MOSAICS
An Exploration of Latin American and Caribbean Cultures
Presented by encounters magazine
02.0302.07
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LUIS ARNÍAS, BISAGRAS (2024, SENEGAL/BRAZIL/ VENEZUELA, 18 MINUTES)
MARIANA RONDÓN, PELO MALO (2013, VENEZUELA, 93 MINUTES)
JUAN ANDRÉS ARANGO GARCÍA, LA PLAYA D.C. (2012, COLOMBIA, 90 MINUTES)
NINO MARTÍNEZ SOSA, LIBORIO (2021, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, 99 MINUTES)
ROSAMARY BERRíOS HERNÁNDEZ, SANTIAGO DE LAS MUJERES (2023, PUERTO RICO, 63 MINUTES)
IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MISHKIN GALLERY
CURATED BY DR. ROJO ROBLES, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF BLACK AND LATINO STUDIES AT BARUCH COLLEGE
ROOTS AND TIDES: BLACK CINEMAS IN THE CARIBBEAN BASIN
***FILMS WILL LOOP CONTINUOUSLY IN GALLERY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. ALL SCREENINGS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.***
Letter To the reader
Dear Reader,
We are mosaics of the media we consume, the heritage we carry, and the customs that shape our adolescence and guide us into adulthood. Much like the French concept of “bricolage,” where creations are formed from mixed materials, these elements weave together a tapestry of interconnected identities, histories, and experiences.
In collaboration with the Mishkin Gallery’s film festival series “Roots and Tides: Black Cinemas in the Caribbean Basin,” curated by Dr. Rojo Robles, this zine explores the intricate connections between race and culture through the art produced by our student body. These works invite us to engage with concepts that are complex, captivating, and thought-provoking.
This zine represents the intersections of Latin American and Caribbean cultures rooted in the history of the African diaspora, through their endured strength and shared stories. The African diaspora serves as a reminder of the resilience of the cultures that span continents and shape identities throughout history. The people we were, we are, and who we will become reflect this continuous journey that derives from the strength of those who came before us.
Before we dive into Mosaics, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who made this zine possible. Thank you to the Mishkin Gallery and the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences for their support and guidance through Dr. Rojo Robles, Alexandra Tell, and Alaina Feldman. To those who submitted their work, thank you for sharing your creativity and vulnerability with us, your contributions are the heart of this project. To my executive board—Asia Gross, Aidan To, Anson Wong, Pearl Lin, and Regina Martinez—this project is a testament to your hard work and dedication. Each page reflects our collective efforts, and for that, I am endlessly grateful!
And finally, thank you reader for supporting and stepping into this world with us. We hope you find a piece of yourself within these pages and that they inspire reflection, connection, and celebration.
Sincerely,
Patricia Prado
Editor-in-Chief
A CONVERSATION with Dr. Rojo RobLeS
Interview by Regina Martinez
Tell me a little bit about your academic and personal background?
Dr. Rojo Robles grew up in Puerto Rico, where he attended public secondary school, and later, the University of Puerto Rico. Storytelling was an integral part of his upbringing as his father was a writer, poet, educator, and playwright. In addition to these, his father also hosted a radio show. “It was very organic to move toward the arts,” Dr. Robles shared, recalling a childhood surrounded by books and filled with imaginative play such as creating characters with his stuffed animals.
Dr. Robles was deeply involved in Puerto Rico’s independent art scene, engaging in theater, performance, film, and documentary-making. Identifying as a teatrero (theater professional), he wore many creative hats. Some of his early works include ElInteriordelasalmohadas (2007), a play inspired by a Horacio Quiroga short story and another, Policías, vaqueros, burócratas y piratas (2009), critiquing Puerto Rican corruption and bureaucracy.
He is currently writing and co-creating a play with Kairiana Nuñez Santaliz entitled Larga Distancia.
How did your work as an artist inspire your academic career?
After earning his undergraduate degree, Dr. Robles moved to New York City in 2015 to pursue a PhD at the CUNY Graduate Center. “I had the urge to explore a bigger city than San Juan,” he explained. Despite the distance, Dr. Robles remained deeply connected to his Puerto Rican roots, which continue to inform his research and teaching.
While pursuing his doctorate, Dr. Robles taught Latin American cultural studies at various CUNY campuses, where he appreciated the diversity of the student bodies. His classes emphasized creativity, employing collaborative syllabi and assignments such as podcasts, short stories, and art installations, rather than traditional exams.
What inspired your interest in film?
Dr. Robles cites the influence of filmmakers such as Spike Lee and John Singleton, as well as the renaissance of Black cinema in the 1990s. “Those movies got to Puerto Rico, and I was really interested. They allowed me to understand a lot of U.S. society and racial relationships within the U.S.,” he explained.
