New York City just wouldn’t be the same without Latinos. Can you imagine the bustling burroughs without hearing a mix of English, Spanish, Spanglish and Portuguese, with the patois of various Caribbean island nations thrown in the mix? Here are just four ways that Latinos make New York City what it is today!
1. Latino cultural pride: Since 1958, the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, a festival of cultural heritage and pride has gotten bigger and bigger, and it’s now part of the very fabric of the city. If you’re in New York City on the second Sunday in June, be sure not to miss it—actually, it’s hard to miss! Latinos in New York City also keep alive the tradition of Three Kings Day, as well as countless other traditions from their countries of origin.
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2. Latin music & dance: From Chick Corea’s jazz fusion to salsa and merengue to Cuban Jazz to Afro-Peruvian rhythms, New York City has been the proving ground for many a musician and musical genre. Want to go see the tango or flamenco performed live at Lincoln Center? Thanks to Latinos in New York City, you can. New York City was also the birthplace of Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, and Jenny from the Block herself—JLo.
3. Latin food: Tapas, Argentinean steaks, Brazilian churrasco, a hot Cuban sandwich…are you hungry yet? And let’s not even talk about the gourmet food trucks offering some of the best Mexican, Salvadoran and Cuban bites to go. Can you even imagine New York City without all this great Latin food?
4. Latin fashion: It’s not all about Chanel and Gucci. What would New York City’s Fashion Week be without the presence of famed Latino designers Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera and Narciso Rodriguez? Cuban-American designer Isabel Toledo is a favorite of First Lady Michelle Obama. And Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw would not have been Carrie Bradshaw without her Manolo Blahnik’s!
What about you? Do you live in New York City or love to visit? What is your favorite reason why New York City just wouldn’t be the same without Latinos? Tell us in comments, below.
