Honoring the Hispanic Heritage; a month of celebration

By Alliyah Maduro
September 28, 2018

Latin countries and the color of their flags. WikipediaCommons/AlexR.L.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a month to honor the Hispanic community, andcelebrate all of their accomplishments and culture. Parents have sacrificed their lives to give their children a better life than they had. Many people have migrated in hopes to have a better life than they did in their homeland. Hispanics take a lot of pride from their roots, and like to share their families hard work and dedication with others.

“I am very proud to be Latina. It is what has shaped me into the person I am today, and I wish to share it with more people,” Guadalupe Mendez, junior political science major, said.

Hispanic Heritage Month originated on Sept. 17, 1968. At first, it was only a week-long celebration, but in 1988 that all changed. Former President Ronald Reagan decided that it should be a month-long celebration rather than just a week. Hispanic Heritage Month begins Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. This is not only a month celebration in the United States, but also in Latin America and Canada. The 15th was specifically chosen because it is the Independence Day of three Latin American countries such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

“I celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month as if it was any other day since my daily life is filled with the heritage of my ancestry and year-round.,” Alex Sanchez,  junior pyschology major and president of Pura Vida, said.

A dish from the Mexican Independence Day Festival. Photo submitted by Renin Broadnax

There are many activities around the nation during this period in order to honor the Hispanic community. Some of the events that take place around the Philadelphia area are; Mexican Independence Day Festival, Puerto Rican Day Parade and Feria del Barrio. Many Cabrini students got the opportunity to attend the Mexican Independence Day Festival on Sept. 16. They were able to learn more about the Hispanic community and culture.

“I would like people to know that our culture is so much more than what the media portrays,” Mendez said.

At these events, you are able to enjoy the Latin music, eat Latin food, wear your flag with honor and learn the meaning of being Hispanic.

“Being Latino means that family is at the center of my life and that time is spent interacting with people is the greatest blessing we can have,” Sanchez said.

North Philadelphia after the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Photo submitted by Alliyah Maduro

Specifically, at the Puerto Rican Day parade, many celebrities and musicians gather at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to enjoy performances by youth groups, see beautiful floats and much more. The Puerto Rican Day Parade is held on Sunday, Sept. 30. On Sunday, Sept. 23, at the Feria del Barrio event, people gathered on the streets of North Philadelphia to celebrate art, music, dance and to spread what it is like to be Hispanic.

“I also try to speak about my culture every chance that I get, not only in September,” Mendez said.

Over the years, statistics have shown that Hispanics make up at least 17.3 percent of the U.S population. The speculations are that by 2060 the Hispanic population will be at least 119 million, meaning that Hispanic Heritage Month will grow even bigger as the years pass.

“Our culture has so much to offer and if people took a few moments in their lives to ask questions, I’m sure there’s a lot to learn and love about it,” Sanchez said.

Attending these events throughout the month is a great way to learn and educate yourself on a different culture. Hispanics are very proud of their journey, stripes and roots.

“Being Hispanic too me means that I get to enjoy the culture, language and the traditions,” Mendez said.

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Alliyah Maduro

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