Anam Javed

Anam Javed

While visiting various restaurants and cafes along Meridian Street, I was surprised by how little English some of the owners spoke. Customers and employees would often speak in Spanish immediately upon entering. Hence, I chose a map that shows the percentage of Hispanic/ Latino populations in the region. Clearly, there is a significant population of Hispanics and Latinos, which explains the atmosphere of the restaurants and cafes. However, right outside one such shop on Maverick Street was a signpost saying James V. McLaughlin Square. If you look closely, you will notice a small USA flag fluttering in the wind right below the sign. This is notable as it makes the observer wonder whether this flag was put up by the authorities or by local Hispanic/Latino immigrants to illustrate their respect and loyalty towards the United States of America. News articles have recently covered the negative attitude of some Americans toward immigrants who do not speak English so it was a pleasant surprise to walk out of restaurants in which everyone was speaking Spanish and see the flag, as it was a possible indicator of a more accepting and welcoming culture of the neighborhood in which immigrants merge the American flag and its values with their own lives.