Hispanic Heritage Month – NowThis Family Celebrates #HHM | NowThis

Summary

Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15th to October 15th, honors the contributions and influence of Hispanics in America. It highlights the diversity of over 57 million Americans with Hispanic roots, representing various cultures and backgrounds. The month aims to educate about the rich history and culture of Hispanics, dispelling misconceptions and promoting inclusivity. It emphasizes the importance of embracing the Hispanic community's heritage, which dates back to the early days of the United States.

Takeaways

• 📝 Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated to educate and highlight the contributions and culture of Hispanics in the U.S., as many do not learn about it at home or school.
• 📚 The U.S. population includes over 57 million Americans of Hispanic descent, making up more than 17% of the population.
• 👭🏾 The celebration spans from September 15th to October 15th, recognizing the independence days of several Latin American countries.
• 👭🏿 The term 'Hispanic' refers to an ethnicity, not a race, and includes people from Spanish-speaking countries, while 'Latino' or 'Latina' refers to those from Latin America, including Brazil but excluding Spain.
• 👩🏾 The script addresses misconceptions about Hispanic people, such as assumptions about language, religion, and food preferences.
• 👩🏿 It emphasizes the importance of recognizing the diversity within the Hispanic community, including different nationalities and backgrounds.
• 👩🏿 The script challenges stereotypes, such as the assumption that all Hispanics speak Spanish or look a certain way.
• 👩🏿 It points out that people speaking Spanish were in the U.S. before English speakers, highlighting the historical presence of Spanish in the country.
• 👩🏿 The Hispanic community is diverse, with over 50 million Spanish speakers in the U.S., making it the second-largest population of Spanish speakers outside of Mexico.
• 👩🏿 The script encourages embracing and learning about the diverse cultures within the Hispanic community.

Q & A

Why is Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated?

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated to highlight the contributions and influence of Hispanic and Latino Americans on the United States' culture, economy, and history, and to acknowledge the rich diversity of Hispanic cultures.

Why is it important to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?

It is important to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to raise awareness about the Hispanic community's history, culture, and achievements, and to foster a sense of inclusion and appreciation for the contributions of Hispanic Americans.

What percentage of the U.S. population is Hispanic?

Hispanics make up more than 17% of the U.S. population, which is over 57 million Americans.

When does Hispanic Heritage Month take place?

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th.

Why does Hispanic Heritage Month start on September 15th?

It starts on September 15th because it is the anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Additionally, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16th and September 18th.

What is the difference between Hispanic and Latino?

Hispanic refers to people who are native to or descend from a Spanish-speaking country, while Latino/Latina refers to people of Latin American origin, which includes Brazil but excludes Spain.

What are some misconceptions about the Hispanic community?

Misconceptions include assumptions that all Hispanics speak Spanish, practice Catholicism, eat only rice and beans, or look a certain way. These stereotypes overlook the vast diversity within the Hispanic community.

Why is it frustrating when people assume all Hispanics are the same?

It is frustrating because the Hispanic community is incredibly diverse, with different cultures, languages, and traditions. Such assumptions erase this diversity and can be offensive to individuals' unique identities.

What is the significance of the term 'Latinx'?

The term 'Latinx' is used as a gender-neutral alternative to Latino or Latina, inclusive of people who identify as non-binary or do not wish to specify their gender.

Why is it incorrect to assume that all Spanish speakers are not U.S. citizens?

It is incorrect because there are many U.S.-born citizens who speak Spanish as their first language, and Spanish has been spoken in parts of the U.S. since before the country's founding.

How does the Hispanic community contribute to the United States?

The Hispanic community contributes to the United States in many ways, including culturally through food, music, and dance, economically as entrepreneurs and workers, and politically as active citizens and leaders.