September 15 marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of Latino and Hispanic-identified communities in the United States. Across the country, these groups bring their one-of-a-kind perspective to different spaces, continuously redefining what America represents.
Hispanic Heritage Month was first introduced in 1968 by California Congressman George E. Brown. The month was created to applaud the accomplishments of Hispanic people in all areas of society, including education, sports, politics, business and music. Currently, Hispanics make up the largest minority group in the nation and are the second-largest population in several major metropolitan areas.
The Hispanic population in the United States is diverse and includes many different backgrounds, cultures and languages. It is also a growing community, making up almost 19% of the American population. Despite their large numbers, many Hispanic people feel isolated and unheard. Hispanic Heritage Month can be an important opportunity to address the needs and challenges faced by this community.
In the classroom, there are many resources available to teach about the history and experiences of Hispanic people in the United States. For example, the Smithsonian has an online exhibition on Latina role models (Open external link) and an archive of interviews with labor leader Dolores Huerta. The New-York Historical Museum has a virtual exhibition on Hispanic baseball (Open external link) and another about the history of Hispanic immigrants in the city of Cleveland.
However, there is a thorny question about the best way to identify Hispanic people: Should we use the word Hispanic or Latino? Ultimately, it depends on the context. If we are describing language and geography, Hispanic is the best choice. However, if we are discussing people’s cultural identity or background, Latino is more accurate.
For some people, the term Hispanic erases the centuries of pre-Columbian culture and civilizations that existed before the European colonization of the Americas. It also alienates indigenous and Afro-Latino communities, who have their own rich histories that include deep resistance to Spanish rule. The newer term Latinx addresses these issues, while still remaining inclusive.
Hispanic Heritage Month is an excellent opportunity to educate students about the diversity of Hispanic and Latino identities in the United States. But, it is equally important to recognize the struggles these communities face, such as inequitable access to education and housing. Furthermore, research has shown that Latinos are the fastest-growing portion of the economy, yet their median wealth is five times lower than white families.
The National Park Service has a number of educational resources for teachers and students to explore this National Hispanic Heritage Month. For example, it has compiled resources by grade level that highlight the accomplishments of Hispanic and Latino Americans. It also has a collection of stories about the diverse and dynamic Hispanic and Latino communities in the United States, from a range of sources. Educators can also visit the Hispanic Heritage Month website and see how the government, museums, parks and other organizations are celebrating this month.