During Hispanic Heritage Month, the nation marks the contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking countries of Central and South America. Hispanic Americans, who make up the fastest growing minority group in the United States, contribute to every aspect of life, from government, education and business to sports and culture.
Hispanic Heritage – What It Is, What it Means and Where to Find It
For many, Hispanic Heritage Month is about celebrating and learning more about their family’s history and their ancestry. It’s also about bringing together friends and families, sharing meals and dancing to Latin music.
Hispanics come from more than 20 Latin American countries including Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay and Peru. The 62 million Hispanics living in the United States share a common heritage and a diverse set of experiences that shape their lives, cultures, languages and values.
The term Hispanic is often used interchangeably with Latino, but it can be confusing to some people, especially those who are new to the United States or don’t know much about their ancestry. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Hispanic population is a rapidly growing group, and its numbers are projected to increase by nearly 3 percent each year through 2050.
While there are several ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, the most important thing is to acknowledge the history of Hispanics in the United States. This includes learning about their ancestry and promoting positive representation of them in the media, as well as highlighting the contributions they make to the country’s economy and culture.
It’s important to recognize the diversity of the Hispanic community, not only in terms of their language and culture, but also in terms of their political beliefs, religion and social and economic standing. There are many organizations that serve the needs of Latinos, such as ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting) or HACU (Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities).
Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity for students to learn about their culture and explore their own identities. Libraries can support this by displaying posters, using culturally relevant books or creating an artifact showcase to display personal or family heritage materials.
This year’s Hispanic Heritage Month has been a big one for Pitt students and staff. As a celebration of this event, the University is hosting a Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Artifact Showcase to collect and display artwork, writing and song related to the heritage. This will be on display through October 23 and is open to the public.
For students interested in exploring their heritage, the Ethnic Diversity Source is an excellent resource. It provides full-text journals, magazines, e-books and primary source documents. This database will help students better understand the histories, traditions and cultural impacts of Hispanics in America.
The Hispanic Heritage Month Libguide, developed by ULS faculty, highlights resources and initiatives to celebrate the month. It also provides links to additional resources and websites.