The University of Memphis prides itself in its culturally diverse campus. Each ethnic group adds their own flavor to the melting pot of America, and that melting pot would not be the same without Hispanic influence.
From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, people across the country will celebrate Hispanic history in the United States, but the Hispanic Student Association promotes embracing Latino cultures year-around. On Monday, they kicked off the beginning of the National Hispanic Heritage Month with the 8th annual Opening Dinner.
It was at one of these dinners that Jessie Claudio decided that the HSA was for him.
“I feel like (the HSA) gave me a sense of belonging,” Claudio said. Claudio is now the president of the HSA.
His family is from Cuernavaca, Mexico. The group itself lists members with roots from Honduras to Venezuela, but the association is not limited to Hispanic students—Vietnamese member Michael Vu joined after making connections via the Asian American Association.
HSA’s events coordinator, Cynthia Cortez, said she enjoys the HSA because it gives her an opportunity to interact with others who understand her culture.
“My parents would always tell me ‘your heritage is very important,’” Cortez said.
In high school, Cortez remembered the Hispanic Heritage Month being announced over the intercom.
“They would always let us know when it started, but we never really did anything,” she said. “It was very upsetting.”
Another member, Luisa Palazola, also spoke of the importance of heritage.
“(Being in the HSA) is like being with a family,” she said. “You don’t really find that anywhere else. No one else really understands.”
Freshman Juan Ramirez added that he wouldn’t even speak Spanish in public before he joined the HSA. According to him, he felt alone for the first couple of weeks of school.
“The HSA has helped me break out of my shell,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez described how many younger Hispanics are seemingly embarrassed of their culture because no one else around understands it.
Member Bessy Jiminez stated that it wasn’t easy embracing the culture outside of home.
“You never really just speak Spanish with your friends at school,” Jiminez said.
In comparison with Black History Month, many students aren’t as familiar with Hispanic Heritage. Cortez believes that Hispanic history should be just as celebrated.
“I think it’s because African Americans have a richer history here. With how they got here and what they went through, it’s more emphasized,” Cortez said. “But (the Hispanic population) is growing. And it should be just as publicized.”
The U of M’s demographics indicate that just 2.5 percent—about 550 students—of the University’s undergraduate population is Hispanic. Roughly 51 percent of undergrads are white, while 38 percent are black.
The relatively small size of the population means that the HSA could not get funding to hold more events, but Claudio doesn’t see that as a hindrance.
According to the members of HSA, their organization is about embracing diversity.
“Coming into college, you want to meet new people, this is the way to do that,” Cortez said.
Aside from the Hispanic Heritage Opening Dinner, the HSA hosts events year-around including a Day of the Dead celebration.
On the last day of the Hispanic Heritage month, the HSA will host a forum for Latino HIV awareness day.
