Hispanic Heritage Month: A time for reflection and appreciation
This is the Our View, prepared by the Editorial Board and should be considered the institutional voice of The Record.
As of six days ago, it is now Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month. As members of The Record’s Editorial Board, we believe it’s important to recognize the significance of the history behind the month, address some important considerations, and highlight a handful of CSB+SJU events that will be held over the next couple of weeks. The rest of this column will be dedicated to that pursuit.
Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968, this month recognizes and celebrates all the wonderful contributions, diverse cultures and immense histories of the American Hispanic and Latino community. It started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week and was later extended to a month in 1988. The celebration begins in the middle of September rather the beginning because it coincides with several indolence days in several Latin American countries such as Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. In addition, Mexico on Sept. 16, followed by Chile on Sept. 18 and Belize on Sept. 21. According to the Pew Research Center, ‘the U.S. Hispanic population reached 62.5 million in 2021, up from 50.5 million in 2010. The 19% increase in the Hispanic population was faster than the nations 7% growth rate…making up nearly one-in-five people in the U.S.,” playing a huge role in driving the U.S. population growth rate over the past few years.
One of the reasons for celebrating or recognizing the role Hispanics and Latinos have played in bettering communities as neighbors, teachers, veterans, teachers and small business owners. This month allows us to recognize all the amazing contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made in our history.
One thing to note that the term “Hispanic” is a blanket term used to describe an array of different communities that are from different countries that are unique from one another, and all bring something to the table. Although many people use the term Latino or Latina interchangeably with Hispanic, it is important to note that these two words mean different things. A Hispanic person is someone who comes from or is a descendant of a Spanish-speaking country. Latino, Latina or Latinx is used when referring to someone who comes from Latin America or is a descendant from any Latin American country. Someone can be both Hispanic and Latino but not all Latinos are Hispanic and not all Hispanics are Latino.
We highly encourage everybody to take advantage of the several events being held on campus in honor of this month. It is a great opportunity to learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month and just the culture in general.
The Institute for Women’s Leadership (IWL), for example, will be holding their annual Bonita Fest event on Sept. 27 at the CSB Amphitheater from 5:30-7 p.m. This is a great event to see different types of performances in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month whether that be by singing a song, coming up with a dance or reciting a poem. Another group on campus, Exploring Latin American Cultures (ELAC) have some fun events planned during this month—a club on campus that focuses on the different aspects of Latin and Hispanic culture. Throughout the school year, there will also be Spanish Masses at Sacred Heart Chapel at St. Ben’s for you to attend.
Whether its Bonita Fest or attending Spanish Mass, we encourage you all to attend these events, continue to expand your knowledge about Hispanic history and culture and uplift our fellow Bennies and Johnnies.