Month recognizes Latino influences
by Diana De Leon, feature editor

    Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, honors the cultural diversity and contributions of people with ancestral ties to many different nations.

   There is no single Hispanic nationality. The term Hispanic was created by the government to bring together a large group.

   The U.S. Census Bureau classifies Hispanics as Americans who trace their ancestry to more than 20 different countries, including Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Spain, the Spanish-speaking countries of Central and South America, the Dominican Republic and other Spanish cultures, regardless of race.

   Hispanic Heritage Month includes Independence Day for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua on Sept. 15, for Mexico on Sept. 16 and for Chile on Sept. 18.

   Census records indicate that Hispanics are the fastest-growing minority group and by the year 2030 will replace blacks as the largest minority group.

   Hispanic Heritage can be traced to Spain’s conquistadors who conquered the Aztecs and explored, mapped, named, colonized and civilized much of the southern and southwestern parts of the United States.

   Long before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, Hispanic civilization was already thriving in the southwestern part of the United States and in Florida.

   Most textbooks focus on the formation of the United States, spending little time on the Spanish colonization period.

   But the influence of Hispanics is visible in every aspect of American life, from the food we eat to the cities we live in.

   We speak Spanish when we order a taco, burrito, enchilada, guacamole and salsa at our favorite restaurant.

   U.S. cities, rivers, states and islands carry Spanish names.

   El Paso (passage) is named as such because it lies between two great mountain ranges, and Las Cruces (crosses), New Mexico, is named for a burial ground of 40 people killed by Apaches.

   Colorado (reddish) received its name for the reddish color of the mud found in the Colorado River. Florida (flowery) supposedly was named for the lush flowers found there.

   The Spaniards brought horses, cattle, ranching and the vaquero (Spanish cowboy), the precursor to the American cowboy, to this country and contributed ranching and farming techniques that are still used today.

   Many notable Hispanics served this country as educators, politicians, scientists, actors, musicians, writers and athletes.

   Jamie Escalante, an educator from Los Angeles made a difference in this country because of the movie Stand and Deliver, based on his contributions to his community.

   In politics, Nydia Velazquez was the first Puerto Rican woman to serve in the House of Representatives while Laura Cavazos was the first Hispanic to occupy a cabinet position as Secretary of Education for the Reagan administration.

   In science, Luis Alvarez won a Nobel Prize in physics for his work with subatomic particles while Severo Ochoa won the Nobel Prize for his work in medicine.

   Notable actors of the past, such as Cesar Romero, Rita Hayworth and Ricardo Montalban, have paved the way for Elizabeth Pena, Martin Sheen, Rosie Perez and Jimmy Smits.

   Notable musicians of old who are still going strong include Cuban-American Gloria Estefan and Mexican-American Carlos Santana. Now dominating the music scene are Puerto Ricans Jennifer Lopez and Enrique Iglesias.

   Hispanic writers of note include Sandra Cisneros, Esmeralda Santiago and Victor Villasenor.

   Recognition of the Hispanic contribution was first noted when a joint resolution was passed in September 1968 by voice vote proclaiming a national Hispanic week.

   In 1988 the week was lengthened to a month, again passing by voice vote only.

   The focus of public awareness today is on illegal immigration, which casts a negative light on those Hispanics with long-standing roots in the United States.

   For political, religious and economic reasons, the Hispanic population will continue to increase, with new immigrants arriving daily.

   Hispanic Heritage Month gives educators an opportunity to promote an awareness of the consistent, vital and continuing influence of a diverse people.