Jordan Coll/ Contributing Writer
With Hispanic Heritage Month days away, a feeling of pride and warmth leans towards the
Hispanic-American community.
This national celebration takes into account American citizens whose ancestry can be traced back to Spain, Mexico, Central and South America, including the Caribbean.
Being Hispanic myself, I take tremendous pride in representing a culture far greater than myself.
As a child I remember taking a trip during the summer to Cali, Colombia.
Just hearing the streets being flooded with live salsa and Latin jazz generated a sense of admiration in the Latin roots I carried.
I relate this feeling of ownership in one’s culture to Hispanic Heritage Month because it serves as a moment in which Hispanics can show a part of their identity as Latinos.
Hispanic Heritage Month “pays tribute to the generations of Hispanic-Americans who
have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society,” according to the official National Hispanic Heritage Month website.
At the moment, almost a fifth of the total U.S. population is Hispanic, according to the PEW Research Center.
At a population of 57 million, they are the second-fastest growing racial or ethnic group behind Asians.
Meaning that they’re a force that should not be underestimated.
However, people might question the purpose of this country celebrating a heritage foreign from their own. People might even go out of their way to question the contributions made by Hispanic figures celebrated throughout this month.
The truth is, this nation carries on its shoulders the legacy of immigrants. By celebrating this month, we’re collectively acknowledging other ways of living differently from our own. This sets a stance of community, partnership and most importantly, family.
This is everything Hispanic Heritage month inherently stands for.
With so much controversy on immigration, you would assume President Donald Trump would have enacted a law prohibiting the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
But it doesn’t seem like this is the case.
The Smithsonian Institute located in Washington., D.C. has already opened up a display
exhibition of Mexican-American entertainer, Selena, showcasing her costumes at the National Museum of American History.
I’m fully convinced that this month will be monumental for Hispanics because of the overwhelming adversity and stigma labeled on Hispanics.
This is a moment in history where instead of responding to these cultural microaggressions
with a level of hate, we show what it truly means to be Hispanic!
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The opinions presented within this page do not represent the views of PantherNOW Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing writers and/or members of the University community.
Photo by The COM Library on Flickr.
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