Written by Yenika
Every year, Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month is from September 15 to October 15. Originally created in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week, it was expanded in 1988 to cover an entire month. This period of time is dedicated to recognizing the culture, history, achievements, and contributions of Hispanic/Latino Americans.
Why “Hispanic” Heritage Month?
There’s been discourse over the usage of “Hispanic” in labeling this month. Some say that the word erases the history and culture of Latin America before European conquest, as “Hispanic” comes from the English translation of “Hispano”, meaning a person originating from Spain.
Communities whose cultural history is not tied with Spain, or whose history has shown deep resistance against Spanish invasion, may not feel that this term correctly identifies them. There’s talk of whether this month should be called Latino Heritage Month or Latinx Heritage Month, but proper naming and categorization of this demographic has always been an issue in the U.S.
While the terms “Hispanic” and “Latino/Latinx” may be used interchangeably, it is important to realize that there is a difference. “Hispanic” refers to people with origins from a Spanish-speaking country, while “Latino” specifically refers to people from Latin American countries. Although it may be called “Hispanic” Heritage Month, this period of time is specifically dedicated towards Latin Americans, as the experiences they have faced are unique from what non-Latin Hispanics have experienced.
What should we be celebrating and talking about?
The stories that we share are incredibly important. More often than not, the focus is turned toward cultural contributions like music, dance, and art. While that’s definitely important, stories of the historical oppression against Latin Americans and the injustices they have faced are often ignored in favor of what’s more commercially sellable. We must look at the full picture, and talk about all aspects of Latino history and culture instead of selecting which parts we want to celebrate.
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