Caribbean Culture?

Question

I want to write an article about the Caribbean (Hispanic) culture a journalism class i am taking. Any ideas on what to specifically write about, or where to start?

I live in NYC if that helps, obviously there is a huge Hispanic population here.

Answer 1

I would go around and ask people who know about the Caribbean/Hispanic culture, etc., for information and stories! It's much more fun than research (not that that isn't valid!), but can give you SO much more of a personal touch. My college friend, who moved here from Italy when he was 11, did that, researching the Mafia in Boston. Guess what...according to everyone in the North End, there IS no Mafia! lol

When I was in Barbados, I spent many hours just talking to various people about the Island, especially compared to the U.S., England and other Caribbean island cultures (like Jamaica...totally different!). The people can take you "behind" all the tourist propaganda and give you the REAL scoop. Just remember to differentiate between opinion and fact!

Also, when I was an exchange student in Europe, my favourite thing was hanging out in cafes or Biergartens, talking to the "locals". Man...I got SO much information and many cool (some heart wrenching) stories about WWII!

Other than that, you can get tons of info off the 'net, about how the Islands were settled and by whom, how much mixing of races (like Spanish/white, black and native American) occurred on various Islands). Here are some links to get you going.

P.S. According to the wikipedia article below, the term "Hispanic" was coined during the NIXON administration!!! I'm pretty sure Nixon himself didn't do that! lol

Answer 2

Get out and talk to people, make up key questions and ask if they can give you a minute of their time. They'll give you much more. I am Puerto Rican, we are very friendly. Get it straight from them. If you'd like to interview me, we can do it by email. [e-mail]. Good luck!