Happy Latinx Heritage Month! The dates of this month-long celebration, spanning from September 15 to October 15, were thoughtfully chosen to coincide with the Independence Days of several Latin American countries. The first day of Latinx Heritage Month is the anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico’s Independence Day falls on September 16th, and Chile celebrates its independence on September 18th.
It is important to recognize that officially, most people use Hispanic Heritage Month to denote this month’s celebration. However, “Hispanic” does not accurately represent the diversity of races, cultures, and indigenous languages in the Latinx community. The term “Hispanic” refers to descendants of Spanish-speaking countries. The term “Latinx” is a gender-neutral term that refers to someone who comes from or is a descendant of Latin America. People can be both Hispanic and Latinx, however, not all Latinos are Hispanic.
Latinx Heritage Month is not a monolithic celebration but a recognition of the incredible diversity within Latinx communities. Latinx people in the United States represent a mosaic of cultures, languages, and traditions originating from countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain.
Latinx Heritage Month serves as a vital reminder of the importance of diversity and inclusion in American society. It’s a time to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of Latinx communities and to deepen our understanding of their rich and unique heritage. By celebrating Latinx culture this month and beyond, we can foster a more inclusive and harmonious society that values the beauty in our differences.
Local Latinx Heritage Events In Long Beach and Surrounding Communities:
Afro-Latino Culture Fest: Hosted by comedian Gadiel Del Orbe and actress Isadora Ortega, this event is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will take place at The Douglas F. Dollarhide Community Center in Compton.
The Museum of Latin American Art: This year, in honor of Latinx Heritage Month, the Museum of Latina American Art (MOLAA) is holding various virtual lectures and tours through their Latinx Heritage Programming.
Latinx Heritage Month at LBCC: Join Long Beach City College in celebrating the Latina/o/x culture through a series of wonderful events all throughout the month of September and October.
For more information and resources related to Latinx Heritage Month,
including valuable insights on mental health topics within the Latinx community, please explore this resource created by our Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee and our TeachersPayTeachers Page.
