By Dahlia Alanis, Staff Writer
The last two weeks of September and first two weeks of October make up National Hispanic American Heritage month, a celebration of the history, culture, and contributions that originated in countries including Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South Americas.
As someone that is a part of this community, I appreciate getting the opportunity to share my culture and heritage with others. There is a reason as to why this celebration starts on Sept. 15 and ends Oct. 15. Sept. 15 marks the independence anniversary of multiple countries:Costa Rica, Nicargua, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala. The following days mark the independence day of Mexico and Chile . Also, during this time period, Columbus Day or Dia de la Raza is on Oct. 12.
Many don’t really know the difference between Hispanic and Latin. Many believe that they are the same thing when in reality they really aren’t. A Hispanic person is someone that comes from or is a descendant of a Spanish speaking country. Latino/a is someone who originates from Latin America or is a descendant from a Latin American country. A person can be both Hispanic and Latino/a but not all Latinos are Hispanic.
There are a lot of local celebrations within the Hispanic community. People from these different Hispanic or Latin countries celebrate in different ways. Some people use this time to show the influence and importance of Hispanics by donating to charities. They also eat food that originates from the country being celebrated, learn from cultures, and even honor influential people who made an impact on society.
There was a parade held in the Chicago area that offered beautiful and spectacular displays of culture. So many people appeared to watch the parade that it was difficult to find parking. Even so, large groups of people still gathered to watch with pride as people dressed in traditional clothing appeared dancing in the street, and men with musical instruments playing ethnic music. People rode in cars wearing Quincenera dresses, displaying a rainbow of colors. Men on horses would be displaying flags of all Hispanic descent. Parade goers, especially the children, received treats and toys.
My family and I make traditional food such as tamales, pozole, and empanadas. We tell stories of how hard my grandparents worked to come to America to live a better life. It’s a celebration to be who I am as a Mexican American. I am proud to be a part of this community. It’s important to know where one comes from to know how hard their ancestors worked for us to live a better life.