2008 Woodie Awards
A month devoted to Hispanic history
LaTasha Monique
Issue date: 10/11/06 Section: Opinion
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More than 40 years after Carter G. Woodson established National Negro Week (now known as Black or African American history month) a presidential proclamation set aside September 15 to October 15, in observance of the National Hispanic Week.
According to federal law 90-498, (later changed to public law 100-402 to incorporate a month) the United States set aside a month in appreciation of Hispanic contributions to this country.
African Americans have fought hard to obtain the basic civil liberties that many other minority groups still struggle for today. The roots of the civil rights movements were built first on the backs of black men, which continues today among gays and lesbians, Hispanics and women.
Hispanics continue to fight for many liberties that others may take for granted. In 1957, Federico Pena was the first Hispanic mayor of Denver. Gloria Estefan helped to open doors by being one of the first Hispanic singers to cross over by translating her powerful lyrics into English, while at the same time giving the world an unforgettable mixture of Cuban drums and American rhythm.
Besides Cesar Chavez, whose contributions to his culture are well documented, many Hispanics are continuing to break the cultural divide by making their way into mainstream media. Selma Hayek, who debuted on Hispanic television in Vera Cruz, Mexico, now writes, directs and produces her own movies in this country.
In an effort to open doors for all minority groups, Raul Yzaguirre, president of National Council of La Raza, has been teaming up with African American leaders Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson.
In 2001, Sharpton and Jackson noting the increase in the nation's Hispanic population began to increase efforts in recruiting Hispanic members in organizations that dealt with civil rights like, National Urban League and the Rainbow Coalition. Jackson stated, "Hispanics and African Americans share a common interest in the fight for civil rights."
In observance of the continuing struggles Hispanics face, the NAACP has appointed a Hispanic president to head the Osceola county chapter of the NAACP, and has been encouraging African Americans to join La Raza to help aid in the fight.
Solano College Students Organization of Latino (SOL) club secretary Laura Duran-Gomez says that she is currently working on some activities that would display the major accomplishments of Hispanics. "There are many Hispanics who have contributed greatly in society today and I think it's only fair that people know about it."
Historically, the fall months of September and October have the biggest anniversaries of independence, with five Latin American countries -Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua- observing the milestone. Mexico declared its independence from Spain on September 27, 1810 after an 11-year battle.
According to federal law 90-498, (later changed to public law 100-402 to incorporate a month) the United States set aside a month in appreciation of Hispanic contributions to this country.
African Americans have fought hard to obtain the basic civil liberties that many other minority groups still struggle for today. The roots of the civil rights movements were built first on the backs of black men, which continues today among gays and lesbians, Hispanics and women.
Hispanics continue to fight for many liberties that others may take for granted. In 1957, Federico Pena was the first Hispanic mayor of Denver. Gloria Estefan helped to open doors by being one of the first Hispanic singers to cross over by translating her powerful lyrics into English, while at the same time giving the world an unforgettable mixture of Cuban drums and American rhythm.
Besides Cesar Chavez, whose contributions to his culture are well documented, many Hispanics are continuing to break the cultural divide by making their way into mainstream media. Selma Hayek, who debuted on Hispanic television in Vera Cruz, Mexico, now writes, directs and produces her own movies in this country.
In an effort to open doors for all minority groups, Raul Yzaguirre, president of National Council of La Raza, has been teaming up with African American leaders Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson.
In 2001, Sharpton and Jackson noting the increase in the nation's Hispanic population began to increase efforts in recruiting Hispanic members in organizations that dealt with civil rights like, National Urban League and the Rainbow Coalition. Jackson stated, "Hispanics and African Americans share a common interest in the fight for civil rights."
In observance of the continuing struggles Hispanics face, the NAACP has appointed a Hispanic president to head the Osceola county chapter of the NAACP, and has been encouraging African Americans to join La Raza to help aid in the fight.
Solano College Students Organization of Latino (SOL) club secretary Laura Duran-Gomez says that she is currently working on some activities that would display the major accomplishments of Hispanics. "There are many Hispanics who have contributed greatly in society today and I think it's only fair that people know about it."
Historically, the fall months of September and October have the biggest anniversaries of independence, with five Latin American countries -Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua- observing the milestone. Mexico declared its independence from Spain on September 27, 1810 after an 11-year battle.