Hispanic Heritage Month: We Don’t All Love Tacos!
Embracing Diversity
Hi, my name is Dr. Bojórquez, and I confess that I love tacos. Why wouldn’t you love tacos? I love tacos because they are the perfect balance of protein, carbs, and vegetables. And, although I celebrate my Hispanic/ Latino heritage, this heritage is not why I love tacos. In fact, thinking about what it means to “be Hispanic” requires moving well beyond cultural tropes like “we all love tacos.”
The History of Hispanic Heritage Month
President Lyndon Johnson started Hispanic Heritage Week, later expanded by President Ronald Reagan to a month-long celebration (September 15 to October 15) in 1988; thus, Hispanic Heritage Month. During the 30-day celebration, the countries recognized for their contributions to Americans are Mexico, Central and South America, Spain, and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean (United States Census Bureau, 2023). We will explore the different definitions of Hispanic and Latino terms, cultural humility, and how to engage in the culture, and highlight some celebrations and fun facts about various Latino countries.
Is it Hispanic or Latino/x?
Throughout the United States (U.S.) history, the terms Hispanic and Latino/a/x/é have often been used interchangeably, resulting in a sense of panethnicity among individuals and communities. The term Hispanic was first implemented during the Nixon administration. The 2020 U.S. Census documented 63.7 million Hispanics, who make up about 19% of the U.S. population (United States Census Bureau, 2023). However, Hispanic has been highly criticized as it did not stem from a Spanish word, leading to a continuance of systemic disparities, including health, education, and incarceration (Garcia, 2020).
The term Latino has been more widely accepted, as it is derived from Latin, including Spanish-speaking countries. Latino was used as a gender-neutral term for Latinos and Latinas; however, around 2010, Latinx emerged to remove the male and female identity from the term and make it more inclusive. Interestingly, Bustamante et al. (2020) surveyed 3,030 Hispanic adults in the U.S. about the term Latinx. It reported that only three percent of participants use the term Latinx, 20% do not use the term, and 76% have yet to hear of the term Latinx.
Another factor in this conversation concerns the misconceptions that all Spanish speakers originate from Mexico. Although Mexicans form the largest Spanish speaking population in the U.S., there are many other Spanish speaking groups such as Salvadorans, Cubans, Dominicans, Guatemalans among others. It is essential to acknowledge the other Spanish speaking groups because language is part of the process for distinguishing Hispanic/Latino/a/x. Said another way, not all Latinos are Hispanic, and not all Hispanics are Latinos. Alexander (2022) shared that Brazilians are considered Latino but not Hispanic due to the Portuguese language, and Spaniards are Hispanic but not Latino because it is not a country in Latin America. Moreover, Latino was linked to geographical location and Hispanic to language. Thus, Mexicans would be considered Hispanic and Latino/x.
So, what term should we use? The honest answer is, “I don’t know.” It depends on where people are from and the language they speak. When unsure, I combine these two groups, so I say Hispanic/ Latino/x. Personally, I prefer Latina, Chicana, or Mexican-American (more terms, I know!). These identities are not monolithic and require we move beyond assumptions or what may “seem obvious.” This kind of movement is possible when we practice and apply cultural humility, to which I turn next.
Cultural Humility
We interact with people from various cultures and ethnicities daily and often make generalizations. Some assumptions include foods, traditions, or practices. By not acknowledging the differences, we also diminish their lived experiences. A personal story that serves as a testament is that my husband, born in Mexico, does not love tacos, beans, or tamarind. Yes, it shocked me, too!
My husband’s food preferences are a reminder that we have implicit biases. As people interact with people from various cultures daily, raising cultural humility and awareness is essential. Cultural humility is “… a lifelong commitment to self-evaluation and critique, to redressing the power imbalances . . .” (Abe, 2019, as cited in Tervalon & Murray-García, 1998, p. 123). Learning about the Hispanic and Latino cultures can start by immersing yourself in the culture, attending cultural events, and learning the history of lived experiences of these communities.
