Hispanic Heritage Month by SGA VP Camila Rosales

Written/Images by Camila Rosales Reyes

On September 15th at 1 pm, the Wellness Center partnered with the Center for Student Engagement for a Hispanic Heritage Month event in the Paterson Room at our main campus. The space was filled with lively music, tasty food, and rich culture. One of the main things that caught my attention was the poster asking, “What does it mean to be Hispanic?” It was a question I pondered for a few minutes, not just me, but other attendees too. Some of us struggled to come up with an answer, unsure of what to say.

On the surface, the first things that come to mind are fantastic food, a tight-knit community, and a wide range of traditions unique to each country but also so intertwined, like the roots of a Montezuma cypress tree. But digging deeper, I began to wonder what it truly means to be Hispanic in America today. With political tensions rising in the Hispanic community, immigrants especially, have been under fire, with the current administration passing bills that feel borderline inhumane, attempting to address the so-called “immigrant problem.” One bill, recently upheld by the Supreme Court, allows ICE agents to racially profile people based on their looks and the language they speak.

In the middle of these heavy thoughts, I found myself watching a soul-catching performance by the Peruvian percussionist invited to the event. At that moment, I felt even prouder to be Hispanic. It reminded me that in times like these, more than ever, we must stick to our roots and speak loudly about what makes us unique. Performers from Kambalache Negro also gave us a history lesson on the roots of Afro-Peruvian music and dance. African slaves once turned to these artistic expressions when they had little else to hold onto. In the harshest of times, they created community and shared culture, which continues to echo in modern times.

History shows us that in turmoil, humans instinctively turn to creativity: through art, music, writing, and dance, as a way of escape. Art is culture, and sharing culture is community. That’s why here at Passaic County Community College, we care so deeply about creating a reservoir for voices that deserve to be heard. As an SGA member, I work toward the same goal: keeping alive the rich culture that PCCC students uphold.

As an immigrant myself, events like these bring me closest to home. Being in this country for so long, going to school, and navigating an environment I am not always used to or fully feel part of is difficult. Taking up space, making our voices heard, and actively participating in these events is pivotal. Attending not only our Paterson event but also our Passaic Campus opening, laughing alongside my SGA peers and fellow students, brought me immense joy words can hardly capture.

Events like these remind us that heritage is not just something to celebrate once a year, but something to live, share, and protect every day.