Honoring my Hispanic heritage

Did you know that National Hispanic Heritage Month is the period from September 15 to October 15 that recognizes the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the United States and celebrates Hispanic heritage and culture? Well now you do =)

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week was approved by President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15th and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988 on the approval of Public Law 100-402.

“September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. They all declared independence in 1821. In addition, Mexico, Chile and Belize celebrate their independence days on September 16, September 18 and September 21, respectively. ” – From Wikipedia

Why am I sharing this info with you? Well unless someone sees my last name, people don’t know that I can claim Hispanic heritage.  Just based on appearance most people assume I’m a African American women.

For the most part this is true…I live and identify as a black women with a mix of West Indian and American culture. Yet this same cultural mix is infused with Hispanic elements. Oddly enough even though I’m considered West Indian I was born in South America right next to Venezuela and Brazil.  My food, music, dress and way of thinking has subtle influences by these cultures.  If I was still living in Guyana this would be accepted without a second thought.  We’re all mixed with something over there.

But living here in America, a person’s heritage and background determines how other relate to them. If your from such and such group your treated like this, if your from the other group then your treated like that.

I of course tended not to care how people try to group me based on my last name or my appearance.  I know when job hunting my last name has opened doors for with some people.  I know when apartment hunting my last name has stopped me from getting an apartment.  I see the way other Hispanic people treat me because my last name indicates we share a culture…even when we have nothing else in common.

I’m not embarrassed to admit I don’t speak any of the Spanish languages, know any of the Hispanic history or even check the Hispanic box on forms.  It’s not a matter of being ashamed but my family just didn’t raised me Hispanic.   Still, this month I honor my Hispanic heritage in memory of my 2x great-grandmother. The women in my family pass down our family history via stories and the ones of her have always been one of love and kindness.  I’d like to think I have some of her traits as well as last name.

I also honor my heritage on behalf of my son who now carries my maiden Hispanic last name instead of a Korean one from his father.  I’m sure when he grows up he’ll have to explain why an Asian looking guy has a Spanish last name. I hope after sharing the stories of his 4x great-grandmother he’ll be proud to claim that part of his heritage also.

Tagged as: diversity, multiracial families, National Hispanic Heritage Month, Politics, Spanish heritage