Further, increasing cultural humility can be done via social work practice and research. In social work, we are responsible for using cultural competence and humility to improve providers’ knowledge and skills while building appropriate relationships with those we serve. In research, there is an understanding that becomes central to the delivery of all-inclusive care for those we serve. Also, it allows providers to fill in the gaps between the needs and services of clients and communities from various cultures, ethnicities, practices, and customs.
In the spirit of this learning for the development of cultural humility, I’ve provided a list of celebrations and fun facts for different countries below.
Have you ever participated in any of these events or is there one that you would add to the list? Leave a comment below!
Celebrations and Fun Facts
Mexico
- Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day; it commemorates the Battle of Puebla in 1862, where Mexico won against the French. Mexican Independence Day celebration begins on September 15 with El Grito de Dolores (The Cry of Dolores) and is observed on September 16, 2023.
- Most popular celebrations: Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and Semana Santa y Pascua (Holy Week and Easter)
- Popular dishes: Tacos, Menudo (tripe stew), Pozole (Mexican soup from Aztecs), and Mole (chicken with curry-type sauce).
El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua
- Independence Day is celebrated on September 15, which starts Hispanic Heritage Month
- Most popular celebrations:
- El Salvador – Fiestas Agostinas (festival)
- Costa Rica – Día de Las Mascaradas (National Day of the Masquerades)
- Guatemala – Día de Los Santos (All Saints Day)
- Honduras – Feria de San Isidro (festival)
- Nicaragua – Diriamba (festival combining indigenous and Spanish roots)
- Popular dishes:
- El Salvador – pupusas (corn dough filled with meat, cheese, and/ or vegetables)
- Costa Rica – chifrijo (fired pork with red beans)
- Guatemala – Kak’ik (turkey leg in broth)
- Honduras – baleadas (tortilla with mashed red beans, cheese and sour cream
- Nicaragua – Nacatamal (corn dough with pork, potato, rice, tomato, garlic, and chiltoma).
Books to Explore
- El Viaje de Los Colibries by Sue Zurita
- The Faraway World by Patricia Engel
- I am Joaquin/ Yo Soy Joaquin: An Epic by Rodolfo Gonzalez
- Dreamers by Yuyi Morales (children’s book)
- Where are you from? By Yamile Saied Mendez (children’s book)
- Islandborn by Junot Diaz (children’s book)
References
Abe, J. (2019). Beyond cultural competence, toward social transformation: Liberation psychologies and the practice of cultural humility. Journal of Social Work Education, 56(4), 696–707. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2019.1661911
Alexander, W. (2022, September 8). Ask the OEDI: Hispanic, Latino, Latina, Latinx – which is best? Duke University School of Medicine. https://medschool.duke.edu/blog/ask-oedi-hispanic-latino-latina-latinx-which-best#:~:text=According%20to%20these%20definitions%2C%20a,Hispanic%20(but%20not%20Latino).
Bustamante, L.-N., Mora, L., & Lopez, M. H. (2020, August 11). About one-in-four U.S. Hispanics have heard of Latinx, but just 3% use it. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/hispanic/2020/08/11/about-one-in-four-u-s-hispanics-have-heard-of-latinx-but-just-3-use-it/
García, I. (2020). Cultural insights for planners: Understanding the terms Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx. Journal of the American Planning Association, 86(4), 393–402. https://doi.org/10.1080/01944363.2020.1758191
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. (n.d.). National Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15 to October 15. Retrieved September 25, 2023, from https://dmh.lacounty.gov/blog/2021/09/national-hispanic-heritage-month/#:~:text=The%20day%20of%20September%2015,16%20and%20September%2018%2C%20respectively.
United States Census Bureau. (2023, August 17). Hispanic Heritage Month: 2023. https://www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features/2023/hispanic-heritage-month.html#:~:text=63.7%20million,19.1%25%20of%20the%20total%20population
110 Comments
Thank you for this excellent exploration of terms that can sometimes feel overwhelming, Dr. Bojorquez!
Thanks for your comment, Robert!
I concur that terms can feel overwhelming. Thank you for your comment, Robert!
