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Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
28 Two-Piece Outfits That You'll Practically Live In This Summer
A downright glamorous pleated button-down set that'll have you looking like you just "walked out of a Gucci magazine," as one reviewer said. It's giving luxury, and I need it as badly as SpongeBob needed water at Sandy's house. A super fun crop top and skirt set, so cute, you'll wanna sleep in it rather than take it off. Soak up the sun and all the compliments you're gonna receive in this lovely little number. A chic as heck two-piece set (oop, a rhyme) that'll have you looking as cute as the buttons on the long-sleeve shirt. This outfit is the moment, and you may almost tear up on that dreaded day when you have to put away your summer clothes, cuz you'll miss wearing this so much. A midi dress and cardigan set so stunning, you'll be stopped every five minutes with questions about where you got it. Rebdolls is a Latine- and woman-owned small biz that makes clothes with plenty of bold colors and fun it from Rebdolls for $79.90 (available in sizes S–5X). A ruffly puff-sleeve top and midi skirt duo that's almost too cute to be true. Throw it on and feel like Rapunzel did when she finally left her castle with Flynn Rider. A cutie patootie top-and-pants set because looking fabulous is this outfit's specialty. And by the look of these review pics, this 'fit does so with ease. Promising review: "I absolutely love my black and white striped set, and so did everyone else. I was cool and fashionably comfy on date night. Material was lightweight and fit well. Will buy again!" —Chun LiGet it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in sizes S–3XL and 17 colors). A totally adorable button-down halter and shorts set you'll definitely need a zillion pics in. This set will have you actually looking forward to doing laundry, just so you can wear it again. Get it from Cider for $49.90 (available in sizes 2–10 and two colors). A knit lounge set that'll allow you to look as fashionable as possible *and* as cozy as possible. This 'fit is like comfort met style and had a baby. Promising review: "Feels like pajamas, looks expensive. 10/10 recommend this set! Very happy I got it, and a great price point for two pieces. Breathable, but high-quality material. Extremely comfy! Can be dressed up or down. Looks like something you'd find at Nordstrom for $170. I'm 5'3" and wearing a medium, and the pants aren't too long, high-waisted also." —Baylee RGet it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in sizes XS–XL and 12 colors).And check out this similar style for plus sizes (available in sizes L–4XL and 13 colors). A fabulous V-neck crop top and pants set you'll never wanna *not* have for vacation. I mean, imagine you on the streets of Cabo, wind in your hair, all eyes on you in this 'fit. A soooo dang darling halter top and matching capri pants guaranteed to be your favorite look of summer 2025. Now we can all confirm that love at first sight is real because how could you not be head over heels over this? 😍 Get it from Outcast: the top for $95 (available in sizes XS–XL) and the pants for $105 (available in sizes XXS–XL). A flowy tube top and pants set you'll quickly become obsessed with. And, I mean, who could blame you? This baby is chic, fashionable, and stunning. 10's across the board. Promising review: "My favorite outfit! This outfit is so cute! Fits perfectly, doesn't wrinkle badly, it's so comfy, and has a little stretch! The material isn't too thin or too thick! You can dress it up or down! Definitely a summer outfit!" —HeatherGet it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in sizes S–XXL and 9 colors). A chic duster-and-shorts set to wear to all the summer brunches you have planned. This baby honestly deserves to be on a yacht drinking champagne. It def gives high-end luxury. Promising review: "This outfit is so cute!! When I wore it on our couples trip, the ladies loved it so much they each ordered it in different colors that same night!! The fit is great, and the quality is even better. Great price. You can dress it up or down, it's very versatile. The top is lightweight as well as the shorts, but the shorts are not thin or see-through!! This is a must-have. Thinking about getting a different color." —Shermica PoweGet it from Amazon for $39.96 (available in sizes S–XXL and five colors). A so-stinkin'-cute bandeau and skirt set you'll be so grateful you bought after the fifth time you wear it this summer. Promising review: "Ordered this to wear with cowgirl boots to a music festival, and I am obsessed!! The material is such good quality (not too thin or thick, super soft, and stretchy), the skirt is the perfect length, so I