Given that the Hispanic community encompasses 21 different countries, it’s no surprise that the Hispanic experience is as diverse as its members. As a Puerto Rican American, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing this diversity firsthand — before and during my time at Calvin. I’ve had the opportunity of meeting Calvin students who are natives of Latin American nations, proudly wearing their cultural heritage on their sleeves, effortlessly letting Spanish roll off their tongues like honey. I’ve also come across students with varied degrees of Hispanic heritage, whose connections to the language and culture are less direct but nevertheless substantial. 

Adhering to the Hispanic identity isn’t about adhering to a checklist of criteria; it’s about sharing a cultural and ethnic heritage that is rich in its diversity. We must celebrate the multitude of distinctive Hispanic experiences that enrich our community as we explore the vibrant tapestry of Hispanic Heritage Month. Each and every one of the 168 Calvin students — as well as the faculty and staff — who proudly identify as Hispanic, deserves to be accepted and celebrated for the special tapestry of their individual identities.

Yet far too often, we as Hispanics feel obligated to fall into the trap of assuming that a single, monolithic narrative could adequately capture the essence of the community. We fall for the trap that to be recognized as valuable members of the community, we must abide by certain standards of speech, appearance and behavior. Such standards are set not just by members of the group we belong to but also by outsiders who view our community through their own prism.

We must recognize the wide range of backgrounds, cultures and histories that make up the Hispanic experience before we can begin to celebrate it. Although there are universal commonalities to the Hispanic experience, there are also many regional variances, each of which has its own allure. Every culture within the Hispanic umbrella carries with them their own language, customs and stories. Trying to fit these diverse cultures into a single mold is not only unattainable, but also unjust.

When the experiences of individuals within the community are put under the lens of potential admiration, the appreciation crosses a hazy line into scrutiny. For someone of Hispanic heritage to be considered “Hispanic enough,” there are many predetermined requirements within our society that must be met. These predetermined requirements may lead to harm in the unfair rejection of those who don’t match these predetermined stereotypes. Such conclusions are detrimental because they may cause individuals of Hispanic heritage to doubt their identity and value in their own culture. 

I can attest that it’s an unsettling and disheartening experience. No one should have to go through the experience of feeling profoundly connected to a community on every level and then seeing that beloved aspect of your identity questioned and rejected. In light of our common conviction that we were made in Christ’s likeness, this is especially upsetting. God created us to be engaged in the richness of our culture, even if that looks different from person to person. 

The beauty of Hispanic heritage resides in its ability to serve as a tapestry, woven from the threads of God’s creation, revealing His aim and deep devotion to humanity. God has wonderfully stitched all  666,042,949 of us together by means of a shared ancestry that has contributed to immense feats throughout history—feats that have become an intrinsic part of our greater society. The music that warms our hearts, the exquisite food we eat and even the distinctive mannerisms that are embedded in our society carry the unmistakable stamp of Hispanic culture. It is a homage to God’s limitless creativity and splendor, and no one should ever be denied the opportunity to embrace something so naturally beautiful.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s essential for every Hispanic individual to understand that they are profoundly and forever a part of the community, no matter where they are on their Hispanic journey. As a community of Christians who share the Imago Dei, we should accept everyone not just for their Hispanic background, but also for the unique experiences they contribute to the culture. Calvin University’s Hispanic community’s beauty and complexities deserve to be celebrated — in its beauty and complexity — all throughout Hispanic Heritage Month.