Thank you for this article which honors Hispanic Heritage month and also educates us on many things related to Hispanic or Latin culture and terminology. Thank you for explaining the differences between Hispanic and Latina/o/x terms. I was surprised to learn that 76% had not heard of the term Latinx. This article provides great insight into cultural humility. I love that you point out that cultural humility is a lifelong process. There is so much to learn about other cultures! You provided such great examples of this, listing many different Spanish speaking countries, each with their own specific culture. I am thankful to live here, where people from all over the world come to live while still embracing, celebrating, and sharing their unique heritage. I enjoyed learning about the different holiday celebrations and the food. Personally, I cannot imagine a world without tacos! I love them too!
Hi Julie, thanks for sharing! I’m glad you enjoyed reading the blog and learning about the various celebrations and dishes!
Wow, I am in awe of your writing skills. Such a beautiful story and very well told; I loved how you included a broad historical context. I feel like I need to go back and reread it, and I will. I did not know that President Lyndon started “Hispanic Heritage Week,” that continued by President Reagan and for a full month of combined “Latino/Hispanic” festivities. Your blog was very educational and filled with essential history and contributions that should not be minimized. I also loved the beautiful authentic art pieces you shared. I have to admit I became hungry looking at the many food dishes that you so eloquently described. Yum Yum Yum! Thank you for including the educational piece on cultural humility; I agree that we as social workers should be engaging in learning about other cultures. And since we share this world, everyone should be interested in wanting to know how to make this world peaceful and equitable for all. Cultural humility is a huge part of solving the issues with human conflict. God bless you Dr. Borjorquez… Please keep sharing stories like this one.
P.S. I will follow your lead and use Hispanic/Latino/x.
Thank you so much for sharing, Andrea! That is such a good word, cultural humility is most definitely a huge part in solving the issues with human conflict!
Dr. Bojórquez thank you so much for embracing our Latino/x and Hispanic culture. I like you still don’t know what to tell individuals when they ask me what do I fall under ♀️ I myself utilize Mexican-American and Chicana. Also thank you for sharing the book titles they are now on my to read list.
Thanks for sharing, Beverly! I hope you enjoy the books and that they provide you with more insight!
What’s more interesting about the term Latinx is that grammatically it doesnt fit into Spanish sentences. The term “Latiné” is better suited.
Interesting observation. Makes me think about how we change language all the time, often before it is official). Like how we use “adult” as a verb (“adulting”) and people understand the meaning.
Great read!
Thanks for your comment, Vanessa!
Wow! I learned two new things from this informative blog. First, I was always confused between Hispanic and Latino. Now I understand that Hispanic is more so connected to language. Second, I did not know that pupusas are a dish from El Salvador. Also to add my husband born in Mexico as well does not like traditional dishes from his country.
Thanks for commenting Samantha, I’m so glad to hear you learned more about what the term “Hispanic” is referring to and where pupas originate from!
Hello Dr. Bojorquez, I truly enjoyed the opening of your blog and how you expanded from something so simple such as tacos, to a deeper explanation of the Hispanic culture. As an immigrant who grew up in Mexico, I could not agree more regarding the misinformation and misunderstanding there is in the United States about Hispanics/Latinos. The idea of having one single name to refer to us is not something I find appropriate. As you mentioned, what should I be called, honestly I am not sure either, but each of us have our own words we can identified as. To me, the word Chicano, or Mexican-American are not suitable, as I was not born nor raised in the United States, but I also do not prefer to be called Latino as I think that summarizes all of Latin America, and we are all different and can be individualized according to our own country. I think this is where cultural humility plays an huge part, we are not all Latinos, Hispanics, Latinx, or Mexicans. We are unique!
Jonathan, thank you for your insight! I’m so glad to hear you were able to relate and connect with this blog! It is very true, everyone fits into many different groupings and categories, you are very unique!
Hello Dr. Bojorquez!! I highly enjoyed reading this! I also appreciate the way you broke down the terms Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx because I am always trying my best to use the right wording. Thank you for this!
Breona, thank you for commenting! Yes! It’s a huge aid when things are clearly defined, it creates a foundation for understanding!
