SARASOTA – National Hispanic Heritage month kicks off September 15th.
National Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 when Congress passed a law designating a week, which included Sep. 15 and 16, as National Hispanic Heritage Week.
This annual declaration honors the contributions of Hispanic Americans who came to the US from countries such as Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America.
“A time to highlight the incredible achievements and the cultural impacts that Latino people have had in the United States,” said Unidos Now Alumni, Oscar Portillo.
In 1988, President Ronald Reagan extended the weeklong celebration to a month Sept. 15 and ending Oct. 15, which includes the independence days of several Latin American countries.
“Many people will celebrate it by hosting a dance or having a food party but for me personally I think it’s a time to know more and reflect on what it means to be Latino and what kinds of cultural changes have come from the existence of Latino people in the country,” said Portillo.
Portillo says those who are not Hispanic should also take advantage of the celebrations to learn.
“Manatee County is almost 20 percent Latino; Sarasota County is almost 11 percent Latino or Hispanic, you have an opportunity to make a direct connection with these people in your community, to learn more about who we are, the kind of values that we bring,” said Portillo.
Besides, celebrations and education, USF Sarasota/ Manatee recognizes Hispanics making a difference across the Suncoast
“Individuals in the community that are contributing to the Latino culture so faculty, staff, students, and we have a scholarship for Undocumented students, a SoL scholarship,” said Chair of Status of Latinos (SoL) committee, Leonor O’Relly.
“It’s a time to put an emphasis on the kinds of contributions that Latino people make to the country to our culture, to our politics, to our discourse, each and every day so I think it’s a very important time to reflect, to learn more and to celebrate the people that make these kinds of differences and contributions across the country,” said Portillo.
SNN will bring you a series of stories highlighting Hispanics across the Suncoast throughout the month, stay tuned!
