National Latinx Heritage Month can give you an opportunity to form year-long habits of supporting Latinx artists and organizations.
Take Action Donate, volunteer, learn, and more. During the months of September and October, countries from Nicaragua and Guatemala to Mexico and Brazil celebrate their independence from colonial rule. Spanning from Sept.15 to Oct.15, National Latinx Heritage Month — dubbed National Hispanic Heritage Month by President Ronald Regan in 1988 — is meant to celebrate the histories and cultures of Latinx people in the United States. Make the most out of this month by expanding your knowledge of diverse Latinx cultures and lending a hand to the community where you can — and bring that energy with you through the rest of the year. “We must advocate for Latinx folks every day for the same reason we advocate for any community — because there are undeniable, institutional injustices and violence being committed against our community members,” abolitionist organizer and educator Andrea Alejandra Gonzales tells Bustle. “Some Latinx [folks] may believe that issues of land sovereignty, exploitation, police brutality, and other forms of violence are irrelevant simply because they are further removed from the impact of violence, however, it is essential to recognize the complex and diverse experiences of the Latinx community.” If you want to make this Latinx Heritage Month a month of action, exploring the difference between “Latinx” and «Hispanic» is a good place to start. From there, you can tune into the work of local Latinx arts organizations near you, or donate to U.S.-based groups dedicated to preserving Latinx cultural heritage. If you’re a Spanish speaker, you can sign up to be a poll worker this coming Election Day and serve as an interpreter for Spanish-speaking voters. And if you want to make a more direct impact, you might consider volunteering for an organization that serves Latinx communities near you. However you observe Latinx Heritage Month, know that you can celebrate the contributions of Latinx people to this country, and fight for Latinx rights, any time of year.