don't feel like I'll keep having to pull it down, and it looks great on my curves. Lastly, the price point for this level of quality is great. Definitely ordering in more colors!" —AllieGet it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in sizes XS–L and 10 colors). A simple halter top and ruched skirt because just when you thought that it was hard to fall in love, this bad boy walks into your life. Get it from Rebdolls: the top for $27.90 (available in sizes S–5X) and the skirt for $29.90 (available in sizes S–5X). A lounge set with pants and a tube top so that you can serve looks even when you don't feel like it. No thought has to go into this outfit; throw it on, throw your hair up in a bun, run your errands, and watch all the looks and compliments you still get, even without really trying. We love a baddie who can effortlessly slay. Promising review: "I am obsessed with this two-piece set! The fit is true to size, and the fabric is soft and comfortable. It's perfect for both lounging and going out, depending on how you style it. I've already gotten so many compliments whenever I wear it! I also love that the set looks put-together without even trying too hard. Highly recommend if you want something stylish, comfy, and versatile! It looks great with a cardigan over it." —Sabrina CorderoGet it from Amazon for $41.99 (available in sizes XS–XXL and 14 colors). A two-piece blazer and shorts set that'll give you endless fit options. Wear the pieces together, wear the shorts alone with a cute top, wear the blazer over a dress or with jeans — if I continued listing outfit ideas, we'd be here all day. Fashion sets are totally the unsung hero of your closet. A comfy ribbed bra-and-short set you'll fall in love with as quickly as Disney princesses fall in love with princes. Perfect to work out in or to wear out and about while staying comfy and stylish. A floral skirt and matching crop top that'll have you drooling every time you look in the mirror cuz you'll look so dang good. Get it from Eloquii: the skirt for $109.95 (available in sizes 14–28) and the top for $89.95 (available in sizes 14–28). A scrunch top with matching linen pants for anyone who has "serve looks all summer" at the top of their to-do list. Call this 'fit Serena Williams because it's serving, for sure. Get it from White Fox: the top for $49.99 (available in sizes XXS–XL) and the pants for $69.99 (available in sizes XXS–XL). A cozy, breathable two-piece lounge set perfect to bring along for that beach trip you have planned this summer. If you wanna look as stylish as possible while also being as comfortable as can be, this set is just what you need. A lace-y satin set that you should only wear if you're in the mood to be the center of attention all day. This set brings the main character energy. Get it from Princess Polly for $72 (available in sizes 0–12 and three colors). A tie-front top and maxi skirt set because once you wear this, nothing in your closet will be able to compare or live up to it. New favorite 'fit? I think so. Get it from Boohoo for $26.40 (originally $66; available in sizes 12–24). A simply perfect floral two-piece set that'll have you ready to immediately book a flight to Greece. Add this to your cart and then open up the Southwest Airlines app. Promising review: "This outfit was so cute and comfortable! It didn't show my underwear through it because it has a lining. I wore it while in Mexico on an 82-degree day and was comfortable. It fit so well and I got so many compliments on it!" —Lauren NeifertGet it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in sizes XS–XL and six colors). A fringe crop top and matching skirt because the three best words when it comes to fashion are "sale" and "matching set." We love a 'fit that basically puts itself together. Promising review for the top: "I bought the whole set and it's perfect! The knit is silky and light, and it feels luxurious and not too hot for summer." —Julia WPromising review for the skirt: "Cute outfit. Material is great. Feels and looks good on." —Beverly BGet it from Eloquii: the top for $69.95 (available in sizes 14/16–26/28 and two colors) and the skirt for $89.95 (available in sizes 14/16–26/28 and two colors). A so chic two-piece suit set with wide-leg pants and a blazer, so you can give Zendaya suit looks (seriously, she and Law are such an iconic fashion duo). Best thing about two-piece sets is that you can wear 'em together or apart, so the possible outfits are endless. An oh-so-comfy sleeveless tunic and biker shorts set so you can serve up the coziest slay there ever was. Might as well just grab one in every color, cuz you'll surely want more than just one. A maxi skirt and tie-front crop top that's kinda like the bombshells on Love Island because this set will enter your closet and steal ALL the attention. Get it from Rebdolls: the skirt for $42.90 (available in sizes S–5X) and the top for $34.90 (available in sizes S–5X). An equally stylish yet comfy cropped tank-and-shorts duo because we LOVE an outfit that's both cute and cozy. You, as soon as you see how cute you look in your new 'fit: Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Malaysian Reserve
