As the country continues to become more diverse, it is important for everyone to have a solid understanding of American Latino history and culture. Whether you identify as Hispanic, Latina, or Latinx, National Hispanic Heritage Month—which runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15—is a time for learning, honoring and celebrating the rich cultures of people from the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America, and their contributions to our society.
Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual observance that began in 1968 and celebrates the history of Hispanic Americans. The term Hispanic is a broad category that encompasses people with roots in the Spanish-speaking countries of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Peru or Venezuela. People with roots in the Caribbean islands of Jamaica, Curacao or the Bahamas also are considered Hispanic.
During the era of colonial exploration and expansion in the Americas, borders changed, and people developed regional and ethnic identities—often at the expense of indigenous populations. As a result of these interactions, Hispanic heritage is broad and complex, and many Hispanic/Latino communities have multiple ancestral origins in the United States and abroad.
For this reason, it’s important to remember that imposing labels like Hispanic or Latino on people is not always helpful. While these terms engender a sense of community and shared history for those who self-identify with them, they can be offensive to some because they are used as racial categories. It is best to ask someone how they prefer to be described, and if they are uncomfortable with the label, respect their choice.
The use of the word Latinx, which has gained popularity in recent years, is an alternative to Hispanic and can be more inclusive. However, it is not without controversy as it erases centuries of pre-Columbian history and marginalizes Afro-Latino communities. The word also may alienate people from Latin America who don’t feel comfortable being lumped into a group that includes Spain, and it excludes countries like Haiti, Jamaica or the Bahamas, which are Spanish-speaking but do not consider themselves to be part of Latin America.
The Library of Congress’s Hispanic Heritage Collection(link is external) features a variety of books and other resources that explore the rich culture of people from these regions. You can also find a wide range of educational resources on the Hispanic Heritage Month website(link is external), including videos, games and activities from the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, Library of Congress, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The upcoming launch of the National Museum of the American Latino will provide an even more extensive resource for exploring the history and experiences of people with roots in the United States, Mexico, Central America and South America.