A Student’s Perspective on Hispanic Heritage

(left) Valentina Rozo, Rebeca Uranga, Gabriel Gutierrez (right)

Faryde Yanine

(left) Valentina Rozo, Rebeca Uranga, Gabriel Gutierrez (right)

Valentina Rozo, Guest Contributor, President of the Spanish Heritage Club

During the past 2 months, Mrs. Yanine worked with a handful of students to present the Hispanic Heritage Assembly at Bishop O’Connell, providing the DJO community with a beautiful presentation informing them and bringing the culture, language, and passions that make up Hispanic Heritage. Hispanic Heritage month lasts from September 15-October 15, allowing for a month of insight and immersion into the Hispanic culture. From food and dance to the influence of Hispanics who have had a massive impact on American life. The Hispanic culture offers a vast selection of dishes, ranging from ceviche to paellas, as well as light snacks to full meals. I can remember a time when I was around 12 years old, and I’d run from my cousin’s room, and I was greeted by the aroma of my grandma’s cooking: rice and beans. From what seems like a simple dish, it can be made with so much love and spices that it becomes something incredible.  My grandma typically adds meat, bone, spice, and bay leaves to make the dish delicious. I look forward to every holiday. What I’m trying to delve into is our identity in our heritage. Our culture can make a drastic difference in what can be an otherwise simple life. We can bring music, dance, and energy! But we can also bring so much love and respect to others. That is our legacy on the American culture and as good citizen providing to society.

Speaking on legacy, it might as well be completely impossible to miss out on our impact on American culture as a Hispanic community. From celebrities in the arts, music, science, and theater industries, Hispanics have heavily impacted the way we view cinema and other forms of entertainment. For example, Lin Manuel Miranda. Not only that, but especially in our government and political advocation, there have been a surplus of Hispanic advocates for important issues like civil rights, one of which was Cesar Chavez. Chavez was an advocate for Latino rights in his community after experiencing unfair working conditions and other forms of harmful labor practices. Leading the first successful farm workers union in American history, he was able to envision a brighter future for Hispanic workers. Another beautiful example of a woman in particular who led change like Diana Trujillo as engineer leading NASA with the robotic arm.  These important people particularly share a common theme we as Hispanics love to support: that nothing is impossible.

Although I’ve pointed out so many things that make us as a culture unique, we share common ground with everyone! Other cultures have food, dance, music, history, and traditions that make up what makes the United States unique. We are a community who prioritizes love, respect, music, and diversity, and I am grateful for sharing my love for this community with the community of DJO, showing our love for inclusion as a school, community, country, and the world!