Hispanic Heritage Month offers Indiana University students an opportunity to learn about Hispanic and Latino history, connect with a community and enjoy themed events. The month spans from Sept. 15 until Oct. 15.
Starting Sept. 15, organizations like La Casa Latino Cultural Center, Latinos Unidos and the Association of Latino Professionals for America will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through events that highlight the Hispanic and Latino community’s history and contribution to the United States.
Hispanic Heritage Month in the U.S. began as a weeklong celebration in mid-September 1968 when Lyndon B. Johnson issued Proclamation 3869. In 1988, Ronald Reagan extended the holiday to last a month, and it is now celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
Lillian Casillas, director of La Casa at IU, said Hispanic Heritage Month encompasses all aspects of Latino life, including history, performing arts, current events and the future of the community. Beyond that, she said it is important for people to realize how those experiences are connected to the broader history of the U.S.
The beginning of the observance coincides with the independence days of several countries in Latin America.
The Federal Republic of Central America, compromised of what are now Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, declared independence from Spain on Sept. 15, 1821. Mexico celebrates its independence on Sept. 16, Chile celebrates on Sept.18 and Belize on Sept. 21.
“I'm Mexican the whole year round,” Casillas said, “But this is a month where it gives us an opportunity to really highlight history, culture.”
Casillas, who has been the director of La Casa for over 30 years, said the culture center “lends a voice to the good work that other people are doing.”
La Casa, located at 715 E. Seventh St., is as a cultural hub for several Latino student organizations on campus, acting like “like a liaison” between the groups, Casillas said.
La Casa begins planning for Hispanic Heritage Month in February, Casillas said. She said students play a role in organizing La Casa’s programming but are also involved as performers and advertisers.
During her freshman year, Gaby Sotelo was one of those students, serving La Casa’s chair of events.
As a first-generation Latina at IU, Sotelo said she was initially worried she wouldn’t be able to find people who shared similar values and traditions, but through La Casa she became involved with Latinos Unidos.
Sotelo, now a junior, is serving a second term as president of Latinos Unidos.
“My goal coming to campus as a freshman was to give back to my community in some form,” she said. “I think it's very important to be able to embrace your culture and heritage here.”
Latinos Unidos will have celebrations from Oct. 5 to Oct 9. for Hispanic Heritage Month. While the details are tentative, Sotelo said one potential event is an informational panel where first generation Latinos and Latinos in professional roles can share their experiences.
The organization is also planning a fundraiser, where proceeds will go to a Latino nonprofit and a social cookout with other organizations on campus.
Sotelo said Latinos Unidos will post on Instagram with the full week’s itinerary once it is finalized.
Sotelo said honoring the contributions and experiences of Latinos is especially important. She said Latinos Unidos is accepting of everyone, and people outside of Latino heritage are always encouraged to celebrate with the organization.
“Having enough people to speak about our culture, traditions, what Latinos Unidos stands for, I think, is very important,” she said.
In the following weeks, La Casa will have several events celebrating the month. However, Casillas said she hopes people will continue staying involved with Hispanic and Latino heritage outside of the observance.
On Sept. 17, the Latine Art Panel will hold a conversation from 5:30 to 7 p.m. about themes like identity, belonging and collective creativity at the Mies van der Rohe Building. The panel will feature artists involved in FUERZA — a Hispanic Heritage exhibition held at the FAR Center for Contemporary Arts. Students from the Eskenazi School of Arts will also participate in the event.
Nicole Martinez-LeGrand, a multicultural collections curator at the Indiana Historical Society, will speak about the history and experiences of Latino communities in Indiana on Sept. 23. The event is from 7 to 8 p.m. and will take place at La Casa.
La Casa will host “Raices y Liderazgo" — Spanish for Roots and Leadership — Sept. 29 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., consisting of dinner and networking opportunities with Latina professionals. The event requires an RSVP limited to 25 people.
Krista Valle, president of the Association of Latino Professionals for America at IU, said the organization plans to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with a combination of professional development and social events.
She said ALPFA is a resource for Latino students to meet other people from similar backgrounds, develop a future career and build a community.
ALPFA will have a Hispanic Heritage Kahoot night at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 23 at the Global and International Studies Building. As a closing celebration for the month, Valle said ALPFA will have a candy and board game night at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 20.
Valle said the best way to stay connected with ALPFA is through its Instagram.
All events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month can be found on the IU Events Calendar.
Natalie Chan covers issues of diversity for the Indiana Daily Student. Her work is supported by a donation to IDS Black Voices, a fund fostering coverage of and perspectives from Black and other historically underrepresented communities.