Baruch College, Assistant Professor, Department of Black and Latino Studies
What motivated you to curate this film series?
After immersing himself in Black film from the U.S., Dr. Robles turned his focus to representations of Blackness beyond the African American framework. This film series highlights Caribbean and Latin American Black cinema. “I want to raise awareness within myself and the community that Black cultures are very multifaceted; there are many different languages, cultures, and aesthetics of Black culture. As an Afro-descendant person, this is very important to me,” he said.
What will the exhibition include?
The exhibition, entitled Roots and Tides : Black Cinemas in the Caribbean Basin,, features five films, each screened on a continuous loop weekly. The films range from 20 to 90 minutes, a deliberate decision to accommodate Baruch College’s commuter students.
How did you collect these films?
“We wanted a variety of films,” Dr. Robles explained. The selection includes documentaries, feature films, historical narratives, and fictional stories, all showcasing Black lives throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. The films represent a diverse array of characters, encompassing different ages, sexual orientations, races, and genders. Countries such as the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Venezuela are among those featured.
Could you share any specific challenges or breakthroughs you experienced during the curation process for this exhibit?
Rather than a challenge, Dr. Robles described a breakthrough: selecting the exhibition’s name. Meditating on themes of Latin identity and liberation, he chose Roots and Tides. “We can connect the notion of roots to African culture, but also to something such as hair. One of the films talks about hair and how that can be a signifier of Blackness and liberation. Another film shows a rural community, so the roots could signify the plants,” he illustrated.
What kind of dialogue or reflection do you hope these films spark among viewers?
“This is an invitation to consider and reconsider Blackness, and to incorporate other regions and islands in that discussion,” Dr. Robles remarked.
Are there any films in this series that hold special significance to you personally? Why?
“The film from Puerto Rico is special for me. I’ve worked there, I have friends there—I know it’s very tough to finish making a film, let alone have an extensive audience,” Dr. Robles shared. He is excited to amplify a Puerto Rican filmmaker’s work that explores selfsufficient Black communities.
Through Roots and Tides: Black Cinemas in the Caribbean Basin, Dr. Robles invites viewers to engage with the rich, multifaceted narratives of Black culture in the Caribbean and Latin America, fostering dialogue and understanding across cultural boundaries.
Aidan To
LA MARQUETA
Spanish Harlem, also known as El Barrio or East Harlem, is a neighborhood spanning from East 96th Street to the south, Fifth Avenue on the west, and the Harlem and East rivers in the east and north. Enriched with the scent of freshly brewed café con leche, mixed with the harmonious drum of salsa and bachata, every corner tells a story. El Barrio bridges generations of culture through the many small businesses where traditional crafts, food, and practices are kept alive.
Within this neighborhood, located beneath the rumbling tracks of the Metro-North Railroad, is La Marqueta, known for its expansive selection of Latin American and Caribbean goods. For decades, the market has not just been a place to shop, but a symbol of the Hispanic community.
Opened in 1936 by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, La Marqueta, formally named the Park Avenue Market, was built to give vendors a permanent place to set up shop. Today, the sounds of Salsa Saturdays and plena rhythms echo throughout the market, while the aroma of freshly cooked foods such as pastelon and alcapurrias draw you in from every corner.
“That’s the goal,” explains Dominican business owner Yesi Morillo, “to give people a place where they have access to good, affordable things to help them grow.” Morillo owns Yesi’s Bookstore & Gift Shop, one of the vendors located in La Marqueta.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Morillo began her career as a candle maker. At first, she was only making white candles and experimenting with a variety of scents. Shortly after, Morillo had people asking if they could buy her candles. This sparked the beginning of Yesi’s Candle Company. These candles are now sold in her storefront along with books, jewelry, and home goods.
“[I] figured I can combine both things and find a small place where I can engage in the community,” Morillo says about her passion for candles and wanting to open a bookstore. Yesi’s Bookstore & Gift Shop has found its home in the same market that Morillo used to shop at with her mother.
Spanish Harlem
La Marqueta currently holds nine vendors. It is home to the popular restaurant Cocotazo, which offers traditional Puerto Rican dishes blended with the flavors and influences from other cultures. Cocotazo is a community favorite due to its cozy atmosphere and freshly made traditional food.
“It’s nice to see culture, having food and traditions from way back, still thriving and giving people the opportunity to indulge,” says Iris Dominguez, Spanish Harlem resident. Dominguez has been a long time customer of La Marqueta, as she lives just down the street. This is where she goes to get her fresh produce and connect with her culture.
