Finally, it's here. The month that celebrates Hispanics and all the contributions we made to this Nation1 The month that also gets rid of institualionalized racism and injustices! America surely knows how to make reparations.
That's what I would say if I lived in a perfect America. We're not in a perfect America, let alone a perfect world. So what's the point of Hispanic Heritage Month if Hispanic/Latinx people are still undervalued in America?
History
Before it was a month, the observation was just a week passed by Congress under President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. 20 years later, President Ronald Regan expanded that week to 20 days starting from September 15th to October 15th. September 15th and the two days that follow mark the independence of countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Belize.
Now was this just a power move to gain more voters or did these two white men in power actually care about Hispanics? Although both Lydon B. Johson and Ronald Regan hold civil rights legacies, they also hold examples of how bigotry persisted in the American government. For example when Lydon. B Johnson went to southern states to discuss civil rights legislation, he referred to it as the "n***** bill" or how Ronald Reagan referred to African delegates as "monkeys".
So was it a power move ... yes. These leaders passed big laws for America that would eventually dismantle Jim Crow and have Hispanic Heritage observed annually, but to remember history is to remember all of history. Not just picking and choosing pieces to make America sound as if we are excluded from any injustice. Enough glorification to the white man when they do the bare minimum.
Hispanic and Latinx
Hispanic refers to anyone who speaks Spanish or is descended from Spanish-speaking countries. Latinx is a non-binary form of Latina and Latino that refers to someone who is from Latin America.
Today
Over time, Hispanic and Latinx people in America have used their voices to let it be known that we are here and we are not going anywhere. There are over 62.6 million people of Hispanic Origin which makes us the largest ethnic minority in the nation.
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed in classrooms all over America, festivals are held weekly, food is shared, dances are taught, and songs are sung.
Donate to organizations in the community
Support a Hispanic/Latinx-owned business
Learn the language
Read books by Hispanic
Besides this short list, there are more ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. One of the most important ways is recognizing that Hispanic/ Latinx people should be celebrated every day of every month, not just Sep.15th - Oct. 18th.
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