At Globant, we believe we all have the responsibility to shape a kinder, more equitable, and inclusive society. Our commitment is to build a world in which everyone has a voice and that voice is heard. Globant is proud to celebrate the cultures, contributions, and resilience of Hispanic communities around the world.
According to Pew Research Center studies, Hispanics in the U.S. represent approximately 61 million people, or 18.1% of the population. Additionally, the U.S. Hispanic GDP is $2.6 trillion, and if Hispanics were a standalone economy, they would be the 8th largest in the world.
Hispanic Heritage Month – The national celebration
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed in the US from September 15th to October 15th and is a way to promote the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic-Americans — specifically, those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The 2021 Hispanic Heritage Month observance theme is “Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope.”
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson, and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
September 15th is a significant date because it is the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Additionally, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16th and September 18th, respectively. Also, Día de la Raza (Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity) is a holiday celebrated in Argentina, Chile, and Colombia on October 12th, and falls within this 30 day period.
The month is celebrated in a plethora of ways including concerts, parades, festivals, food fairs, art exhibitions, and educational events highlighting important Hispanic heroes in history.
Globant believes that learning is the path to become more aware and inclusive. During this time period, we will encourage each other to learn more as we highlight Hispanic culture and achievements in the US.
What term should be used?
Following are definitions of some terms, but when in doubt, the best approach is to ask people how they identify themselves.
Hispanic
Someone who is a native of, or descends from, a Spanish-speaking country.
The term hispano/hispana (Hispanic) wasn’t invented in the United States; it’s a Spanish word that means “belonging or relating to Hispania, Spain,” and “belonging or relating to Hispanoamérica (countries in the Americas where Spanish is spoken).” Hispanic came into use officially in the United States in the early 1970s during the Richard Nixon presidency. The U.S. government decided to adopt Hispanic to have a universal term that could serve to include all Spanish-speaking groups in the United States. Typically, a person born in or who descends from Spain is referred to as Spanish or a Spaniard.
Chicano/a
Someone who is native of, or descends from, Mexico and who lives in the United States. Chicano or Chicana is a chosen identity of some Mexican Americans in the United States. The term became widely used during the Chicano Movement of the 1960s by many Mexican Americans to express a political stance founded on pride in a shared cultural, ethnic, and community identity.
Latino/a
Someone who is native of, or descends from, a Latin American country.
The term Latino/Latina includes people from Brazil and excludes those who were born in or descended from Spain. Not all Brazilians identify themselves as Latino/Latina, but many do. Thus, Hispanic refers more to language, while Latino/Latina refers more to culture.
Latinx
A gender-neutral term to refer to a Latino/Latina person. The “x” replaces the male and female endings “o” and “a” that are part of Spanish grammar conventions. This term comes from American-born Latinos/Latinas who want to be more inclusive and gender neutral, which is more akin to the English language.
Globant’s commitment to diversity is founded on policies and practices that support employees of all races, eliminating unconscious biases in hiring and promotions, fostering everyone’s professional growth, and providing spaces to think over and debate stereotypes, among other meaningful diversity and inclusion initiatives.
We invite you to participate in this year’s Diversity Month and to drive the change with us throughout the year, making the most of this experience where you will expand your understanding, widen your humanity, attune your perception, and remind yourself of a great truth: in our uniqueness resides our power.
Check out our complete agenda and join in!