The vibrant cultures, sense of community, and rich cuisines of the residents of Spanish Harlem have shaped La Marqueta into what it is today: an amalgamation of traditions and lifestyles, passed down through its passionate vendors. To its patrons, walking into La Marqueta feels like coming home.
The End
of CONFLICT
I sat at my desk with a pen in my hand, trying to find the right words to say to Haiti. I had never been good at apologizing, but I knew that I needed to make things right with the country that had given me so much.
“Haiti,” I began, “I am sorry. I am sorry for not appreciating the love and culture that you gave me. I was blind to the beauty that surrounded me, and I took it all for granted. But now I see the error of my ways, and I ask for your forgiveness.”
I paused, wondering if my words were enough. I knew that I had to keep going.
“I am sorry for blaming you after the earthquake took everything. I was angry and confused, I didn’t know who else to blame. I failed to recognize that you, too, were suffering. I should have been there for you, to support you in your time of need. Instead, I added to your burden. For that, I am deeply sorry. But I know now that it was not your fault, and I ask that you shield the loved ones that are still living there. Keep them safe from harm, and let them know that they are cared for.”
Tears welled up in my eyes as I thought of all the people who had suffered in Haiti. I knew that my apology was not over yet.
“I love you, Haiti,” I continued. “I long to see you again, to touch your soil and breathe your air. I miss the warmth of our people and the beauty of your landscapes. I hope that you can forgive me for not seeing all of this before.”
Finally, I mustered the courage to ask the question that had been weighing on my mind.
“Are you proud of me, Haiti? Of what l’ve done, of what l’ve accomplished? Of how I came to embrace my culture and my heritage? I hope that I have made you proud, and that I can continue to do so in the future.”
As I signed my name at the bottom of the page, I felt a heaviness lifted off my shoulders. I knew that even though my apology was just a small step, it was a step in the right direction. And I hoped that Haiti could forgive me, and that we could move forward together.
Daisy Gomez
ERic Gonzalez
Emma Delahanty
Justhin martinez
Aidan To
The Black and Latinx Studies program places the production of knowledge by Black and Latinx people from across the globe at its forefront. Students who choose to pursue this as either their major or minor will be provided with the skills to think critically, as they explore and develop solutions to social issues ingrained in racial inequalities pertaining to the Black, Caribbean, Indigenous, Latin American, and US Latinx communities. The BLS program will produce articulate graduates who have a strong foundation in providing analyses rooted in change and driven by outcomes. With an emphasis on hands-on learning as it pertains to change and equity, the Black and Latinx Studies program encourages students to innovate, think creatively, engage in active learning, and develop useful skills that will prepare them for careers that will allow them to create a more equitable and nondiscriminatory future.
The BLS program is interdisciplinary, allowing students to integrate knowledge, methodologies, and perspectives from multiple fields to address complex issues or questions that cannot be fully explored through a single discipline. Examples of this approach can be studying literature in the context of history, political theory in the context of sociology, or even economics in the context of poetry. The options are endless! This program will give students the
Considering
BLS?Considering
social, political, and educational tools to be successful in their careers beyond college. The knowledge students gain can be applied to many different career paths surrounding Black and Latinx studies such as law, public policy, education, social justice, racial justice, and social work. In choosing BLS as a major or minor, students with an interest in ethics and social and racial justice will be given guidance on how to integrate their interests in their research projects and classroom readings, as well as their academic writing. The BLS program provides clarity on incorporating ethics and intellect beyond a college career. Not only will students be equipped with a strong ability to apply analytical reasoning, they will also develop a strong set of communication and reading skills when it comes to research data and evidence.
The program consists of field work and regular coursework, as well as the development of public knowledge projects. In addition to this, students will have the opportunity to attend department wide talks, teach-ins, exhibitions, film screenings, and other events pertaining to Black and Latinx Studies. If you are considering BLS as a major or a minor and would like more information, please contact Shelly Eversley, Interim Chair of the Black and Latino Studies Department in the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences at shelly.eversley@baruch.cuny.edu.
Christopher Clarke
Threads of Diasporathe
FA S H I O N S H O W
Communities are groups of individuals who come together based on a shared interest, sense of belonging, protection, and survival. Whether it’s neighbors who live in the same town, a group of friends with a hobby in common, or a society of people created through shared experiences, communities unify people and allow them to bond over something. Culture is a fine example of community, where people are able to celebrate themselves, as well as their shared heritage, traditions, and history.
