Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Through Washington Heights

By Kristine Mantilla '22

I have lived in Washington Heights for my entire life. This neighborhood is in upper Manhattan, and about 75% of the residents are Hispanic. The neighborhood is ingrained with Latinx and, more specifically, Dominican culture. Washington Heights is the epitome of a Hispanic neighborhood and it is even nicknamed “Little Dominican Republic”. Many Dominican immigrants reside here and have made this neighborhood an accurate representation of their ideals.

Although most of the Hispanic residents here today are Dominican, the first immigrants were from a variety of countries in Latin America. During times of popular resettlement, the first wave of immigration to this neighborhood were Puerto Ricans. During the 1950s, there was an influx of Cubans fleeing from the Communist revolution under Fidel Castro. Later, the assassination of Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo in 1961 caused political chaos in the Dominican Republican, which encouraged many to migrate. Other Hispanic groups like Ecuadorians and Mexicans also emigrated in large numbers in the 1980s. The primary reason immigrants settled in Washington Heights was because the housing was affordable. This mass immigration connected Hispanics and allowed them to create a tight-knit community, shaping the neighborhood to show their culture.

Taking a walk in this neighborhood allows you to be submerged in Hispanic and Latinx culture. You could carry a full conversation with someone here in Spanish, and most restaurants serve Spanish dishes. The artwork that is in this neighborhood represents family and hard work, which are significant characteristics found in Hispanic culture. Another prominent characteristic of Hispanic culture is solidarity, and I think that aspect is very much alive in Washington Heights. Residents are amicable and almost always willing to help, again showing those characteristics of family and mutual respect for others.

I can say that, by living in Washington Heights, I have gained experiences I could find nowhere else, and I found an immense appreciation for Hispanic and Latinx culture. As a non-Hispanic, it is fascinating to learn more about a different culture and to realize the differences and similarities between my background and theirs. I can definitely say that gaining this cultural understanding has taught me to appreciate and respect not only Hispanic culture, but all cultures and people. It is important to be aware and cherish our world’s cultural diversity because, by doing so, we lessen division and maximize unity.

I highly encourage you to visit Washington Heights if you are looking for a socially distanced way to celebrate Hispanic/Latinx culture, not only this October but all year long. You can eat outside at a variety of Dominican restaurants that follow social distancing guidelines and look at the nearby Hispanic artworks. Or you could even check out museums that can further inform you of the history of this neighborhood, along with Spanish art and culture, like the Hispanic Society Museum and Library at 155th street. Hope to see you here, in the Heights!

Editors: Ms. Brilliant, Cecilia Fiorindo.

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