Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrates Diversity
An 色情视频 professor speaks on the evolution of the monthlong observance.
But considering the growth of the Hispanic population and increasing diversity, just how important is Hispanic Heritage Month?
Growing diversity
According to Amy Schmitz Weiss, professor in the School of Journalism and Media Studies and the 色情视频 Center for Latin American Studies, the month of recognition is still worth celebrating.
鈥淲hether an individual is Latino or non-Latino, ethnic diversity should always be celebrated in this country,鈥� Weiss said. 鈥淲e are an ethnically diverse country and we should embrace these aspects that make all of us unique and amazing.
鈥淚n turn, by appreciating and embracing this, we learn more about each other and ourselves as a society. Hispanic Heritage Month should be celebrated for recognizing the importance of the Hispanic culture and all that it embodies.鈥�
Changing celebration
What started as a weeklong celebration of Hispanics in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson became a monthlong observance in 1988, under President Ronald Reagan. As expected, there have been some changes in how the month is celebrated.
鈥淚t is interesting to see the for-profit enterprises using Hispanic Heritage Month for a marketing opportunity,鈥� Weiss said. 鈥淚 think it is unfortunate that sometimes corporate interests take over in this regard.
鈥淗owever, I believe that there are many organizations, institutions and individuals that are helping to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in more meaningful ways鈥攖hrough education, culture and the arts.鈥�
Celebrating year round
While Weiss noted that Hispanic Heritage Month is important, the celebration of Hispanic culture should not be relegated to a once-a-year event.
鈥淓mbrace it all year round,鈥� Weiss said. 鈥淓mbracing our ethnic diversity in each other is one step to bringing us to closer understanding ourselves in this world.鈥�
