Hispanic, Latino don't mean Mexican

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There is a common misconception that if you speak Spanish in the United States you are automatically Mexican. However, this ignorance enrages the Latino community.

This misconception has become so deeply rooted that every year when Hispanic Heritage month arrives, I have to roll my eyes. Every place I have been to makes this period of time seem like it’s just a Mexican celebration.

Now, I do not have anything against Mexicans. I am just stating that for the rest of us Latinos — we feel underrepresented during this month.

Hispanic Heritage Month was formerly known as Hispanic Heritage Week, it began as an observation of the Hispanic culture in 1968 by president Lyndon Johnson, then expanded to a 30-day period in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan.

This 30-day period begins Sept. 15 and ends Oct. 15 because most Latin American countries such as Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guatemala have their independence days within this period of time.

Latin America refers to more than Mexico – it is Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

A previous Shorthorn article stated that UTA kicked off their Hispanic Heritage Month celebration with a mariachi band and taco plates — not every Latin country listens to mariachi or specializes in tacos.

Aside from mariachi, examples of Latin American music include salsa, bachata and reggeaton. Salsa is popular Cuban, Puerto Rican and Colombian dance music that features instruments such as trumpets, conga drums and maracas.

Bachata originated in the Dominican Republic as a more romantic style of music. Reggeaton is a music that derives from Panama that has the Dem Bow rhythm, making it Latin American hip-hop.

Although tacos may be delicious, they do not fully represent Latin American food. A majority of Mexican food has a spicy base to it and includes foods like tacos, tortillas and beans. Did you know that Latinos eat plantains, yucca (cassava) and they season their meats with spices such as garlic, cumin and other nonspicy peppers?

Next time there is an event, why not incorporate other Latin music or traditional foods. They should play a variety of music that represents the whole Latin community or serve a variety of foods like pupusas, a Salvadorean dish, or some tostones, Puerto Rican fried plantains. After all, it is a Hispanic celebration.

It is not too late to change this in the UTA community. We have two more weeks to represent other Latin cultures.
While I know that this will continue to be a problem in America, Hispanic Heritage Month should represent all of the different Latin countries — not just Mexico.

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