Legacy of Latinidad: Celebrating My Mexican-American Roots in LA

By Ava Sanchez

Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs September 15 to October 15, is an annual celebration of the diversity within Latinidad and Hispanidad, the history and heritage of Hispanic and Latino communities, and the unique contributions that these communities have made to society writ large. 

I am grateful to celebrate my heritage this month, and especially in a place like Los Angeles, where my culture is inextricable from the city’s. As a Mexican-American who grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles, I had a unique feeling of oneness with my community. In the context of greater Los Angeles, my friends and I had an understanding of our belonging because we saw ourselves reflected in the city’s history. 

Though I have always felt an intrinsic connection to Los Angeles, Hispanic Heritage Month marks a period of personal gratitude for that connection, as well as for all Hispanics and Latinos who have helped to shape this city for us, for the three generations of my father’s family who have called Los Angeles home, for my maternal grandmother who immigrated here from Mexico as a teenager, and for the opportunity to highlight how my culture has helped make Los Angeles all that it is.

Latinidad and Hispanidad both have rich histories in the city, and it is impossible to explore LA without feeling their influence. In addition to its name, the city’s food, culture, music, and geography has been deeply impacted by the presence of a diverse array of Hispanic and Latin cultures. Even still, the far-reaching impact of these cultures seems to be taken for granted as millions of Angelenos go about their day-to-day lives.

It is my hope that Hispanic Heritage Month serves as a reminder to engage intentionally with the world around us, to absorb the history and culture of our communities, and to pursue educational opportunities that help us to better understand how Hispanidad and Latinidad have touched our lives. 

As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, I encourage you to engage with cultural education centers in Los Angeles like La Plaza de Cultura y Artes and El Pueblo de Los Angeles, who provide free educational and culturally immersive experiences to the surrounding community. Please join me in taking the final days of Hispanic Heritage Month to learn about, appreciate, and celebrate Hispanidad and Latinidad in Los Angeles and beyond.