See my blog entry on the Garífuna people, some of whom came from Honduras and Belize to live in New York.
In 2003 Latinos became the largest minority group in the United States. What does this mean? I see this trend as a wonderful blessing for our country. Latinos have become a major part of the American work force at all levels and their purchasing power is in the hundreds of billions. Still, Latinos have often become underrepresented and marginalized in our society and certainly misunderstood as a people.
Every state has a sizable Latino population, most notably California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Florida and New York. That means that Spanish is the most accessible second language to be found in the US, with infinite opportunities for language practice, including radio and television stations and newspapers. It also means that no matter what Latin country interests you, you are probably not far from a group that represents it and can give you an idea of what it is like should you choose to visit it later. You could sample Peruvian culture in Paterson, New Jersey or Arlington, Virginia. There are blocks upon blocks of stores in upper Manhattan that attest to the hard work of Dominican immigrants, who have acquired a reputation as, among other things, great hair stylists. Chicago boasts the National Museum of Mexican Art, an institution funded in great measure by the community itself. Austin, Texas is better known for its Mexican population, but you can also find a group that promotes Puerto Rican culture in an area where Puerto Ricans are not nearly as numerous as they are in New York, Philadelphia, and other places.
The end result of this trend is that your personal journey to Latin America can start right where you are at now. It will offer you endless benefits.
Garífuna drummers performing at the Caribbean Festival in Philadelphia in 2009
Bench created at National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, displayed at O'Hare Airport
"Feria del Barrio" community festival, Philadelphia
About the Latino community of Philadelphia
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania published a bilingual report in 2004 called "Latino Philadelphia: Our Journeys, Our Communities." According to this report, close to 130,000 Latinos live in Philadelphia. It also notes that Philadelphia's Latino population, which consisted primarily of Puerto Ricans for many years, has added a number of groups from other countries in a relatively short period of time, most notably from Mexico. The majority are still Puerto Rican, but there is also representation from every Spanish-speaking country.
The above photo was taken during the Feria del Barrio or Neighborhood Block Party, which takes place in September in the Latino business district or "Bloque de Oro". The mural was painted on the building where Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas ("Latin American Cultural Roots"), the nonprofit arts organization I founded in 1991, has its offices.
Below is the Mexican artist/performer "El Brujo" initiating an Aztec ceremony during the Philadelphia Museum of Art's "Tesoros/Treasures" exhibit in the fall of 2006, on which Raíces collaborated.
Check out the Raíces website for information on Latino arts programs.
Mexican ceremony initiated on steps of Philadelphia Museum of Art
Copyright 2012 by Michael Esposito. All rights reserved. Todos los derechos reservados. E-mail: meesposito@gmail.com This site updated October 9, 2011/Este sitio fue ampliado el 28 de abril de 2012 Santa Fe Travel: a division of L & M Travel - Michael Esposito: IC Travel Specialist of L & M Travel - CST# 2043262-40 L & M Travel IC Agent
