Thayer Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

There are many ways to explore Hispanic and Latino culture, Rodney Eric Lopez told Thayer Upper School students during their Monday morning assembly, but one of his favorite ways to connect with his roots is through the power of salsa music and dance. 

“It comes right through your ears and right through your body,” said Lopez, a performer and educator who served as guest speaker for Thayer’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. The talk was sponsored by Mi Gente, the school’s Hispanic/Latino affinity group. Dean of Engagement & Belonging Matt Ghiden offered remarks to begin the assembly while Ari Chery-Gonzalez introduced Lopez on behalf of the affinity group. 

Salsa music and dance, Lopez told his audience, are vernacular forms of expression, meaning that they have developed naturally as part of everyday culture within a particular community. Lopez then took a deep dive on the word “vernacular,” asking students what slang words today’s teenagers had organically developed to communicate within their own circle. As a result, he learned in real time the meaning of “clock it” — to boldly affirm something as perceptive and true — before noting that vernacular dances operate in much the same fashion. 

“Salsa is just one of many vernacular dances that give you a peek into a larger culture,” said Lopez, who spoke to Middle School students earlier that day. 

Offering a brief history of salsa, Lopez discussed the African, Cuban, Puerto Rican, and other influences that blended within the ever-evolving music form. He discussed the migration of large numbers of Cubans and Puerto Ricans to United States cities — New York City, in particular — in the 20th century and how those cultures connected and collaborated with African American cultural influences such as jazz. And he discussed how these cultural influences eventually fused into today’s music. At one point, while explaining the concept of syncretism, or the blending of separate items to create something completely different, Lopez noted that salsa the art form isn’t much different than salsa the condiment (“salsa” is Spanish for “sauce”) in that many distinct ingredients combine to form something unique. 

“These art forms have a genesis,” Lopez told his audience. 

One highlight of the talk occurred when students, faculty and staff got out of their seats and, accompanied by salsa music, learned a few basic dance steps courtesy of an enthusiastic and encouraging Lopez. 

The Sept. 29 event kicked off what will be a number of heritage day events, said Ghiden, who emphasized that such celebrations create a greater sense of belonging among all Thayer students and not just those celebrating their particular heritage. 

“They’re not just for some in our community,” said Ghiden. “They’re for all of us.” 

Hispanic Heritage Month actually bridges two months, running from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, in recognition of several important celebrations — including anniversaries of independence — in several Latin American countries.