The United States is recognized as a multicultural society in part by a calendar that not only sets aside certain dates to commemorate icons, but also whole months dedicated to cultural uniqueness. We celebrate Black History Month in February, Women’s History Month in March, Arab American Heritage Month in April, Asian American Heritage Month in May, LGBTQ Pride Month in June, National Hispanic Heritage Month in September and October, Filipino and Italian Heritage and Culture Month in October and Native American Heritage Month in November.
We are in the annual period that recognizes Latino heritage and culture. It is the only celebration that begins in the middle of a month (September) and ends in the middle of the following month (October).
The fact the National Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15th suggests a prominent influence of Mexican history as it was in the middle of the night of September 15-16 that church bells summon the residents of the town of Dolores in what is now the state of Guanajuato, to hear the cry of Mexican independence from the mouth of Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the leader of the movement. Although Latinos of Mexican descent now live in the United States, they continue to celebrate the event because it cannot be forgotten that at that time, Colonial New Spain was twice as large and covered much of the western part of the US.
This again brings to mind the importance of the Latino contribution to an enriched national experience and the uniqueness of a community that was here before America and will only grow in its profile as the country continues its journey. Ceremonies, festivals, events and gatherings are expressions of a collective recognition of what is culturally important.
One aspect of heritage that tends to be overlooked, is the intensely personal nature of cultural memory and how that memory relates to a past that continues to invade our senses. The mind revisits occasions of individual importance in one’s life like the visit to a grave of a person that made a difference or a visit to a town where one was born or a place that, over the years, lost its meaning and yet brings sadness because it is still part of who one is.
I was born in El Rancho de los Ebanos next to Mercedes, Texas, 9 miles from the Mexican border. The village is no longer there as the area transitioned to a modern agricultural and urban development site long ago.
Over the years, I have gone there again and again trying to reestablish some relationship to the land and the town. Every time, I have come away disappointed because I have very little feeling for the place and yet, it is part of who I am.
I have a friend that has lived away from New Mexico for many years. Yet, he makes an annual pilgrimage to his family’s 40-acre ranchito near Mora where he was born and finds ways to reunite with who he was.
I am particularly impressed with friends and other acquaintances that, instead of relating to their nationality, find a true sense of self by relating to the river, the hill, the forest or the dirt road along the house they traveled since they could walk. These feelings are intensely personal and still, they are a powerful part of a history that strengthens one’s sense of heritage.
Heritage features a community’s memory of its history. It also comes from the heart of every individual.
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of LaVozColorado. Comments and responses may be directed to News@lavozcolorado.com.
