Region South Celebrates
National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic American Heritage Month
LAUSD and Region South are paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.
“Poetry,” the Mexican Nobel winning writer Octavio Paz reminds us, is a “suspension bridge between history and truth.” For this reason, one of the most meaningful ways to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month may be to lend our unwavering attention to verse.
It’s important to know that poets have pondered feelings and questions and even answers. One such poet is 20th century Mexican poet Octavio Paz. Paz offers a wonderful way to let us know, and to let our children know, that we are never alone.
BROTHERHOOD by Octavio Paz
I am a man: little do I last
and the night is enormous.
But I look up:
the stars write.
Unknowing I understand:
I too am written,
and at this very moment
someone spells me out.
For more about the poem BROTHERHOOD click here.
Why Hispanic Celebration Month Begins on September 15
It may seem odd for National Hispanic Heritage Month to start in the middle of September and end in the middle of October. But there is a good reason for the September 15 kick-off date.
Several Latin American countries observe their Independence Day on this date. They include El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, all of which are located in Central America.
To the north, Mexico celebrates Independence Day on September 16, and to the south, Chile commemorates its sovereignty on September 18. Finally, Dia de la Raza — a decolonized alternative to Columbus Day celebrated by Mexico and Chile — occurs on October 12.
On August 8, 2009, Sonia Sotomayor became the third woman, the first woman of color, and the first Hispanic to serve on the Supreme Court.
Born on June 25, 1954 in The Bronx in New York City, Sonia Sotomayor overcame personal and professional adversity to become the first woman of color and Latina member of the Supreme Court of the United States. The child of Puerto Rican-born parents, Sotomayor grew up in a South Bronx tenement and the blue collar Bronxdale Houses housing project. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1961 and lost her father two years later. Through watching the television series Perry Mason, she dreamed of becoming a lawyer. As she stated, “I was going to college and I was going to become an attorney, and I knew that when I was ten…That’s no jest”.
During National Hispanic Heritage Month, a celebration of the cultures, achievements, and contributions of Hispanic and Latin Americans. One of the ways to celebrate is with music. Musical styles can tell you a lot about a culture because they develop from its history, society, traditions, and the music of surrounding cultures. For example, Hispanic and Latin American musical styles share many cultural influences, such as those from indigenous groups like the Maya, Aztecs, and Inca; from European and Arab traditions of Spain and Portugal; and from the people of African nations, who were enslaved and brought to the Americas. These are just some of the influences that have created the vibrant and rhythmic Hispanic and Latin American music we know today.
Quimbara (1974)
Written by Junior Cepeda
Performed by Celia Cruz and Johnny Pacheco
Afro-Cuban American artist Celia Cruz and Dominican American musician, composer, and producer Johnny Pacheco met on the New York salsa scene and collaborated throughout their careers. In 1974, they recorded the album Celia & Johnny and the hit salsa song “Quimbara.” The song is a Cuban rumba, a genre of music based on African music and dance. The high-energy song’s style is recognizable in its prominent use of percussion and brass instruments.
Composed by Puerto Rican Junior Cepeda, “Quimbara” became Cruz’s “signature hit” and cemented her place as the “Queen of Salsa.” She received numerous honors, including a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal and induction into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame in 1999, and she influenced countless artists. Pacheco, who died in 2021, was recognized throughout his career for his contributions to Latin music and was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame in 1998. In 2014, the Library of Congress selected Celia & Johnny for preservation in the National Recording Registry.
For Hispanic Heritage Month check out the book “My Name is Celia – The Life of Celia Cruz” by Monica Brown. This story takes you through the life of the famous Celia Cruz. Everything that she lived through and what she had to overcome to follow her dream.
What is your dream and what do you do to achieve it?
Hispanic Heritage Month Represents the Culture and Interests of Both Hispanic and Latino/a People
Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates people living in the United States who have ancestors in the above countries, which is what makes them Hispanic. This term was first coined in the 1970s after the Census was created.
Then, in 1976, the U.S. government began collecting data about people's ethnicities, and the term was added to official documents as a recognized category. Later, Latino/Latina emerged as an ethnic descriptor, as some felt Hispanic was too colonized.
There is also the term Latinx, which rejects the gendered nature of the terms Latino/Latina. However, some people are reluctant to adopt this word since colonizers of North, Central, and South America brought the letter “x” to the Spanish language. Latine and Latin@ are other similar terms that have started to gain popularity in recent years.
The terms Hispanic and Latino/a can cover linguistic and geographic origins. Hispanic typically refers to people who speak Spanish or people from a Spanish-speaking country. Alternatively, Latino/a usually refers to people specifically from Latin America, which includes people from Brazil (where Portuguese is the official and national language).
