Belonging Across Borders: Maya Doig-Acuña on Afro-Panamanian Heritage and Identity
Description
In this episode of Labyrinth of the First Gen, we sit down with Maya Doig-Acuña (she/they), an Afro-Panamanian storyteller navigating the intersections of identity, culture, and belonging. Maya reflects on her family’s immigration journey, growing up in Brooklyn, and the ways she maintains and celebrates her Afro-Panamanian heritage.
Through intimate stories and academic insights, Maya illuminates the rich history of the Afro-Panamanian diaspora, exploring the legacy of enslaved Africans, Maroon communities, and modern migration patterns. She highlights the vibrant Afro-Panamanian community in Brooklyn, the importance of memory and place, and the complexities of belonging to multiple communities. This episode offers a heartfelt look into the Afro-Latinx experience in the U.S., celebrating resilience, culture, and the power of preserving one’s roots.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 - 05:00 | Introduction: Maya shares her background and the significance of her academic work.
05:00 - 10:00 | Family Roots: How her parents’ immigration shaped her identity and worldview.
10:00 - 15:00 | The Impact of Community: The role of extended family and neighborhood in shaping cultural values.
15:00 - 20:00 | Memory and Place: Navigating multiple cultural identities through memory and connection to place.
20:00 - 25:00 | The Afro-Panamanian Diaspora: A historical overview of Maroon communities and heritage.
25:00 - 30:00 | Afro-Panamanian Identity in Brooklyn: Preserving cultural traditions in the U.S.
30:00 - 35:00 | Navigating Identity: Reflections on the complexities and rewards of belonging across multiple communities.
United States