6 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
TEDCO Selects Collide Capital to Support Management and Investment of Allocated SSBCI Funding
Collide Capital becomes the third selected VCLP to support the next generation of technological innovation COLUMBIA, Md., July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — TEDCO, Maryland's economic engine for technology companies, announces the selection of Collide Capital as one of the early-stage venture capital fund managers supporting the management and investment of up to $10 million in U.S. Department of Treasury State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funding. 'TEDCO's commitment to creating opportunities aligns with our goals of ensuring capital goes to the most deserving applicants rather than the most privileged,' said Brian Hollins, co-founder and managing partner of Collide Capital. 'With this funding, we are excited to better support the Maryland entrepreneurial ecosystem and look forward to working with TEDCO to help the ecosystem flourish.' Collide Capital is a $66 million black-owned venture capital firm envisioning a world where capital is awarded to those who are best positioned to solve the next generation of global challenges. Through their work, the company seeks to guide founders on their journey by equipping them with resources, knowledge networks and hands-on support. To date, they have backed more than 50 founders, with over 80% identifying as Black, Latine, and/or female. Recently, TEDCO announced receiving an infusion of up to $50 million in funding from the SSBCI initiative. This funding supports recipients of TEDCO's Venture Funds, Seed Funds and Social Impact Funds—along with the $10 million earmarked for the Venture Capital Limited Partnership (VCLP) Equity program. Of this amount, funding has been allocated to 100KM Ventures, AIN Ventures and now Collide Capital. 'This allocation reflects TEDCO's continued commitment to supporting the growth of an inclusive and sustainable merit-based ecosystem across the state,' said TEDCO CEO, Troy LeMaile-Stovall. 'Through our collaboration with Collide Capital, we are hoping to expand our reach, support more underserved individuals, bridge gaps in the system and allow for innovative advancements.' For more information about the SSBCI VCLP funds, visit our website here. About TEDCOTEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland. Learn more at Media ContactTammi Thomas, Chief Development & Marketing Officer, TEDCO, tthomas@ Kalinyak, Associate Director, Marketing & Communications, TEDCO, rkalinyak@
Refinery29
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
Love Island USA's Amaya and Bryan Represent the Latine Love Story We Kinda Needed
On Sunday, July 13, I perched on the edge of my stool at a Brooklyn bar, facing a huge screen normally reserved for sports. Now, it displayed the neon lights of the Love Island USA villa in Fiji, host Ariana Madix moments away from revealing this year's winning couple. Surrounded by dozens of fellow viewers, a scream rose in my throat as Madix announced the winners of Season 7: Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales, the first Latine couple ever to take home the title. To some, Amaya and Bryan's victory is a simple pop culture newsbite. But to others, it's the healthy Latine representation we desperately need right now. Love Island USA viewers met 25-year-old Amaya in episode 4, when the Dominican-American arrived as a 'bombshell' meant to shake up existing couples. At first, she paired up with Islander Ace, but that connection ended when he complained about Amaya calling him 'babe' (yes, you read that correctly). She then tried her luck with contestants Austin and Zak, neither of whom reciprocated her feelings. Inside the villa, she might have felt helpless, but back home, Amaya captured the hearts of the entire country with her Shakespearean wordplay, her open displays of emotion, and her refusal to change for any man. ' "To some, Amaya and Bryan's victory is a simple pop culture newsbite. But to others, it's the healthy Latine representation we desperately need right now." tess garcia ' Later in the season, Bryan, a 28-year-old of Puerto Rican and Guatemalan descent, flew under the radar when he joined Casa Amor, a getaway spot where female Islanders met new connections. But in episode 26, he flipped the script. As Ace, Austin, and Zak criticized Amaya for being too verbally affectionate, leaving her in tears, Bryan spoke out. 