84. Honoring Latinx/Latine Heritage Month: Reflecting, Celebrating, and Building Community

(upbeat music) - Hola, welcome to Dismantling Diet Culture. Fuck being Callevita, the only Spanish anti-diet podcast that teaches you from a sociological lens, feminism, and intuitive eating coaching to Dismantle Diet Culture. I'm your host, Dr. Ortence Jimenez, and I am passionate about Dismantling Diet Culture and helping you heal your relationship with food and your body. I'm a mother, daughter, co-mother, a amiga, community member, professor, health coach, and published author. On this show, I share my personal experience with diet culture, tips and strategies, and educational content to help you understand diet culture and systems of oppression so that you can have the tools to challenge diet culture. Current and future generations do not deserve to inherit your diet culture trauma, and I'm here to help you. If you're on a mission to heal your body and food traumas and embody your authentic self, unapologetic, welcome to Dismantling Diet Culture. Fuck being Callevita. Hola, welcome to Dismantling Diet Culture. Fuck being Callevita. This is your host, Dr. Ortence Jimenez. Muchas gracias por estar conmigo en otro episodio. Thank you so much for joining me in another solo episode. You are support means the world to me, gracias, gracias. In today's solo episode, I wanna talk about the history of Hispanic Heritage Month, as well as offer some insights as to how we can celebrate this month, both as folks from the Latina community and folks who are not from the community. So on the books, like on legal documents, and most documents really, it is referred to as Hispanic Heritage Month, but in order to be more inclusive, I will be using Latine and Latinx. So Latine, Latinx Heritage Month is an annual celebration that honors and uplift the history, the culture and contributions of U.S. Latinos in the United States. And so where does this come from? It's actually, it was first introduced in June of 1968 by California Congressman George Brown. He pushed for the recognition of the Latine community throughout the 1960s and to raise awareness of the Latine communities throughout the U.S. And also like their struggles, their challenges, as well as the contributions that they're making to U.S. society, not only in economics, but in terms of culture, food, politics, music, the arts, et cetera. So George Brown represented the East Los Angeles, which is, if you know, a large population of people of Mexican-American descent, Chicanos. And he wanted to recognize the role that the Mexican-American and Latinos have played throughout history. And so on September 17, 1968, Congress passed Public Law 90-48, which officially recognized National Hispanic Heritage Week. Okay, that's what it was called, Week. And this was by President Lyndon B. Johnson. So this is huge. And I want us to understand the context here, the social context, the political and economic context of the 1960s. There's the civil rights movement, Chicano movement, Native American movement, the women's movement, (speaking in foreign language) of marginalized communities coming together. And as someone who is of Mexican descent and who grew up in the United States and learning about the struggles of Mexican-Americans when I took a Chicano class, it was like an eye-opening, 'cause I didn't learn this in high school. I learned it as an undergrad when I took my first Mexican-American class and I learned about the struggles of Chicanos. (speaking in foreign language) I get this knot on my throat because watching the raw footage of high school students in the walkouts, college students being beat by the police, speaking up against the injustices in the school system, like recognizing that I was sitting as an undergraduate as I was in the state taking that class because of the struggles and because of the advocacy of prior generations, right? So, (speaking in foreign language) there's always been social movements in our society. And in the 1960s, there was a lot of like social unrest, a lot of calling out like the government, for its failure for the PIPOC's communities, for the LGBTQ community. And I don't wanna say this was a band-aid and it's not a band-aid, but the timing of the Latina Heritage Month, not only to recognize the contributions of the Latina communities in the U.S, but also it coincides with acknowledging that many Latin American countries got their independence from Spain in the September 15th. In Mexico, it's September 16th. So, it coincides with the independence of many Latin American countries, Central American countries, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, these five nations declared their independence from Spain on September 15th, 1821 in Mexico on September 16th. So, that's another reason why this is important. And now I wanna talk about like what does it mean to celebrate Latina Heritage Month as a person of Latin American descent, okay? It is one, an opportunity