Day 5 - Being a Latino in NY...

Really?

I've been insanely busy the past two days, so blogging had to be pushed at the end of my day. My eyes are closing and I'm supposed to write about being a Latino in NY, a topic I pretty much covered in the past post, so  I am REALLY having a hard time figuring out what to talk about LOL.

What does being Latino in NY mean today? --- It means you're part of a major minority (and yes, I am aware of the contradiction there lol) that in the past few years has found a way into politics, public figures, arts and more. However being Latino in NY varies from a Latino resident to a Latino temporary worker, which is my case. Since I don't have a green card yet, lots of opportunities mainly concerning work slip away from my fingers because of my limited legal status. Things like getting an apartment or a part time job is also quite challenging, although those issues come with the label of being a temporary immigrant, whether Latino or other ethnic group. 

But at the same time, Latinos are, have been and will always be very supportive to one another. I've noticed Latino theater has a huge community of companies, groups and organizations that helps Latino artists circle around without the necessity of being "Union". 

I think it is very interesting (and important) that Latino theater has created a very solid platform for actors to stand on, giving away awards like the ACE, ATI and HOLA awards and acknowledging the work and talent of our own people in the business. As an ethnic group, it proves that Latinos are aware of their growth and influence in American history nowadays, embracing the million things a city such as NY (the cultural capital of the USA as many people call it) but always keeping their strength and identity as Latinos, bounding people from all Spanish-speaking corners of the planet into one big ethnic family that keeps moving on.

Latinos are trendy, dontcha think? Just look around! Adriana Lima's posing for Victoria's Secret, Sofia Vergara has made a very successful career with "Modern Family" and advertising American brands like Cover Girl and Pepsi, Lana Parrilla stars as the Evil Queen in ABC's "Once Upon A Time" (not to mention she's the daughter of a Puerto Rican former baseball left fielder that played for the Philadelphia Phillies in the 70's), a show whose costume designer, Eduardo Castro, happens to be Latino as well; and popular shows like "Glee"and "Smash" feature at least one Latino character in their story lines. This demonstrates one more time that the USA has embraced Latino culture as one of their more productive and fascinating immigrants. 

I mention actors and artists since it's the world I am most familiar with, but I know that NY has Latino people occupying important seats in politics and other public charges. During Bloomberg's reports on Hurricane Sandy, I heard someone mention his interpreter for the hearing impaired  is actually Latina. Cool, huh? --- It seems we are everywhere. I am not really into politics, but one keeps hearing that after the recent elections, a lot of laws concerning immigration will change for the better, so  assume we'll be hearing more and more from Latinos making it in America. 

Latinos have a sense of identity that makes us UNIQUE. From my elder Dominican male neighbors playing domino on the streets of Washington Heights to the large Mexican communities of Poblanos in Queens frying quesadillas, molotes and gorditas in every corner, each Latino family keeps their traditions alive and incorporates them to the never-stopping agitated lives of New Yorkers. As I mentioned before, NY serves the most delicious buffet of cultures one could possibly imagine. And we Latinos are covering the appetizers, entrees and dessert BY FAR!!!