Valley Stream, NEW YORK (February, 2022) — Students in the Valley Stream Central High School World Languages Department celebrated Black History Month by highlighting the contributions of Afro-Latinos.
Students in teacher Marisa Diaz y Diaz’s Spanish classes created a bulletin board featuring prominent Afro-Latinos who have made an impact in their respective communities. They included: Luz Alonso, Roberto Clemente, Rosa Clemente, Celia Cruz, Naya Rivera, Andre Royo, Zoe Saldana, Sonia Sotomayor and many more. The students discussed the roles the individuals played in their communities as well as the impact they had on them personally.
The bulletin board also displayed a map of Spanish speaking countries along with the percentage of their respective populations that are Afro-Latino, as well as quotes from people expressing pride in their AfroLatinidad heritage.
"The diversity and racial identity within the Latino culture often gets overlooked,” Ms. Diaz y Diaz said, “So, it is important to take the time to acknowledge the presence of a community that is not often widely recognized, showcase their contributions and educate our students. By doing so, it opens communication in the classroom for students to share their experiences with each other and pride of their heritage."
For more information about the Valley Stream Central High School District, please visit the District’s website at https://www.vschsd.org/, and like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ValleyStreamCentralHighSchoolDistrict
Date Added: 3/4/2022