# @rutgersu on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CjlIEdQrNS3
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/841175-rutgersu-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/198dd8d6e9.jpg
- **Posted:** 2022-10-11T16:26:41.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Rutgers University (@RutgersU) — https://gondola.cc/RutgersU

## Caption

For #HispanicHeritageMonth, we’ve asked students to write an open letter detailing their heritage, the loved ones they share it with, and the lands they come from ❤️

Meet Rachel Perez, a @rutgersartsandsciences student double majoring in Philosophy and Spanish.

"My lovely Cuba,

Long time no see! I miss you with all my heart. I never thought I would miss you so much after leaving you behind. I am writing this letter to let you know what you mean to me and to describe to you how you have left your blueprint in each and one of your children. We will always be yours, no matter where we reside now.

Being Cuban to me means much more than just a nationality. It is who I am; it is in my blood. It means having Cafecito on the balcony with the neighbors and calling them aunties and cousins. It’s hearing salsa from the windows and watching Abuelita make some delicious quimbombo. 

You are complex on many levels, but that makes you unique—many fusions of Europeans, Yankees (USA Citizens), Africans and the Tainos. Your streets have names referring to and honoring our native ancestors. Everyone knows their Yoruba ancestry from Pinar del Rio to Santigo de Cuba and prays to La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, Patron Saint of Cuba! --and 'Maferefun Eleggua,' the santeros (Yoruba religion followers), praise our African ancestors.

Seven years ago, I left you behind, thinking I knew who I was. Guess what? I did not. I came to this country and found myself missing you every second. My ears ached for the sound of Timba coming out from 'El Callejon de Jame.' My legs missed dancing to the drums and the trumpet. My eyes looked for your colorful streets full of traditions and sazon.

Today, I write you this letter while looking at your flag on my desk. Every day I look at it, drinking my cafecito, able to continue my day knowing exactly who I am. Every gesture I make, my accent coming out in each word, and my morning routine of dancing to Celia Cruz is because of that flag. It is because I am your child. It is because I am Rachel la Cubana. Ashe, ("blessings" in Yoruba slang) to all my Cubans siblings and ashe to you, beautiful motherland."

#RutgersPride | #RutgersExcellence 🌟🇨🇺

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 484
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 23

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rutgers University | @RutgersU | https://gondola.cc/RutgersU | University |
| Marques Ruiz | @digitallysober | https://gondola.cc/digitallysober | Photographer |
| Marques Ruiz | @digitallysober | https://gondola.cc/digitallysober | Social Media Manager |
| Marques Ruiz | @digitallysober | https://gondola.cc/digitallysober | Copywriter |
| Marques Ruiz | @digitallysober | https://gondola.cc/digitallysober | Photo Editor |

## Tags

rutgerspride, hispanicheritagemonth, rutgersexcellence

## Events

hispanic heritage month | rutgers u 2022

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