Chance or not, I happened to visit the most Hispanic neighborhood in NYC the day journalist Geraldo Rivera talked about his new book "The Great Progression: How Hispanics Will Lead America to a New Era of Prosperity" on WNYC radio.
I went to 181st Street business district after I saw the advertisement of a Pollo Campero (a Latin chicken restaurant chain). It is the kind of place where meals are two or three pieces of grilled chicken, fried yuca or sweet plantains, plus rice and beans. (Normally you add a soda to the meal, but I was surprised by the fact Pollo Campero also carries Jamaica, Tamarindo and Horchata waters.) I have to confess a thought I had while eating my lunch: I feel proud about Campero-in the Latin proud sense. Excited about it, I began to think about how I target my career towards the U.S. Hispanic market and my reasons to do it. It is clear to me that my opportunities are where Hispanics are. I like the melting pot and the entire one world shit, but I'm a person in love with my culture.
The 181st business district is the heart of Washington Heights, called the second largest city of the Dominican Republic by the locals. To walk around here is a trip back to 1980s' Latin America. The sidewalks are crowded and dominated by street vendors like any Latin American city. They sell fried food, fresh fruit and counterfeit goods. The only character missing is the man with a typewriter writing letters and legal documents. There is corner of small retailers similar to the ones in Chinatown. Like other neighborhoods in NYC, Washington Heights works as a micro city. These few blocks could be the NYC experience for some. There is no view of the Empire State here, but four towers of public housing between 178th and 179th streets are the landmarks. Consumer wise, 181st Street is less diverse than districts like Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights or Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. This is a 95% Hispanic district-a mix of Dominicans, Mexicans and Ecuadorians. The remaining percentage is fill by the Jewish women from the contiguous Yeshiva University area. What is diverse is the ownership of the businesses. I was surprised by a Chinese owned fabric store, which I recommend to visit.
The district is a vibrant and cash flow. After my visit I got more curious about Rivera's book. I wonder if his assertions are just economic. I agree Latinos are a huge labor force and the values Hispanics carry could lead America to a "New Era of Prosperity." I just want to know more about the How. I am proud of my people, but I believe the "New Era of Prosperity" is beyond ethnicity. It is something more related to the melting pot. Still I understand is a matter of numbers, Hispanics are going to be the majority. While it happens I rather think the "New Era" is something we are going to build together.
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Here is the WNYC's conversation with Geraldo Rivera. I personally like how he ripped "opportunistic racist" Lou Dobbs.
