When we look around us, we see people from diverse culture backgrounds. It is fascinating to see how others around us share recipes from home, dances, music and other important traditions they bring from their home country. Here in the U.S., we have many diverse cultures, but the one that is currently being highlighted from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month.
Many of us are familiar with some of the customs that are shared from South America, all the way to North America. However, many of us wonder how it came to or why we celebrate this important milestone.
In many Latin American countries, independence from Spain and Great Britain became a cry of freedom from the long reign of these countries. For many Latinos, this is very important as it meant being able to create their own image but to also show the challenges they overcame as a whole country.
The richness of the roots many Latinos come from is something they cherish a lot because they are proud to represent their country wherever they go. Here in the United States, an estimated 19% of Latinos make up the U.S. population, making them the largest ethnic minority in the country ,and about only a 17% makes up the U.S. workforce. That alone is a large percentage within the States. These facts are only the tip of the iceberg of what else lies underneath, but one thing is certain. Being able to just celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month across the states in the U.S is one way to show our support to the Latino community.
This year, NW’s Bridge Center put on a movie night for everyone on campus to see. One key movie that highlights heritage is “In The Heights,” directed by Lin Manuel Miranda. This upbeat musical film showcased a variety of music and dances but also highlighted the struggles Latinos face. For many, this movie is something that hits close to home as they have had family members or even themselves face struggles. It shows us how many left home in order to pursue a dream in another country. For many, they know it as “El Sueño Americano” (The American Dream), where they come in hopes of living a better life. However, they must leave their motherland in order to live somewhere new. So many challenges arise, from learning a new language, customs, and even being legal to live in another place.
For many, being able to speak up about where they come from, their culture and why they leave home is very important to them. It means that they have to leave home behind in order to give themselves and even their children a new chance at life.
Although they face many obstacles one thing is for certain. They are proud of their roots, and to be able to say “I came from my motherland, and I am here to stay” because they pour so much time, and effort into everything they do.
That is why, we must help them also lift up their voices, and to help them celebrate who they are as individuals, learn about their culture and help them wave their flag in the air with pride. So let us keep helping them raise their voice so that everyone knows that they are here, and that they are proud Latinos despite the challenges they faced along their paths because at the end of the day, all that effort pays off and is rewarding.
