What You Should Know About Hispanic and Latin American Culture
Edited by Jes Osrow 2023
A young Hispanic couple dressed in traditional outfits smiling at the camera. ]
An interview with Taina Brown for National Hispanic Heritage Month
As we observe Hispanic Heritage Month, this is the time to reflect and make sure we understand exactly why we are celebrating, its history, and how we can be better allies to those around us. To create a workplace environment that empowers Hispanic and Latin American cultures now and into the future, it begins with awareness.
We sat down with one of our trusted advisors and speakers Taina Brown to take a deeper dive.
Can you tell us more about your background?
I’ve been in the coaching space for over 10 years working with young professionals, helping organizations build leadership programs and curriculum, and providing DEI consulting. I work primarily with values-driven individuals and organizations and, with my BA and MA in the social sciences, I am able to provide a unique approach that marries theory and practice for a truly transformational client experience.
What is the significance behind Hispanic Heritage Month?
From September 15 to October 15, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by reflecting and paying tribute to Hispanic and Latin Americans who have made their mark on our nation’s history and positively influenced our society. It’s a time to celebrate the complexity and culture that Hispanic and Latine people bring to this country.
What are some important things to know about the Hispanic and Latine culture?
Hispanic refers to people from countries that historically speak Spanish, including Spain (but not Brazil). Latine refers to people from countries that are part of Latin America (South of North America) and include most of the Caribbean (and Brazil). Therefore, Hispanic and Latine are not interchangeable, though there is a lot of overlap. For example, I have a family history in Puerto Rico, a country that is both Hispanic and Latine so I identify as both.
Why does Hispanic and Latine(x) Heritage Month matter?
Hispanic and Latine people are not a monolith. Specificity is an important part of the inclusion process. When we lump people into categories because we are too lazy to recognize the nuances of identity, we erase important details of their identity that make it too easy to uphold oppressive ideas and structures. This is also not often taught in history classes, so making sure we do the labor of educating ourselves is an important part of the allyship process.
How can Workplaces Celebrate Hispanic and Latine Heritage Month?
First, don't expect your Hispanic or Latine employees to educate you or your team. That's an unfair ask and emotional labor they didn't sign up for. Additionally, most Hispanic and Latine people are still understanding the complexities of their own identities and histories as well, thanks to the erasure and whitewashing of our history.
Do the work of educating yourself. There is an abundance of free resources out there that can be found with a quick Google or YouTube search.
Bring in an expert to make sure your leaders have the right tools and to make sure there are no areas you are overlooking. Consulting with external expertise helps pinpoint and address areas where you can grow and learn as an organization. This also communicates to your team that you value this part of the allyship process enough to create a budget for it. Your Hispanic and Latine employees will feel seen, appreciated, and celebrated which is always good for company morale.
Lunch & Learn: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
To honor Hispanic Heritage Month, join our lunch & learn session where you can celebrate and gain a deeper understanding of this vibrant culture.
Language Matters. Use gender-neutral language to be intersectional.
Latino/Latina are not gender-neutral. Most people are familiar with the gender-inclusive Latinx, however, this has posed problems for Latine people since it's hard to pronounce in any language outside of English- which led to the use of Latine as the gender-neutral option. This is also a way for Latine people to affirm their intellectual independence outside of colonial impositions on how to be gender-inclusive.
Educate yourself and others on common discrepancies to be aware of
Understand that ‘Hispanic’ and ‘Latine’ are not racial identifiers. Neither Hispanic nor Latine are races. These are ethnic and cultural identifiers. In both Hispanic and Latine countries, there are a multitude of phenotypes and racial identities. In any one country there could be white, Black, and Indigenous populations. In fact, most Hispanic countries have all three. This means that there are both white and Black Hispanics and Latines. This also means that there is no such thing as a “white-passing” Hispanic or Latine person. First, “white-passing” has a specific historical context that no longer applies to how we understand race today. Second, we don’t say “Black-passing” so, inversely, we don’t say “white-passing.” As a Black person, I identify as a Black Hispanic and Latine, or an Afro-Latina.
You cannot divorce Indigenous politics from Hispanic or Latine politics. The trans-Atlantic slave trade was instrumental in constructing Hispanic and Latine identities. Before the trans-Atlantic slave trade, every one of these countries (minus Spain) was Indigenous land. It was only through the slave trade and colonization that the construction of Hispanic and Latine identity began to form. This layer of nuance further complicates the stereotype that all Hispanic and Latine people are the same.
Equity and inclusion require empathy in order to shift any company culture. The key to cultivating empathy is being able to get specific about someone else’s lived experience. Make sure that your organization is doing its part to communicate these values to your team during Hispanic Heritage Month and all year long. Thank you tremendously Taina Brown for taking the time to speak with us to create this resource.
A note from our team…
Despite making up almost 20% of all United States citizens and over ¼ of the workforce in 6 states, Hispanic and Latine communities and identities face erasure in media, education, and workplaces. Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity for workplaces to celebrate cultural diversity, and its impact on the nation's workforce, and take deliberate steps towards creating a more inclusive workplace culture that acknowledges the vital role that Hispanic and Latine communities play in America's economy and society at large.
As a Rise speaker, Taina leads a number of anti-racism-focused Lunch and Learns, learn more about her and check out her sessions here.