Latina Essentials

In the grand tapestry of Latina culture, there are certain elements that stand out like Ricky Ricardo’s Cuban accent. Among these, two humble yet mighty artifacts reign supreme: Vicks Vaporub and earrings. The photo above was taken 3 weeks into my first battle with COVID and I swear my hoop earrings and “Vivaporu” kept me out of the hospital. Together, they form a dynamic duo that has the power to conquer any ailment—or fashion emergency.

Vicks Vaporub, lovingly called by Latinos: Vivaporu, el Vah-po-ru, Bibaporru, Vaporú, El Bic, El Bix holds a special place in every Latina's heart. It's the Swiss Army knife of remedies, the MacGyver of medicine. Got a stuffy nose? Vaporu. Muscle pain? Vaporu. Broken heart? Vaporu. Math test? Bix.  Athlete’s foot, stretch marks, stomach aches, and earaches. Not to worry El Bic has your back.

One might think that we use it for everything, and they'd be right. It's the closest thing we have to magic. Need to summon your mothers healing touch? Just crack open a jar of Vaporu and she'll appear, ready to administer it in liberal amounts to any and all afflicted parties.

Each time I caught a cold, mamita would slather my chest with the salve as if she were icing a birthday cake, then slap on a tissue to keep it from schmearing on my pj’s and put me to bed in a haze of eucalyptus. But Vaporu isn't just for the physical realm. It's also a potent defense against negativity. Feeling down? Apply Vaporu and watch your troubles dissipate like morning mist. It's like our very own Latinx version of “the Force.”

Procter & Gamble, is now its parent company and the Vicks hotline states that you should stick to the recommended uses. That means don’t heat it, don’t eat it, don’t stick it up your nose, in your eyes, in your hair, in your ears or other intimate areas. Good luck on telling that to all the Latina abuelitas and mamitas out there.

Maybe it was all the advertising. Maybe it was product loyalty. Maybe it was simply a tradition passed from one generation to the next. Or maybe that the goop with the eucalyptus on steroids smell evokes feelings of being cared for and soothed. I keep a jar by my nightstand and in my medicine cabinet. You can never have enough of El Vix.

Next on the list of Latina essentials: earrings. But not just any earrings; they have to be big enough to communicate with extraterrestrial life. I’m convinced that our ancestors used large metal earrings to flash lights and communicate from one village to the next.

For a Latina, earrings aren't just accessories; they're a statement, a declaration of self. These oversized accessories have not only added sparkle to outfits but have also contributed to the rich tapestry of Latin American culture. 

Earrings have a transformative power. Slip on a pair of bold, dangling earrings, and suddenly you're not just María from down the street; you're a force to be reckoned with, a fiery tempest of confidence and style. And when the hoops come out, you know business is about to be handled. It's like strapping on a pair of metaphorical brass knuckles for your ears.

The history of big earrings is as colorful as the accessories themselves. Ancient civilizations in Latin America, like the Aztecs and Mayans, were known for their elaborate jewelry, which often included oversized earrings. These early earrings were not just decorative; they were also used to communicate social status and identity. So, in a way, our fascination with big earrings has roots that go all the way back to Mesoamerica

Hoop earrings are a cultural symbol for many Latinas, but some of them feel they need to take them off to be taken seriously. Many Latinas, who had previously thought they should only wear hoops on the weekend or social occasions, were validated by AOC's decision to wear them to public events. It’s not surprising that hoops have become a symbol of strength in the lives of people of latinx. 

As soon as I left the hospital my mom had my ears promptly pierced and a pair of gold studs were put in there as a practice set anticipating the arrival of the hoops later on in my life.

Hoop earrings are a symbol of unapologetic Latina presence, values, and beliefs for many of us, just look at JLo. Earrings are more than just a fashion accessory for Latina women, contrary to popular belief. Although many Latinas see hoops as an integral part of their culture, there are many who believe they must remove them in order to be considered seriously. However, I have been known to turn my car around and return home if I’ve left the house without my earrings.

I celebrate the quirky, absurd, and heartwarming aspects of my culture. It can be a bit schizophrenic at times and requires a nod to my American birthright as I blend the two. 

From the healing powers of Vicks VapoRub to the larger-than-life earrings, it's all part of the grand comedy that is being a Cuban-American. So next time you see a Latina strutting down the street, head held high, with her earrings swinging and a jar of Vaporu tucked away in her bag, know that you're witnessing a living legend, a modern-day superhero armed with the mightiest of weapons – the power of culture, style, and a little bit of menthol magic. With Vaporu and earrings, we can conquer the world, one stuffy nose and fashion emergency at a time! 

(How do you feel about earrings or other piercings/embellishments? What smells remind you of your childhood and soothe you when you’re ill?)