As a first generation Honduran-American living in the United States who speaks Spanish, I find it strange that students learn more about Hispanic Heritage month than the culture itself.
I’m well aware that it started as a week-long celebration in 1968 while President Lyndon Johnson was in office. President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a full month twenty years later in 1988. And that today, Hispanic Heritage month is widely celebrated with cultural events, and a variety of foods from different countries. Hispanic Heritage Month honors the resilience and determination of Hispanics and Latinos around the country.
But I’ve always wondered how Hispanic kids feel about Hispanic Heritage Month.
Junior Ana Beatriz Coreas Vargas is part of Riverside’s dance and orchestra program. She was born in the United States and speaks fluent spanish. Her parents are both from El Salvador. She travels there often to visit friends and family and connect with her culture. Her favorite foods are Pupusas and Pan de Coco.
Ana feels that Durham celebrates Hispanic and Latino culture like it should.
“There are many festivals around the city that celebrate the different countries being free and independent,” she said.
Riverside, however, relies on a single club, and could do much more. With as many Hispanic and Latino Riverside students as there are, she wishes there would be more representation in the school community.
“It really just depends on how the people in the Destino club celebrate it,” she said. “That is basically all that the Riverside community does.”
Senior Franklin Rivas-Prudencio is a member of the orchestra and yearbook staff. Like Ana, He was born in the United States and speaks fluent spanish. Franklin’s parents are from El Progreso, one of the biggest industrial cities in Northern Honduras.
Franklin feels that the school celebrates Hispanic/Latino culture once a year, during Hispanic Heritage Month, but after that seems to simply “forget” about it.
“I don’t hear much talk about Hispanics unless it’s Hispanic Heritage Month,” he said. “All I saw last year was a poster Destino Success made with flags of different countries, traditional clothing, and popular foods.”
To Franklin, Hispanic Heritage Month means a lot. It shows his parents’ sacrifice for him to live in the country with many opportunities.
“Hispanic Heritage Month represents the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Central and South America.”
The Riverside Community needs to work more on developing and including activities relating to Hispanic Heritage, in and out of the designated month. We need to focus on creating a place beyond Destino Success where Hispanic/Latino students feel included and appreciated.
Spanish teacher Claudia Ballon Morales is organizing a social event where everyone can learn about each other’s countries and traditions.
“There will be a gallery with all Hispanic/Latino countries, my students will be at each station giving information about each country.”
Morales is a native from Peru. Her goal is to showcase and educate people about different cultures and traditions.
“My students and I will bring food for guests to try while attending the event. There will be a raffle on traditional souvenirs and music from different countries. ”
We need to focus on creating a place beyond Destino Success where Hispanic/Latino students feel included and appreciated.
