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Hispanic Heritage Month
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Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th in order to recognize the impacts of American citizens of Hispanic heritage.
Origins⏱
This month started out as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 while President Lyndon Johnson was in office. Eventually, while President Ronald Reagan was in office in 1988, Hispanic Heritage Week became the 30 day Hispanic Heritage Month we now know; from September 15th to October 15th. On August 17th, 1988, its inclusion became enacted into law. September 15th specifically has significance due to it coinciding with the independent anniversaries of many Latin American countries such as Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Following the 15th, multiple other Latin American countries celebrate their own independence days. On September 16th, Mexico has it’s independence day, and Chile has its own on September 18th Chile. Belize celebrates its Independence Day on September 21st.
Significance📆
Every year there is a presidential proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month. America, after Mexico, has the second highest population of Hispanic people in the entire world. However, Hispanic Americans are not often recognized for their hard work and dedication that helped build this country, so having a month set aside to celebrate them helps to remind us of all of their contributions.
Why Hispanic Heritage Month Matters🗣
Recognizing the Hispanic experience and struggle is critical to fostering greater cultural awareness in society. Within America, many POC face discrimination, including Hispanic individuals. According to the Pew Research Center:
- 4/10 Latinos attest to being discriminated against
- Racial discrimination is more likely to occur amongst Hispanics that are not viewed as white-passing
- 37% of Latinos attest that within the last 12 months, someone has supported them for being Latino, but 38% have been called offensive names, criticized for speaking their native tongue, were discriminated against, or were told to go back to their country
- 24% of Latinos say they have been unfairly treated or discriminated against
- Hispanic immigrants and 2nd generation Hispanics are reporting having been discriminated against more often than 3rd or higher generations Hispanics
Modern Day Celebrations/ How Can I Celebrate?🎉
In order to better understand how Hispanic people have helped build our country, you can go out and do research on significant Hispanic figures. Libraries tend to have books on display to help you find information during this time. Some schools have daily quotes from figures within Hispanic history, some people may cook traditional Hispanic foods, while others may participate in activism related to rights for Hispanic Americans. Each person may celebrate differently, but it is important for us all to educate ourselves on the ways Hispanic people have contributed to American history so as to recognize the hard work they have done.
Significant Hispanic Figures👥
Actors/Actresses
Rita Moreno
“I’m trying as hard as I can to keep pushing the boundaries of what a woman is capable of doing. And it turns out there’s a lot we can do. There’s a lot we can speak about.”
Working for 70+ years in the entertainment industry, Rita Moreno is the first Latina woman with an “E.G.O.T.,” or, an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. She is Puerto Rican and made her Broadway debut as “Angelina” at 13 in Skydrift. She is on the Netflix show One Day at a Time as Lydia and will be producing and starring in the 2020 remake of West Side Story by Steven Spielberg.
Others: Jennifer Lopez, Alexis Bledel, Eva Longoria, MJ Rodriguez, Daniela Vega, Sofía Vergara, Tessa Thomson, Indya Moore
Artists/ Writers/ Filmmakers
Frida Kahlo
“I love you more than my own skin and even though you don’t love me the same way, you love me anyways, don’t you? And if you don’t I’ll always have the hope that you do, and I’m satisfied with that. Love me a little. I adore you.”
Frida Khalo is a Mexican artist who started self-portrait painting after being severely injured in an accident involving a bus. She is also known for her political activism.
Others: Carmen Maria Machado, Marialy Rivas, Julia Alvarez.
Activists
Cesar Chavez
“We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community… Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.”
Cesar Chavez is a Mexican-American civil rights activist as well as labor leader dedicated to la causa (the cause), which was the struggle of farm workers in the United States.
Others: Gloria Anzaldúa, Joan Baez, Berta Cáceres
Musicians
Camilla Cabello
“Be kind to people, keep people’s secrets, be the one that answers the phone when nobody else does, make everyone feel important.”
Mexican-Cuban singer Camilla Cabello, a former part of the girl group Fifth Harmony, is now a solo singer that makes music, some of which is inspired by her Hispanic roots.
Others: Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Rosalía, Cardi B, Shakira.
Political Figures
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
“Healthcare as a human right, it means that every child, no matter where you are born, should have access to a college or trade school education if they so choose it, and I think no person should be homeless if we can have public structures and public policy to allow for people to have homes and food and lead a dignified life in the United States.”
Alexandaria Ocasio-Cortez, or AOC, is a Congresswoman from the Bronx. She is the youngest woman and Latina to ever serve in Congress. She is now on her second term in Congress.
Others: Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Julia Salazar.
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