'Coming from a Hispanic household, calling someone 'babe,' 'mi amor,' 'mi vida,' that's just how we talk,' he said. 'You're telling her to meet you halfway? You've got to meet her halfway, too.' The way we move through life is informed by the culture we grew up in. Bryan acknowledged this in front of the other Islanders, and in doing so, he created space for a real connection with Amaya, whose worldview is shaped by similar influences to his own. By the Season 7 finale, Amaya and Bryan were a couple, with plans to test their relationship in the outside world. In the finale's Declarations of Love segment, they stood unapologetically in their admiration for each other, and they did it con sazón — Bryan even referenced a Bad Bunny lyric in his heartfelt speech to Amaya. This season of Love Island USA was plagued by scandals centering Yulissa Escobar and Cierra Ortega, two other Latinas in the cast. Both were rightfully removed from the villa for using racial slurs in previous interviews and social media posts. Their actions are symptomatic of the pervasive racism and ignorance within the Latine diaspora. Yet when juxtaposed with the actions of Amaya and Bryan, who are best known for singing in the mirror and getting freaky in the Hideaway, we're reminded that Latines are not a monolith. As members of this community, it's our job to combat the racism and prejudice within it. In order to do so, we must uplift those whose values we do align with. Amaya and Bryan's win was exactly the ending we needed. ' " As members of this community, it's our job to combat the racism and prejudice within it. In order to do so, we must uplift those whose values we do align with. Amaya and Bryan's win was exactly the ending we needed." tess garcia ' Last summer, Season 6 of Love Island USA pushed the 'spicy Latina' trope with its few Latina contestants, who were portrayed as fiery and hypersexualized by their male counterparts. This year, Amaya and Bryan turned that narrative on its head. When Amaya went from crying over rejections to running around with the 'zoomies,' viewers got to see her as the layered individual she is. When Bryan, unprompted, defended Amaya's self-expression, it became clear that his respect for her ran more than skin deep. Some viewers feel Bryan may have pursued Amaya because he knew she was the fan favorite, but he stood up for her before the cast participated in the now-infamous ranking challenge, which revealed Amaya Papaya's status as America's sweetheart. His actions prior to that challenge set the stage for their budding romance. Bryan also challenged machista stereotypes just by being himself. Machismo discourages Latino men from displaying sensitive emotions, but Bryan's tears flowed freely when he received a surprise video message from his mother. In his first one-on-one chat with Amaya, he spoke about his choice to defend her like it was a no-brainer, even though it meant arguing against three of his friends. 'I don't want anybody to feel alone,' he said. ' "On Love Island USA, Amaya and Bryan forged a bond built on cultural competency and outspokenness, two values that stand in direct opposition to Donald Trump's government-sanctioned ethnic cleansing of the United States." Tess Garcia ' As I write this article, Latines all over the country are being kidnapped by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A new detention center dubbed ' Alligator Alcatraz ' recently opened in South Florida. According to Congressman Maxwell Frost (D-FL), its inmates are being caged in groups of 32 people, with only three toilets per group. A culture of fear now permeates Latine communities nationwide, with many afraid to speak their native language publicly or even leave their homes for fear of being detained, regardless of their immigration status. Meanwhile, two Latine twenty-somethings just shamelessly expressed themselves on summer's hottest TV show, and it won them the grand prize. On Love Island USA, Amaya and Bryan forged a bond built on cultural competency and outspokenness, two values that stand in direct opposition to Donald Trump's government-sanctioned ethnic cleansing of the United States. This season of Love Island USA was stressful to watch. So is the news. So is the current state of the world. Amaya and Bryan's compassion, giggles, and hair-brained schemes gave us a breath of fresh air, if only temporarily. It's no wonder Latine fans are as proud of them as we would be of our own family members. Even if they decide they're better off as friends someday, Brymaya is still a win for Latines. Maybe it's not that deep to you, but to some of us, it is.
