Celebrating Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month
Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month is observed from September 15-October 15 to spotlight and celebrate the lives, lineage, and accomplishments of Hispanic/Latinx/o/ae peoples. September 15 commences Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month because these dates encompass many significant events for the Latin countries such as the anniversaries of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua on September 15, Mexico on September 16 (no, it’s not Cinco de Mayo), and Chile on September 18. Additionally, some parts of Mexico and other Latin countries celebrate Día de la Raza on October 12. This month should be especially important to us Californians because Mexican and Central American cultures are inextricable from the fabric of our state.
Originally this month was named Hispanic Heritage month, but in some areas has since changed to Latino, then Latinx Heritage Month to include non-Spanish speaking Latin countries and to be gender inclusive; different folks identify with different words. We acknowledge the vastness of Latinx culture and experiences that are sometimes unseen due to monolithic representations of Latin peoples. Therefore, we uplift the stories, histories, and identities of ALL Latinx people, including those that identify as Indigenous and Afro-Latinx.
Finally, while we take this occasion to celebrate the full range of US-born and immigrant Latinx identities, we affirm the richness and centrality of historical and present-day migration to USAmerican Latinx experience. Especially in a current political context where some state governments are engaging in racist actions that many are calling human trafficking in order to score what they think are political points by harming and exploiting immigrant families, we at BayLegal are reminded of the ongoing critical, need for immigration legal services and stand by our commitment to immigration justice.
This Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, we invite readers to explore some ways to intentionally honor Latinx peoples—a few suggestions include:
- Attend Hispanic/Latinx Heritage month events
- Support Latinx businesses in the Bay Area
- Listen to Latinx voices in these podcasts
- Follow these Latinx creators: Eliana Chinea, Miss Abolition, AsIf.Tv, Latino Rebels, Your Latina Nutritionist
- Recruit/connect with Latinx professionals: Here and Here
- Access immigration legal resources
- Support Latino-led, Latinx focused organizations