The term ‘Hispanic and Latino/x ‘ has always been very confusing and this post clearly explained the differences. I was hesitant to use these terms in fear of being culturally incompetent nor had the courage to reach out for clarification. Now that I am one more step closer to being culturally competent, I look forward to serving various clients by building relationships that promote understanding.
Thank you for your comment, Meerhee! I’m happy to hear that you are feeling more confident in your understanding on this topic, I hope you only continue to grow in this!
Hi, Dr. Bojorquez. I really enjoyed reading your blog post. The terms Hispanic and Latinx is such a hot topic within the Latin community. It seems like it’s a generation clash, in my opinion. How I have observed it is that the older generation believes it’s some kind of insult to use the term Latinx as if they are denying their culture. My observation about the younger generation is the use of the term Latinx as a new form of expression. I agree with your blog; these two terms have caused tension within our community. I personally use the terms Hispanic, Mexican, or Chicana. To me personally whatever terms make them feel happy, is okay with me.
Thank you for your comment, Luz! It definitely is a point of tension in our day and age, but still an important conversation to have. It’s very considerate of you to refer to others with the terms they like best!
Hello Dr. Bojórquez! My household celebrates Mexico’s Independence Day with enough pozole to last us 3 days (same thing for Nochebuena). While I enjoy pozole, I love to remind my family of our beloved pozole’s origin story! I too don’t enjoy tacos but I’ll always make room for a pupusa, some champurradas, and Nicaraguan coffee.
Thank you for sharing, Mariana! What a special tradition and how cool that you make the time to take your family back through some history!
Thank you so much for providing us with some cultural awareness. I definitely need to check my bias. Because, like who doesn’t love tacos, I love tacos and pupusas; I need to try chifrijo.
Jennifer, thank you for your comment. Checking our own biases’ and trained ways of thinking can be really difficult, but it is so important and healthy to have that ability!
Wow! Dr. Bojorquez, I enjoy reading your blog. I am Mexican and was born in Mexico City, Mexico. When people ask me where I am from and what I consider myself, I say Mexican. You explain very well the diversity of being a Spanish speaker. I will check into the reading to learn more about the history and culture of Latin America.
I look forward to more reading.
“A mi tambien me gusta mucho los tacos y el rate.”
Thank you for your insight, Dana! I’m happy to hear you enjoyed reading the blog and were able to relate to what was being discussed! It’s always a good idea to continue studying and learning even if we believe we already know a lot on a particular subject.
Dr. Bojórquez, your article provides valuable insights into the complexity of Hispanic and Latino identities, the history of Hispanic Heritage Month, and the importance of cultural humility. The distinction between Hispanic and Latino/a/x is a significant point of discussion as I am sure that many of us have different views on the proper term to use. I appreciate the way you address the common misconceptions surrounding these terms and the need to recognize the diversity within these communities. The complexity of identity and culture should be acknowledged and respected, and this article serves as a valuable resource for promoting a deeper understanding of these issues.
Thank you for your comment, Martin! It is very important to understand and respect the complex nuances and culture within Hispanic and Latino/a/x communities.
Amazing insights and perspective. I love the nuance you offer for a very heterogeneous group.
Thank you for sharing, Krystal! It’s something that can be difficult to do yet Dr. Bojórquez explains it very well!
This is an awesome brief knowledge of the Latino/x culture. I really enjoy learning about the culture, food and important celebration days. Thanks for sharing.
Happy to hear you enjoyed reading the blog and learning from it Mai!
Love the information, especially the part about tacos. I definitely have that bias. Tacos are just so delicious, and I feel all Hispanic and Latinos should love them. Thanks for the reminder to have cultural humility even in my own culture and cultures similar to mine.
Thanks for sharing, Nadia! Having cultural humility is a characteristic we can all continue to strive towards!
Really enjoyed reading this! I liked the example you gave about assumptions and your husband. My partner also doesn’t like beans but it is assumed he should because he’s Mexican. I even caught myself shocked the first time I heard it because I’ve never met a Mexican who doesn’t like beans. Even typing that out shows how my implicit biases can impact my daily life. Allowing ourselves to practice cultural humility can make us aware of people’s cultures and their interaction/immersion with them.
