Sucia
If you’ve ever tried to pray away a hangover, or light a candela after a bad hookup, then St. Sucia is your patron saint of the struggle. She’s even got her own zine! Filled with stories, poetry and essays “exposing what it is to be a mujer,” these aren’t the stories your mama or tías need to hear, either. St. Sucia was created to share those stories and experiences we don’t want to share, but often need to hear. This is the type of saint we need answering our prayers.
9. La Horchata Zine
La Horchata Zine is a seasonal publication filled with stories and art that highlight the experiences of those with Central American ancestry. This zine is not afraid to shed light on the critical issues that face many Latinxs, and specifically our Central American hermanxs of the diaspora, and highlight the work of artists and writers who are so often ignored.
10. A Very Feminist Zine
The brainchild of Bronx activist collective Odiosas, A Very Feminist Zine doesn’t have a notable amount of hardcopy zines for you to get your hands on. This gives it a very elusive, underground feel. The first issue, titled “The Woes of Being a Weirdo of Colour,” features writings and art by and for Latinxs who experience life on the societal fringe. They recently held an open call for submissions for volume two of the series, and we can’t wait to get our manos on a copy.
11. Colocha-Head
Colocha-Head is the hand-written, color printed zine centered on crucial issues facing our current generation of young Latinxs, including topics like anti-blackness in our community and abolishing the notion that Eurocentric beauty standards are the norm. Reclaiming the word “colocha,” Central American and Mexican slang for “curly-haired,” and using it represent our collective experiences is at the heart of this zine. So let your pelo down and grab a copy.
