In a special series for Crooked Conversations, contributors Julissa Arce and Grace Parra explore and celebrate the Latinx experience in the United States in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. In the first of four conversations, the hosts discuss the history of Latinos in the US and talk to Columbia University professor Ed Morales about the words that Latin-Americans use to define themselves. Then they are joined by spoken word artist Danyeli Rodriguez Del Orbe who shares her experience growing up Afro-Dominican in New York.