PEOPLE & RACES IN AMERICA

KEEPING THE DOMINICAN SOUL ALIVE

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here are more than one way to fell at home when living thousands miles away. In Washington Heights, NY, NY Dominican people show us how.

An enclave of more than 50.000 , Washington Heights situated by the Hudson River at the foot of the towering “Fort Tryon” is the house of the Dominican soul, so to speak. There Spanish speaking people have a way of living in America that can be at a glance embarrassing. Put aside, youths sill in their teens about to jump into the NY mainstream, middle-age adults feel at ease to buy, sell and bargain in their native language. However confusing this state of mind can be, it is interesting to observe how insignificant the language barrier is, when making busing is a matter of earning a living.   The Dominican Washington heights want a bigger bite in the big apple. This is what is being witnessed at the Dominican Allianza.  After all, the legendary big apple is endlessly providing the needy and immigrants. That‘s what America  is a land of opportunities in exchange of a slow moving Americanization.

Washington Heights is part of the landscape. But, when getting to the core of St Nicholas Avenue renamed Juan Pablo Duarte after a Dominican patriot from the 19^th century, we understand that now this vibrant Dominican Diaspora wants more than identity. There are thinking now in terms of legacy. That s already at work, otherwise, what’s for when el Malecon, el Conde, 27 Febrero want to be a replica of Santo Doming restaurants. You’re still served  comida criolla, arroz con polio and asked whether the ordern es pare llevar, by smiling and nice ladies and muchachas. A show still worth a longer look