Thank you for sharing, Savannah! It is surprising sometimes to see how those implicit biases show up, but very healthy to work on checking them, good job!
Very nice write up. Thank you for the educational aspect with your opinion on what term should be used with identifying the Latin community. I was able to understand the difference between “Hispanic” and “Latino/a/x”. To me, in order to be more inclusive and not assume ones cultural background I find myself using Latinx as it seems the most appropriate. It was interesting that there is a high number of people who have never heard the term or used it, though. However, it was still a great read to get a better understanding of the history of the terms. Lastly, I just recently tried a pupusas after avoiding it for several months as my co-worker has been begging me to try it and expand my taste buds. It was satisfying and I’m glad I tried something new.
Thanks for sharing, Derrick! I’m glad that you were able to learn more about this topic and how fun that you tried something new and ended up enjoying it!
This blog was amazing. Thank you for sharing your culture with me.
Thanks for your comment, Carla!
Hello Dr. Bojórquez! My mom’s side of the family is from Guatemala, and my grandma loves making chuchitos! She also makes Guatemalan tamales wrapped in banana leaf with a more chewy texture. Thank you for taking the time to share the insight of Hispanic Heritage Month!
Thanks for sharing Giselle, that sounds yummy!
Hello Dr. Bojorquez and community! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article. As an African-American woman, I found your discussion on the complexities of Hispanic and Latino identities incredibly enlightening. It’s interesting to see how labels and cultural tropes can both unite and divide us. In my own culture, we also grapple with various brands and stereotypes that don’t necessarily capture the richness of our experiences. Your emphasis on cultural humility resonated with me; I believe we should all strive for it, regardless of our backgrounds. Learning about the similarities and differences that make each culture unique is fascinating.
Looking forward to learning more!
Thank you so much for commenting, Champagne! It is fascinating to see how similarities regarding this topic can be seen among many cultures that are very different. That was a great insight of yours.
Thank you, Dr. Bojorquez, for this informative blog. During my undergrad, I pledged to a multicultural sorority with Chicana/Latina roots, where I realized the richness and diversity beyond my limited perceptions of Hispanic heritage solely tied to Mexico. Your insight that “These identities are not monolithic and require we move beyond assumptions or what may seem obvious'” resonated with me. Your article emphasizes the significance of understanding and respecting the intricate nuances of these identities and the importance of embracing cultural humility as a fundamental element in fostering growth and progress.
What a great takeaway! Thank you so much for sharing, Ana! And happy to hear you enjoyed the blog!
Hello Dr. Bojorquez,
I enjoyed reading your article. I resonated with cultural Humility and how you talked about your Husband being born in Mexico and not loving tacos or beans. it similar to me being a Nigerian Woman. I typically do not eat the traditional food. People in my culture will look at me crazy saying how are you Nigerian but don’t like the food. Just because that is my culture, it does not mean I have to eat it or love it. It is my choice.
Thank you for your comment, Chioma! That is very true, everyone has their own likes and dislikes that cannot be summed up by labels or stereotypes!
Thank you for sharing this Dr. Bojorquez. I thought about how many cultures get put into one specific box, leading to many assumptions and stereotypes. We can’t solely be defined by our ethnicity. As a Mexican-American, I see the many differences in traditions, and even language, amongst the Mexican culture. As I have gotten to know many Mexican families in my life, I feel like I learn something new every time, which gives me a deeper appreciation for the generations before me.
This is so true! So glad you had a takeaway, thank you for sharing, David!
Hi Dr. Bojórquez, thank you for writing such an interesting article. On the topic of whether or not we should use Latino/a or Latinx I heard an interesting take that I want to think about more. I’ve heard some people who use Latino/a pronouns that say the use of Latinx is just western culture imposing their ideas on another culture. The U.S. is kind of going through a conversation regarding gender pronouns but now through Latinx some people are just expecting other cultures to take on the U.S. outlook on pronouns. My wife’s family who are from Mexico never use Latinx and have no issues with Latino/a, it’s just a part of their language. I guess it’s something for me to consider in line with cultural humility. Some cultures just simply won’t have the same perspective that we might and we need to always consider it.
