Book excerpt: "The Latina in me is an ember that blazes forever." - Sonia Sotomayer "When Latinx kids don't see themselves represented on stage or film or television or newspapers or history textbooks, what they're told is, 'You don't matter. But when they see themselves represented, then they are told ... 'You are important. You are authors. You are scientists. You are explorers. You are special. You are leaders. You are respected. You are the reason we are here.'" -John Leguizamo "While our culture, traditions and religion may differ, we pride ourselves on working hard, educating ourselves as much as possible, striving for better lives for our children, loving our often large and blended families, and sharing as much of our history and customs as we can with anyone who chooses to really see us. We are not so different after all. People simply need to see us for who we are and not who they expect us to be." - Natalie Morales Although Latino and Hispanic are commonly used interchangeably, their definitions differ. Latino is commonly used to describe persons who are from Latin America, whereas Hispanic normally refers to those with a heritage in a Spanish-speaking nation. No matter what their heritage is, anyone can claim these identities. Nobody contests how individuals identify, according to researchers and publications (even the US Census). Understanding how these terms differ from one another and when to use each one helps ensure proper usage. You may develop such awareness by becoming aware of the definitions, history, applications, and self-identifications of the Hispanic and Latino identities. 2022's Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 and runs through October 15. Although you don't need to wait for an annual event to be proud of your ethnic heritage, for Hispanic Americans, those four weeks serve as a time to celebrate their distinct cultures and the tales that have shaped them. This book serves as a guide for you to learn about hispanic heritage month. Learn about the history of latinos in The U.S., Facts about Hispanic Heritage Month, How it's Celebrated, and more! We've also recommended some ideas on how to celebrate and get the full experience out of this special month. What are you waiting for? Get a copy now, and learn all about your heritage!