Hispanic Heritage Month – Part 1
Latinos are the fastest growing demographic – by the middle of this century we will be 1 in 3 Americans. Forty percent of Latinos are under 21 years old, the most youthful population. Latinos are an international community and from twenty-six countries – and are the bridge between North, Central and South America
A third are immigrants reminding us that immigrants have made America great. And yet many of us have been here before Colorado was a state and before the U.S. was a nation.
Many may wonder who are Latinos? We are not a race, we are an ethnic and cultural group that are Indigenous, Spanish, and many other nationalities. And as U.S. Latinos we grew up and were educated in the mainstream society, so we are Anglos as well.
Latinos are diversity and we have an inclusive spirit we call BIENVENIDO – respect for differences is part of our DNA.
The question is how do we unite such diverse people, what could bring Latinos together to forge a collective identity and actualize our potential?
A good model is the African American community who have a strong identity and since 1922 have had a national anthem – Lift every voice and sing. Their anthem brings unity, purpose, and pride.
Likewise, a Latino National Anthem would bring pride and collective identity to Latinos and since we were only recognized as a collective group in the 1980 census – Latinos still need to unify their great diversity.
This Hispanic Heritage month we are launching a movement to adopt a national anthem that will bring Latinos together, promote cultural pride and recognize our contributions. But what song could bring the amazing Hispanic diversity together?
In the 1960’s as farm workers marched to advocate for decent wages and working conditions. they sang De Colores. The song is a revered tradition brought over from Spain in the 16th century and is sung across the Americas.
De Colores mean of many colors and celebrates the incredible beauty of life’s diversity – the radiant flowers, the multicolored birds, the luminescent rainbow.
The chorus say that just as life and nature is many colors so too LOVE comes in all colors…Y por eso los grandes amores de mucho colores me gustan a mi.
This song resonates with the Latino soul because Somos de Colores – we are de colores. Our diversity is rooted in our mixed racial, cultural, international, and historical heritage.
De Colores shows people how celebrating diversity brings beauty, vitality, love, and grace to life. The De Colores anthem will be a catalyst to unite the Latino community and invite others to embrace life’s great diversity.
Join us – add your name to the movement: Check out our website –https://www.de-colores.com/ Or scan the QR code.