Appreciate this thought – lots of layers to this conversation.
I really enjoyed reading your blog. My wife is Mexican, Spanish and English. I really did not know that she was like you Hispanic and Latina. It is really cool to learn this. Great blog.
This was a amazing article! A lot of good information I was unaware of. My husbands birthday is on Cinco de Mayo, and he likes to celebrate with Tacos as you mentioned. I love that we celebrate also Dia de Los Muertos at work, it bring s a sense of cultural and we are able to be involved and learn some history. Thank you so much for sharing and spreading some knowledge i didn’t know.
Thank you for your comment, Ebony! So glad you enjoyed the blog and were able to relate!
Loved what you had to share about cultural humility. We may continue working towards a more progressive and empathic society by practicing cultural humility and establishing a welcoming environment. Great read, Dr. Bojórquez!
Yes! You said this so well! Thank you for sharing, Hector!
Hello Professor Bojorquez ,
I would first like to thank you for sharing this article. I happen to be a first-generation college grad. Both of my parents immigrated from El Salvador. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, the biggest pot of cultures in one city. I remember when I moved to Redlands, CA, I was shocked. Everyone assumed I was Mexican. I used to go along with it until, one day, I recognized how I felt. I felt like I was underplaying my culture. I am so proud of being a Salvadoran. So why not share that! Thank you for sharing the beauty that is being Hispanic/ Latino.
Thank you for sharing some of your story, Samantha! Very glad that you were able to relate to this blog!
I absolutely enjoyed reading this article. I think it would be helpful for a lot of folks to read this and understand the importance of cultural humility. My parents are both from central America and have struggled consistently growing up in the states with folks assuming I’m from Mexico. The Hispanic/Latino/x population is so diverse and it’s important for folks to acknowledge their implicit bias and educate themselves on how they can be more inclusive with their language usage.
I agree! Everyone can benefit from growing in their cultural humility and understanding of those who are different than them. Thank you for sharing, Jailene!
Hello Dr. Bojorquez,
I enjoyed reading your blog post. As a Mexican woman, I find it difficult to determine the proper term to use to identify myself. Language constantly changes, especially with new terms such as Latino a/x. I prefer to use Hispanic when identifying my ethnic background because I was raised using that term and am most comfortable with it. I agree that immersion is the most effective way to practice cultural humility and helps me understand other cultures. I’ve learned to appreciate different Hispanic cultures by indulging in their traditional dishes. I’m glad you included nacatamal in the popular dishes portion! This is a dish I frequently enjoy during the holidays with my partner and his family, who are from Nicaragua.
Hi Clarissa! I’m happy to hear you were able to relate and enjoyed reading this blog! Thank you for sharing!
That was a great read. Thank you Dr. Bojorquez for sharing.
Thanks for your comment, Martha!
I really enjoyed your post, as I have always had a difficult time with the terminology. When you mentioned, “Not all Latinos are Hispanic, and not all Hispanics are Latinos,” We can get very confused with the terms and forget to acknowledge the background of the words. This reminded me of when I was in elementary school, and I would, accidentally and without any ill intentions, tell my friend that she was Mexican because she spoke Spanish, even though she was Salvadorian. At that time, I assumed that anyone who spoke Spanish was Mexican, as I am. I now have a better sense of cultural humility, as you mentioned, and have tried to understand my culture and other people’s cultures.
Thank you for sharing and for being vulnerable, Nathalie! It is a huge sign of growth to be able to see where we can and have grown in having cultural humility!
I truly appreciate your blog! Being of Hispanic descent, I’ve recognized my own implicit biases and sometimes find myself surprised, especially when fellow Mexicans (who share my ethnicity) don’t have a preference for traditional Mexican cuisine. Your content serves as a valuable reminder to continually cultivate cultural humility.
