Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to learn more about the diverse cultures that comprise Latin America. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of people of Hispanic descent to the United States, and a time to recognize that their shared history has helped shape our society and culture.
The word Hispanic covers a broad geographic area, and people from this region often identify with multiple cultures, traditions, and languages. This diversity is reflected in the different ways that Hispanic Americans describe themselves. The terms Hispanic, Latina, and the non-gendered forms Latino and Latinx all refer to people who have families and ancestors from the 22 nations and territories that make up Latin America.
This diverse community of people have made many important contributions to our country, from agriculture and medicine to literature, music, and art. The work of Hispanic American artists such as Frida Kahlo, who was born in 1907 and died in 1954, offers a glimpse into Mexican culture through its symbols, themes, and colors. Other cultural touchstones include salsa, merengue, mariachi music, and chupa chupas.
Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate these diverse contributions and the unity that stems from the strength of our collective heritage. It is also a time to highlight the contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans in all fields, from sports to politics. Connecticut’s Hispanic Heritage Month Ambassador, the Honorable Commissioner of Education Miguel Cardona, is an example of the strength and perseverance that is rooted in the Latino community.
From the Grito de Dolores to the emergence of female sportscasters and MLB team owners, Hispanic Heritage Month highlights the many ways in which Latinos have made their mark on the world. The NEH-funded documentary series Latino Americans is an excellent resource that chronicles the lives of several important Hispanic leaders and activists, including Jovita Idar, journalist and activist who worked tirelessly to promote education and women’s rights for Mexican-Americans; Oscar Hijuelos, the first Latino to win a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his depictions of immigrant life; and the baseball players Margaret “Marge” Villa and Linda Alvarado, who purchased the Colorado Rockies and changed the face of the sport.
While Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for celebration, it is also an opportunity to remember the struggles of the communities that comprise the larger Hispanic American population and the importance of continuing to strive for equality and justice. In this way, we can honor the legacy of those who came before us and continue to move forward together as a nation.