VGCC Library Services: Hispanic Heritage: Introduction

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage

National Hispanic Heritage Month
A website of resources for Hispanic Heritage month and all that it celebrates, collaboratively produced by The Library of Congress, Smithsonian, and other U.S. Cultural institutions.
National Hispanic Heritage Month: History, Facts, Events & More
Introduces Hispanic Heritage Month: what it is, how it started, and why it's awesome!
Hispanic Heritage Month (Disability Rights New York)
Discusses the importance of Hispanic Heritage Month and common misconceptions about Hispanic and Latinx culture.
4 Movies to Help You Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Suggests several movies that celebrate Hispanic culture.
Hispanic Heritage Month Is Confusing (And That's Okay!)
It's Hispanic Heritage Month. Or actually months, because it starts in September and ends in October. And surprisingly, that's the least confusing part of recognizing Hispanic contributions to our country.
Hispanic Heritage Month-Libre Institute
Describes the creation of Hispanic Heritage Month in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan.
Hispanic Heritage Month-Studies Weekly
A description of the origin and events of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
A fun music video highlighting images of Hispanic culture.
¡Descubra! Family Programs
Fun activities for children and families to explore Latino arts and cultural contributions. From the Latino Center of the Smithsonian.
Hispanic Heritage and History in the United States
Website for teachers that brings together K-12 educational resources on events and experiences across Hispanic history and heritage.

Hispanic Americans

Who is Hispanic?

This is a complicated question, and many different people have many different answers to it. The U.S. Census uses the terms "Hispanic" and "Latino" to refer to a specific group of people; someone who identifies as Hispanic or Latino is "a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race."

Source: “About the Hispanic Population and It's Origin.” United States Census Bureau, 22 Apr. 2020, https://www.census.gov/topics/population/hispanic-origin/about.html. Accessed 9/28/2020.

The following resources discuss the terms Hispanic, Latino, Latina, and Latinx, and the often complicated discussions to define what they mean.

Hispanic Americans
Article discussing the history of the terms Hispanic and Latino, and the wide diversity of people of Latin American origin or descent.
Latino or Hispanic? What's the difference?
BBC journalist Angélica Casas explains the difference between the terms "Latino" and "Hispanic" and why it matters.
Talking Labels: Latino or Hispanic
People of Latin American descent talk about the labels they use to describe themselves and what the terms mean to them.
What's the difference between Hispanic, Latino, and Spanish?
Hispanic, Latino and Spanish are often used interchangeably in describing race. But what's the right terminology? Kat Lazo lays down some wisdom.
What's the difference between Latino and Hispanic?
What's the difference between the terms 'Latino' and 'Hispanic? Most people use these words interchangeably, but there is actually a difference.
Why do we say "Latino"?
Traces the origin of the term "Latino" and the debates that still surround it as well as the term "Hispanic" and "Latinx."
When to use the terms Hispanic, Latino and Latinx
The word "Latinx" has popped up in recent years among some in the Hispanic community. One journalist explains different identifying terms in the community and how those terms are used.
Who is Hispanic?
Pew Research Center article about who is identified as Hispanic and/or Latino, statistics about the Hispanic/Latino population in the U.S. and the way these labels are defined, used, and debated.

Activities for 2021

Local Events

Hispanic Heritage Month at WCPL
Multiple locations, dates & times-Wake County Public Library System has a full schedule of programs for Hispanic Heritage month for children & adults. Events are free and open to the public.
Now-October 15, 2024- Fiesta de la Cultura Spotlight: Cornelio Campos
Durham Public Library is hosting 25 paintings by Durham-based artist Cornelio Campos. Modern yet traditional, and deeply personal, the paintings of Cornelio Campos illustrate complex realities of migrant life that are often concealed.
Oct. 5, 2024-Hola Charlotte Festival
Free annual street festival in the Queen City, with music, comedy, and dance performances and art and heritage exhibitions.
Oct. 7-26, 2024-NC Latin American Film Festival
Various locations in Durham and Chapel Hill. A multi-week-long celebration of Latin American Film with movie screenings and discussions with filmmakers. All films and events free and open to the public.

Events Elsewhere

Oct. 15, 2024-Hispanic American Business Icons
Free online. Join librarians from the Library of Congress in exploring the lives of several Hispanic American business icons using biographical, business and other resources available through the Library of Congress. The event will be available for viewing afterwards in the Library's Event Videos collection.

More guides!

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