History is Our Heritage & the Psychology of Who We Are

By Dr. Manuel X. Zamarripa & Tlazoltiani Zamarripa

On September 15th, the national annual celebration of Latinx culture and contributions began and will continue until October 15th. This recognition began in 1968 by President Johnson as Hispanic Heritage Week and expanded to Hispanic Heritage Month in 1988 by President Regan.

More than just a time to celebrate the rich heritage of Latinx communities, this time is incredibly relevant in our current climate where rhetoric of disdain and “not belonging” toward Latinx communities continues to be heightened. There is a continuing struggle to be represented in the school curricula even though Latinx people and our ancestors have been on these lands for thousands of years and have been participants in the evolving history of this country since its inception. Never has it been more important that we center and promote the long history that the Latinx population has in this country. As we are now a week into this month of recognition, let us uplift, center and bring into greater consciousness the long, rooted history of Latinx contributions and struggles.

As an example, we can look at the importance of Black History Month. A crucial aspect of this celebration is that it is Black HISTORY Month. Think about what comes to mind when we think about Black History Month. What is celebrated? What people and what events are highlighted? Oftentimes we think of important events and leaders of the civil rights movement, including fights against desegregation and for political representation. We also remember the terrible legacy of slavery and the fight to end it.

Now, think about Hispanic or Latinx Heritage Month. What is celebrated or highlighted most often? What images or events come to mind? While there are events and educational offerings that do give tribute to our various contributions, typically, what is most highlighted are cultural events that feature music, dance, and food. Too often under the guise of “heritage” we lose the crucial sense of history that is also important in recognizing Latinx contributions. Although there is much to celebrate from our rich, powerful, and ancient culture; too often in mainstream society we are reduced to two dimensional caricatures who seem to be brought out “on stage” to entertain with our vibrantly colored clothing and rhythmic music.

A few examples of what everyone in our society should know about Latinx History includes:

• The first successful federal school desegregation case of Mendez v. Westminster in 1947. This paved the way for Brown v. Board of Education in 1954

• Mexican Americans earned the most medals of honor in World War II.

• One of the most iconic American images and myths of the cowboy came directly from White settlers' encounters with Mexican Vaqueros, who were the original cowboys. Vaqueros taught White settlers about ranching and cattle.

• The Chicano Moratorium.in 1970 was the nation’s largest anti-war gathering of the Vietnam era.

• Latinx activists led the Stonewall Inn Riots in New York City, which sparked the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement.

• There are 6 mother civilizations in the world. Two of these are in what is now Latin American - Mexico (Anahuac) and Peru (Tahuantinsuyo)

Keeping history out of our Heritage Month is another example of erasure.

Having a rooted sense of self is important for all, but particularly for groups that have a history (and contemporary experience) of being marginalized. The first known Chicana to earn her doctorate in psychology, Dr. Marta Bernal, found in her many years of research with Latinx children that a culturally rooted sense of self determines the degree to which one wants to serve their community. Other research shows that a strong ethnic identity for Latinx children has a positive effect on academic achievement. So, yes, even from a psychological perspective, history is crucial to the overall well-being and thriving of our community. History shapes identity and development.

One of the main criticisms Chicanx psychology has of mainstream psychology is its lack of attention to the role of history. One of the earliest Chicano psychologists to attend to this deficit is Dr. Manuel Ramirez, III. In 1982 he outlined a “Mestizo psychology and worldview” where he proposed that the European invasion of this hemisphere and the involuntary mixture with Indigenous peoples shaped a distinct worldview and outlook on life that includes valuing liberty and justice as part of good mental health. Indigenous values also have been prominent including a community-oriented mindset that contributes to healthy personality development. In other words, when it comes to our heritage, when it comes to identity and psychology, history matters.

This year let us privilege the long history the Latinx community has of fighting oppression and resisting discrimination. Let us privilege the ancestral wisdom and current and historical contributions we have made and continue to make to this society. Let us remember that the Latinx community have always been and still are history makers. It’s time to more intentionally bring our history into heritage month.