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In 1968, the U.S. Congress designated "National Hispanic Week" in mid-September, to coincide with the Independence Day celebrations in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua on September 15, and with Mexico's Independence Day on September 16. In 1988, Congress expanded the commemoration, appointing the month running from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as "National Hispanic Month."
The event was intended as a celebration of "Hispanic" culture and tradition. Many people prefer the moniker, "Latino Heritage Month," as the word "Hispanic" was largely introduced by the U.S. government -- in Census forms in the 1970s -- and not by the people to whom the word applies.
Schools often commemorate Latino Heritage Month with food festivals and art contests, flamenco dances and Spanish-language music, or a run-down of famous Latinos in U.S. history.
Yet this approach -- often called "Foods and Festivals" or "Heroes and Holidays" -- usually fails to help students develop a critical lens for examining issues of culture, difference and equality.
In this edition of "The ABCs" (Anti-Bias Classroom), Teaching Tolerance offers activities and resources to enrich Latino Heritage Month observances with an emphasis on civil rights. Given the current political climate, special focus is placed on immigration connections.
In the Classroom
A wealth of activities and lessons for early, middle and upper grades, including a Latino Civil Rights Timeline, spanning from 1900 to 2006.
Teachers Speak
Essays by and for educators, with focuses on serving Latino youth and challenging racism.
Students Speak
Essays by Latino students, with focuses on identity and immigration themes. Discussion questions are included.
Tafeni English, Jennifer Holladay, Camille Jackson and Rhonda Thomason contributed to this edition of the ABCs. |
