September 26, 2022

Hispanic Heritage Month and Rosh Hashanah

September marks the end of summer, the beginning of a new academic year, and the first half of Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States. This year, Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, also falls in September. Keep reading below for more information and resources for this month.

Hispanic (Latinx?) Heritage Month

In the United States, Hispanic Heritage Month is commemorated from September 15 to October 15 annually. It is a month to celebrate the history, culture, and accomplishments of Hispanic/Latinx individuals in the US. Because September 15 is the Independence Day for many Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua—the monthly observance starts on this date. Mexico and Chile are not far behind, celebrated their Independence Days on September 16 and 18, respectively. The observance started as a week (like many US heritage/history months) in 1968 before being expanded into a full month in 1988.

There is often confusion about the terms “Hispanic” and “Latinx”—what they mean and when to use them. Both terms can be used in reference to countries, cultures, and individuals. “Hispanic” is a language-based term, and refers to Spanish-speaking countries or regions, including Spain and many countries in both North and South America. (Remember, people in the United States of America are not the only “Americans”!) French- or Portuguese-speaking countries in South America and the Caribbean, such as Haiti and Brazil, are not Hispanic. “Latinx”, however, is a geographic term, and includes all countries and regions in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Of course, some individuals do not identify with the label “Latinx”, regardless of where they’re from. (Another, even more specific term, is “Chicanx”, which describes people of Mexican heritage who live in the United States. It came out of political organizing in US in the 1960s.) When in doubt, ask others how they prefer to describe themselves and use their terminology. You can read more about these terms, their origins, and how race and ethnicity intersect in US politics here.

If you would like to learn more, a good place to start is this brief opinion from UW faculty José Antonio Lucero, which succinctly states the racist and colonial connotations of the term “Hispanic” in this context. The UW College of Arts and Sciences has put together a list of art, books, research, and other materials for those interested in diving deeper. One book on their list, Green Wars: Conservation and Decolonization in the Maya Forest by Megan Ybarra, is available in the SAFS DEI Library. Additionally, the Whole U has posted more about the month with links to further learning materials, resources at the UW and community organizations to support. There is also a new post on the President’s Blog from Ana Mari Cauce. Students looking for more community and resources can connect with ASUW La Raza Student Commission. Finally, the SAFS Diversity Specialist, Michael Martínez, is always delighted to talk about race, ethnicity, and terminology and welcomes your questions.

Rosh Hashanah: the Jewish New Year

The Jewish High Holy Days, consisting of Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (“Day of Atonement”) take place this year across September 25–27 and October 4–5. Traditional Jewish timekeeping differs in a few major ways from western time and the Gregorian calendar: days start in the evening, dates follow a lunar cycle, and the current year is (as of today) 5783. These are the most important holidays of the Jewish year, and it is common for both religious and secular Jewish folks to take time off on these days to spend time with family and attend religious services. Rosh Hashanah is often celebrated with apples and honey to symbolize a sweet new year. To wish someone a happy new year, you can say “Shanah tovah” or simply “Happy new year”. Yom Kippur is a more serious and reflective observance; individuals fast for 24 hours and repent for wrongs or sins done in the previous year. It is considered a bit odd (if not inappropriate) to wish someone a “happy” Yom Kippur, but “good” is an acceptable alternative. If possible, avoid scheduling any big events on these days, and be aware that on Yom Kippur, some individuals may choose to still attend work or school while fasting.

SAFS wishes our Jewish colleagues a happy new year!