Refinery29
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
Love Island USA Needs An Overhaul Next Season
Love Island USA needs to figure out what it wants to be before returning for Season 8. Sunday night's finale was proof. Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales' historic win felt like the best case scenario for an ending featuring a break up (Huda and Chris), a couple brought together by production and audience influence (sorry, Nicolandria truthers), and a couple that seemed to be folks' least favorite despite getting enough votes to make it to the finale (Iris Kendall and Pepe Garcia). Season 7 of Peacock's No. 1 reality dating show was a hot mess, naturally, but it also felt like an identity crisis. And Sunday night's two-hour season finale was a reflection of a series of questionable production decisions, weird audience engagement tactics, overzealous parasocial relationships, and problematic behavior. None of which are unique to this show, but this season's record-breaking success played a huge role in both the peaks and pits — as contestant Nic Vansteenberghe would call them — of the stateside franchise. Let's review. Amaya and Bryan became the first Latine couple to win Love Island USA. Them winning over fan adoration was a late twist as the two bombshells entered the villa at different points during the season and formed a connection a week prior to the finale. Their victory was largely due to Amaya's popularity which rose astronomically throughout the season despite her sometimes over-the-top theatrics (LOTS of crying) that in the past have turned audiences off of contestants. Once the season hit a point where there weren't many couples with a genuine connection to root for, her authentic energy, bubbly personality and consistent one-liners made it easy to see that she would win it all no matter who she was paired up with. Bryan stepped in to defend her during the tension-filled 'Standing on Business' challenge. This set him up to couple up with Amaya. Season 7 earned record-breaking viewership with it becoming the second most-watched streaming original title, The Wrap reports, with new viewers making up for 39 percent of its audience. The show garnered over 1.2 billion minutes viewed across nine episodes in just its second week, according to Luminate's streaming data. That was reflected on social media as well with a 232 percent increase in TikTok engagement compared to last season. Its success created waves beyond virtual spaces, too, with numerous watch parties popping up across the country. Out of the gate, it was evident that the show was chasing its own success after the happy accident of casting the perfect set of singles that made Season 6 a cultural phenomenon — so much so that the cast earned a spinoff, Love Island: Beyond The Villa. Many of the Season 8 contestants were content creators with sizable followings before they headed into the villa. Many islanders left social media handlers to take over their accounts while they were on the show, disconnected from the outside world. The beginning of the six-week experiment felt like any other season packed with attractive singles, steamy conversations, jealousy and challenges that remind you why this show isn't on cable. But viewers had an unprecedented amount of power this season, dictating which bombshells would break up couples and digging up old videos and posts of contestants — Yulissa Escobar and Cierra Ortega — using racist language. Audience influence was partly to blame for a lukewarm finale. None of the original couples from the show's early days made it to the end. Amaya and Bryan were the only remaining couple who committed to each other. Only three of the eight contestants — Nic, Olandria Carthen, and Huda Mustafa — were islanders who entered on Day 1 with a majority of the finalists being bombshells. ' Season 7 of Peacock's No. 1 reality dating show was a hot mess, naturally, but it also felt like an identity crisis. taryn finley ' One of the most talked about moments from the episode was Huda and Chris Seely breaking up during their final, hard to watch date. Their 11th hour split was a first for the show — though predictable for the rocky relationship that began after Casa Amor. Chris slept in Soul Ties instead of in the bed with Huda the final night, which may also be a first for the show. While the drama was entertaining enough, it's not the direction the show should be headed in. The show is, after all, called LOVE Island and this season lacked the thing the reality series is sold on: singles finding genuine connections and romance. We know most of these couples don't last, but the final three couples from Season 6 are still going strong and part of the joy of that season was watching their relationships blossom. If producers and the audience had their way last season, who knows if Leah Kateb and Miguel Harichi would be together? What Should Change For Season 8? Less Viewer Intervention The truth is that Season 7 just did too much. In an attempt to make this season bigger and better, production pulled out all of the stops. They sent the girls to Casa Amor for the first time, which was fine. But bringing everyone back from Casa into the main villa and having 24 people in the villa at the same time was chaotic and nearly impossible for viewers to remember who was who. What really set off a spiral was producers giving viewers the ability to couple up bombshells with whomever they pleased. This created a canon event that split up Huda and Jeremiah Brown and gave the islanders the unspoken validity of kicking off those lucky enough to find someone they like enough to be with