Hispanic Heritage Month Is Confusing (And That's Okay!)

Summary

The script celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, highlighting the complex and diverse nature of Latino identities in the United States. It discusses the distinctions between Hispanic and Latino, the historical origins of these terms, and the mixed heritage of many Latinos. The speaker addresses the challenges of representation and acceptance, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions and experiences of the Latino community.

Takeaways

• 🗓 Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th, coinciding with the independence days of several Latin American countries.
• 🌟 The month was originally a week, established by LBJ, and expanded to a month under Reagan.
• 📚 The terms 'Hispanic' and 'Latino' are not synonymous; Hispanic refers to Spanish-speaking culture, while Latino refers to Latin American descent in the US.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Not all Hispanics are Latinos, and not all Latinos are Hispanics. A Mexican living in Brazil is neither, but their Spanish-speaking child in the US could be both.
• 🗣️ The use of 'Latinx' is an attempt to include people who don't identify with the gender binary, but it has been criticized for Anglicizing Spanish.
• 📊 There's regional variation in the US in using 'Hispanic' (East coast) and 'Latino' (West coast).
• 🏛️ The historical mixing of cultures in Latin America due to colonization has resulted in a diverse genetic heritage among Latinos.
• 🏢 On official paperwork, Hispanic or Latino is often considered white, but the reality is more complex due to mixed ancestry.
• 🏰 Latinos have been part of the US since its early days, with Spanish colonies once covering much of what is now the United States.
• 🌐 Despite being the largest minority group in the US, Latinos are often underrepresented and made to feel like outsiders.
• 💪 The speaker expresses pride in their mixed heritage and encourages others to learn about and celebrate the diverse experiences of Latinos.

Q & A

What is Hispanic Heritage Month and when is it celebrated?

Hispanic Heritage Month is a period to celebrate the contributions of Latino Americans to the United States. It is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th each year.

Why do some countries celebrate their independence on September 15th?

Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua celebrate their independence on September 15th because that's the date they gained independence from Spain.

How did Hispanic Heritage Month evolve from a week to a month-long celebration?

Hispanic Heritage Week was initially established by President Lyndon B. Johnson and later expanded to a month under President Ronald Reagan, making it Hispanic Heritage Month.

What is the difference between Hispanic and Latino?

Hispanic refers to people of a common Spanish-speaking culture, while Latino encompasses people of Latin American descent who live in the United States. Not all Hispanics are Latino, and not all Latinos are Hispanic.

Why might a Mexican living in Brazil be neither Hispanic nor Latino?

A Mexican living in Brazil would be neither Hispanic nor Latino because Hispanic refers to Spanish-speaking culture and Latino refers to Latin American descent in the US context, and Brazil is a Portuguese-speaking country.

What does the term 'Latinx' aim to represent?

The term 'Latinx' is used as a gender-neutral alternative to Latino or Latina, aiming to be inclusive of people who do not identify with the gender binary.

Why might some people prefer to be referred to by their family's country of origin rather than as Hispanic or Latino?

Some people might prefer to be referred to by their family's country of origin to more accurately represent their specific cultural heritage and background.

How does the script address the complexity of racial and ethnic identity among Latinos?

The script discusses the complexity of racial and ethnic identity among Latinos by mentioning the varied ancestry, including Mestizo, Mulatto, and other combinations, which were used historically to implement caste systems.

What historical context is provided about the presence of Latinos in the United States?

The script provides historical context by mentioning that Latinos have been part of the US for as long as most Anglo-Americans, and that Spanish colonies once covered much of what is now the United States.

How does the script reflect on the experiences of being a Latino in the United States today?

The script reflects on the experiences of being a Latino in the United States by discussing challenges such as underrepresentation, racial profiling, and the feeling of being an outsider despite a long history in the country.

What is the script's stance on the importance of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month?

The script views Hispanic Heritage Month as an important time to recognize and celebrate the contributions and diverse heritage of Latino Americans, despite the complexities and confusions surrounding identity and terminology.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

The paragraph discusses the Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15th to October 15th, celebrating the contributions of Latino people to the United States. It highlights the confusion surrounding the terms 'Hispanic' and 'Latino', explaining that Hispanic refers to those of Spanish-speaking culture, while Latino includes people of Latin American descent living in the U.S. The script points out that not all Hispanics are Latinos and vice versa. It also touches on the debate among academics about the appropriateness of these terms, suggesting that referring to people by their family's country of origin followed by 'American' might be more accurate. The paragraph humorously addresses the complexity of Latino identity and the challenges of being recognized as fully American.

05:01

🏡 Embracing Bicultural Identity

This paragraph expresses the speaker's love for their bicultural identity as a Mestizo, Hispanic, Latino, Guatemalan, hyphen, Mexican, hyphen, American. The speaker cherishes the mixed family traditions, like celebrating Christmas Eve with tamales, and the ability to speak both English and Spanish. They appreciate the hard work of their family that laid the foundation for their pursuit of the American Dream. The speaker encourages others to engage with Latino friends during Hispanic Heritage Month, to understand their unique stories and share in the love and good food that comes with their culture.

