Spanish culture is a very popular culture and talked about considerably these days. At Cabrini College there was not a lot of diversity on
The Dominican Republic is a country rich is culture and history. Cabrini students have Dominican heritage.
campus.
Now, Cabrini College is trying to expand their diversity and experience a different environment on campus.
The majority of the Spanish people at Cabrini are from the Dominican Republic. They get offended when people do not know their entire background and just call them “Spanish.”
Sometimes there are a lot of stereotypes about the Spanish culture. People don’t seem to respect the ethnicity and do not always value them as individuals.
Spanish people in movies are sometimes depicted to be dirty, poor and prostitutes. When they are presented people do not always give them proper credit.
They look at them as foreigners if they are in America because most of the time they are not from here. They show Spanish people to not have any morals or values more or less.
Junior Frances Moto wanted to give her point of view of Spanish culture and presentations.
“At Cabrini it is getting more diverse because when I was a freshman there weren’t many Spanish people, or diversity of any other race,” Mota said. I think that there should be more Spanish and Latino people on campus just because they are human just like everyone else and they should be able to share their story and culture.
Latina women are portrayed as maids in the Lifetime show “Devious Maids.” The media often keeps Latino men and women in specific roles, not representing reality.
It is helpful that in the student diversity office there are a lot of Latino people and activities for people to experience.
I feel like Spanish and Latino are not talked highly about on campus because many people don’t take advantage of the student diversity office.
In the Dominican Republic they have two major rituals.
One is called Three Kings, which is like Christmas to them. Everyone comes together and give, as well as receive gifts. Another major holiday is their independence on Jan. 28. This event is basically a whole week of partying and parades. Everyone comes together for the sake of the day and help celebrate.
In the U.S. I think having Spanish speakers is important because it is becoming vital in the career field. Being able to speak another language is a a helpful skill to have and opens up doors to many job opportunities and experiences.
