Honoring Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month

 

Dear Campus Community,  

Yesterday, September 15th, marked the first day of Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month, which runs through October 15th. This month offers a chance to honor and celebrate the  innumerable contributions that Hispanic and Latin American individuals and communities have made to the history and culture of the United States. We recognize that the term “Hispanic and Latin American community” encompasses a vast range of individual and distinct peoples, groups, and cultures, and we extend our recognition and respect to each community for their unique  stories. 

The Hispanic and Latin American community’s contributions to the prosperity of our nation and society offer examples of excellence and perseverance. Therefore, especially during this time in our nation’s history, it is crucial that we seek deeper understanding as we acknowledge and lift up the contributions and the rich cultural heritage of this community. To our students, faculty, and staff who identify as part of the Hispanic and Latin American community – we see you, and we recognize and celebrate the richness you add to the Seattle University community.  

In line with our LIFT SU principles, and in support of our commitment to pursuing inclusive excellence, we recognize that fostering inclusion means amplifying voices from a variety of perspectives. We have invited two of our colleagues to share their reflections on what Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month means to them. We offer deep gratitude to Rose Kaser, Assistant Director, Flex JD Program; and Sonia Barrios Tinoco, PhD., Associate Professor and Chair, Modern Languages and Cultures, for sharing their stories and perspectives, and trust that you will receive their words with openness. 

Rose Kaser, MFA 
Assistant Director, Flex JD Program, School of Law 

What Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month Represents to Me 

I am an immigrant who has spent the last 20 years in the United States. Growing up in Mexico, my experiences were not defined by close-knit family gatherings or vibrant traditions, but by everyday moments that connected me to my heritage and the broader human experience. 

For me, Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month is about recognizing and celebrating our shared experiences. It is a reminder that, at a fundamental level, we all seek connection, community, to feel seen and valued, and the opportunity to lead happy and fulfilling lives. 

Being part of both Mexican and American cultures has been a unique and rewarding experience. This duality has given me the opportunity to see the world through multiple lenses and to appreciate the richness that comes from blending different ways of life. This month is a time to honor this unique perspective, celebrating not just my own heritage, but the interconnectedness of all the cultures that have influenced my journey. 

More than just a celebration of traditions, Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month is a chance to embrace inclusivity and the value of learning from each other. Living between two cultures has taught me that each individual story adds to our personal and collective narrative, and it’s our universal human experience that unites us. 

Reflecting on my journey as an immigrant, I have learned to embrace new ways of life while staying true to my roots. Navigating and appreciating two cultures has allowed me to craft my own story within both. To me, this month is a celebration of belonging—a powerful reminder that, no matter where we come from, our connections are stronger than our differences, and we all belong together. 

 

Sonia Barrios Tinoco, PhD 
Associate Professor and Chair, Modern Languages and Cultures 

I am originally from Venezuela and, as I grew up, I do not recall having month-long celebrations like this one back home. My elders along with my teenage parents started to progressively migrate from Colombia to my country during the late sixties, in search of a society in which they could find job opportunities that would allow them to improve living conditions for their children and themselves. They had to make the grueling decision of leaving it all behind, and going to another land with nothing but uncertainties and hopes for a better future. Thanks to their actions, the values they instilled in me and their example, I had a beautiful upbringing in Venezuela. After receiving a scholarship from UC Berkeley, I graduated in 2009 from my doctoral program and realized that I had no country to go back to. Venezuela had fallen -and still is- under a dictatorial regime. I started to transit a painful path my family had walked before me. To make a living and have a good quality of life, I had to sadly look elsewhere, make my life elsewhere. I come from an immigrant family and became an immigrant myself. I profoundly thank this country for having adopted me and giving me freedom and so many invaluable opportunities. A country in which Hispanic Heritage month as well as many other celebrations are held every year to cherish the contributions and beauty of different cultures. Nevertheless, it is my firm belief that the more we respectfully and with curiosity approach each other to get to know one another, the more empathy there will be amongst us, and the desire to seek the wellbeing of all will be our common and highest goal. In that line of thought then, I would like to invite us all to go beyond the labels and come back to the most simple and basic, yet, perhaps, most difficult. I would like for us to see each other in the eyes and recognize the human being, the living being in front of us, so that we can all appreciate, and learn from each other every day.   

Resources and Renewal to Inclusion   
To show support throughout Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month, we invite you to visit the Office of Diversity and Inclusion website to find inspiring Zoom backgrounds, and a range of other educational resources. 

As we continue through Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month, let us take this opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the many contributions and sacrifices made by this vibrant and diverse community. Let us also renew our dedication to combating racism, xenophobia, and violence directed at those of Hispanic and Latin American heritage, and strive to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. 

Sincerely,  

Eduardo M. Peñalver, President   

Natasha Martin, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion