What used to be that no longer is

A child’s intrigue and curiosity can often lead to opening doors into the unexpected. This phenomenon leads one to dream. Dreams can soon become reality and reality, more often than not, is harsh. One must be brave enough to take the next steps, face your own reality and realize, that one way or another without hard-work, long hours and dedication the dream will not become reality. It is after all, the definition of the American Dream that labor, should in theory, pay off by achieving the ultimate goal: success. Reportedly, Latinos in the United States of America are the living history of struggle in search of success. But as a recent Dominican that moved from London to New York City, I have often wondered why the term Latino in America tends to be synonymous with negativity and hopelessness rather than bravery and determination?

There is a certain beauty; a mind-full affinity about multiculturalism that many fail to acknowledge, although we do have to give it up to New York City for it has embraced the best of it. Growing up, my parents taught me that being different was okay. That being bold and swimming against the current would pay off; that after all, no one liked the cookie cutters anyway. Eventually they proved to be right, as the dare takers were the ones that made it to the top. Betty La Fea made it onto primetime television, Pitbull got to perform for White House officials, Jenny from the Block launched an American clothing line for Kohl’s, Aventura’s Romeo hit the stage with Usher, Selena Gomez not only made it to Disney but also dates Justin Beiber (every young girl’s dream boy), Sofia Vergara hipped her way onto America’s version of a modern family and Sonia Sotomayor goes hand in hand with the United States Supreme Court.

So why is it that the critics continue to debate, whether Hispanics in the United States have not found their common ground, their identity or their place? For decades, Latinos have successfully settled in and made the best of what America has to offer. However, many are under the impression that their place is still in questioning. From where I stand, it seems that the underdog is no longer the underdog, but that rather, a certain lack of confidence within the Hispanic community still looms around. Like the original Irish that escaped the potato famish, like the Jews that escaped the holocaust, the first few years of assimilation are difficult.

Pedro Mejia is a Dominican ivy-league school graduate that grew up in the Bronx. His father was a cook and his mother a nurse. For some bizarre reason, he considers his background to be demeaning because he is so hypnotized by what American TV has got to offer that he thinks that fame and money is all that counts. So he decides to go back to his roots – travels through Mexico, Peru and Brazil for a year – and soaks in the magic of the culture that his beloved New York City had somehow stolen away from him. Twenty years later, he becomes a political advisor to Lula’s cabinet and travel vigorously between his two homelands. Culture is the common denominator here.

Then there is Jose Marte who works at the dollar pizza shop on 5^th avenue and the 23^rd street corner. He is a proud ethnic mix, a breed somewhere in between Mexican descendants and a Harlem hood. His colleagues are from South America. They dance to Dominican bachata, a rhythm that transmits cheerfulness around the block. A bienvenido message overwhelmingly attracts customers to his welcoming pizza parlor. Surprisingly, his customers work on Fifth Avenue and live on the Upper East Side. Now, when did we start using Fifth Avenue, yankees, one-dollar pizza, Dominican bachata and South American waiters in one sentence? Jose is pleased with what he does – he would want more but he is ever so grateful about the gift of life and his family of three. Family is the common denominator here.

Last but not least, there’s Erica Santos, an Ecuadorian twenty-four year old who left her country when she was six-teen. She misses her hometown and has not fully adapted to the ambiance that surrounds her. Still, she remains flexible and hopeful that she will make it as big as it can be in the big apple. She is hoping to become an accountant; meanwhile, she is a manicurist at a nail salon where she earns four dollars an hour. She earns extra money from tips but not enough to make it big. But bravo for her, she studies for her dream future after ten PM. Ambition and dedication are the common denominators here.

Latinos in America broke through a long time ago - we have achieved a 1.3 trillion dollar buying power that is growing. Univision is the #1 news network watched in the country and according to a 2010 Pew Hispanic Center Report, Latinas start businesses at a rate of 6 times the national average. If anything, America has embraced and encouraged the best from what our culture, history and values have to offer. From gracious humor, to exceptional commerce, to serene poetry, to exotic passion, to inbuilt politeness, to wholesome values and to exquisite gastronomy; Latinos brought with them the best of their heritage. The average American 15-30 year old citizen thinks success means women, cars and suits while success for Hispanics means hard-work, college, family and children.

The bottom line is that Latinos need to realize, that what they are achieving and how they are getting there is reasonable. That the path they have chosen is fine. That the Census’ +50 million Latinos mark is here for a good reason. So it is our challenge as educators and handlers of mass media communication to stimulate a more new-wave mindset. We should push to inspire hope, to maintain faith in the obvious success and to change old-fashioned ways of thinking of what used to be that no longer is.