Every year, from September 15^th to October 15^th, millions of Americans welcome the celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. This is a perfect time to recognize many of the achievements that Hispanic communities have made throughout the U.S. and the world. It is a time to honor the history, culture, and civic contributions of people with heritage in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.

When first introduced by California Congressman George E. Brown in June 1968, celebrating Hispanic heritage was only a week-long celebration. The 1960s brought about the civil rights movement, and awareness of multicultural identities in the U.S. grew. Twenty years later, in 1988, Senator Paul Simon submitted a bill that was successfully passed by Congress and signed into law by President Reagan on August 17, 1988. This bill helped extend the week-long celebration to a month-long commemoration recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Many wonder why Hispanic Heritage Month begins and ends in the middle of the month. While American Latino communities are spotlighted, the first day coincides with the Independence Day of several Hispanic and Latino countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile.

In observing this significant month, it is important to recognize the distinction of the cultures – Hispanic, Mexican, and Latino. They are not the same but are often grouped into one category. The term ’Hispanic’ was used by President Lyndon Johnson during his administration when the observance was implemented in 1968. Since the 1980 Census, the term ’Hispanic’ has been embedded into the narrative, alienating millions of people of diverse identities and ethnicities, using a term that fails to acknowledge the individuality of these groups. However, the populations continue to become increasingly multi-ethnic and multi-racial, making identities more complex and fluid. Thus, it isn't easy to be defined by any one description. Using ’Hispanic’ as a description helps unite and mobilize people from various countries that Spain once colonized. While the description makes it convenient, it doesn’t make it more accurate. It is important to note that we use the word ’Hispanic’ because it lacks a better option to identify so many rich varieties of differing cultures.

Many people may not realize that several of our American customs were actually formed by contributions from Latin, Mexican, and Caribbean groupings. Examples include:

• Millions of American war veterans have been of Latin, Mexican, and Caribbean descent. Hispanic soldiers sacrificed their lives in every American war, both foreign and domestic.
• The word ’barbecue’ is derived from the Spanish word ’barbacoa’ and is a result of combining both Caribbean and Spanish traditions.
• While we, as Oklahomans, would like to take credit for the cowboy culture, cowboy hats, and rodeos, the occupation of ranching originated in Mexico and Spain.

There are many ways to educate ourselves about National Hispanic Heritage Month. Whether you attend a festival, visit a museum, read some history about the cultures, or try some authentic cuisine, it is important to make it a point to reach out and take the time to learn more about these impressive cultures that enrich our communities and shape our nation.

"There is nothing harder than the softness of indifference."
- Juan Montalvo, Ecuadorean Essayist

On October 2^nd, members of the MMAC National Hispanic Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees (NHCFAE) will attend a booth in the Blue Sky Café, where you can join the organization and meet new people. Traditional food will be on the menu for your enjoyment as well. Veronica Salazar, a member of the NHCFAE states, "I would like others at the MMAC to learn that Hispanics work here at all levels. We encourage each other to be leaders. It is important for others to know that they are already successful."

This year’s theme is "Pioneers of Change, Shaping the Future Together." Part of that change would be to increase the number of Hispanics employed by the FAA, and to provide education opportunities. The NHCFAE provides educational scholarship funding for members and their families.

The MMAC chapter of NHCFAE’s mission centers on being a professional, diverse organization that focuses on advocating career placement and advancement through support, education and alliances. Their vision is to be the leading Hispanic employee association among all federal government agencies, recognized and regarded for its educational, recruitment, outreach and career development initiatives.

Learn more about the FAA National Hispanic Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees.