Diversity is the reason that the world is brimming with vibrant cultures from far and wide, and it’s part of what makes forming connections with others so REAL. At Aerie, we champion positivity & power, and we understand that those tenets can be greatly fostered through inclusivity. That’s why during this Latinx Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15), we want to spotlight the rich cultures of this community as the nation honors its history and achievements.
We’ve gathered together a number of resources, curated by our own associates (special shout-out to Aerie PR coordinator Jaylen Swint!), that highlight the voices and work of activists, leaders, artists and creatives. Please use this – just as we will — to help educate, inspire and empower.
Books on the Latinx Experience by female Authors:
Latina Outsiders Remaking Latina Identity by Grisel Acosta
About: A compilation of articles, essays, stories, and poems that unpack Latinas experience with class, race, gender and disabilities.
Bird of Paradise: How I Became Latina by Raquel Cepeda
About: Her experience of learning her Hispanic roots while being assimilated into multiple subcultures in NYC.
My Time Among the Whites: Notes from an Unfinished Education by Jennine Capo Crucet
About: Her experience of being a light-skinned Latina and the pressure her Cuban immigrant parents placed on her to be accepted into white culture.
Knitting the Fog by Claudia D. Hernandez
About: Her experience growing up poor in Guatemala and her story of becoming an immigrant of California.
How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez
About: A story of a family moving from the Dominican Republic and the young girls growing up in the Bronx, adapting to American culture while growing ashamed of their original Latinx roots.
On community:
LatinatoLatina: Speaks to Latinas on all accounts of success, the complexity of being a WOC and overcoming all its challenges.
Locatora Radio: celebrates the experience, creativity and legacies of femmes and WOC. It covers topics such as femme tech and safety, mental health, trauma, and oppression.
On education:
Tres_Cuentos_Podcast: A bilingual podcast dedicated to highlighting traditional, literary and historical narratives of Latin America.
On politics:
LatinoUSA: A deep dive into current and emerging cultural, political, and social ideas that impact the Latinx community.
Janel Martinez: Journalist and founder of Aint I Latina?, a digital community platform that celebrates what it means to be Afro-Latina and highlights key activists within the community.
Elizabeth Acevedo: NYT bestselling author for young adult fiction, who speaks openly about being an Afro-Latina and her experiences.
The Afro-Latin Diaspora: A non-profit organization that focuses on decolonizing and redefining the narrative of AfroLatinidad within the African Diaspora.
Afro Latinas: A digital community created to celebrate diversity and beauty among Black women of Latin American descent.
Melania-Lusia Marte: Influencer and poet who openly speaks to activism for Black and Afro-Latina rights and recognition.
We know that this list only begins to scratch the surface, and we encourage you to do more research and find the resources that speak to you. For more ways to celebrate and engage, visit the National Hispanic Heritage Month website for a calendar of events and additional information.
We want to hear from you in the comments below. Tell us your thoughts if you’ve checked out any of the resources above, and let us know your recommendations to learn more about and support the Hispanic community.