ASA, the African Student Association at Baruch, has created their own community where they are able to make meaningful connections and express their culture freely. This club has united together to celebrate students of African descent and promote a “face” and image for the African students of Baruch. Their goal is to enrich those in African culture and share their culture for those who may not be familiar with it. ASA brings people together through events and community empowerment. This was displayed in their recent event, “Threads of Diaspora,” where they curated a fashion show displaying fashion and attire pertaining to African culture, highlighting the beauty and evolution of African style throughout history.
Christiana Addy, president of ASA, expresses her pride and love for the club. She describes her experience transferring to Baruch from another CUNY and being able to step into a leadership role to represent
other African students at Baruch. She illustrates how she wanted to separate ASA from other similar clubs, such as WICC (West Indian Culture Club) and CSA (Caribbean Student Association) so that ASA would be able to have their own “moment to shine.”
“A lot of African students began to feel unrepresented… that was a lot of voicing I heard at the time… we decided to ‘hone in’ on our own cultural differences and did the fashion show to display our cultural presence on campus,” Addy states. She describes how much joy she, along with other club members, felt when they were able to have their own cultural event that was personal to African students.
She continues to state how successful the fashion show was, as it was a way for ASA to ‘rebrand’ themselves. “Threads of Diaspora” was later featured in Baruch’s student-run newspaper, The Ticker, where ASA’s event gained a lot of attention from other student communities around Baruch. She adds how happy this made her, as she finally began to see African students applauded for celebrating their culture.
“I grew up in the Bronx, and a lot of people near me were Hispanic or from Bangladesh… I started noticing people would kind of hide when they were African, and you would never see two Africans speaking their dialect in class…” For Addy, growing up in the Bronx inspired her presidency and preparation for the fashion show, as her goal was to be able to enhance representation for African students, and unite them together to celebrate their culture instead of hiding from it. As Baruch continues to evolve as a community where multiple cultures can come together, Addy’s work, along with her club members, has truly made an impact on African students. It allows them to express themselves and take pride in representing such a beautiful region of the world.
Anabelle Gomez
Ray Femi-Fatukasi
Baruch’s Cultural Club and
Baruch College is home to a vibrant array of cultural clubs and our campus. Discover communities that honor heritage, foster organizations
Baruch ASA
Baruch African Student Association
@asabaruch baruchasa@gmail.com
Baruch ASEDOM
Dominican Student Association
@asedombaruch asedom@gmail.com
Baruch ALPFA
Association of Latino Professionals for America
@alpfabaruch baruch.alpfa@gmail.com
Baruch BSU
Black Student Union
@baruchbsu baruch.bsu@gmail.com
Baruch CSA
Caribbean Student Association
@csabaruch baruchcsa@gmail.com
Baruch EC
Ecuadorian Club
@ec_baruch ECatBaruch@gmail.com
Community and Organization Directory
and organizations, celebrating the rich diversity that thrives on foster connection, and create a sense of belonging. Get involved, organizations on social media to begin your journey!
Baruch ISLA
The Initiative for the Study of Latin America
@islabaruch wsas.isla@baruch.cuny.edu
Baruch LASO
Latin American Student Association
@lasobaruch laso.baruch@gmail.com
Baruch MexiCulture
MexiCulture
@mexiculture_baruch mexiculture.baruch@gmail.com
Baruch PRSS
Puerto Rican Student Society
@prssbaruch prssbaruch@outlook.com
Baruch WICC
West Indian Culture Club
@wiccbaruch wiccnyc@gmail.com
Baruch BMI
Black Male Initiative
@baruchbmi bmi@baruch.cuny.edu
Credits
Encounters Magazine would like to thank the following talented writers and artists for contributing to “MOSAICS”
Features
“A Conversation With Dr. Rojo Robles”
“La Marqueta, Spanish Harlem”
“The End of Conflict”
“Considering BLS?”
“Threads of the Diaspora Fashion Show”
Photos
Aidan To
Justhin Martinez
Ethan Canter
Daisy Gomez
Christopher Clarke
Ray Femi-Fatukasi
Eric Gonzalez
Emma Delahanty
Written by Regina Martinez
Written by Jada Flores
Written by Brianna Augustin
Written by Asia Gross
Written by Anabelle Gomez
Staff
Patricia Prado
Asia Gross
Anson Wong
Regina Martinez
Aidan To
Pearl Lin
Since its inception in 1993, Encounters Magazine has set the standard for creative excellence within Baruch College. Operating in a business-oriented environment, Encounters showcases and empowers the extraordinary talent with Baruch through its main print publication, released once each semester. From its origins as a literary print journal, Encounters now also hosts events, produces creative content, and releases mini publications, all with the intent to support the talented creators that thrive within its walls.
Encounters Magazine is a proud ambassador for Adobe Creative Suite. This publication’s content and layout was created and edited using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign.
