Here we are, smack dab in the middle of National
Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) and I’ve yet to pay my respects to
any of my friends who identify as Hispanic. Nor have I done anything
significant to further my understanding of Hispanic culture. What’s the big
deal? Plenty.
In case you haven’t noticed, I often use this column to explore
issues of diversity. Not just race but ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual
orientation, ability, class, you name it. I work hard to respect and appreciate
all the variations of people on the planet. This is especially so regarding
those who are different from me and have historically been targeted with discrimination
and systematically marginalized through intentional prejudice and unconscious
bias.
Why do I say, “I work hard to respect…,” rather than, “I
respect…”? Because I believe actions speak louder than words.
For example, I tell people I love the Los Angeles Lakers
basketball team but I haven’t watched a Lakers game in years. I know superstar
Kobe Bryant still plays for them but I’m hard pressed to name any of his teammates.
I know the Lakers play at the Staples Center but if you ask me to name their
coach, fuhgetaboutit.
On the other hand, I’ve been watching the Detroit Tigers
all season – on TV and live at Comerica Park. I can name the starters, tell you
their positions, wear their swag and have purchased Tigers caps, shirts and
hoodies for friends and family. In short, I can legitimately claim I love the
Tigers. But this isn’t about sports.
My box score as it relates to acknowledging and
supporting National Hispanic Heritage Month this year? Zero, zilch, nada.
Nothing. Yeah, I’ve given the matter some thought. Big deal. Actually, it more resembled
musings. Like: “I really should do something to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage
Month.”
So far, I haven’t gotten much past scarfing down chicken
enchiladas at Taqueria San Francisco with the family. Great Mexican meal
experience with the wife and kids; poor showing of active respect for Hispanic
culture. I guess it’s a start though, supporting an Hispanic owned and operated
establishment.
In previous years, I’ve done better. For instance, as
communication person for a local grassroots food movement group, I placed supportive
advertisements in the Spanish language newspaper Nueva Opinion and other
publications, including the Enquirer. Not an insignificant gesture. Still not
enough though.
A couple years ago, I devoted this column to an issue related to
National Hispanic Heritage Month. It was a perspective piece and required me to
research the celebration’s origins and identify largely unheralded accomplishments
of persons with an Hispanic identity. Better effort that year.
This year I have yet
to distinguish myself as a person who truly regards National Hispanic Heritage
Month as anything more than a calendar footnote. And that’s a problem. For me it’s
not about tokenism or ticking off an item on my diversity checklist. It’s about
truly seeing my fellow humans. That means learning what I can about the various
Hispanic cultures and appreciating what it means to live as an Hispanic in the
United States. That and creating and maintaining space in my heart for
understanding.
It also means acknowledging Hispanic contributions to
American culture, recognizing their social issues, and engaging with them in as
many ways possible. That includes intentionally striking up conversation with Hispanics
about their experience and publicly naming inequities and discrimination when I
see it happening.
Matter of fact, I should be actively pursuing these last
couple of actions steps on a daily basis and not once a year. Anything less is
just window dressing and I know I can do better than that. How about you?
Follow J.R. on Twitter @4humansbeing or contact him at 4humansbeing@gmail.com.
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