Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month celebrates the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans on America’s culture, history and achievements. Many are using it as a way for them to connect to their culture through various programs.
The month begins on Sept. 15, as it coincides with national independence days in several Latin American countries — Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, followed by Mexico on Sept. 16, Chile on Sept. 18 and Belize on Sept. 21 — and ends on Oct. 15. Annually, the month is celebrated nationwide to honor the histories, cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latinx Americans.
IU’s La Casa Latino Cultural Center partnered with multiple organizations on and off campus with a mix of online and in-person programming. Many Latinx student organizations on campus have also had their own events.
“Because it starts at the beginning of the school year, it's a really wonderful way for people to get engaged, not only with La Casa but our different partners for programming,” La Casa Director Lillian Casillas said. “It’s a way of them to learn what’s available and where are the places for people in the community to connect to.”
IU senior Salvador Garcia, vice president of the Vicious Valhalla Chapter of Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity Inc., said he looks forward to the month each year as he learns more about himself through his culture.
“The month makes me feel good because, to me, my identity is something I’m recently discovering so something like Latinx month makes me feel included and seen,” he said.
Garcia recently attended the Salón Latino Chamber Music Series: Cantata Popular Santa María De Iquique. It included a performance of “Santa María de Iquique”, a folk music-inspired cantata written by Chilean composer, Luis Advis, in 1969 to commemorate the tragic events of a miner’s strike that took place in 1907.
“Events like Cantata Popular tell us stories that need to be shared all around. These stories describe our culture and way of life,” Garcia said.
La Casa Latino Cultural Center still has many events left for students to attend, including keynote speaker Gabby Rivera. Rivera is the writer of the Marvel series America—featuring the first queer, Latinx teen-girl superhero. For more programming information, check out their site.
