September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month (NHHM). During this month each year, we celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans who have ancestors from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Hispanic Heritage Week started in 1968 and was expanded to 30 days in 1988. The designated dates in September and October are significant because they correspond with the independence of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile.
Our Communities Matter
By highlighting and celebrating the significance of national history and heritages, we honor the multiple identities and vast experiences of people in our workforce and across our nation. Throughout our work at Illinois Extension, we use multiple terminologies from state and national data sources to better understand all the communities we serve. In celebration of this month, here are a few:
- “Hispanic refers to a person with ancestry from a country whose primary language is Spanish.” Hispanic is a term that tells us about language.
- “Latino and its variations refer to a person with origins from anywhere in Latin America (Mexico, South and Central America) and the Caribbean.” Latino is a term that tells us about geography.
- Latino/Latina/Latinx are gendered forms of the same word. Since Spanish is a gendered language, an “x” is added to provide a gender-neutral alternative.
Terminologies are complex. The history and association of these terms may differ from person to person. For example, the term Latinx as an alternative is widely used, but words don’t naturally end with an “x’’ sound in Spanish. It is essential to continue expanding our knowledge, awareness, and understanding as we work toward a work culture of belonging.
Support a Culture of Belonging
Belonging is a feeling that is associated with being valued, included, supported, and connected. The feeling of belonging allows staff to bring their true and authentic self into professional spaces. Belonging to Illinois Extension also means having our community members, partners, and other stakeholders represented in many aspects of our work (e.g., marketing, strategic planning, and program delivery). As we wrap up celebrations for NHHM, the work continues, and learning more about the interconnection between cultural identities and histories increases our opportunities to effectively serve our communities in Illinois.
Image Credit
Unsplash | Shane Lei