As you may be aware, this is National Hispanic Heritage Month in the US (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15). I realize it's hard to keep up with all the "special months" -- cancer awareness, women's awareness, tree awareness, eggplant awareness...but hey, I'm a Spanish teacher, among other things, so this is a month I like to pay attention to.
According to the latest numbers, there are almost 60 million people in the United States who identify as Latino, making them the second largest ethnic group in the country.
But what is the difference between Hispanic and Latino?
Great question! The former is easy: Hispanic simply means speaking Spanish as one's first language. The latter, Latino, means having one's roots in Latin America. So Spaniards are Hispanics but not Latinos. Not only do Latinos originate in Spanish-speaking Latin American countries, but Brazilians, who speak Portuguese, are also considered Latinos.
The celebration of this mighty and influential culture (or group of cultures) began in 1968 when President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed Hispanic Heritage Week. Then twenty years later President Ronald Reagan increased it to a full month.
The Sept., 15 start date is significant because it is the date when a number of Latin American countries, including Mexico, celebrate their independence. (Many Americans mistakenly believe el cinco de mayo is Mexican Independence Day; it is actually Sept. 16, heralded the night before by the ringing of the giant bell in the Palacio Nacional by the president, attended by tens of thousands crying "¡Viva México!" Watch a brief video of this year's Grito here.)
This is a chance to recognize the incredible role our Hispanic friends have played in building this country. While we celebrate those who have gone before, such as groundbreaking baseball legend Roberto Clemente, farmers' rights champion Cesar Chavez, and entertainment icons Desi Arnaz and Tito Puente, we must also recognize these and so many others have had to overcome serious odds to achieve what they have.
You can read President Biden's Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation here.
This is a great time to mention the new musical movie, "In the Heights." In case you're unfamiliar with it, "the Heights" is short for Washington Heights, a mostly Latino New York City barrio. Based on the stage musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda (of "Hamilton" fame) with wonderful music and choreography, it's a window into Hispanic life in the US, the challenges they face, and the vibrancy of their culture(s).
What Latino(s) or Latina(s) would you like to honor? Leave your comment aquí!