September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month.
This year we invite you to be curious and go a little deeper into the heritage and pride months we honor in the United States. This month is Hispanic Heritage Month.
Hispanic Heritage Month does not cover one month but begins in the middle of September and ends in the middle of October. Like many other months, it started as a weeklong celebration in 1968 and expanded to a month 20 years later in 1988. The timeframe of this month is significant because many Central American countries celebrate their independence days within these dates. In the United States, we celebrate this month with a focus on the long, rich history of Latino Americans, which predates Spanish colonization. We recognize the many contributions made to the history and culture of the United States, including important advocacy work, vibrant art, popular and traditional foods, and much more.
The National Museum of the American Latino website is full of wonderful information.
What is the difference between Hispanic and Latino?
From the National Museum of the American Latino website.
Hispanic and Latino are the two most used terms to describe Americans with Latin American and Caribbean ancestry. You may often see these terms used interchangeably, but different people understand and use these terms differently. The National Museum of the American Latino uses the term “Latino” to describe the diverse residents of the United States with cultural or ancestral ties to Latin America or the Caribbean. For many, the term “Latino” also creates room for acknowledging Black, Indigenous, Asian, and other heritages on equal terms with European ancestry. The term “Hispanic” is used to signal a connection to Spain or the Spanish language.
Regardless, it’s important to listen to how people self-identify before making assumptions.
Watch
“I am Latino, but I’m not …” video from BuzzFeed highlights the experiences of some people who identify as Latino and Latina. It’s a short and insightful video. (If you keep watching, BuzzFeed has a lot of great first-person videos on a variety of racial equity, social justice, and human topics.)
Translators, a 20 minute award winning film that can be watched from your desk. It offers a glimpse into the experience of kids translating from English into Spanish for their parents. To say it’s moving is an understatement. It’s also a very common experience for second generation Americans.
Read
Last month’s Be Curious article about Dia de Los Muertos in anticipation of Vibrant falling on this holiday this year. Featured in that article is a link to the Minnesota Historical Society about the rich and longstanding history of Latino Minnesotans.
Make
One Pot Pasta Meal – Remember 2020? We were fortunate to have Chef Bernice Reyes share an easy, family-friendly recipe for our virtual fundraiser. Follow her on Instagram @chef_bernice_reyes. Watch this brief video to make this recipe with her.
Zucchini Salsa (aka Fake Guacamole Recipe) – This recipe takes all those zucchini piling up this time of year and makes it into a fresh delicious salsa. The M.A. Kitchen blog has many delicious Mexican recipes to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Maricruz Avalos Flores is a Mexican cook and photographer living in Italy.
Read all the Valley Outreach Be Curious posts here.