for more than a few days. Love Island became more about exploring everyone possible until the options were depleted (maybe also a reflection of real world dating). And if those decisions were based on strategy, it didn't work for anyone hoping to make it to the end. The audience had a lot of say outside of the voting windows as well, which led to only Yulissa and Cierra's departure despite other contestants posting and reposting derogatory things about other races. There seemed to be a double standard in who was getting punished and who wasn't. Moving forward, producers have to do a better job of vetting show candidates while also clearly defining what they find unacceptable. Love Island's official stance on what moral standard their contestants need to meet isn't clear since they have never explicitly stated their policy on racist comments and actions and only left viewers to assume. Plus, given the show's history with racial bias — and this season's edits — their Black singles and other contestants of color have gotten the short end of the stick. Audiences stereotyped Olandria and Chelley Bissainthe as mean girls based off of editing bias and harmful tropes. Just last week, Buzzfeed Tasty shared an Instagram post stating that they would give Chelley a 'knuckle sandwich,' promoting violence against a Black woman. If Love Island is going to stand up against bullying, then they need to be specific and call it what it is with their whole chest: racism. A big appeal for viewers isn't just the real-time factor of the show, but that they have a say in what goes on in the villa. And though this may be just a show to those watching at home, there are some real ethical questions it brings up as we're ultimately playing with these people's feelings with the click of a button. The producers already have enough of that power. Maybe it's best to keep the voting process very straight forward in the future. Amaya and Bryan's victory — as well as Kordell Beckham and Serena Page's win in Season 6 — are indicative of what kind of stories win big on Love Island USA. It's those that are between authentic individuals who have a genuine connection. Though most Love Island couples typically don't stay together long after, it is, after all, the kind of escapist entertainment that should make us feel more positive emotions than negative, not the other way around. My hot take is that Love Island USA should take a year off and figure its shit out before coming back. But after its most successful season to date, that's very unlikely. Besides, the islanders could barely get out of the villa before the Season 8 call to audition was posted. Like last season, viewers will get a chance to find closure with a Season 7 reunion, airing on Peacock on August 25. It will be hosted by Ariana Madix and Andy Cohen. Hopefully by then, we'll know a little bit more definitively what the hell we just spent the last six weeks watching.
Refinery29
28-06-2025
- Refinery29
From Wildfires To ICE Raids, L.A. Latines Keep Fighting Back
Just five months ago, Mexican firefighters were rushing to Los Angeles to keep the city from burning to the ground. Now, before there's even been time to process or heal from that trauma, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is targeting undocumented immigrants with brutal raids. Since Friday, June 6, the organization has violently seized 330 people. Immigrants are living in fear — of showing up at graduations, churches, grocery stores and their places of work. This fear, of course, isn't new, but it's currently being magnified in cruel ways. It feels like there is no safe space. To make matters worse, we're seeing this play out in real time with every video, every post, and every update with social media making it impossible to avoid. The cycle doesn't just happen once, it replays and retraumatizes us each time. Colombian therapist Cristina Castrillón, LMFT, says these conditions can trigger and further traumatize immigrants — many of whom have already experienced the trauma of leaving their homelands and families behind. Castrillón also points out that immigrants, particularly people of color, are more prone to complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), which studies have found can result from experiencing long-standing trauma. 'Then there's the social and economic adversity of being undocumented, being impacted by things like food scarcity,' Castrillón adds. 'There might also be more chances for higher substance abuse.' According to the therapist, there is no shortage of trauma for immigrants. 'This is especially true for folks who fled their homelands due to violence — like people from Central America.' And now, it's happening all over again. On that fateful Friday in June, entrepreneur, educator and immigrant rights organizer Sharet García witnessed one such ICE raid unfold in downtown Los Angeles' Piñata District, a neighborhood that's long been home to countless Latine immigrant-owned businesses over the years. She was shopping for decorations for her son's high school graduation party when she witnessed the raid take place. 'ICE had just trapped all the workers inside this fashion apparel company,' she tells Refinery29 Somos. 'I knew that we needed to record this. We couldn't stay quiet; I wanted the people to know.' Even though she's undocumented herself, García — founder of UndocuProfessionals, which serves as a safe space for undocumented students and professionals — knew she had to stay at the scene. But, more importantly, it was clear she could not do it alone. She would need to rally her community. 