The Latino communities in Los Angeles celebrate their traditions and culture always, specially in Hispanic Heritage Month. (Photo By Cassidy Reyna)
Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration that spans across the months of September and October, from September 15 to October 15. The month recognizes the trials and tribulations of our ancestors that impact our history. Around the country, many people honor this through parades, festivals and more.
The community of East Los Angeles is known for its massive population of Latinos, along with so many murals and public art featured on the streets. East Los Angeles is also home to the Chicano movement and historic protests, including the Zoot Suit Riots that pitted innocent Latinos against mobs of U.S. servicemen in 1943. In addition, East Los Angeles is home to a wide range of Latinos, Hispanics and Chicanos alike, so CALÓ News met new people on the street, and asked East LA locals what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them and about what they love about their culture.
Michelle Ruelas, 20, KIPP Sol Academy Receptionist, Boyle Heights
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF WHEN IT COMES TO HISPANIC CULTURE?
“Something I am most proud of when it comes to my Hispanic culture is how I have seen multiple people come together as one when it comes to community issues or standing up for our Hispanic race.”
WHO IS A HISPANIC/LATINO ICON/PERSON YOU LOOK UP TO?
“A Hispanic/Latino icon that I look up to would be Dolores Huerta and how, at 93 years of age, she still stands for Hispanic and Latino labor rights.”
WHAT DOES BEING HISPANIC MEAN TO YOU? WHAT IS THE PASSION BEHIND IT?
“Being Hispanic to me means coming together and being one with more than just yourself but with a community and really looking out for one another, not just ourselves. To protect what we believe in and fight for what we see is not right.”
IS THERE A PERSON IN YOUR LIFE WHO HAS HELPED YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR CULTURE MORE?
A person in my life who has helped me understand more of my culture has been my great-grandma. She always had me involved in Mexican traditions in my elementary school or at our local Catholic Church and she made sure I knew the language that many Hispanics and Latinos use, Spanish.”
WHERE ARE YOU/YOUR FAMILY FROM?
“I was born in Los Angeles but have Mexican blood coming from Mexicali and Sinaloa.”
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS YOU HONOR YOUR CULTURE? (EVERYDAY ACTIONS, TRADITIONS OR MORE)
“An everyday action that I do to honor my culture is to speak Spanish. I think speaking the language every day, whether I am with my family or at work, has allowed me to remember more and more about my culture and what we are known for.”
Maria Perulero, 32, KIPP Sol Academy Office Assistant, East Los Angeles
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF WHEN IT COMES TO HISPANIC CULTURE?
“What I am most proud of when it comes to Hispanic culture, is that family is always important.”
WHAT DOES BEING HISPANIC MEAN TO YOU? WHAT IS THE PASSION BEHIND IT?
“To me, being Hispanic means family, my roots, my brown skin and my culture.”
IS THERE A PERSON IN YOUR LIFE WHO HAS HELPED YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR CULTURE MORE?
“My family and I left Mexico when I was small. But growing up, my mom would always talk about our traditions and celebrate them.”
WHERE ARE YOU/YOUR FAMILY FROM?
“I was born in Acapulco, and my mom was born in Mexico City.”
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS YOU HONOR YOUR CULTURE? (EVERYDAY ACTIONS, TRADITIONS OR MORE)
“I honor my culture by being proud of who I am and where I come from. By making my daughter a part of the traditions I had growing up, and telling her about where we come from.”
Geraldine Galindo, 32 years old, KIPP Sol Academy Business Operations Manager, East Los Angeles
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF WHEN IT COMES TO HISPANIC CULTURE?
“I am proud of the values we have around family and community. I grew up in Boyle Heights and I remember that even though most of us struggled in different ways, we all made an effort to feel connected and included. Schools, parks, libraries and public spaces were always filled with resources and events.”
WHO IS A HISPANIC/LATINO ICON/PERSON YOU LOOK UP TO?
“I have always been motivated by the work of César Chavez and Dolores Huerta. They have inspired me to believe in the power of community. They brought together many different leaders to create a voice for the Latino community. I also admire the work that Dolores Huerta has continued to do throughout the years with a focus on representation as a woman of color.”
IS THERE A PERSON IN YOUR LIFE WHO HAS HELPED YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR CULTURE MORE?
“My mother was someone who helped me understand the importance of culture. She allowed me to find my identity as first generation here in the United States. I learned to be authentic and to embrace my roots from Guatemala as well. I always grew up thinking I had to be one or the other. My mother rooted me in my values but pushed me to become the best version of myself.”
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS YOU HONOR YOUR CULTURE? (EVERYDAY ACTIONS, TRADITIONS OR MORE)
“I honor my mother and community by being in a leadership position that helps me transform and impact lives daily for our [KIPP Sol Academy] students. I embrace speaking Spanish and supporting Spanish speakers in feeling comfortable with the language. I work with many parents and I always make it a point to ensure that they feel heard and understood. I am proud to serve as a leader in the community of East Los Angeles.”
Read the full story on CALÓ News.
About the Author
Cassidy Reyna (she/they) is a Los Angeles native and California State University, Long Beach Journalism graduate. While they were at CSULB, they were Managing Editor for Arts & Design for DÍG en Español and the President for CSULB's chapter of NAHJ 2022-2023.