Andrea Diaz
Staff Writer
Representation: the description or portrayal of someone or something in a particular way or as being of a certain nature.
Hispanic Heritage month is dedicated to the representation of Hispanic culture through “celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.”
Hispanic Heritage Month was originally only celebrated for a week, but was expanded to a month under President Reagan’s administration.
It now begins on September 15 and goes until October 15. These dates are important because many Latin American Independence days coincide with the month.
September 15 was chosen as the start date because five Latin countries declared independence that day including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico, Chile and Belize celebrate their independence days on September 16, September 18, and September 21 respectively.
There are many ways to celebrate this month such as: preparing and eating Hispanic food, playing games, watching movies, hosting a charity that donates to Latinx-focused causes and visiting places and exhibits that are centered around the Hispanic culture.
Last year, Idaho State University hosted activities similar to these. Society of the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) and Hispanic Awareness Leadership Organization (HALO) are the two main groups at Idaho State University that are centered around Hispanic culture and awareness and were the organizers of last year’s events.
The organizers held a Hispanic Heritage week in the middle of the month-long celebration that started on September 23 and went on until September 27. The first day of the Hispanic Heritage week the organizers held a taco bar that was open to ISU students, then on September 25 they held a Latinx art show, the next day they held a Loteria night, which is a bingo-like board game, and lastly, they held a movie night.
This year, due to COVID-19, there seem to be fewer events happening. According to the Diversity Resource Center’s flyer, there will be, “events, presentations, and discussions” being held October 5-9, though there are no specifics of what those events will be.
“I would encourage students to get involved with diverse organizations going [beyond] this month, for example, the Hispanic Awareness Leadership Organization, the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics in Science and many others! There are people from many beautiful cultures here at Idaho State and there’s always an opportunity to learn more about them and their traditions,” said Joselynn Castillo, junior and President of SACNAS.
Hispanic Heritage month is an opportunity for people that are unfamiliar with the Latinx culture to learn and experience it. Telling someone about it can be a great opportunity to teach someone about an event that is important to a large portion of the world. Talking about and celebrating this month helps validate Hispanic people. It is a time where we recognize the Hispanic and Latinx soldiers that have contributed to every American war since the American Revolution, when we validate the one in four children that are Hispanic or Latinx in America. It is a time when we experience the food that originates from Hispanic culture, and it is a time when we can experience beauty from the Hispanic culture in many forms such as art, poetry, books, and films.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is important to me because it’s a celebration of not just the noticeable contributions of recognized historical figures that have made an impact on the Hispanic community in the United States but it’s also a recognition to the everyday essential workers like my parents. Lastly, the Hispanic community is so diverse and each brings different things to the table and this month is a way to see the contribution of each,” Castillo said.
“El dolor, el placer y la muerte no son más que un proceso de existencia. La lucha revolucionaria en este proceso es una puerta abierta a la inteligencia.” In English that means, “Pain, pleasure and death are no more than a process for existence. The revolutionary struggle in this process is a doorway open to intelligence,” said Frida Kahlo, a famous Mexican painter.
Hispanic Heritage Month Trivia
1. What year did the then Hispanic Heritage Week begin?
2. What U.S. congressman started Hispanic Heritage Week?
3. Who was the first Hispanic U.S. Supreme Court Justice?
4. Who was the first Hispanic American Medal of Honor Recipient?
5. What year was Frida Kahlo born?
6. Which country hosts the Running of the Bulls each July?
7. What day is Mexico’s Independence Day?
8. What is the name of Robbie Reyes’ alter ego?
9. What author published “The House on Mango Street”?
10. What is the national sport of Colombia?
Find the answers on the Bengal’s Instagram @ISUBENGAL
