From Latin America, With Love
n i t a L m o r F erica, Am ove L h t i W
By Levi Herrera
Celebrate the history and significance of Hispanic Heritage Month.
H
ispanic Heritage Month is a 30day celebration to recognize the contributions and importance of Hispanics and Latin Americans in the United States. Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The first day, Sept. 15, is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Mexico celebrates its independence on Sept. 16, but citizens stay up until midnight on Sept. 15. Adding on, Dia de la Raza (Columbus day) is on Oct. 12, with the same 30-day period. The observation started as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson. Two decades later in 1988,
President Ronald Reagan expanded the observation to its current 30-day period. Hispanic Heritage Month is important for U.S.-born citizens to remember the roots of their ancestors. It is important for future generations to know their ethnic background. During these tough political times in the country, when immigration is at the forefront and people of color can feel at risk, Hispanic Heritage Month can remind the public that Latin Americans have worked hard to contribute to this nation. President Donald Trump, along with other political leaders, has described Latin migrants and immigrants as “dangerous” people, and disparaged Latin America. In reality, almost all Latin American
immigrants have contributed to this country in some way. Hispanic Heritage Month does not only celebrate the contributions of celebrities, athletes or political leaders with Hispanic backgrounds. This month is about recognizing every Hispanic who contributes to this country such as: farm workers, teachers who come from undocumented parents, or migrant students who are working hard for a better future. In this 30-day celebration, it does not matter if you’re from North America, Central America or South America. This month, every Latin American should be united and proud of their roots and cultural contributions.
Hispanic Heroes
Hispanic people have made many contributions in the United States. Here are just a few of them.
César Chávez: Created the United Farm Workers of America in order to improve the living and working conditions of farmers in the United States.
20 | THE SUMMIT | OCTOBER 2018
Roberto Clemente: Drew attention to the great talent of Latin Americans in baseball and contributed greatly to humanitarian causes in Latin America.
Sophie Cruz: Now 8 years old, she notably gave Pope Francis a letter during his 2015 visit to the White House, expressing her fears of deportation and the devaluing of immigrant contributions.
Rita Moreno: One of two (the other being Barbra Streisand) female artists to receive an EGOT of all four major entertainment awards: an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony.
By Levi Herrera
Celebrate the history and significance of Hispanic Heritage Month.
H
ispanic Heritage Month is a 30day celebration to recognize the contributions and importance of Hispanics and Latin Americans in the United States. Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The first day, Sept. 15, is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Mexico celebrates its independence on Sept. 16, but citizens stay up until midnight on Sept. 15. Adding on, Dia de la Raza (Columbus day) is on Oct. 12, with the same 30-day period. The observation started as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson. Two decades later in 1988,
President Ronald Reagan expanded the observation to its current 30-day period. Hispanic Heritage Month is important for U.S.-born citizens to remember the roots of their ancestors. It is important for future generations to know their ethnic background. During these tough political times in the country, when immigration is at the forefront and people of color can feel at risk, Hispanic Heritage Month can remind the public that Latin Americans have worked hard to contribute to this nation. President Donald Trump, along with other political leaders, has described Latin migrants and immigrants as “dangerous” people, and disparaged Latin America. In reality, almost all Latin American
immigrants have contributed to this country in some way. Hispanic Heritage Month does not only celebrate the contributions of celebrities, athletes or political leaders with Hispanic backgrounds. This month is about recognizing every Hispanic who contributes to this country such as: farm workers, teachers who come from undocumented parents, or migrant students who are working hard for a better future. In this 30-day celebration, it does not matter if you’re from North America, Central America or South America. This month, every Latin American should be united and proud of their roots and cultural contributions.
Hispanic Heroes
Hispanic people have made many contributions in the United States. Here are just a few of them.
César Chávez: Created the United Farm Workers of America in order to improve the living and working conditions of farmers in the United States.
20 | THE SUMMIT | OCTOBER 2018
Roberto Clemente: Drew attention to the great talent of Latin Americans in baseball and contributed greatly to humanitarian causes in Latin America.
Sophie Cruz: Now 8 years old, she notably gave Pope Francis a letter during his 2015 visit to the White House, expressing her fears of deportation and the devaluing of immigrant contributions.
Rita Moreno: One of two (the other being Barbra Streisand) female artists to receive an EGOT of all four major entertainment awards: an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony.
