Equity and Diversity Newsletter
Elementary Edition October 2021
Hispanic Heritage/ Latinx Month
Hispanic Heritage/Latinx Month is celebrated every year from September 15th to October 15th in the United States. Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic /Latinx Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central, and South America. Latinos have contributed, and continue to contribute, exponentially, to the development of the United States, and that is why, year after year, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated.
Here are five facts you might want to share with your class concerning the month-long celebration:
1. Hispanic Heritage Month started out as Hispanic Heritage Week
Starting in 1968, President Johnson created a time to honor Hispanic heritage, but it was only a week long. Not until 1988, did President Reagan bump it up from a week to a month.
2. It celebrates the independence of seven Hispanic countries
The reason Hispanic Heritage Month starts on September 15th is to coincide with the independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. And the independence of Mexico on September 16th and Chile on September 18th. That’s a lot to celebrate.
3. There are a lot of Hispanic people in the United States
In fact, Hispanics account for the largest racial or ethnic minority group in the country. And Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States. According to the 2019 U.S. Census Bureau population estimate, there are 60.5 million Hispanics living in the United States. This group represents 18.4 percent of the United States' total population.
4. It’s OK if you don’t speak Spanish
There is a growing number of Hispanic-Americans that don’t speak Spanish. And that’s OK! The ability to speak Spanish doesn’t make you any less Hispanic. There are so many ways to celebrate culture (like food, music, dance, holidays, clothes, movies, and traditions). Language is only one aspect of any given culture.
5 There is no ONE way to be Hispanic
There are 21 Spanish-speaking countries and territories around the world. Add to that the combination of cultures for people of mixed ancestry. People who are both Dominican and Puerto Rican, or Colombian and Peruvian, or Spanish and Ecuadorian, or any number of combinations and American. This means there’s A LOT of ways to be Hispanic. And even more, ways to enjoy and celebrate this wonderful culture.“5 Hispanic Heritage Month Facts for Kids • Bilingually Yours.” Bilingually Yours, 11 Feb. 2021, https://www.bilinguallyyours.com/5-hispanic-heritage-month-facts-for-kids/.
What's In Your Tool Box?
How to Select Good Multicultural Literature:
Our classrooms are more ethnically diverse than they have ever been, making it essential that books reflect “students’ cultural backgrounds,” says Mary-Louise Newling, curriculum specialist for Alameda County's Multilingual/Multicultural Children's Literature Center.
We know how important it is for our students to see someone that looks like them in the books they are reading. It helps them have a positive self-image of their heritage. It is very important that the images are positive ones. If the student only sees negative images of themselves they are more likely to begin to feel singled out and upset. Newling goes on to say "You need to reflect the realities of the children in your class and expose them to other people's experiences. It has to be done respectfully."
We are seeing more multicultural books on the market so what are some of the guidelines for choosing books that will reflect the realities of the children in your classroom. I would like to share a few of the guidelines from Ten Quick Ways to Analyze Children's Books for Racism and Sexism, and How to Tell the Difference by Beverly Slapin and Doris Searle.
General Accuracy
Books should contain current, correct information. Consider how old the photos and pictures are. Modern stories should acknowledge recent events.
Setting
Books should include accurate settings. Again, watch out for stereotypes. A stereotyped image might represent all Native American peoples in tepees, but Native Americans historically have lived in various types of homes and Native Americans are part of present society.
Appealing Stories
Books should convey themes students can relate to within and outside of a given culture, like friendship, family, and school. These topics are appealing to most young readers.
Author's Perspective
Some people believe that writers should belong to the cultures they describe; others believe that it's enough if writers empathize with members of the culture even though writing from an outsider's point of view. Writers should avoid treating cultural practices as exotic.
Illustrations
Illustrations should convey the reality that members of any ethnic group look different from one another. Photographs and captions should indicate a specific location and situation, not a general statement like, "In Africa…"
“Beyond Good Intention: Selecting Multicultural Literature.” Beyond Good Intention: Selecting Multicultural Literature | Lee & Low Books, https://www.leeandlow.com/educators/race/beyond-good-intention-selecting-multicultural-literature.
Library Corner
Dear Primo A Letter to My Cousin
In Dear Primo first-time Mexican author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh comes the story of two cousins, one in America and one in Mexico, and how their daily lives are different yet similar. Charlie takes the subway to school; Carlitos rides his bike. Charlie plays in fallen leaves; Carlitos plays among the local cacti. Dear Primo covers the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of two very different childhoods, while also emphasizing how alike Charlie and Carlitos are at heart.
Spanish words are scattered among the English text, providing a wonderful way to introduce the language and culture of Mexico to young children. Inspired by the ancient art of the Mixtecs and other cultures of Mexico, Tonatiuh incorporates their stylized forms into his own artwork.
Dear Primo A Letter to My Cousin Video
Google Search, Google, https://www.google.com/search?q=dear%2Bprimo&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS894US894&oq=&aqs=chrome.0.69i59i450l8.689284316j0.
Lucia zips through the playground in her cape just like the boys, but when they tell her "girls can't be superheroes," suddenly she doesn't feel so mighty. That's when her beloved abuela reveals a dazzling secret: Lucia comes from a family of luchadoras (warrior; combatant; fighter; wrestler).
Cloaked in a flashy new disguise, Lucia returns as a recess sensation! But when she's confronted with a case of injustice, Lucia must decide if she can stay true to the ways of the luchadora and fight for what is right, even if it means breaking the sacred rule of never revealing the identity behind her mask.