Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Well, the first time I wrote this post today, it took me around two hours to complete it.
And the computer glitched and I lost it all. Even customer support couldn’t get it back. Big sigh. Well, it seems fitting that I’ll use my Hispanic heritage resilience to rise above the typical erasure of Hispanic history :)
Take two.
September 15 marked the start of Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States.
For 30 days, there’s a specific focus on amplifying the stories and voices of the millions of Hispanic heritage/Latino/Latina/Latinx people who have made our country and our communities richer, stronger, and more beautiful.
I don’t always know how best to celebrate my own Hispanic heritage as a daughter of an Argentinian immigrant who speaks kitchen Spanish but who enjoys the privileges of being a bilingual white passing citizen. I do know there is a wealth of resources for exploring Hispanic heritage this month, and hopefully for all of us, beyond October 15.
The following is a list of recommended reading, listening, watching, and learning.
Enjoy!
Recommended Reading:
Latino Mennonites by Felipe Hinojosa is an exploration by a Mexican-American anabaptist about the roots of the Hispanic Mennonite Church in the U.S. and it’s influence on the civil rights movement.
Voices of Lament (edited by Natasha Sistrunk Robinson) is a new collection of gut-crying prayers from Black, Indigenous, Asian, and Latina women who show the dominant culture how to grieve and hope with honesty and passion.
Abuelita Faith by Kat Armas will make you look at who we value in the church and why and celebrates the way that Latina comadres (co-mothers) have shaped their families, communities and cultures with faith and wisdom.
Harvest of Empire by Juan Gonzalez is a must-read if you are trying to understand the immigration crises and the history of U.S./ Latin American relationships that have caused them.
Recommended Listening:
Duolingo Podcast is like NPR with a language learning bent. Human interest, history and culture stories are told in intermediate Spanish with English in between for context. I finally found a Spanish-listening practice I really like!
Protagonistas with theologian Kat Armas is a treasure trove of stories from women of color exploring faith, gender, justice, and identity.
Recommended viewing:
Encanto was a hit for its gorgeous visual and incredible soundtrack but for Latinos and Latinas, it is also an exploration of family systems, the effect of trauma on generations, the celebration of multigenerational families and how healing can begin in community.
In the Heights is a visually stunning musical that shares the tension between heritage and dreams, the challenges facing DACA recipients, the effects of gentrification on cities, and the beauty of immigrant communities.
The Graduates follows six students and gives an intimate look at the issues in our educational system, especially for Latino and Latina students.
Building the American Dream is an important and sobering look at the hidden cost of urban sprawl and the treatment of immigrant workers.
Books for Kids: I could write a whole blog post about amazing Hispanic/Latinx literature for kids and teens but there are others who have extensive lists like The Conscious Kid. These are just a very small sampling of books we’ve enjoyed as a family.
Areli is a Dreamer by Areli Morales is a great introduction to Dreamers and immigration for kids, as well as the word illegal and how it affects children who hear it.
Where are You From? by Jaime Kim is a beautiful story of place and identity and love. I appreciated the Argentina connections, especially the mention of Los Madres de La Plaza de Mayo who’ve inspired millions with their grassroots nonviolent protests against their disappearing sons.
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan is a historical, lyrical novel that is a good introduction to the strength and challenges of migrant workers who harvest food.
Digital Resources: Smithsonian learning lab has put together a multimedia, interactive collection that tells the story of 30 inspiring Latinos/Latinas who have shaped the United States. The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino has an interactive project that sheds light on immigration, historical figures, culture and community. You can even take a virtual tour of the exhibit.
On Worship and Church: Sandra Van Opstal, a first generation immigrant, pastora and activist gave an amazing webinar for Mennonite Central Committee last year. It traces the effects of racism on the Latinx community and the complicity of the church.
She also stirs our imagination for diverse worship that moves from hospitality to partnership, an important conversation for Christ-followers who want to co-labor with those who are different from them.
Worship Songs to Stir: Porters Gate and Common Hymnal has beautiful, prophetic worship songs that weave Spanish and English with calls for community, justice, and love.
How will you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month this year? Is there one resource that stood out to you to you’d like to explore? I’d love to hear if you check any of these out or if you have any other recommendations!
