I can smell pernil and sazon in the air. My tias (aunts) are helping my mom in the kitchen, my tios (uncles) are having a conversation in the living room with my dad, and Bachata and Salsa music is blasting in the background—this is how my family gatherings usually begin.
Hispanic Heritage Month is by far my favorite part of the year because it allows me to reflect on my culture. Hispanic Heritage Month begins September 15th, the same day five Latin-American countries celebrate their independence day: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
Coming from a predominately Caucasian high school, the cultural differences I had with some of my friends made me appreciate the little things in my culture and life. As I’ve gotten older, I have come to realize what being Latino means to me.
Food, music, dance, and language are all large parts of my culture. From a young age, I can remember my mother making rice and beans in the kitchen. Food unites me with my own family, as well as with so many of my friends and other Latinos. We might call certain meals different names, but we all share the same kinds of foods.
At every family gathering, whether it is a small barbeque in the backyard or a large party in venue, we always end up dancing. By the time I was eight or nine I knew how to dance Merengue, Bachata and Salsa. These are the three basic Hispanic dances. As I got older, I learned the Cumbia and Tango; and I am sure there are many more dances I will pick up as the years progress.
Another aspect of being Hispanic is the language. Even though Spanish is the main language in South and Central America, each country has such distinct ways of speaking it. They all have their own accent and ways of saying certain words. The language makes each country different, while also uniting them. Hispanic Heritage Month allows me think about all these cultural aspects of my life that I sometimes take for granted. At Boston University, I celebrate this month with many of my Hispanic and Non- Hispanic friends. Some groups on campus such as Alianza Latina, M.U.S.I.C Dance team and The Nu Chapter of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity have hosted events to celebrate this month.
I am so proud to call myself a Hispanic woman.