10 Action-Oriented Ways To Celebrate Latinx Heritage Month

While there’s a lot of overlap between “Latinx” and “Hispanic,” the two terms aren’t interchangeable. The main difference between “Hispanic” and “Latinx” is that “Hispanic” refers to anyone whose culture’s primary spoken language is Spanish (which includes Spain, but not Brazil), while “Latinx” refers to anyone whose cultural heritage is based in Latin America (which includes Brazil and the Caribbean, but not Spain).

Some people may have a strong preference for one over the other, for very different reasons. “Hispanic” was introduced as a census identifier to group together people of vastly different cultures and identities, whose sole tie was the fact that they spoke Spanish, typically as a result of colonization. Saying Latino, Latina, or Latinx, by contrast, groups people by geographic origin. “Latinx” is a gender-neutral form of Latino or Latina, as is Latin@, but neither translates so easily into Spanish — some people might use “Latine” instead.

How people choose to identify is complicated. “About half of Hispanic adults say they most often describe themselves by their family’s country of origin or heritage, using terms such as Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican or Salvadoran, while another 39% most often describe themselves as ‘Hispanic’ or ‘Latino,’” Ana Gonzalez-Barrera wrote for the Pew Research Center.

According to a 2021 Gallup poll, just 4% of respondents preferred the term “Latinx” as an identifier, while 57% reported that “it does not matter to them” how they are labeled. Learning about these differences can help people understand that Latinx (or Hispanic) communities are not a monolith, and the people who make up these communities bring a lot of different experiences and identities to the table.

Organizations across the United States work hard all year round to protect the rights of Latinx folks in this country and abroad. If you have some cash to spare this month, you might consider making a donation to one whose mission resonates with you. From immigration policy and community organizations like Make The Road NY to direct service and advocacy groups like the TransLatin@ Coalition, you can find Latinx advocacy organizations to donate to anywhere.

If you’re not seeing nearly enough Latinx artists on your Instagram, use this month as a wake-up call to enrich your feed. Not sure where to look? Check out whether your local museum is boosting the creations of Latinx artists. Get connected to organizations like Latinx In Media And Arts Coalition (L.I.M.A.), which created the LIMA test — think, the Bechdel test, but for the quality of Latinx representation in media. If you put supporting Latinx artists and affirming media portrayals at the top of your agenda during this month, it’s more likely to stick around with you (and your social media shares) throughout the year.

Elections don’t just happen when the presidency’s up for grabs — every year, local elections decide representation at your city and state level. Poll workers are essential to a smooth election, particularly bilingual or multilingual workers who can help voters whose first language isn’t English. Getting more Latinx folks out to the polls is essential for increasing representation in government, especially since, historically, Latinx folks have had the lowest voting rates among all major racial and ethnic groups. If you speak Spanish, you can connect with your local Board of Elections to see if they need poll workers or interpreters. (In some cities, like New York, these positions are paid, too!)

There’s no better way to take action this month than by serving Latinx communities directly through volunteering. From mentoring students through the college admissions process in order to help close the education gap at Latino U College Access, to teaching basic computing skills to Latinx community members in Oregon with the Latino Community Association, there’s no limit to where you can lend a hand. (VolunteerMatch is a great tool for finding volunteer opportunities near you.)

If you’re in the market for something specific — from seasoning to makeup — support a Latinx business so you put your money where your mouth is.

Loisa is an NYC-based brand that makes classic cultural seasonings like Adobo, Sazón, and more, and even their own onion powder, cumin, and other spice staples you likely already use in the kitchen. La Gritona is a tequila distillery that is Latina-run and follows the authentic tequila-making processes. Look into Latinx-owned fashion and accessory brands for your fall wardrobe refresh as well. For inspiration, here’s a running list of companies to check out that are made and curated by the Latinx community.

Doing the extra step of looking up Latinx-owned businesses will help support these individuals in their entrepreneurial endeavors and ensure your money is going straight to the source.

Food is an important part of cultures everywhere, and in order to really learn about a community’s food, eating meals made by members of those communities is a must. To make finding these places in your area even easier, apps like Yelp now have a “Latinx-owned” label on their platform so restaurants can self-identify as being Latinx-owned and you can go straight to the source to learn about the food that makes these cultures so special.

Chances are, if you see an infographic or post on social media that teaches you something new about Latinx communities and Latinx Heritage Month, someone else may find that information valuable as well. Feel free to repost any resources to your Instagram story or X feed to share stories and create even more visibility amongst your followers.

A group of nonprofit organizations have put together programs that allow individuals to connect with immigrants who have been detained. Letter writing gives these people a meaningful, emotional connection to the outside world and is one way to use your time thoughtfully during Latinx Heritage Month.

If you live in a big city like New York, you likely know of a Latinx-owned bodega in your area. In smaller, suburban communities it may be harder to spot these businesses. Check out a farmer’s market or local food truck owned by Latinx individuals to show your support this Latinx Heritage Month.