The White Falcon - 10.09.1976, Blaðsíða 3

September 10, 1976
Page 3
Understanding Hispanic
b.y P01 Ron Charles, Human Relations Center
Special Week Observes Hispanic Heritage
National Hispanic Heritage Week will be observed
September 12th through 19th of this Bicentennial
year—a year which has been a catalyst for renewing
our interest in America’s history and heritage.
During 1976, millions of Americans have visited Phil-
adelphia, Boston, Washington, D.C., Williamsburg,
and other East Coast areas to walk through old build-
ings and view those early documents and artifacts
which played such a great part in the founding of our
Nation. And Americans throughout the country and
around the world joined enthusiastically in the biggest
birthday party of all—the Fourth of July!
While our attention in 1976 is focused on our begin-
nings, we should also take time to reflect on our
heritage preceding the 13 colonies and first states of
the United States. From Florida through the great
Southwest and up through California, America is
dotted with old missions and forts built by Spanish
explorers more than two centuries ago.
Columbus, Balboa, Junipero Serra—each wrote
chapters in our history long before the Virginia colonists
and the pilgrims immigrated to the New World. Our
Hispanic forefathers and their decendents have
provided and continue to provide this country with a
rich and varied culture.
National Hispanic Heritage Week is a particularly
good time during our Nation’s birthday celebration to
pay tribute to the contributions of our Hispanic brothers
and sisters. It is a time for special recognition and
increased awareness that our Hispanic beginnings are
dated long before 1776, and that in 1976 we are one
people with pride in our varied cultural backgrounds.
The Department of Defense and its components will
observe National Hispanic Heritage Week with appro-
priate ceremonies and activities; however, the mean-
ingful recognition will be our individual actions. Vamos
anos y hermanas.
Youth Center hold* open house
About 400 people attended the Youth
Center Open House Saturday. Ninety-
three students registered for fall
classes during the event.
Commenting on the open house, Mrs.
Jackie Patterson, Youth Center director,
stated, "The turnout accomplished pretty
much what we wanted."
The open house featured sign-up for
fall classes and Youth Center tours. An
arts and crafts display was also shown.
A baton demonstration by Karen and
Teri Belin was given. Ballet, tap danc-
ing and tumbling classes performed basic
routines.
A judo demonstration followed with a
ballet performance afterward. Fencing
bouts were then held.
Students may still register for the
fall classes. These classes are as fol-
lows: junior judo, fencing, ballet
and Ljosin Singers.and baton. Also of-
fered will be personal development,
beauty and modeling, wrestling, ceramics
and arts and crafts.
TO GET A GOOD MAN DOWN, takes a well-trained judo student as the opponents battle
during the judo demonstration at the Youth Center open house.
heritage, its origin
In 1968, Congress passed Joint Resol-
ution 1299, authorizing the President to
set aside a week in September, which in-
cludes Sept. 16, as National Hispanic
Heritage Week,
Sunday through Sept. 18, the NATO
Base, along with many other American
military and civilian communities around
the world, will observe and celebrate
the heritage of their Hispanic people.
Before launching into this week,
filled with traditional dinners, radio
and television specials, lectures at
schools and cultural displays, it is im-
portant to understand the Hispanic Heri-
tage.
Hispanic/Latino
The term "Hispanic" means "of or re-
lating to the people, speech or culture
of Spain and Portugal." This is a gen-
eral term, indeed, and one that can lead
to some confusion, To examine this more
closely, all too often many Americans
tend to generalize about Hispanic or
Spanish-speaking people and place them
into one or two categories, usually Mex-
ican and Puerto-Rican.
While these are the two largest
groups of Hispanic or "Latino" people in
the United States, many other large
groups of Latin, Central and South Amer-
ican people are included in this general
category. These include, for example,
Cuban, Panamanian, Nicaraguan, etc.
Added to these are certain Western-
Pacific people, primarily Filipinos, who
share strong ties with Spain, and the
reason for misunderstanding can be seen.
Grito de Dolores
Sept. 16 was apparently picked be-
cause the largest Latino group, the Mex-
ican-Americans, celebrate this date as
their Independence Day. Although not
technically the date Mexico was liber-
ated from foreign tyranny, this date in
1810 is when Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
instigated the revolt that led ultimate-
ly to the Independence of 1821. This
Catholic priest, known as "The Father of
Mexican Independence", originated the
’’Grito de Dolores", or "Cry of Freedom",
for all Mexicans,
Individualismo
Another mistake made in lumping all
Latinos together is that in so doing one
fails to recognize a major concept in
not only Mexican culture but also all
Latino cultures as well. This is the
concept of Individualismo. Just as it
sounds in English, this idea relates to
most Latinos who think of themselves as
individuals first, then as their own
ethnic group and, finally, as Hispanic
people.
Boricua
It might also surprise Anglos, as
Northern Europeans are called by Latinos
at times, to know that many Puerto Ri-
cans have a high degree of nationalistic
identity. This nationalism is termed
"Boricua" and transcends the wide color
spectrum of Puerto Rico. No matter what
the individual's color may be-—that per-
son is first a "Puerto Rican Jo".
La Raza
Although, individualismo is a priori-
ty, many Latinos can also identify with
the term "La Raza" (literally, "The
Race"), La Raza has become the rallying
cry for many Hispanic people to unite
and take pride in their common heritage.
It is not completely uncommon to hear
the call "Viva La Raza" from a Filipino-
American at a Chicano movement rally.
The term Chicano, possibly derived
from the Southwest American Indian’s
pronunciation of Mexican, is a term many
Mexican-Americans use when referring to
themselves as active supporters of a
cause to better the status of Mexican-A-
mericans in the United States.
A beautiful culture
While this has been only a brief look
into a cultural heritage that traces its
roots many thousands of years back, it,
nevertheless, brings to light cultures
that have survived and matured to a
beauty to be shared, not only during
Hispanic Week but also anytime a Latino
wants to share more beauties of his/her
culture with Latinos or non-Latinos a-
like.
Coffee house-getting away from it all
Are you looking for something differ-
ent to do or somewhere to just spend
some quiet time? If you are, then why
not drop by the Chapel-sponsored Coffee
House Lounge located in barracks 747.
Come on by and read a good book,
listen to some good contemporary Gospel
music, rap with a doffee house worker or
just enjoy a free cup of coffee or tea
ip a quiet atmosphere.
The Coffee House hours are Monday and
Wednesday from 7:30 to 11 p.m. and Fri-
day and Saturday from 7:30 p.m. until
closing.
TINY TOTS TOEING, the wee dancers display graceful talent at the Youth Center open
house.