National Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of the vast contributions of Latin American people, communities, and cultures in the United States. From September 15 – October 15, seven different Latin American countries celebrate independence from Spanish colonial rule.

Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 as a weeklong celebration under President Lyndon Johnson and, in 1988, became a month-long celebration under President Ronald Regan. The term “Hispanic” was relatively new at the time, created by the United States government to give a shared label to the descendants of Latino and Indigenous peoples from Central and South America living in the United States. Today, there is greater recognition of the diversity and intersectionality that exist under the umbrella term Hispanic.

For Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the traditions and contributions of Latinos, uplift stories of hope from our funded community partners working to create equitable change in Minnesota Latino communities, amplify the voices of our Latino associates, and learn how we can be better allies.

Recognizing diverse and multidimensional communities

Latinos represent a multidimensional and immensely diverse group of people with different nationalities, identities, cultures and customs. It is important to recognize and celebrate this diversity and understand that there is not singular Latino culture.

There is also no singular terminology that accurately reflects the experience of all Latinos. Identity is deeply personal and complex. It’s best practice to ask people what they prefer to be called and how they themselves identify.

“Most of the time I identify as Latina in my community,” says Carla Kohler, community health and health equity program manager for the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross. “I do use the term Latinx when in settings that I feel it will be understood, will show I am an ally and be inclusive. It truly depends on what setting I am in. Using the correct terminology is important as it makes you feel seen, heard and a valued member of society. It strengthens your cultural identity and sense of belonging.”

Recognizing the contributions of Latinos in Minnesota

Latinos comprise approximately 18% of the United States population. Nearly 6 million adults in the U.S. identify as Afro Latino, a distinction with deep roots in colonial Latin America, according to a new report by Pew Research Center. In Minnesota, Latinos have and continue to be an essential part of our state and local communities.

According to the 2020 census, more than 300,000 people in Minnesota identify as Latino, representing 5.6% of the state population. The majority of Latinos in Minnesota are of Mexican descent, but our state is also home to vibrant communities from Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Columbia, Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador and many other countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean.

“The contributions of Latinos to U.S. culture ranges from music, food, dancing, our language and more,” said Carla. “Latinos also hold 57% of the purchasing power in the United States, which is roughly over $800 million. There is a lot of power here.”

Latino history is U.S. history, and the contributions of Latinos continue to shape our collective culture and identity as a nation. Learning more about the lived experiences, cultures and history of Latinos should extend well beyond Hispanic Heritage Month.

“I would encourage my peers to allow themselves the opportunity to immerse themselves in Latino culture. Welcome the discomfort and uncomfortable feeling and grow through the cultural vision and view they are experiencing that is different than the like-minded people they share it with. We are a minority, but we are many,” said Carla.

At Blue Cross, we recognize it is vital to support Latino communities year-round, not just during Hispanic Heritage Month. We encourage our associates and members to take time to educate themselves on the invaluable contributions that Latinos have made to our state and nation.

Learn More

Listen

Tamarindo

Tamarindo is a Latinx empowerment podcast discussing politics, culture, and how to keep your calma with well-being practices and self-love, hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Ana Sheila Victorino. Each week on the podcast, Brenda and Ana Sheila have insightful conversations on race, gender, representation, and life. Oprah Magazine named Tamarindo as a great podcast that discusses race and racism in America.

Alt.Latino

The global Latinx community is evolving and growing fast. Alt.Latino is here to celebrate it and all of its nuances through music. Each episode, NPR Music's Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre sit down with a different living legend or rising star to discuss Latinx culture, heritage, and the shared borders of our experiences. Let the chisme begin!

Radio Ambulante

Radio Ambulante es un podcast pionero en español que cuenta crónicas latinoamericanas en audio, celebrando la diversidad y complejidad de la región. / Radio Ambulante is an award-winning Spanish language podcast that uses long-form audio journalism to tell neglected and under-reported Latin American and Latino stories.

AFROSAYA Podcast

AFROSAYA The AfroLatino Podcast is produced by Alex Gutierrez. Alex has worked with Black communities in Latin America for more than 12 years. AFROSAYA advocates for access to education, health, and justice for all.

Read

Nuestra América: 30 Inspiring Latinas/Latinos Who Have Shaped the United States

¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States

You Sound Like a White Girl: The Case for Rejecting Assimilation, by Julissa Arce.

Toward a More Perfect Union: Understanding Systemic Racism and Resulting Inequity in Latino Communities.

National Museum of African American History and Culture’s Latinx collection online

National Hispanic Heritage Month Is Incomplete Without Afro-Latino History

Watch

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Documentaries and programs to help celebrate the diversity of Hispanic and Latina/e/o/x cultures.

10 Sundance Festival Films to Stream Right Now During Hispanic Heritage Month