Essay I

Identity and Place
in Little Havana

Latin restaurants, cheerful festivals, small shops, loud music, and parks are all characteristics that belong to the famous neighborhood of Miami, Little Havana. It’s aroma of freshly brewed “café con leche”, Spanish signs, Latin music and most importantly Hispanics, create a comfortable and positive spirit for all tourists and residents. However, this neighborhood is much more than just shops and cafeterias selling strong Cuban coffee. Little Havana is my neighborhood. This is where I have spent seven years of my life as a happy and comfortable resident. The first time I stepped into the joyful streets of Little Havana was on November 28, 2000. I remember seeing this neighborhood as an exciting and crowded place. Every corner was filled up with various Latin beats, similar to those in Latin America. From that first time, I realized that Little Havana was the perfect neighborhood for me. I also became conscious that I was not going to face any problems in adapting to this small, but at the same time powerful enclave. Little Havana’s comfortable spirit has given several motives for many Hispanic immigrants to start living the American dream in this neighborhood. Unfortunately, a big number of people have a bad image of immigrants and assume false statements about them. Such statements include classifying these individuals as low class, thieves, sexual molesters, and illiterate people. Unluckily, common citizens are the ones encountered with these statements. Nevertheless, people always tend to believe the reputation rather than the reality. As a seven year resident of Little Havana I can ensure that my neighborhood is not only a calm place to live in, but also a joyful enclave that one may think worth visiting.

To start with, for many years Little Havana has been known to be a neighborhood with a high number of Cuban refugees due to its near distance from the country. However, over the years many immigrants from all over Latin America have inhabited my neighborhood. Most of Little Havana’s residents are working class people who come from their native countries searching for a better future. Therefore, these people are neither wealthy nor high class people. It is true; my neighborhood is a melting pot of poverty, affluent and middle class. Yet, all of these don’t classify my neighborhood as a worthless and hollow area. Instead, Little Havana is an ethnic neighborhood in transition. From the economy to the culture, politics to foreign policy, entertainment to sports and to the different nationalities that now form part of it. All of these shape Little Havana to a more enjoyable and residential areal to live in.

Money does not and will never make up a neighborhood’s spirit. This spirit consists of the people within the neighborhood. My neighborhood’s sensational spirit makes every Hispanic resident feel connected to their native hometown. The different sound of parrots, ducks and clucking chickens take every Hispanic resident to what they call “home” is less than a second. Seven years ago, when I came to this country I thought I would never taste again the typical chips of my country called “zambos”. Surprisingly, I soon found out there was a grocery store five blocks away from my house called “Honduras Maya”. The first thing I noticed when I stepped into the store was all the different flavors of “zambos” and a variety of sodas that I used to drink back when I was in my country. Later on, I found out that exports from many Latin American countries were commonly sold in other near supermarkets. Sodas, chips, butter, cheese, bread, beans, fruits and medicines are just some of the many exports that are sold in my enclave.

Festivals in Little Havana add up to it’s treasured and fascinating environment. The most famous festival in my neighborhood is known as “El Festival de la Calle Ocho”. I’ve experienced this festival for six consecutive years. “Calle Ocho” street festival is the time and place to represent where you come from. It is also a time of pride for Little Havana’s residents as well as for other Hispanics. I still remember my most memorable visit to one of “Calle Ocho” festivals. I went with a couple of high school friends. We were all wearing some type of representation that showed our Latino pride. As I was in the festival I could smell the different kinds of foods being cooked from different countries. The most typical plate of food that is sold in the festival is “carne asada” with rice, beans and salad. However, there is a big food variety. You can find from the most delicious “empanada colombiana” to the tasty and appetizing Honduran “baleadas”. Food is not the most important element in this festival. Every year famous and popular singers come to the festival to celebrate the honor of being Hispanic. The most common genres heard in the festival are reggaeton, salsa, bachata and merengue. “Calle Ocho” street festival is the largest festival in the world, with around one million visitors annually. Singers, bands, food, flags, contests and people are what make of eight street a loud, crazy, fun and successful atmosphere. “Calle Ocho” festival is definitely a cheerful experience I can never miss.

In the peaceful streets of Little Havana it is common to see children walking to the parks, in search of a good time. Little Havana had a bad crime reputation since the nineteen eighties. However, the MDP reports contradict its previous reputation. They say Little Havana has fewer murders than any other district, with only twelve homicides in the last year. Today, with the numbers shown the neighborhood should be very proud. Facts contradict people’s stereotypes about crime in my neighborhood. Most of Little Havana’s residents are very helpful and understanding. Furthermore, most of the students here at Little Havana, are productive and they put maximum effort in their classes. The majority of these students come from humble but at the same time strong families that wish for no less than improvement in every aspect. In most cases, the children of these parents need to work until late hours at night, that way they can economically support the family, and live in better conditions.

Miami Senior High School, home of the stingaress is Little Havana's home high school. In the year of 2004, the College Board awarded Miami Senior High with an Inspiration Award for its steadfast commitment to fostering student success through rigorous course work and high expectations. Several of the attending students in Miami High comprehend what it takes to achieve dreams. Most have been thought by their immigrant parents to take advantage of every opportunity that they encounter in life. Some take advantage and others don’t. However, the opportunities are present for those that are in search.

To sum up, there is much that one can experience as a Little Havana resident. It is a small neighborhood, yet it is very powerful. With its fantastic festivals, restaurants, and forms of entertainment, Little Havana has created for me a place I can happy refer to as “home”. My neighborhood seems to be ideal for all ages, cultures and nationalities. At the same time, Little Havana gives homes, support, spirit, safeness, entertainment and schools to those on their way up. It’s numerous ways to maintain of itself a Hispanic neighborhood has developed a stronger and prouder me, constantly reminding me of my Latin American roots and culture.