Celebrating Hispanic Heritage - Month An Immigrant’s Perspective

Hola amigas!

Marlen (pronounced Már-lin), was born and raised in Honduras, and six years ago, immigrated to the United States. She is 28 years old and is honoured to serve as a worship leader and mentor for youth at her local church. Marlen is happily married to her best friend, Jon. Together, they reside in the beautiful city of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Hispanic Heritage Month holds a significant place in the hearts of many of us who belong to the Hispanic and Latin American communities. It’s also complex and multi-layered. It is a time when we get to showcase, honour, and elevate the voices and stories of our people. We come together to celebrate our traditions, savour our delicious cuisine, and dance to our music at festivals and gatherings.

On September 15th, you will find my husband and I eating “baleadas” while sporting my Honduran “fútbol” jersey to commemorate Honduras; Independence Day, a time when we proudly and passionately share the rich cultures that have shaped us. In true Latin American fashion, we do it juntos (together)!

On the other hand, there is a less discussed aspect, which is that for some of us, it seems like this is the only month where our culture is acknowledged and honoured. However, like many things today, if the intentions are not genuine, the celebration of this month becomes commercialized and exploited in ways that do not actually serve the individuals being celebrated. It is important to recognize that we still have a long way to go in fully celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. It is crucial to acknowledge that Latinos are not a monolith.

After living in this culture for six years, I have come to realize that the common stereotypes associated with Latin American culture do not accurately represent the 33 countries and territories that encompass our diverse cultures, languages, and histories.

Are we alike in many ways? Yes. I like to say that Latinos are more like primos (cousins)and depending on how close we are to each other geographically, we will share more similarities. Are we different in many ways? Absolutely. For instance, the way we refer to a straw varies greatly across each region. In Central America, we call it ‘pajilla’; you will hear popote in Mexico, & pitillo in Colombia and Venezuela, sorbeto in Puerto Rico and many other ways. With 33 countries and territories, there are countless other ways to say this one word. Talking with any Latin American person will reveal that we are passionate about our respective terms and often believe that our way is the correct way. As such, it is evident that our diversity runs much deeper than what meets the eye.

This month feels multifaceted for me on a personal level. Just as Latinos are not a monolith, our experiences aren’t either. Our personal backgrounds and lived experiences shape who we are as individuals. As an adult, I immigrated to the US six years ago, and this comes with its own set of experiences. One of those experiences is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. My siblings and I were discussing how strange it feels to celebrate this holiday. Not because it is wrong but because it’s new to us.

Growing up in Honduras, we never really thought about our origins, appearance, or language. When we immigrated to el Norte (the North), as we commonly say in my country, we became aware of our differences due to the diverse population. While there is beauty in this diversity, we still need to learn how to better relate to each other and appreciate each other’s ethnicity without reducing one another stereotypes, but that could be a blog of its own. This is an ongoing process, and we are still navigating it.

Celebrating new holidays in a foreign land can be challenging, but we are finding new ways to celebrate and embrace our differences. There are countless experiences like mine that we could delve into. As an example, if you are an immigrant, you likely have had to leave behind your home, family, and everything familiar. If you are a child of immigrants, you most likely found yourself growing up with a bi-cultural experience and, as my friends have described, a feeling of “ni de aquí, ni de allá” (not from here, not from there). Of course, these experiences are complex and nuanced and cannot be fully captured in just a few words.

During this month and beyond, I encourage you to get to know us and our stories. As you engage with us and gain insight into the joys and struggles we face individually and communally, I hope that you are able to hold space for these things and celebrate the unique beauty that each person embodies. In doing this, I also hope that you will come to see more of God.

There are many reasons why it is important to discuss this topic, but one that I want to emphasize is that it matters to God and, therefore, should matter to us. We can see evidence of this throughout scripture, as God created each one of us in his image and expressed himself in diverse and beautiful ways. We see this unity in diversity. They are alike but different. This diversity is a reflection of his nature and is present in every corner of the world where He is worshipped. The Bible also speaks of various cultures, languages, and traditions. Our faith was born in the Middle East and has been expressed in different ways throughout history and across different contexts. And yet, here we are. Despite being 2,000 years later and speaking English in North America, we are talking about Him and living our lives for Him. After reading Acts 17, I am convinced it’s not a coincidence that we find ourselves in this moment, wherever we are, looking the way we do and speaking the language we speak. It was divinely appointed.

