The Hispanic Heritage Month celebration spans from September 15 to October 15. This is a great time to learn more about the rich cultures, traditions and histories of Latino communities and celebrate their contributions to America.
Hispanic Heritage Month began as a week in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson, but was expanded by Ronald Reagan to a month-long observation in 1988. The month of recognition was set to start on September 15, the anniversary of the independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua from Spain.
Even before the term Hispanic was widely adopted, there was debate about how to categorize people who came from Spanish-speaking countries. Some argued that Hispanic was an umbrella term that erased racial and cultural differences, while others saw it as a way to unite a group of Americans that had been historically divided by race, class and ethnicity. “What they were trying to do was show that they were part of America, a minority population like African-Americans who had contributed to this country, fought in wars for it, built cities and towns,” says Cristina Mora, a sociology professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and author of Making Hispanics: How Activists, Bureaucrats and Media Constructed a New American.
Today, there is no arguing that Hispanics are the largest minority in the United States. But the naming controversy has continued over what to call them. Many Americans use the terms Hispanic and Latino interchangeably, but they are not synonyms. The word Hispanic — or Latino — encompasses the 22 nations and territories in North, Central and South America that speak Spanish. But it excludes Brazil, which speaks Portuguese, and Puerto Rico, which has been an American territory since 1899.
The confusion over the name is a reflection of the diversity and complexity of the community. And it underscores how important it is that museums, schools and families continue to educate themselves about the diverse identities, experiences and cultures of Latinos, and how they have shaped the nation’s history and culture.
It’s also a reminder of the need to continue to look for stories and characters that represent Latinos in positive, well-rounded ways. A good place to start is with a family movie night. Choose movies with leads who are Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican or South American to help kids feel seen and heard on the big screen. Or, for a more intimate experience, try listening to podcasts that feature stories from places such as Colombia, ancient Mayan culture or the Puerto Rican diaspora. You can also host a family fiesta to celebrate the many cuisines and customs that come from Latin America and beyond. Make guacamole, make tamales or play a game of loteria, the Latino version of bingo. This is one of the best ways to get kids involved in learning about their Hispanic heritage.