Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebrating Culture, Labor, Legacy

FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) -As we enter the fall season, when vibrant colors brighten our region, we take a moment to celebrate the vibrant culture and contributions of Hispanic and Latin communities.

Karla Hernandez, Executive Director of C.A.S.A., says, “For me, Hispanic Heritage Month is again taking pride in our identity—the ways we have contributed, the way our leaders have contributed.”

Martha Castanon, Legal Assistant at the Moorhead Immigrant Law Center, adds, “Hispanic Heritage Month isn’t just a Mexican-American thing. I mean, there are other countries that are celebrating their Independence Day.”

Food is something that brings people together, and for many Hispanic communities, it’s a core part of family traditions.

“Traditionally, we celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s with foods like tamales, menudo, tacos.” – Hernandez

“Whenever I think of tamales, I think of my mom and my aunt, and us helping to make tamales. It’s a process—you’d hear stories, conversations, laughter.” – Castanon

Language also tells the story of heritage. In the past, Hispanic immigrants in the U.S. were forced to assimilate to English. Castanon recalls being punished in school for speaking Spanish.

“I think you lose a lot of your identity—who you are and where you come from—when you’re being forced to give up your language and not be able to speak it in public, only at home.” – Castanon

Language discrimination wasn’t the only challenge. This month also recognizes labor contributions and the ongoing fight for fair work treatment.

“My mother, she was a farm worker since the 1950s, and I remember her telling me how they traveled the Deep South to work. It was just horrible—the discrimination they faced during that time was just awful.” – Castanon

Hernandez says “We have people who sometimes come from another country and don’t know their rights as far as minimum wage. Some of them can get paid less than state minimum wage requirements.”

Despite the work still to be done, Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and share history for future generations.

“We can continue to recognize our culture—the way we celebrate, the way we eat, the way we love.” – Hernandez

Castanon says “It’s up to us to tell our kids and our grandchildren about the history we have in this area, and it needs to be shared.”

Hispanic Heritage Month runs until October 15th

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