pdf Retiree News & Views - September/October 2019 (5.51 MB)

In his inaugural address in January of 1990, David Dinkins, the 106th Mayor of the City of New York and first African American to assume that high office, said: “I see New York as a gorgeous mosaic of race and religious faith, of national origin and sexual orientation.” In 1977, when he ran for mayor of New York City, Mario Cuomo called the city a “magnificent mosaic.” In the 1960s, New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan famously wrote about our nation as “a great melting pot” and Jesse Jackson, over the years, has used the down-home image of a patchwork quilt to describe the American people. But, Mayor Dinkins, who actually first described the city as a mosaic when he ran for Manhattan borough president in 1985, said that he never liked the idea of denying cultural differences either. “I never liked ‘melting pot,’” he said. “Our strength is not in melting together, but in keeping our cultures.” The idea that, in New York, everybody from everywhere is blended into one big stew may seem charming but misses the great asset that the multiplicity of cultures brought by people from across the globe gives to the “salad bowl” model where our ethnic, racial and religious differences are not totally absorbed and obscured, but extolled and applauded.

The Retiree Division of Local 237 recognizes that diversity is our greatest asset, and commemorated the richness of our cultural differences at the Latino Heritage Celebration.

The El Comite Latino, whose members include: Jose and Rosa Alicea, Donaldo Castellar, Evangelista Fabian, Rogelio Sponton, Luz Garcia, Elsie Ortiz, Sandra Moczo, Baldomero Lluen, Leroy and Elsa Nias, Cejester Walker. Wilfredo Velez and Olga Perez-Vasallo, helped to create a celebration of Latino heritage that was both informative and fun. The theme of the celebration was Carnaval! Joyous dancing led by “Cabezudos” (Bimbo Rivas, Carmen Pabon, Tato Laviera and Adela Fargas) that brought everyone to their feet. Committee members also presented recollections of their homeland that provided cultural insights and historical perspectives. The presentations included: Olga Perez-Vasallo — A tour of Carnaval; Rogelio Sponton — Argentina; Luz Garcia and Donaldo Castellar — Colombia; Evangelista Fabian — Dominican Republic; Leroy and Elsa Nias and Cejester Walker — Panama; Baldomero Lluen — Peru; Jose and Rosa Alicea, Elsie Ortiz, Sandra Moczo, and Wilfredo Velez — Puerto Rico. Additionally, the Latino Heritage Celebration featured the crowning of this year’s King and Queen: Queen Nubia Imani Beazer and King Howard Knopf. Another highlight of the event was the opening of the Retiree Art Exhibit. Instructor Antonia Maria Reyes Galbraith and curator George Zavala succeeded in cultivating and showcasing the artistic talents of our retirees. And no heritage celebration would be complete without enjoying the fabulous Latin cuisine, which was provided by Sabor Borinqueño.