The nation’s population is becoming increasingly Latino, but the country still has a long way to go when it comes to understanding its rich culture and contributions. Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 through October 15, is an opportunity to educate Americans about the history of the community and the many ways it has shaped American society.
But the celebrations also highlight lingering tensions that have arisen over whether it is time to rethink the term Hispanic. For some, especially younger people, the word Hispanic conjures up images of a broad group of disparate cultures that are not the same. For others, the term is a slur, with some calling for it to be replaced by more specific terms, such as Latino or Latinx.
Hispanics represent nearly a third of the U.S. population, but are often underrepresented in the media and in politics. The National Hispanic Heritage Foundation, an education and advocacy nonprofit, says a lack of awareness is the main reason. Its founder and president, Rocco Landesman, is pushing for more people to become Hispanic Heritage Month ambassadors so that the community’s story can be heard.
While the foundation has a number of resources to promote Hispanic Heritage Month, there are many other initiatives that have emerged to celebrate and honor the community. Some of them are national, while others are local or regional. A few highlights include:
Several museums are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by partnering with cultural organizations to host a range of activities. For example, the Smithsonian is collaborating with Lil’ Libros, a bilingual children’s book publisher, to host its second Fotos & Recuerdos festival. The event will feature story times, arts and crafts workshops and gallery tours. The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery is also recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month by teaming up with the Latino Baseball Hall of Fame to showcase the accomplishments of Latinas in baseball. These women have shaped the game both as players and broadcasters, including the first female team owner when Linda Alvarado purchased the Colorado Rockies in 1990.
Other Hispanic Heritage Month events are taking place across the country, including a quinceanera fashion show in Dallas and the New York Latino Film Festival. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is also hosting a virtual exhibit on Hispanic heritage and traditions. Other national institutions that have gotten in on the action include the National Archives and Records Administration, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress. The National Park Service has even curated a collection of Hispanic heritage sites in the National Register of Historic Places. The Postal Service has also put its stamp on the occasion by releasing a set of Forever stamps featuring pinatas, which are often used at parties for blindfolded guests to try to break open and retrieve treats. The stamps are available for purchase through September 30. For more information about Hispanic Heritage Month, check out the official website for the event.