September 15th – October 15th is Hispanic Heritage Month! FIrst observed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968, this time honors and highlights the culture and contributions of those of Hispanic descent in the United States.

What does Hispanic mean? What’s the difference between that term and Latino/a/x? 

Hispanic refers to those of Spanish-speaking origin. Latino/a/x means of Latin American descent. Latinx is now the more commonly used and inclusive term, as not all Latin Americans speak Spanish. It is necessary to consider how groups describe themselves, as it can be an important part of how people identify with their cultural heritage. Listen more about this on an episode of CodeSwitch.

Looking for Digital Library Resources?

Our Spanish Studies LibGuides provides access to Spanish language journals and databases. Eastern provides access to many resources which center Hispanic culture and voices. 

-English-language sources

Spanish-language sources

• Hispania
• Confluencia: Revista Hispánica De Cultura Y Literatura
• Mexican Studies / Estudios Mexicanos
• Fides Et Historia
• Anuario De Estudios Americanos

¿Qué te gusta leer?   

-Tips for Browsing the Stacks

• Spanish Language and Hispanic Literature: call numbers PC4001-4977 and PQ6001-8929
• Latin American history: call numbers F1201-3799

Classics and Contemporary Reads: A Shortlist

Read Up on or Have a Listen to Some Latin Jazz

The Latin Tinge: The Impact of Latin American Music on the United States by John Storm Roberts

From My Latin Soul – Placido Domingo

Bread, Love, and Cha-Cha-Cha – Xavier Cugat 

In Need of Some Primary Sources? 

A project from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress has made early Hispanic newspapers freely available online. Published mostly across the southwest United States, users can search by year, state, language, and newspaper name. Browse Chronicling America. 

The Freedom Archives contains documents and media covering activism in the San Francisco area. Their Chican@/Xican@ collection centers on the United States and Mexico. Explore their General Resources. 

Author Spotlight: Julia Alvarez 

Julia Alvarez is a Dominican-American author and poet by way of New York City. Because of her father’s political activity, her family had to immigrate to the United States. The author of six novels, a few collections of poetry, and several children’s books, Alvarez is a prolific and widely published author. In addition she is a recipient of the Hispanic Heritage Award and the National Medal of Arts. Her first and most famous work is How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents which is considered part of the canon of coming-of-age Hispanic literature. Watch Julia Alvarez talk about her upbringing and identity here. 

Resources for Education Majors

Teaching Resources 

Beyond Language: Intercultural Communication for English as a Second Language by Deena Levine

A Tale of Two Schools

-Selections From Our Children’s Books Section

Turning Pages by Sonia Sotomayor

Señor Cat’s Romance and Other Favorite Latin American Stories by Lucia M. Gonzalez

Selections from the Social Justice Stacks 

A common journey : Black theology (USA) and Latin American Liberation Theology by George C. L. Cummings

Quienes Tienen Agallas: Resources on Hispanic/ Latino Advocacy 

A Latinx Resource Guide: Civil Rights Cases and Events in the United States

-Primary Sources

Hispanic Women in History and Activism: Collections

Records Relating to the Mexican Labor (“Bracero”) Program, 1950 – 1964

-Present Day

The Dolores Huerta Foundation

Other Fun Stuff!