Hispanic Heritage Month is a month-long celebration to honor the culture and history of those who have Spanish-speaking roots. It’s a time to celebrate all things Hispanic and Latino, from music and art to food and family traditions.
Hispanic and Latino heritage is a rich mix of cultures from throughout the world that has contributed to the United States in many ways. It is important to understand the impact these cultures have had on the country in order to celebrate and respect them.
The history of Hispanic and Latino heritage is complex and often contested. Some of the biggest questions surrounding this identity group are: “Is it possible to lump together 62 million people with complex identities under one umbrella?” and “Should we use the term ‘Hispanic’ to identify people from a variety of origins?”
While Hispanic heritage is a great opportunity to show appreciation for Hispanic people, it’s also a great time to examine race-based racism and discrimination that still exists in this country. Despite decades of efforts to reduce racism, it is still prevalent in many parts of the nation.
As a result, racial justice work is still needed and it’s important to address it in order to make sure all people can have access to healthcare, housing, transportation, education, employment, and healthy food. As part of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Office of Minority Health (OMH) encourages communities to use this week as a way to promote health equity and address inequities.
This week is also a great opportunity to share the Hispanic Heritage Report Card, which shows how your county stacks up on important issues related to health. This report card highlights social vulnerability and COVID-19, two health equity challenges that affect Hispanic/Latino communities across the country.
The Hispanic Heritage Report Card can help you identify a number of local health inequities that you can address with your community by working together to make change. This tool will help you to understand how your county is doing compared to the rest of the country, and then you can share this information with your local leaders in order to make healthier changes in your area.
Incorporating hispanic heritage into your workplace is a great way to recognize and appreciate the unique cultural contributions Hispanic people have made to this country. Whether it is through hosting a potluck or organizing a dance class, you can make your company a more inclusive place for everyone to work.
Hispanic and Latino Heritage Events & Activities are an excellent way to celebrate your company’s diversity and include your employees in the festivities. There are plenty of great Hispanic events to participate in across the country, so be sure to check them out and plan a day of fun with your employees!
Some of the best places to celebrate Hispanic heritage are museums and historic sites. For instance, in Chicago, you can visit the Pilsen neighborhood and see murals depicting Mexican heroes, or you can check out the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture in nearby Lincoln Park.