It’s that time of the year again. Just like every year, in the United States we observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. We celebrate by sharing our stories, our food, and our culture, and we love paying tribute to our ancestors.
It feels good to celebrate our contributions from Spain, Mexico, Central and South America and of course the Caribbeans. As a Latina who was born in Puerto Rico but raised in the US, I always try to run my businesses thinking of what we all need as a whole and that is “inclusivity”. This word has such power because if we all work together it helps our economy and the future of our children, grandchildren, etc. We Latinos love to use the phrase “Unidos Somos Mas Fuerte” which means we are strong when we are united, and I feel that if we combine that phrase with and thought of inclusivity then it’s not just about us Latinos and Hispanics but the entire world.
Many times, I notice how some Latinos will criticize other Latinos for not eating certain foods, speaking a specific way, or making them feel less than just because they were or weren’t born in a specific place. However, I love a phrase that we Puerto Ricans like to use a lot which squashes all those bad vibes. “Boricua aunque nazca en la luna.” Which means I’m Puerto Rican even if I was born on the moon. That is part of my story and the story of many. I was born in PR but raised in Pennsylvania, so I like to think that “I’m 100% Puerto Rican, with some Pennsylvania flavors sprinkled on me. And who doesn’t like sprinkles?
Let’s celebrate our differences and our similarities. Let’s learn about each other’s cultures, it only allows us to have more meaningful relationships with each other. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month.
Rosa J. Parra
Editor and Founder of Palo Magazine