“26  From one man [a]  he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has

determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live.  27  He did this

so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though

he is not far from each one of us.”

While I want to point out the beauty of this ethnic expression, it is important to remember that our culture does not solely define us. While I am proud to be a Latina, Hondureña, and an immigrant in this country, I understand that my ultimate identity lies in being a daughter of the King. My citizenship is ultimately in heaven, and my earthly citizenships (yes, I have multiple) are temporary. We can celebrate our ethnic backgrounds with pride while also recognizing that it is not our sole identity. There is no need to fall into the binary trap of either-or; multiple truths can coexist.

Jesus, a man of Jewish origin, actively participated in the traditions and customs of his culture without shying away from or hiding the fact he was Jewish. At the same time, He made it a point to set himself apart from it. He made it clear that his true identity is not defined by his ethnicity, as evidenced by his disregard for cultural norms that did not honour God. The same is true of us. As followers of Christ, our ultimate identity is found in Him, transcending ethnicity and culture, allowing us to be unified. We should not glorify our cultural identity but rather honour and love it while keeping in mind that we are set apart for Heaven. Earth is not our home.

This month is a time for celebration! By celebrating Latinos, we are acknowledging their inherent value as people made in the imago Dei (image of God). As we continue to celebrate people this month and every month, it’s important to remember that our ultimate identity is found in Him. We celebrate the unique expressions of different cultures and bring it all back to Him. One day, all of God’s children will live together in “unidad” (unity), glorifying our King for eternity.

“After this, I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every

nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the

throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in

their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne,

and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10 (CSB)

As we discuss celebrating Latin Americans this month, I want to ensure that we honour the diversity within our community. Celebration and gratitude are significant aspects of our cultures, and it’s essential to make room for the journeys that have shaped us. I feel compelled to acknowledge and uplift some of these experiences, and I want you to know that you are seen!

To my Latin American siblings, I want to express my appreciation:

I want to honour and celebrate you, an immigrant who left your home country, your language, your family and everything you knew in search of a better life for yourself and your future generations. I want to honour your strength, resilience and courage.

I would like to recognize and celebrate those of you who are children of immigrants and often feel “ni de aquí, ni de allá” (not from here, not from there) like you don’t quite belong anywhere. You hold two cultures, two languages, and two unique experiences. Some of you may have been the first in your family to attend college. From a young age, you may have had to take on adult responsibilities like translating documents and scheduling doctor appointments. Today, I honour and celebrate you.

I want to honour and celebrate the second and third-generation Latinas and Latinos who have continued to embrace and acknowledge their culture despite often feeling excluded from what it means to be Latino-Americano. You belong, and it pains me that our own community has made you feel otherwise.

I also want to honour and celebrate the Latinas and Latinos who may still be struggling to embrace this month and their heritage fully.

I want to recognize and honour those who are currently navigating the immigration process, which can often involve years of waiting and perseverance. Your patience and dedication are truly admirable.

I want to honour and celebrate those who come from immigrant families and may not speak the language, yet are proud of their cultural heritage and strive to pass it down to future generations in new and innovative ways.

I also want to pay tribute to immigrants who have faced discrimination and derogatory comments, making the difficult decision not to pass down their language and customs to protect their children. Your sacrifice is honoured and appreciated.

I want to celebrate the Dreamers, Latinos and Latinas who were brought to this country as children and continue to face challenges related to their cultural identity and immigration status. You are seen and valued.

I want to acknowledge and pay tribute to every immigrant who made the brave and challenging decision to leave their home country and cross borders in order to survive. Home was not an option anymore. It was a difficult choice, but you did what you had to do.

I also want to honour and celebrate every Latino and Latina, regardless of their immigration status. Whether they are documented, undocumented, or in-between, I want you to know that I see you and appreciate you.

There are so many experiences and moments that cannot be described in words, but I want to recognize and celebrate them all. To all those who have experienced both beauty and pain, I want to acknowledge and honour you.

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, let us remember and honour the contributions of all Latinos and Latinas, past and present.