Depending on personal preferences, someone with ties to Hispanic or Latino/a countries may identify with one or both of these terms.
Katya Echazarreta
Katya Echazarreta, who recently made history as the first Mexican-born American woman ever to fly to space, is from San Diego. It was a lifelong dream she was able to accomplish at only 26 years old.
Katya shared about the impact of her historic flight with Blue Origin this past June.
"Being able to see all of those children little girls little boys in Mexico and Latin America--feeling re-inspired and motivated and feeling like this is something that they can do as well is so exciting. We have motivated them, we have inspired them--now where are those opportunities so they can be next? That is now part of my journey," Katya said.
Hernandez talks about his journey from migrant farm worker to STS-128 mission specialist on space shuttle Discovery and the movie about his life, “A Million Miles Away” He credits his second grade teacher for changing his life. Who has changed your life?
Check out his story on KCAL News.
Ellen Ochoa and José M. Hernandez, Latino astronauts, encourage young Latinos and minorities to open their minds and pursue careers that are out of this world.
Latino astronauts, engineers encouraging the next generation of in STEM.
This week for Hispanic Heritage Month we will highlight various children’s books for your consideration.
by Junot Díaz, illustrated by Leo Espinosa
In Islandborn, a young girl goes on an imaginative quest to rediscover the island she immigrated from but can no longer remember. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Lola's family celebrates their culture daily through food, music, and stories. But Lola doesn't understand why they had to leave, or what it means she can't remember her birthplace. Her family and friends share their memories and histories, both beautiful and complex, helping Lola see that she's part of both worlds.
by Sonia Sotomayor, illustrated by Lulu Delacre
If your family doesn't know the life story of Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic and Latina Supreme Court Justice, this picture book autobiography is a must-read. Although her childhood involved grief and difficulty, which included her father's death and her diagnosis of diabetes, Sotomayor found inspiration and comfort in books. Here, she passes on that love for reading while giving us a glimpse of life in public service. For middle grade readers eager to learn more, pick up a copy of The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor.
by Melisa Fernández Nitsche
Introduce young readers to Mercedes Sosa, a singer and activist from Argentina. Sosa used her voice to inspire millions of people to fight for a better future. She performed in prestigious venues all over the world, sharing stories through song. Even when her country’s government exiled her, she stayed true to her voice and passion for justice.
by Isabel Quintero, illustrated by Zeke Peña
Daisy Ramona loves her daily motorcycle rides with her papi around their Southern California town. Their community has so many familiar faces and sights, from their librarian shopping for groceries to the lively murals around town that celebrate their Mexican-American history. Daisy also can't help but notice the changes in her community - but she knows what (and who) she can hold on to through times of change.
This week for Hispanic Heritage Month we will highlight various coming-of-age books for your consideration
Age Level: Young adult (14-18)
Daniel's papá, Marcelo, used to play soccer, dance the cueca, and drive his kids to school in a beat-up green taxi — all while publishing an underground newspaper that exposed Chile's military regime. After Papá's arrest in 1980, Daniel's family fled to the United States. Now Daniel has a new life, but when Daniel's father is released and rejoins his family, they see what five years of prison and torture have done to him. Even though Daniel dreams of a real father-son relationship, he may have to give up everything simply to save Papá's life.
By: Mike Lupica
Age Level: Middle Grade (9-14)
Product Description: Michael Arroyo has a pitching arm that throws serious heat. But his firepower is nothing compared to the heat Michael faces in his day-to-day life. Newly orphaned after his father led the family's escape from Cuba, Michael's only family is his seventeen-yearold brother Carlos. If Social Services hears of their situation, they will be separated in the foster-care system — or worse, sent back to Cuba. Together, the boys carry on alone, dodging bills and anyone who asks too many questions.
Age Level: Middle Grade (9-14)
"In Bertrand's solid follow-up to the award-winning Trino's Choice (1999), 15-year-old Trino moves past the haunting memory of his friend's murder and takes on more responsibility in his family. To contribute to the small household income, Trino accepts a job in a grocery store, taking time from friends and schoolwork. When he's assigned a biographical report on Jose Antonio Navarro, Trino finds a hero who helps him aspire to more than just survival."
Age Level: Middle Grade (9-14)
The oldest of eight siblings in her Mexican American family, Lupita is a talented actress and gifted writer. As she wonders what world she belongs in — across the border, taking her dying mother's place, or building a life of her own — she tells her story in verse, offering intimate access to the daily lives and conversation of family and friends