Hi Angelica! Thank you for sharing, and for your vulnerability! It is a good reminder for us all!
As a Hispanic young woman, and lover of tacos, the title of your blog post immediately struck my attention. Your post began very light hearted, and furthermore went into the discussion of some very relevant and significant topics within the Hispanic community. I would also like to say that I really enjoyed the portion of your blog post about Celebrations and Fun Facts, within the various Latin countries and regions. Overall, I really enjoyed reading your blog post and would love to see more posts like this in regards to Hispanic heritage and culture.
Thanks for your comment, Claire! Happy to hear you enjoyed reading this blog!
Hello Dr. Bojorquez,
I feel deceived that Mexican Independence Day isn’t on May 5th but is instead on September 15th. It just confirms that instead of following the majority, we should be willing to do our research. I appreciate your humility in writing this post, I can hear from your tone that you’re passionate about shedding light on myths related to culture. This inspired me to blog about topics that interest me in the future!
It’s true, doing research for ourselves will always prove to be more profitable than taking what the crowd says to be accurate. Very exciting to hear it has inspired you to start writing! Thank you for sharing, Mariah!
As a person who is dating someone from the Latino culture, I was very surprised that after reading this article, only a few bits and pieces were unfamiliar to me. What I mean by that is my girlfriend has done a good job of integrating me into her own culture and teaching me new things period. It’s not only given me a newfound respect for a culture other than my own, but also urges me to be keener to learn about even more cultures.
Thank you for sharing, Sheran! How special that your girlfriend has been able to introduce you to a culture and experiences different than your own! And so wonderful to hear that it has urged you to keep learning!
Being Mexican comes with the misconception others associate everyone as a Mexican or Latino solely on their skin color or features. I think the “I love tacos” assumption of others is also the “they must speak Spanish” assumption. Many need to consider the experiences they have had that impacted their lives. As we learn about and respect other cultures, we do not make assumptions solely on the ideas we hear or see from others. I enjoyed the post, bendiciones!
Thank you for sharing, Jessica! That is a very good point and connection you’ve made!
Hello, Dr. Bojorquez! As a fellow Mexican-American woman, I resonate with your blog. I, too, have a fondness for tacos and yet still admire those who don’t share that appreciation. I celebrate Independence Day in September, as freedom is significant for me. From a young age, I recognized that only some have had the privilege of experiencing it.
Thank you for commenting, Ms. Gomez! Glad you were able to resonate with the blog and that you are able to acknowledge that, that is very wise!
Very interesting read touching on various misconceptions about cultural identity Dr. Bojorquez! I appreciate how complex cultural identify can be and differences amongst the terms used to identify one’s culture.
Hello Chris! I agree! Culture and all of its complexities are incredibly beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
Wow, I really enjoyed reading this article! Although I am Latina, I do not know much about our heritage. My grandparents came to the United Stated to provide a better life for their children, so there was not always a big influence of Mexican heritage in our household. Of course we still celebrate, Día de Los Muertos and enjoy culturally influenced foods but not much of our heritage was passed on to me. This article made me embrace more of my heritage and intrigued me to learn more!
Hey Julissa! So exciting to hear that this article has made you want to learn more! Thank you for your comment!
Dr. Bojorquez, I love the excitement with which you encourage us to explore our culture. While I appreciate the explanation of Hispanic and LatinX, I felt very validated in simply considering myself Mexican-American. Thank you for that.
Hello, Josephine. Happy to hear that, and thank you for sharing!
Hello Dr. Bojórquez, thank you for this insightful post and for explaining the meanings of the terms Hispanic and Latino/a/x. As a Chicana, I have been uneducated on the differences between the terms and I never knew which one I should call myself. Furthermore, learning about the phrase Latinx has allowed us to be more inclusive which is a positive step for the latino/a/x and hispanic cultures because there can be homophobic tendencies demonstrated in the society. Also, I love how you touch on the significance of cultural humility because I believe as individuals we can be blinded by our own worldview which can cause us to ignore one’s own cultural background. Thank you for this knowledgeable blog post, and I enjoyed diving deeper into my own culture!