for all of us if you're listening and if you are in the, whatever sector you are, government, nonprofit, business, music industry, the arts, (speaking in foreign language) and all the sectors of society. It is a beautiful month, it's short, (laughs) short, September 15th through October 15th. It's a short month, but I feel it's like, it's our month to elevate, elevate ourselves, elevator communities, elevate the contributions that we're making, unapologetic, to be proud of the contributions that we're making to this country, to acknowledge the struggles of the past, to acknowledge our ancestors, to acknowledge the struggles of the past, like, (speaking in foreign language) I am not here today being upspoken, being, fuck being calladita, if it wasn't for the predecessors, for all the women in here in the United States, all the Latina women are the women of Mexican descent, the women who organize, (speaking in foreign language) (speaking in foreign language) So it's also recognizing the past struggles and how previous generations have paved the way for us, and we have a responsibility. And what is that responsibility? I leave that up to you. What is the mark? What is your footprint? What is the legacy that you wanna leave in this country for yourself, for your family, your community, but ultimately to make this a better society, a better world, take this opportunity as we embark on Latinx Heritage Month to really do that introspective awareness of you're here. And so now what are you going to do? How are you gonna live your life in a way that aligns with your values, with your beliefs, and do better for humanity because we need you? So it is also a calling, right, of social justice, whatever that is in your life, personal, behind closed doors, doesn't have to be public 'cause you know the work that you're doing, your own individual healing, the disrupting of the social conditioning of the narratives at home, the challenges that you're going through and that you're trying to overcome, that is already the work that you're doing and the work that we can continue to do in the community, right? Pero también es fortalecer los lazos que tenemos con nuestras comunidades. It's also strengthening those connections, those bonds in the community with our colleagues, with our friends, with our coworkers to be in community, to build community. This is what Latin Heritage Month is for me, not just this month, but all year. How can we continue to work together to collaborate, to uplift each other? We're not crabs in a bucket, let's move away from that. We are taught to do that. That is part of capitalism and that's part of white supremacy, right? To be those crabs in the bucket, like really competing and then pulling each other down. Fuck that shit. We don't need that, we don't need to play that game. We're here to elevate each other. But in order to do that, we need to do our inner healing and be confident with your worth and what your offerings, your teachings, your wisdom, the gifts that you have, right? 'Cause no one is your competition, you are your own competition. So how can we continue to work together? How can we continue to build community? Porque estamos entrelazados, we are interconnected. So in this month of Latinx Heritage Month, work together, collaborate, reach out to the people that you admire, that you respect, that you're like, "No, no, manchen a la mejor no me contesta." Well, you don't know if you don't try, reach out. Reach out to the people that you admire and you're like, "You're such a badass. "That's una chingona." Like, I really admire the work that you do. Can we collaborate or just keeping on your radar? Like, "Son oportunidades establecer esos vínculos, "esos lazos, opportunities to create those, "be that bridge, those bonds, right? "Those ties." It's also, I would say, to really celebrate yourself, to of how far you've come in this, in your life, right? Looking at, yes, the challenges that you've been through, but also like, man, you know, all the things that you have been able to accomplish and to give gratitude and to thank the people along the way that helped you to be the person that you are, right? I was just, we ask the universe, we ask God, we ask the creator for this, for that, but can you first take a moment to give gratitude to acknowledge what you have and the people, right? (speaking in foreign language) Also, what I think about Latinx Heritage Month is it is not an opportunity to culturally appropriate. This is, if you're not from Latin American descent, like, don't do that. This is not a month where you culturally appropriate, where you capitalize, or where you tokenize us, or where you hire, or you collaborate, or you include, just so that it shows that you're inclusive, like, you know, (speaking in foreign language) just on paper. No, Latinx Heritage Month is not about tokenizing. It is not about culturally appropriating. It is not to show like, oh, we are allies. No, do not engage in performative work