Monthly news & updates
September | Issue 2
National Hispanic Heritage Month

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures, and positive contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

According to the Des Moines Register, Mexican immigrants arrived in Iowa during the 1880s to work in the railroad yards and agricultural fields, picking tomatoes and beets. Iowa's Mexican population remained low until the beginning of the Mexican Revolution in 1910 when more than 2,500 Mexicans moved to to state by 1920. Nearly 100 years later, Latino immigrants from Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America make up 195,615 of Iowa's population.

While you may have heard the terms Hispanic and Latino used interchangeably, do you know the difference? One way to distinguish the terms is simply to trace their origins. Hispanic was first used by the U.S. government for the 1970 census as an umbrella term to cover those from Spanish-speaking countries, such as individuals from Spain. Latino can be understood as a geographical reference to countries in Latin America, such as the Dominican Republic, Mexico or Cuba. Although a majority of Latinos prefer to identify with their country of origin.

After working at Texas Roadhouse for eight years, I met many Hispanics and Latinos. I got to experience first hand the importance of family in their personal and work lives and their drive for self-improvement. I couldn't imagine Cedar Rapids without such a hard-working population that cares so deeply about their loved ones and community. I'm grateful to live in an area rich in Mexican history and to know and love some of the people that make it so.

Mary Griffin
Inclusivity Committee Member
Hispanic Culture at Work: What You Need to Know
  1. Degree of Intimacy: Hispanics naturally want to establish a personal connection, including a close relationship with co-workers. You may find your office becoming a closer-knit "family" as you are exposed to a new way of working.
  2. Level of Interaction: Latinos want to get to know you as a complete human being. Small talk is their way of learning about the wants, needs, and feelings of others.
  3. Social Harmony: Hispanic employees don't like to rock the boat; they have a need to maintain smooth and pleasant relationships.
  4. Personal Contact: In social situations, Hispanics find physical contact with others quite normal. Handshakes, hugs, kisses on the cheek, pats on the back are all part of daily interaction.
  5. Respect for Authority: Hispanic employees tend to treat those in positions of authority with a great deal of respect. Don't expect them to blurt out their disagreement, get some one-on-one time and reassure them that their feedback is important if you'd like to hear their feelings.
Inclusive Media
What Being Hispanic and Latinx Means in the United States
Fernanda provides a first person account of identity--addressing stereotypes and assumptions, and inviting the audience to dig deeper into the Latinx experience in the United States. Fernanda addresses the role of Latinx people in shaping the culture, politics, and economy of the USA.
Horizons, A Family Service Alliance
www.horizonsfamily.org