Committee on Religion and RaceHispanic Heritage Month Resources
In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim September 15 to September 22 as National Hispanic Heritage Week. September 15 was selected due to the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries–Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. On September 16, Mexico declared its independence. Chile followed on September 18. The observance of the week was expanded to a month long celebration in 1988, beginning on September 15 and continuing through October 15. The month-long celebration recognizes and honors the diversity of the cultures whose traditions and roots are traced back to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. This commemorative month also honors the influence and impact of Hispanics in all spheres of U.S. society, including science, art, politics, culture and the economy. In the past, there has been a tendency to group Hispanics as one, including in the U.S. Census. Many Hispanic/Latinos identify themselves not by ethnicity but by national origin, such as Dominican, Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, etc, which helps to maintain an individual's identity based on his or her nationality, traditions, histories and so on. Hispanic Heritage Month offers us the opportunity to educate the church in regards to the diversity that exists within an ethnicity. Today, the United Methodist Church continues at some level to group all the Spanish speaking individuals without taking into account different cultures, languages, norms, values and traditions. When we speak of our Hispanic/Latino brothers and sisters, we must keep in mind their country of origin to be able to build healthy relationships. Hispanic Heritage Month gives us the opportunity to share within our communities of faith the diversity that exists. Here are some ways you can be an educator in your community of faith.
( source : GCORR.org ) Links |
|
