ABSTRACT
Evidence of our nation’s Hispanic heritage is apparent in almost every aspect
of our modern life. In every state, patrons can be found sitting down at Mexican
restaurants and fast food eateries enjoying tacos, burritos, and arroz con gandules.
Popular R&B, rap, and pop music incorporate musical instruments like castanets,
the güiro, the cuatro, and maracas, which were all born in Puerto Rico and the
Dominican Republic. Salsa, meringue, and the bachata dancers can be found in
nearly every dance club. Southern states are home to towns whose names are of a
Hispanic origin. Popular cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Boca Raton, El Paso,
and San Antonio do well to blend the Hispanic and English heritage together in
a way that is supportive of the multicultural mix of people who inhabit the areas.
