Hola friends of the global majority!
This past weekend was the start of an exciting month for Latine communities. I’m sure there are events happening near you, virtually, and even by your own organizations to celebrate the start of Latine Heritage Month. We’ve written a brief history of the month and provided some links to learn more about some important figures and moments in culture. If you have any more sources, please share them with us in the replies. There is so much more out there. Also, share this information with your own organization if you don’t have any internal and/or external messaging about the month. And of course, go support your local Latine food spots. Always great to enjoy culture through food, am I right?
Viva!
History Lesson
Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) takes place from September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community.
Beginning in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month was originally observed as “Hispanic Heritage Week”, but it was later extended to a month in 1988. Since then, HHM has been celebrated nationwide through festivals, art shows, conferences, community gatherings, and much more. The month also celebrates the independence days of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua on September 15th, Mexico on September 16th, and Chile on September 18th. They also include holidays recognizing Hispanic contributions, such as Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship Day, celebrated in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In 2020, the U.S. Hispanic population was an estimated 62 million out of the total U.S. population of 331.4 million.
We know that just one descriptor can hardly capture the spirit and cultures of so many people who descend from a vast geography that includes present-day Southwestern U.S. states to the southernmost tip of South America and nearly every present-day country and island in between. This is why you'll see many different ways in which people describe themselves and their heritage. You'll see the terms Latina, Latino, and their non-gendered versions, Latine and Latinx. You might also see people identify as Hispanic, Chicano, Tejano, Taino, Isleños, Boricua, Afro-Latino, in addition to the many more terms used for people who have families and ancestors in the 22 nations and territories that comprise Latin America.
Documentaries to watch this Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month (on PBS)
Bulls and Saints | POV | Sep. 18
Sansón and Me | Independent Lens | Sep. 19
Becoming Frida Kahlo | Sep. 19
Uyra - The Rising Forest | POV | Sep. 25
36th Hispanic Heritage Awards | Sep. 29
A Song for Cesar | American Masters | Sep. 29
When it’s Good, it’s Good | POV Shorts | Oct. 5
José Clemente Orozco: Man of Fire | American Masters | Oct. 7
El Equipo | Independent Lens | Oct.
U.S. Department of Education (https://sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/national-hispanic-heritage-month/)
Hispanic Heritage Month https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/
PBS https://www.pbs.org/articles/celebrate-hispanic-heritage-month/
Thanks, Carlos for the excellent post. Thank you for including the additional posts from PBS.
Thank you Carlos! I shared your post with my organization.