When Robbie Dye, a sophomore visual arts major and Spanish minor, made a connection between Afro-Latinos in Puerto Rico and his djembe drums, he knew they’d have to be a part of his presentation.
“In my perspective, Afro-Latino culture is heavily intertwined with music and all kinds of artistic forms,” said Dye. “But I think music is definitely one of the most popular and relatable things for a lot of people to be involved in as well.”
Presented by the WKU Modern Languages department, the event aimed to promote visibility of the Afro-Latino community in various Latin American cultures and communities. Participants shared facts and information about Afro-Latinos via stands, activities, food and conversations.
The event was organized by Spanish professor Yertty VanderMolen, with her students in her SPAN 101, 102 and 372 participating in the fifth Afrolatinidad event. Participants were tasked with researching an Afro-Latino person or community in Latin America and creating interactive presentations to teach about them.
“For me, it’s always about education,” VanderMolen said. “It’s about celebration and recognition, making sure the students better understand and connect the Spanish language with its cultures as well.”
VanderMolen said that her interest in Afro-Latino cultures stemmed from her doctoral studies, where she studied Ursula de Jesus, an Afro-Peruvian Catholic mystic. She said that learning about her allowed her to see the importance of Afro-Latino culture in her daily life.
“It just made me aware of my reality, of my culture,” VanderMolen said. “She’s one of the reasons why I like to make the African population to be visible and recognized.”
Beginning at 4 p.m. in DSU Nite Class, students stood next to tables set up with colorful tri-folds, interactive activities and displayed objects for attendants to stop and learn from.
Kennedy Rice, a senior film major, centered her display around the rapper Cardi B, who is from the Dominican Republic. She said she included parts of her own spiritual practice, her tarot cards, to represent Santeria, a religious and spiritual practice common in the Caribbean.
“African culture in general is all over the world; it’s within almost every culture you see,” Rice said. “African people are not going anywhere, their culture is not going anywhere, we’re here for good.”
Throughout the event, attendants could listen to music performed by Dye and other Spanish students and try a variety of foods representing Afro-Latino cultures while learning about Afrolatinidad.
Sophomore music education major Tanner Wilken said that when not presenting about Venezuela’s Fiesta de San Juan, he loved being able to walk around and learn about many different cultures.
“I’ve been born and raised here, and being able to learn about all these different cultures has been a big shock,” Wilken said. “I’m so used to everything here in town, I don’t really get to see all of this.”
Towards the end of the event, VanderMolen raffled off three boxes of Latino candies and three gift cards courtesy of the Hilltopper Organization for Latin American students. Following the raffle, VanderMolen invited her students to dance to Latin music alongside her.
Dye said that he hopes that people leave the event with an understanding of the importance of being closer to and connecting with other groups.
“I think specifically in America and in certain communities, there could be a level of (un)awareness about different cultures and being able to see people as humane and not just like it’s them versus us,” said Dye.