Keywords

💡Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is a period from September 15th to October 15th in the United States, celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The video uses this month to highlight the diverse backgrounds of people from these regions and to emphasize the importance of recognizing their contributions to American society.

💡Latino

Latino refers to people of Latin American descent living in the United States. The term is broader than Hispanic, which specifically denotes those of Spanish-speaking culture. The video script discusses the distinction between these terms, noting that not all Latinos are Hispanic and vice versa, and it uses the term to emphasize the inclusivity of the celebration.

💡Caste system

The caste system mentioned in the video refers to the historical stratification of society based on race and ethnicity, particularly during the colonial period in Latin America. It was a system where 'whiter' people were given preferential treatment, reflecting the complex racial dynamics of the region and the lasting impact on Latin American societies.

💡Mestizo

Mestizo is a term used to describe individuals of mixed European and indigenous American ancestry. The video script uses this term to illustrate the diverse genetic makeup of many Latinos, reflecting the historical intermingling of different populations during colonization.

💡Mulatto

Mulatto refers to individuals of mixed European and African ancestry. The video mentions this term to highlight the complex racial and ethnic backgrounds of many Latinos, emphasizing the diversity within the Latino community.

💡Hyphenated American

Hyphenated American is a term used to describe individuals who identify with both their family's country of origin and their American identity, as in 'Guatemalan-Mexican-American.' The video uses this concept to discuss the complexity of Latino identities and the challenge of fitting into a single category.

💡Latinx

Latinx is a gender-neutral term used as an alternative to Latino or Latina, inclusive of people who do not identify with the gender binary. The video script critiques the term for potentially anglicizing Spanish and suggests that it can be confusing in pronunciation, but acknowledges its intent for inclusivity.

💡Colonization

Colonization in the context of the video refers to the historical period when Spain and Portugal established colonies in the Americas. The script discusses the impact of colonization on the racial and ethnic makeup of Latin America, including the establishment of a caste system and the intermixing of populations.

💡Rape

The video script mentions rape as a dark part of history, particularly during the colonization period, where there were few restrictions on who could be married or otherwise coerced into relationships. This term is used to highlight the violence and exploitation that shaped the demographics of Latin America.

💡Mixed heritage

Mixed heritage in the video refers to individuals who have a blend of different cultural, ethnic, or racial backgrounds. The speaker embraces their mixed heritage, acknowledging the beauty and complexity of having a多元文化 identity.

💡Representation

Representation in the video refers to the underrepresentation of Latinos in various sectors of American society, despite being the largest minority group. The script discusses the challenges faced by Latinos in achieving equal representation, particularly in the media and professional fields.

Highlights

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month, a celebration of Latino contributions to the United States.

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

Several Central American countries celebrate their independence on September 15th.

The origin of Hispanic Heritage Month began as a week and expanded to a month.

Hispanic and Latino are not synonymous; Hispanic refers to Spanish-speaking culture, while Latino includes Latin American descent in the US.

Not all Hispanics are Latino, and vice versa, highlighting the complexity of these terms.

The term 'Latinx' was introduced as a gender-neutral alternative, but it has been criticized for anglicizing Spanish.

The media often treats Hispanic or Latino as a separate ethnicity, which is a misconception.

Latinos have a diverse ancestry, often including Mestizo, European, Native, Mulatto, and other combinations.

Hispanic or Latino is often considered white on official paperwork, but the reality is more complex.

Latinos have been part of the US since its early days, with Spanish colonies covering much of the current United States.

The speaker expresses pride in their mixed heritage and the contributions of Latinos to American society.

Despite challenges, the speaker cherishes their culture and the unique aspects of being Hispanic and Latino.

The speaker encourages others to learn about and celebrate the diverse experiences of Latinos during Hispanic Heritage Month.

The video concludes with a call to action for people to engage with the Latino community and appreciate their rich culture.

Transcripts

- Happy Hispanic Heritage Month.

Whew, a whole month of celebrating Latino's contribution

to our great country.

Actually, it's not a month, it's from September 15th

to October 15th.

But that's cool

because Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,

and Nicaragua celebrate their

independence on September 15th.

And Mexico, Chile, and Belize also celebrate

their independence in late September.

So,

why not just make it September?

It's not entirely clear.

It started as a week, originally,

when LBJ signed off on the legislation,

making it official.

And then, when it became a month under Reagan,

I guess they just didn't think a single month would be good.

But don't worry, this is actually one of the less

confusing aspects of being Latino.

Remember when I said that Hispanic Heritage Month

was for celebrating Latinos?

Well,

I lied.

Kind of.

See, Hispanic denotes people of a common Spanish-speaking

culture, while Latino encompasses people of Latin American

descent, who live in the US.