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!
After reading this, as someone who is from Hispanic descent this article made me think of what I wanted to be referred to as since it is a sensitive but important topic to discuss. And I enjoyed the cultural humility section as even when people make generalizations and have biases towards myself, I look at it as a way to teach people more about my own culture instead of ridiculing them.
Hi Bryan! What a wise why to look at interactions with other people. Thank you for sharing!
This was such a great blog to read, filled with so much helpful and important information! Thank you for further explaining the terms Hispanic and Latino/a/x. The way you explained this made it easier for me to comprehend!
It’s always a win to hear that! Thank you for sharing, Kelsey!
Dr. Bojórquez, as someone who is also Hispanic I appreciated this blog as it gives great insight on ones culture and delicious food! I appreciate your informative take on the history of Hispanic Heritage Month, the discussion of the terms Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx, and the concept of cultural humility. The added touch of celebrating traditions and dishes from various countries adds a delightful dimension to your post. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, and I’m looking forward to more engaging content from your blog in the future!
Thank you for commenting, Janet! Happy to hear you liked the blog!
Dr. Bojorquez, I enjoyed reading this so much and it was very informative. I myself am Hispanic/Latinx and still sometimes have trouble differentiating the terms. You did well in explaining that. I also liked how you mentioned your husband’s food preferences and tied it into implicit bias. It is a reminder to practice cultural humility.
Hi Joaly! That is a good reminder, and I’m glad you were able to connect with what was being discussed. Thank you for commenting!
I enjoyed reading this article. I love learning about my culture as well as having other people learn about it.
Hey Sarah! That is so special. Thank you for sharing!
This article was a fun learning experience. I enjoyed the examples of celbrations and fun facts. I also like the example of your husband not liking those foods as a good example of having implicit biases. Looking forward to future articles.
Hello, Skye! Thank you for commenting, and I’m glad you enjoyed reading the article!
Thank you for sharing, Lisa! Dia de Los Muertos is a holiday is popular in the Mexican culture, which as you stated it is to celebrate those who have passed.
Hello Dr. Bojorquez,
I really enjoyed your blog. As someone who is third generation born in the United States I like your explanation about the different cultures. Being of Mexican decent I have never confused the different cultures. Never have assumed someone was Mexican or so forth.
My family has recently started to celebrate Día de Los Muertos. I think it helps use remember how much love we feel for those whom have passed. Get’s us to talk about memories we cherished and share those with younger family members. Helps them picture their ancestors.
My husband as well does not like beans, Mexican rice and some traditional Mexican foods. It made me surprise as his parents are from Mexico. He says it’s because he ate those foods to many times and grew tired of it. Go figure.
Hi Lisa, thanks for your comment! That’s so cool that your family has started to celebrate Día de Los Muertos and that it allows for a special time! Hopefully that tradition will last for a very long time.
Thank you, Kelsey! There are several layers to a person, which is why intersectionality becomes important.
Excellent work Dr. Bojórquez! This article is a testament to the rich and diverse culture of individuals of Latin and Hispanic decent. In attempt to identify, we can sometime inadvertently reduce individuals to a box. As a Black woman in America my label of black, African American or POC only touches the surface of who I am as a person, let alone a culture. This is a reminder that an understanding of people and their culture is more important than labels.
Thank you for commenting, Kelsey! Recognizing and remembering that people and their cultures are more than just labels is so so crucial. I’m glad you were able to relate!
Hello Dr. Bojorquez! My father is from Guadalajara, Jalisco, and my mother’s grandfather’s father is from Spain, but she and her mother (my abuela) were born in California. I guess I always identified as a Mexican because it was closer to home, but perhaps I could identify as a Latina woman. I also lived and taught English as a second language in Mexico. My time abroad provided a great understanding of where I come from, my father’s lineage, that is. P.S. I eat tacos de lengua 3-4 times a week. A local restaurant always knows my order every time I come in. No shame, haha.
Hi Sasha! Thanks so much for commenting. It’s very exciting to hear that this blog has been relatable and even led to some deeper thinking!