'They lined up 30 to 40 people there,' she says, adding that some of the detained workers' daughters were present. The children reassured their parents that they were in this lucha together, and that they would never stop fighting for them. 'It was really hard to see that, but we wanted to make sure that we recorded everything. And that's when everything started happening.' Slowly but surely, people showed up to protect the Piñata District workers. Ultimately, García says, it became difficult for ICE to detain people because the crowd was 'not allowing them to just easily leave.' This solidarity isn't lost on the people of L.A., who are currently turning out in troves to protest the military occupancy in their sanctuary city. One Latine Angeleno, who requested to go only by the name of Crystal, has attended several protests in the city and can vouch they are not nearly as violent as certain media outlets portray. ' This fear holds a lot of people back from being in public, making it even more critical for documented citizens to stand up and fight back. ' To be clear, seeing these images — whether you are undocumented or not, whether you love someone who is undocumented or not — harms folks mentally and emotionally. And the cruel truth is: that's the point. '[Seeing violent footage] just further creates a narrative that makes us feel alienated,' says Castrillón. 'Think about what that does to someone's sense of self, worth, identity and belonging.' In short, this dehumanizing treatment rips apart our self-esteem and sense of security to shreds. It can lead to higher rates of anxiety, depression and relational issues. Some people have even left the country in what's being called ' self-deportation,' because they no longer feel safe in the U.S. Other people are experiencing vicarious trauma when they see their loved ones in fear or hear them talking about their trauma, she adds. But, as always, the community protesting these immoral ICE raids proves that they're not criminals; they're just trying to do what's right. 'There are people carrying and passing around water and snacks,' says Crystal, who also notes that some folks are acting as medics, carrying first-aid kits, masks, and goggles, and treating people who have been wounded by rubber bullets. 'I feel like that's what's not being credited, not being shown. It's a very different experience being there than watching it.' A large percentage of immigrants and folks on the front lines are Latine. But make no mistake, these ICE raids are not just a Latine or 'raza' issue. While it's true, Latinos account for a majority of immigrant communities, we're not the only ones impacted. According to a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data: 'A third of all Latinos in the United States — an estimated 21.4 million people — are immigrants.' That's roughly 45% of the nearly 50 million immigrants currently living in the U.S. The next largest group? Immigrants from Asian countries, who make up 28% of the U.S. immigrant population. This doesn't account for immigrants from African, Caribbean, Middle Eastern or European nations. And just for context: less than 10 miles from the Piñata District, in Mid-City, you'll find L.A.'s Little Ethiopia. Each and every single immigrant is equally important in this struggle. Every immigrant's story matters. Every community is part of this fight. Edwin Sotos, an immigrant rights and community organizer knows this firsthand. He says these are the people who have long been on the front lines, often undocumented themselves. But even those committed to the work are feeling the weight. Castrillón says, many in the movement may have experienced or are currently experiencing compassion fatigue. ' Despite attempts to erase or dehumanize immigrants, our communities continue to show up, for each other, for justice and for joy. That in itself is a powerful act. ' 'People are really feeling burned out, fatigued, unable to continue, or needing moments to themselves to pull away from the work,' she says, adding that keeping up your 'self-care is necessary, because it is becoming so pervasive, there is no break — especially for people on the front lines.' Sotos agrees, pointing out that people in the immigrants' rights movement have always felt a lot of feelings. 'For one, I feel very inspired to see how people are becoming very aware of how ICE has been treating our communities and how violent and terrorizing they are towards our community, and that the community is standing up against them and fighting back,' he says. 'I feel that if we had this type of awareness 10 to 15 years ago, a lot of our work and advocacy would be very different.' Sotos also feels upset and concerned with how some influencers and content creators have responded. 'They either center themselves and erase immigrant voices or overlook and ignore the work that we have done as immigrants and documented people to get [to] where we are right now.' Overall, though, Sotos attests this time is more intense. 'I'm definitely concerned at how different and how much more violent this round of ICE raids are in comparison to what we have seen in past years. I do think that these violent attacks from ICE, and the deployment of armed forces, are going to have a long-term effect on our community.' 'In our fight for immigrant rights, we have to include [folks from other countries], too,' Soto says. 