Growing up, I never celebrated Latinx Heritage Month. Coming from a Mexican American household it was never a family “ritual,” not because I am not proud of my culture and heritage, but simply because being Latinx is part of my everyday identity. Being Latinx is a lifestyle, and I celebrate my background, heritage, and history every day. I embrace my traditions through cooking my mother’s recipes — pozole, enchiladas and mole — by the way I communicate with friends and family — Spanglish — and even the music I listen to.
Regardless of whether or not you are part of the Latinx community, it’s impossible not to notice the attention Latinx Heritage Month gets. Messages of the month-long celebration are found everywhere you go, both on social media and even walking into stores like Ulta and Target.
Since we are in the month of acknowledging Latinx Heritage Month, here is a bit more information about the celebration.
Latinx Heritage Month — or Hispanic Heritage Month — runs from Sept. 15 through Oct.15. The contributions, culture, and history of Latinx communities are celebrated and recognized. There is no denying that the Latinx community is a fundamental part of the history of the United States, and our presence in this country is more important than we can imagine. According to a 2020 Pew Research Report, the Latinx population surpassed 60 million in 2019.
Latinx Heritage Month was initially a week-long celebration put in place in 1968 by former President Lyndon B. Johnson. The purpose was to celebrate the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the United States. In 1988, Hispanic Heritage Week was lengthened to a month-long celebration under then-President Ronald Reagan. Later that year, it was enacted into law.
Regardless of whether you are part of the Latinx community, there are many ways you can get involved and celebrate the beauty and diversity of Latinx culture. Here are a few ways you can celebrate the Latinx community beyond a single month.
1.) Read a book by a Latinx author
There are many amazing Latinx authors, so if you love to read and are looking for a new book, now is the perfect time to stop by your local bookstore. Whether you are into fiction, romance or memoirs, there’s a list of books you can choose from. Some of my personal favorites include “The House on Mango Street” by Mexican American author Sandra Cisneros, “With the Fire on High” by Afro-Latinx author Elizabeth Acevedo and “Down These Mean Streets” by Piri Thomas, just to name a few. Latinx digital media company mitu also has a list of book recommendations.
2.) Listen to a Latinx Podcasts
There is nothing better than starting off your day with a cup of cafecito and listening to a podcast. Now that the world has slowly begun going back to “normal” and commuters across the country are having to leave the comfort of their homes to go back into their workspaces, listening to a podcast on your way to work is a great way to start your day. There are a variety of Latinx podcasts on multiple streaming platforms. Whether you are into news, politics, culture or ‘chisme,’ Latinx podcasts are the way to go. One of my favorites is ‘Café con Pam’ by Pam Covarrubias, who interviews a wide range of Latinx and other people of color who are making a significant impact in our society. Go here to check out some of the best Latinx podcasts.
3.) Watch a Latinx TV Show or Telenovela
By now you may have already seen the numerous telenovela memes and gifs that circulate on social media. If you haven’t, you are truly missing out. Latinx shows and telenovelas are not only one of the best ways to stay entertained, but are also a great way to brush up on your Spanish skills — laughs in Spanish. Telenovelas are known for their dramatic, somewhat confusing and outrageous story lines, so they are great at making you laugh and forget about your own problems. The best part is that many telenovelas are now on streaming platforms like Netflix, so make sure to check them out. Some of my personal favorites are ‘Rebelde’ and ‘Teresa.’ Here are some more iconic telenovelas and Latinx shows to watch.
4.) Listen to a Latinx Music Artist
Latinx artists are taking the world by storm and have been successful with many chart-topping hits. Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny was Spotify’s top artist for 2020, with more than eight billion streams on a single platform alone. While artists like Ozuna, J Balvin and Shakira are well known across the globe, there are other music artists you should look out for such as Paloma Mami, Girl Ultra, and Tokischa. Go here to read about up and coming Latinx music artists.
5.) Support a Latinx-owned business
Food is a fundamental part of the Latinx culture, so what better way to explore our traditions than trying from a wide variety of cuisine options? Visit your local Latinx owned restaurant, coffee shop, or panaderia — Spanish for bakery. Mexican food is quite popular across the country, but perhaps try a new Latinx cuisine such as Colombian bandeja paisa, Salvadorian pupusas or Venezuelan arepas. Fortunately, there are plenty of Latinx-owned restaurants and coffee shops in the Los Angeles area such as La Guelaguetza, Mi Cocinita Chapina and Patria Coffee. Here are some other Latinx-owned restaurants and coffee shops that are worth trying.
There are also plenty of Latinx owned businesses in other industries that are worth supporting. From clothing, to beauty, to art, the Latinx community is starting businesses at a faster rate than the national average across several industries. You can find more Latinx-owned businesses here.
Latinx Heritage Month goes beyond a month-long celebration. For many, like myself, it’s a way of life. Being Latinx in this country can sometimes have its challenges, but as a community we always find ways to persevere. Latinx culture is beautiful, diverse and rich in traditions.