So, not all Hispanics are Latino,

and not all Latinos are Hispanic.

And a Mexican who lives in Brazil is neither,

but if they had a Spanish-speaking child

that immigrated to the United States,

that person would be both.

See, easy peasy, don't call people Hispanic

that speak Portuguese-sy.

But wait, there's more.

That's just the most widely accepted version

because it can also be a matter of region.

See, the East coast uses Hispanic more often,

while the West tends to use Latino.

Oh, and academics are also having a debate

as the appropriateness of the terms

because they invented mostly as a way to simplify

categories in a large, diverse group of people.

So, some argue that the best way is to refer to us

by our family's country of origin, hyphen American.

But not everyone agrees because if you get someone

like me, you'll have extra hyphens.

I'd be Guatemalan, hyphen, Mexican, hyphen, American.

So, it's probably easier to call me Hispanic or Latino.

Look, whatever it is that you can

remember at this point is fine.

Oh, and because this is the internet,

I'm sure there is some of you that are aware of the term

Latinx.

Which was a term that appears to have originated online,

with the intent of using it for people who don't identify

with gender binary.

Which is good because inclusion is good,

but it's also bad because it's kind of anglicizing Spanish.

See, X in Spanish is pronounced with and English H

sound like in house.

Or with the K-S sound, like in English, fix.

But in English, it can also be pronounced as a Z,

like the first X in xerox.

So is it Latin huh?

Latin (pronouncing consonant)?

Latin Z?

Latin X

men

and

Women...

Look, this joke got away from me.

I'm just gonna use the grammatically correct

in Spanish, Latinos.

Part of the reason for the nationality first attitude

could be because of the fact that the media

and many people treat Hispanic or Latino as a separate

ethnicity entirely.

And surprise, that's both wrong and right again.

Hurray for clarity.

See, on a lot of paperwork, Hispanic or Latino

is considered white.

Which could be true in some circumstances

if you're strictly of European descent.

But when the Spanish and Portuguese colonized

both the Americas, they didn't have hard and fast rules

about who it was acceptable to marry.

Or otherwise,

make

babies with.

Rape, you know.

I didn't wanna say it,

off the bat,

but there was just a lot of rape during colonization.

And

most of history really.

Yeah, history is just full of rape.

And poop death.

Not exactly a good title for a textbook.

More on topic though,

because of fewer restrictions, most Latinos

have some Mestizo, European and Native,

Mulatto, European and African,

or other combination in their ancestry.

Which, of course was used to implement a caste

system where whiter people

were given preferential treatment.

So while Hispanic or Latino has often been considered

a kind of white, and many Latinos would probably

prefer that because of the historical treatment

of nonwhites, really we're mixed more often than not.

As confusing as this all is, I'm glad there's a month

of recognition.

See, even though immigration is likely one of the first

things that comes up when Latinos are mentioned,

we've been a part of the US for just as long as most

Anglo-Americans.

Longer in many cases.

Let's look at a map of North America during colonization.

See that section that's most of the United States?

Yep, Spanish colonies.

And that includes three of the four most populated states.

And yes, this territory was either sold or conquered

during various conflicts, but Latinos laid the groundwork

for much of what would become the Western United States.

And losing those origins stopped certain segments of the

population talking about their heritage

and pride all the time.

So it feels weird, to say the least, when those

same people tend to make us feel like outsiders so often.

So, what does this all mean?

I'm not really sure.

If this video so far has seemed a tad confusing,

it was intentional.

Between the weird mid-month start,

to there being so much debate about just what being

Latino even is.

Confusion is part of many of our identities.

While I recognize how fortunate I am

that my family worked their asses off to be here,

there are plenty of people that let us know

that we're somehow not the same amount of American

as them.

And I wouldn't give up our culture for anything.

Even if it means I don't get called back for job

interviews as often, even though people like me

get imprisoned at a higher rate than

white, not of Hispanic origin people.

Even though we're the largest minority group in

the United States,

but are still the most under represented in

my chosen profession.

And even though it can be lonely by the feeling of

(speaking Spanish)

that comes with being a child of both immigrant

and American culture, I love it.

I love my mixed up family,

the years of celebrating Christmas Eve with tamales.

The fact that I raised speaking English and Spanish

because that makes it easier for me to speak

to my abuelito and abuelita.

The idea that my pursuit of the American Dream

is built on a foundation of hard work that my family laid.

The fact that I'm a Mestizo, Hispanic, Latino

Guatemalan, hyphen, Mexican, hyphen, American

is confusing and beautiful to me.

So for this Hispanic Heritage Month,

go talk to your Latino, Hispanic,

mixed up, whatever hyphen American friends.

Sit down to a meal with them because each of their

stories is as weird and unique as mine.

And even if you can't entirely relate,

you'll at least get some love,

and probably some really good food.

(guitar strumming)