if you're not from a Latin American community. So I ask you, what is your intention? What is your intention? How does the work that you're doing align with the folks that you're bringing in? Is it just to check a box? And if that's the case, maybe you need to reevaluate that because in order to create meaningful change in our own personal, professional, and in our society, we need to be intentional why we do the work. (speaking in foreign language) I have it too, but some folks, their ego dominates their work and everything they do, and we don't need that. What we need is folks to be intentional about the work that they're doing to make a difference, to make this a better world. So don't use Latinx Heritage Month as an opportunity to capitalize on the Latinx community. Like, oh, mirenme, esto es lo que yo hago. This is what I do for others. Don't tokenize us. (speaking in foreign language) And honestly too, it's also, this is my other thing of do not ask for free labor. And I said this in previous episodes, and it's kind of uncomfortable saying this, you all, but it has to be said, do not reach out to communities of color, to women of color for free labor. We already do so much. And it's not about like, oh, I'm not gonna do this because you're not paying me. It's like, well, can you like one, acknowledge and recognize and value my expertise, my skills, my education, right? Financially, (speaking in foreign language) but ultimately it's a reciprocal relationship, right? It's also financially renominating, I don't know if I put your that word right now, financially compensating women of color. If you're gonna hire us during Latinx heritage month, don't ask us to do free labor. Yeah, like, I never say no to something unless it doesn't align, or it's a conflict with my schedules, but especially if it's like student groups or non-profits, if they're willing to work with my budget, and if they're not, maybe they can reach out when they're ready, right? So don't ask women of color, don't ask Latinx folks during Latin heritage month to do free labor. (speaking in foreign language) Where we can also bring income. We're taking care of our families, like you, we all have bills to pay, we have debt, and many have other debts like student loans, they're the primary caregivers for their parents or elders, they send money to Mexico, like I do every month, you know? If you're from a single-headed household, you know, you get the point, right? And me by saying this, there's no shame, it is the reality, right? (speaking in foreign language) I wanted to keep it short and sweet. I invite you, if you're not from Palatine community, to learn more how different and diverse we are, how we are intersecting identities, shape our own experiences, and how there is no one experience. We're all unique individuals, there are common threads, common things that unite us, but at the same time, there are many differences, so learn more about the Latin communities in the U.S., the contributions, the struggles, the ongoing struggles. And that's for another episode, you know, talk about like all the inequities and challenges and discrimination that Latin communities face in the U.S., but that's for another episode. So I invite you to work with us, hire me, if you are in a position where you can bring in someone who can do the work around undiating immigrant identity, student parents, you know, higher education, (speaking in foreign language) I am a sociology professor, I'm a health coach, and I am also a Mexican immigrant, and I bring all my intersecting identities in the work that I do, especially as it relates to addressing food and body image and trauma and ending, you know, the diet cycle from a non-diet approach, hire me. This is a great opportunity to collaborate, to build community, and to bring healing in our, you know, at the individual and collective level. And there are so many other amazing content creators and folks who are not on social media, who are in other professional spaces like LinkedIn, and you know, you can find them. So this is an opportunity to also to uplift our work, to support our work financially. (speaking in foreign language) Muchas gracias, thank you so much for joining me, and I will see you in the next episode of "Dismantling Diet Culture, Fuck Being Calladita." (speaking in foreign language) Muchas gracias por acompañarme in "Dismantling Diet Culture, Fuck Being Calladita" podcast. Be sure to rate, review, and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Especially be sure to rate and review the podcast if you really like it. If you leave me a review on Apple Podcasts, you become eligible for a free 30-minute coaching session. That's right, (speaking in foreign language) one free session. Once you leave your review, you can screenshot it and email it to me and I'll send you a link to sign up. If you didn't like it, don't worry, (speaking in foreign language) follow me on social media, on Instagram and TikTok, @Dr.OrtenciaGimenez.