**Note: For those who may be confused, I use the term Latinx instead of Latino since Latinx is gender-inclusive. The Spanish language is unfortunately structured sexist, but thankfully many members of the Latinx community use the term Latinx now.
Hey everyone! Hope you all enjoyed your long weekend. Latinx or Hispanic Heritage month is probably one of my favorite times of the year. It’s a time for fun cultural festivities, food, embracing our history, and most of all, being able to connect with the Latinx community. It’s also a great time to spread culture awareness about the Latinx community, especially now in the political climate of this country.
We really are so fortunate that we go to a school that promotes such amazing events for Latinx Heritage Month! For those of you who may not know, I’m originally from eastern Long Island. I grew up in a pretty dominant white neighborhood. Growing up I had a very hard time finding things part of my cultural identity, I barely knew anyone else who was Latinx apart from my family members and some people from school. The typical American lifestyle completely washed me away of my browness, the only times I really could be surrounded by my culture was when I visited my home countries.
College was something I always forward to, I wanted to be a part of school with an amazingly diverse campus. Ultimately, one of the reasons why I chose Baruch. Also, upon doing some research on Baruch my senior year, I found out there was the Latin American Student Organization or in short, LASO. I knew that I had to become involved, it would be such a great opportunity to embrace more of my Hispanic heritage. Along with that, meeting other Latinx people and enriching myself through the experience!
This past month, three other Latinas and I prepared to participate in Nuestra Belleza Latina. It’s an event at Baruch held every Hispanic Heritage Month that replicates an actual beauty pageant Nuestra Belleza, in which is exclusively for Latinas from different parts of Latin America to compete.
On October 3rd, the ladies and I represented our own individual countries in front of a panel of judges. The pageant consisted of three portions: talent, questionnaires, and evening wear. As a proud half Nicaraguan, I represented my country of Nicaragua, the largest country in Central America. For my talent, I played guitar while other girls danced, performed a poem in sign language, and even played Despacito on clarinet. We then answered questions pertaining to the Latin American community and our own self identities. I was asked things such as who was my number one latinx inspiration and how did I represent my culture on a everyday basis. Then came our evening wear in which the girls and I dressed in formal outfits, thus concluded the night.
However not only did the audience witness a pageant, we also had invited special guest performers as well. What kind of Latinx event doesn’t have a plethora of food, dancing, and music? Performances such as from the dance coordinator of LASO, Carla, who performed an amazing salsa routine to Celia Cruz’s “Quimbara”. After our questionnaire portion, I was able to go on the floor and dance some merengue with friends (despite the fact that they couldn’t dance, but they had a great time making fools of themselves).
It was an extraordinary night for the members of LASO as well as everyone else who came to watch. I think the best thing about participating in a pageant like this is the fact that all the contestants life myself showed a different aspect on what it was like to be Latina. Our community is so diverse, and we are often subjected to be a certain way by society. However, Nuestra Belleza proves that the beauty of the Latinx community is so diverse. Even as someone who hates being on stage, I had such an amazing time. Being able to celebrate my culture almost gives me a self of confidence. I was pretending to be someone I wasn’t, for once I could embrace my identity because my browness is what makes me beautiful and unique. I encourage you all to keep yourselves socially aware when it comes to any type of heritage or history month! We have such amazing clubs to offer such enriching opportunities. But since Latinx Heritage Month ends in a couple of days, I hope you all make the best out of these last few days and celebrate our culture with us.
Viva la Raza!
