Throughout Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month, Berkeley High School teachers are engaging students with lessons on Latinx/Hispanic history and culture, from learning about historical events and influential figures to highlighting artworks.
Latinx/Hispanic history month is celebrated nationwide from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Sept. 15 is a date that holds significance to many Latin American countries, marking the anniversary of independence from Spanish rule for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
“Latinx month is important because it highlights the contributions that Hispanic people have had over history and cultures,” Camila Ramos, a BHS junior, said.
Ramos also emphasized the importance of preserving Latinx history and culture, saying that learning about Latinx communities helps keep their history alive and teaches students about the oppression these communities have faced. She said that understanding these experiences helps students develop greater cultural respect while acknowledging how they have persevered and continued sharing their culture.
“I think it’s important to teach different cultures in (BHS) and Latinx history is really important,” Rafael Piedra, a BHS Ethnic Studies and Chicano History teacher, said, “(Latinx history) really is around us all the time.”
Piedra explained that Latinx history is particularly relevant to the world students live in. He added that bringing those topics into the classroom allows students to better understand the people and events that have influenced the modern world.
Spanish 3 teacher, Carolina Zamorano, uses her classroom to expose students to the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. Zamorano, who is Chilena, explained that students mainly associate Spanish-speaking cultures with Mexico or Spain, overlooking many of the other countries across Latin America.
Zamorano emphasized that her lessons acknowledge that Latin American countries have distinct histories and identities, rather than only representing a uniform culture. “I like to make it clear that we’re not all the same,” Zamorano said, “It’s a class where it’s important for students to learn about Spanish, but also about the culture.”
Throughout Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month, Zamorano has been educating her students on Latin American history, including impactful figures who have had an influence on today’s events and culture. “Mes de la Herencia Hispana” (Hispanic Heritage Month), is a term that Zamorano refers to when speaking about Latinx/Hispanic History Month, as she feels it encompasses the wide range of Spanish-speaking people, countries, and cultures around the world.
Zamorano’s students have noticed the emphasis and importance of their lessons on Latinx groups or figures that have been historically underrepresented in traditional curricula.
“We have been learning each week about a different Latinx figure that added to our country and contributed to pop culture which has been super educational and is important to learn because these people often don’t get recognized,” Alykah Present, a BHS junior in Zamorano’s class, said.
Zella Orr, a BHS junior also in Zamorano’s class, said, “It’s important to learn about these people who aren’t usually recognized. They’ve made a huge impact on the U.S., bringing things like art, culture, and dance (to the U.S.)”
Yesenia Rodriguez, a BHS English teacher, has brought Latinx literature into her students’ education during Latinx/Hispanic history month, focusing on the literary works of Jose Olivarez, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Pat Mora. BHS classrooms bring “A mirror for those who identify with the lived experiences of these (Latinx) authors. And a window for those who are unfamiliar,” Rodriguez said.
Teaching Latinx history and culture uplifts the BHS community while bringing a sense of belonging to BHS students who identify with Latinx culture.“When students see themselves celebrated in the spaces that have been traditionally given to the others, it feels validating and confirming. It’s something everyone deserves,” Rodriguez said.