'At some point, they are struggling with the same issues. Immigrants come [to the U.S.] from almost every country in the world, and from different races and different ethnicities, cultural and racial backgrounds.' To that end, Sotos spotlights a few resources for undocumented people who may not identify as Latine: The UndocuBlack Network: Black immigrants who organize communities and advocate for policy changes National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC): Korean and Asian American immigrants fighting for social, economic, and racial justice Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California: Civil rights advocates for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community Even so, it's irrefutable that the effect of these brutal raids are hitting L.A.'s Latine communities hard. On TikTok and Instagram, the fear is loud and visible with videos showing just how deeply these raids are shaking us. One viral clip shows an MSNBC reporter standing in an empty field — farmland usually tended by immigrant workers, now deserted due to ICE threats. Another video shows a KTLA anchor reporting on an ICE raid at a local elementary school. People are scared. And the same conversations aren't just happening online, they're happening in person, over WhatsApp and on the phone. García says she has received an increased number of calls from undocumented individuals admitting they want to protest and show their support but are worried about their safety, especially being in close proximity to la migra. 'Some people are angry about what they're seeing, but there's definitely a lot of fear in the community,' says García. This fear holds a lot of people back from being in public, making it even more critical for documented citizens to stand up and fight back. Doris Anahí Muñoz, an artist and activist who previously endured family separation at the hands of ICE, says there are several things she wished she knew during one of the darkest moments of her life. 'The hardest part of a path to citizenship is how costly it is,' says Muñoz. 'I wish I had known about these kinds of organizations back then. For people like my parents, they didn't even know support like this existed.' Thankfully, community support is growing, as a result there are more resources available including free legal services across L.A., offering help to undocumented folks in need. Some of these organizations include: The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA): Diverse immigrant families and individuals whose mission is to achieve a just society fully inclusive of immigrants UCLA Civil Rights Project: Legal services networks, nonprofits and private practice attorneys who can assist undocumented residents needing legal assistance Chicas y Cafecito Community Resources Los Angeles: A round-up of helpful phone numbers and legal services for immigrants At the end of the day, mental health experts and community organizers also acknowledge and agree: this work is heavy and it is important for the people in this fight to take care of themselves and each other. One of the best and most important ways to do just that is to find moments of joy. 'Our true community efforts are the most important in this. We really need each other right now to keep this movement going,' says Muñoz. Naturally, people are doing this — dancing in the street, hyping each other up and chanting like the ancestors are watching. Sotos admits, it can be difficult for organizers and community advocates to center their own emotions and well-being since their primary focus is fighting injustice. 'But I will say that I have been sleeping and resting more because I've been very tired. Also, being in community spaces and connecting and checking in on my friends and my family has been very helpful,' he says. 'We're validating each other, sharing that we are there together and that we're going to defend and protect the community. But we're also going to be there to connect, uplift each other and hear each other out.' Castrillón encourages folks to have self-care practices on their own time, too. 'Some people cannot step away from it like other folks can. Not everyone gets the privilege,' she says. But even if you only have five minutes, try to use those to check in with your body. Ask yourself: 'Did I eat well today? Am I nourishing myself? Am I sleeping enough and getting enough rest? Am I getting support?'' she suggests. 'Cry, be held, be seen. Go to therapy, support groups or healing circles.' These are all warm and necessary reminders that we are not alone. Sotos echoes this truth. 'I feel sometimes we are so into wanting to protect our community and advocate, and we feel like we need to be strong,' he says. 'But sometimes, we just need someone to listen to us…especially in the work that we do.' Despite attempts to erase or dehumanize immigrants, our communities continue to show up, for each other, for justice and for joy. That in itself is a powerful act. As Sotos puts it: 'Being openly undocumented is my most powerful tool at this point. My mere existence as an undocumented person is my most powerful resistance.' Resources for undocumented people who may not identify as Latine The UndocuBlack Network: Black immigrants who organize communities and advocate for policy changes National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC): Korean and Asian American immigrants fighting for social, economic, and racial justice Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California: Civil rights advocates for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community Self-care tips from mental health professionals Check in with yourself to make sure you're eating, hydrating, resting and taking care of your body Talk to friends and family to avoid the isolation that results from living and reliving trauma in person and on social media Try to take breaks from the work to find moments of joy with the people you love Where to donate
