By Álvaro Sauceda Nuñez, Communications Professional
Hispanic Heritage Month is a reminder of the journey my parents made to help me get to where I am today. It’s about honoring their sacrifices, the beautiful customs they’ve passed down to me, and the memories we’ve created as a family. Celebrating Hispanic culture and heritage with programming at the Denver Public Library feels like I am celebrating my home and my family.
Years ago, my mother crossed the border to create a future for her family. Throughout her time in the States, she managed to find work, learn the customs of a foreign country, and navigate the necessary institutions to set up housing and other necessities. She and my father worked through it all in a language they did not understand. It’s something I think about often nowadays. I could never comprehend how much my mother struggled as a kid. As an adult, her perseverance impresses me. It also fills me with pain to think about how she suffered. There weren't many programs like Plaza around in the 90s to offer support to immigrants like herself. Through it all, my mother would never complain. She just wanted to make her family prosper and be happy. That is what I celebrate during this time. I honor her resiliency, the resiliency of my father, and the resilience of the immigrant.
Now that my mother has moved back to Mexico, I don’t get to see her very often. Immigrants are used to the long distance and the separation of our families. Programming featuring our foods and customs brings a familiar comfort of what we miss and care so much about. The Denver Public Library recognizes heritage months to create community through these types of connections. These programs also create opportunities for others to connect by exploring, allowing them to experience a new culture or learn something new.
Hispanic Heritage Month continues until October 15. Check out this month's Engage and Conexiones magazines for Denver Public Library’s upcoming Hispanic Heritage Month programming. Look through these book lists for stories on the immigrant experience and Hispanic heritage. All materials are available to you with your Denver Public Library card.
