What about salsa sparks your curiosity?
Whether you're well-versed in the salsa community or new to its world, Pathways Through Salsa invites you to embark on a journey of curiosity by exploring a range of topics that may be both familiar and unfamiliar to you. As you navigate each pathway, you'll encounter trail markers that pose thought-provoking questions, encouraging you to reflect on the connections between these stories and the valuable insights they offer.
The stories within Pathways Through Salsa serve as a source of inspiration, showcasing the remarkable qualities of resilience, persistence, and courage. By engaging with the experiences shared within these narratives, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and diversity of the salsa community. Whether it's tales of overcoming adversity, the pursuit of artistic expression, or the preservation of cultural heritage, these stories offer lessons that resonate on a personal and collective level.
As you traverse these pathways, may you be inspired to embrace the spirit of resilience in your own life, find renewed determination in the face of challenges, and celebrate the power of community. Pathways Through Salsa illuminates the profound impact that individuals and their stories can have, underscoring the importance of recognizing and honoring the diverse narratives that contribute to shared histories.
Marker 1 of 3: How do we approach salsa history?
Approaching salsa history requires a combination of research, listening to oral histories, engaging with community voices, and recognizing the dynamic evolution of salsa as a reflection of social, political, and cultural contexts. Exploring the roots of salsa is crucial, but equally significant is grasping why it holds profound meaning for a multitude of individuals, each with their own unique perspectives and connections.
More to Explore
Below, you’ll find even more stories about how different cities in the US adopted salsa as their own. You will also read about prominent figures who influenced their city’s particular style.
Click below to reveal stories.
Marker 2 of 3: How has participating in salsa music served to include or exclude participants on the basis of gender?
Participation in salsa music has traditionally excluded women and LGBTQ+ individuals, who often faced limited roles as followers in dancing and representation as musicians. However, there has been a growing movement within the salsa to challenge these norms and foster inclusivity and diverse expressions of gender identity.
More to Explore
The resources below emphasize the impact that the LGBTQ community and women had on gathering spaces.
Click below to reveal stories.
Marker 3 of 3: How was salsa a part of civil rights movements?
Salsa was important in various civil rights movement as it served as a powerful expression of cultural identity and resistance against systemic oppression. It provided a platform for communities to assert their heritage and contribute to the social and political movements striving for equality and justice.
More to Explore
Below, you'll find a place where sound was the main focus. People have expressed and shared the meaning of places that were important to them through filling them with sounds.
Click below to reveal stories.
The " Oíste? Listening to the Salsa Stories of Afro Latin Music" project was authored by interns, fellows, and scholars with the Cultural Resources Office of Interpretation and Education including Elisa Alfonso, Marjorie Justine Antonio, Hermán Luis Chávez, Melissa Hurtado, Jade Ryerson and designed by Hermán Luis Chávez and Melissa Hurtado.
Acknowledgements: Alejandro Garcia-Maldonado, Alexandra Tarantino, Alison Russell, Amanda Schramm, Andres Espinoza, Angelita Alvino, Barbara Little, Blanca Stransky, Cynthia Hernandez, Derrick León Washington, Eleanor Mahoney, Elisa Alfonso, Ella Wagner, Frances Aparicio, Herman Luis Chavez, Jade Ryerson, James Barry, James Nyman, Jessica Dauterive, Laura Phillips Alvarez, Marcos Echeverria Ortiz, Marjorie Justine Antonio, Megan Springate, Melissa Hurtado, Michael Birenbaum Quintero, Noel Lopez, Paloma Bolasny, Roberta Wendel, Sarah Lane, Teresa Moyer
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Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service