As LatinX Heritage month comes to a close, students reflect on their connection to their roots. Finding connections to one’s cultural identity can be a difficult task — but Senior Vanessa Morales and Sophomore Jimena Alarcon find ways to be involved with their culture both in and out of school.
Upon reflecting for LatinX Heritage month, Morales said that there isn’t a lot of positive cultural representation.
In school, both Alarcon and Morales said they wish the school would do “something more for Hispanic heritage month instead of just putting the display up [in the library].”
Morales said “[I would’ve liked] more posters and signs around the school and play some Hispanic music during lunch.”
Alarcon said one way she connects with her culture on a daily basis is through speaking her native language, Spanish.
Some of Morales’ cousins who were born in El Salvador have closer ties to the Spanish language than she does, she said.
“We don’t have the best Spanish and the other cousins are fluent and perfect at it … [not knowing the language] is a big shame in our family,” Morales said.
Alarcon said when she thinks about her culture, she said her mind goes back to when her dad taught her how to play guitar.
“Music is a big part of my culture… [and so is] family,” Alarcon said. She said “My dad tried to show me that by teaching me some popular Mexican songs.”
According to Morales, storytelling allows her to bond with her culture. “Storytelling helps me learn about my culture more and makes me feel more connected with El Salvador,” she said.
“When the family gets together, we might see my mom telling stories … about her life during the Salvadorian Civil War.”
One of the most significant ways the two connect to their Hispanic culture is through food. Morales said “On Thanksgiving, instead of turkey, it’s tamales,” putting a cultural twist on a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner.
Both Morales and Alarcon said they would like to see their culture better represented at school, outside of LatinX Heritage Month.
“A lot of people think that [Hispanics] are really bad; they’re like such a bad influence,” Morales said.
“Really,” Alarcon said, “we’re just trying to represent our culture positively [at Inglemoor].”
