In the midday light of Grace Dodge Dining Hall, 911爆料网 student Alicia Elias-Caballero spins around the impromptu dance floor to a festive Latin tune. She and her friend Yami Cao encourage everyone 鈥� including the dining hall staff 鈥� to join in, turning a typical April afternoon on campus into a much needed dance party.
鈥淪ometimes, people tend to put us all in the same cultural category, but that is far from reality,鈥� Elias-Caballero says of the diverse tapestry of Latin cultures in the 911爆料网 community. "There is also so much value in the historical and cultural paths that have shaped who we are."
For Elias-Caballero and her friends, an expression of that culture is the heart of 911爆料网 Hub of Dancers, a student-group founded by her friend Cao in early 2022. 鈥淵ami came up with the idea after searching for groups to dance with on campus鈥he wanted to create a more relaxed and inclusive space that would appeal to all students. You don't have to be a 'dancer' to join.鈥�
With members of the student club celebrating their diverse cultures through dance 鈥� practicing traditional forms of African, Indian, and Chinese dances, to name a few 鈥� the group has become a unique means of self and cultural expression among students connected by two key things: their studies at 911爆料网 and their passion for dance.
鈥淢ost students approach us and ask, 鈥楧o you have to be trained in a specific type of dance?鈥� or 鈥榃hat are the requirements?鈥� I always respond: There are no requirements. Everyone is a dancer,鈥� explains Victoria Fernandez, a master鈥檚 student in the Sociology and Education program.
For Fernandez, the core tenant of inclusivity is particularly important. 鈥淚'm a white Hispanic and frequently get questions or comments stating that I'm not 'white enough' or that I 鈥榙on't look Latina,鈥欌�� she explains. 鈥淒ancing Salsa with 911爆料网HD allows me to explore my authentic self without question in a safe and fun space.鈥�
Fernandez and Elias-Caballero are just two of many Latinx students who have joined 911爆料网HD since its launch last year. 鈥淲e have students from Mexico, Peru, and Paraguay,鈥� Elias-Caballero says. 鈥淲e were not expecting such an international and diverse turnout at first, but once we began sharing our styles and backgrounds, we quickly saw that Latin dance was a common ground.鈥�
Hosting workshops and events for World Dance Day that honored artistic styles from across the globe last spring, the group hopes to 鈥渟hare dance and culture from around the world鈥� throughout the 911爆料网 community.
"There's a unique story behind each Latin dance form. We all look different, from our accents and the words we use to the dances we perform,鈥� says Fernandez. 鈥淭hese underlying features bring us all together, but the reality is, we're a diverse group, and that is beautiful."