Hispanic Heritage Month is reflected through rich culture and pride.
Delmarina Lopez. By Delmarina Lopez
Chicopee High School
Latinos are not only defined by the ability to speak Spanish and/or the enjoyment of a rich plate of rice and beans with fried pork chops, rather we Latinos are identified by our rich culture and united spirit.
To be a true Latino, the Latino culture must be alive in your heart, and present in your mind, spirit, and soul — the culture must be reflected in you.
A Latino is not ashamed of their culture, language and people, but is proud to be a part of this great Latino community represented not only in America but throughout the entire world.
Hispanic Heritage Month began as Hispanic Heritage week in 1968 and became Hispanic Heritage Month some 20 years later, in 1988, through the efforts of former President Ronald Reagan. Hispanic Heritage Month is not only a tribute but recognition to the Latino community in The United States of America.
This month recognizes Latinos who made a great impact in our society throughout the years and allows Latinos all over America to embrace their culture and demonstrate to others the importance and value of their strong roots and culture.
The Latino community consists of strong family values, unity and love for our diverse homelands. Whether you are Puerto Rican, Dominican, Honduran, Cuban, Colombian, Ecuadorian, etc., each Latino has their own story.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, I was taught how to love, by my grandmother; how to cook, by my mother; and how to embrace being of Taino Indian decent, by my culture.
Puerto Rican culture consists of heartfelt music and dance, when dancing is not just movement, but it is feeling the music and letting the music take control of your movements. To us Boricuas, as well as other Latinos, dancing is a connection between our heart, the drum and our hips.
As Latinos, our strong musical influence is demonstrated through our love and appreciation of salsa, merengue, bachata, and reggaeton; among many well-known Latino music genres.
Latinos are well known for our extravagant cuisine which consists of delectable flavors and spices, as well as the pure love that is displayed through our cooking. To us, Latinos, cooking is an art embraced by house wives and grandmothers.
It is an art that can never be replicated and requires skill, preciseness, and passion. Cooking is a mother’s way to nourish her children, a grandmother’s way to spoil her grandchildren, a wife’s way of taming the love of her husband, and occasionally a husband’s attempt to forgiveness.
We Latinos have a very strong foundation and believe strongly in what we stand for. We are vigorous workers, tireless parents, and embrace our beliefs or disbelieves in an unyielding manner.
We hold strong to our ground and refuse to be pushed around by those whom are disagreeing. Our family ties are unbreakable and our cultural bonds will forever prevail.
Being Latino is not only an honor but a treasure. As Latinos, we must embrace our culture and our cultural background. As Boricuas, we must embrace our Taino ancestry and never forget where we came from.
Our culture will live on forever, we have left a permanent footprint in what has become America today, and will continue to be a major part of what this country is truly about. Although we live in America, we are Latinos, and our culture lives in our hearts.
May our culture live on forever and may our tenacious cultural ties never fade.
Que Vivan Los Latinos!