Happy Latino Heritage Month! I've had the pleasure of photographing several latinos in our community who kindly were so open to sharing what they are most passionate about. All of their links are listed below their portraits, be sure to check them out and support. Thank you to all who were a part of this year’s project and for all that you do for the community. Let’s continue to celebrate and encourage one another. 💛
“As a first-generation Chicana, Latino/Hispanic Heritage signifies the harmonious convergence of diverse and captivating cultures united by a common language. However, it's essential to recognize that while we share the Spanish language, our cultures are distinct and steeped in rich histories. Each culture deserves individual celebration to better appreciate the unique customs and traditions that might otherwise be overshadowed when grouped together.”
- Luz María Martínez, Owner of Casa de Luz Plant-Based Cocina 🌱
“Due to being a Mexican who migrated to the States, many would expect HHM to be a time of celebration and joy. The fact that my country’s independence initiates the celebration that recognizes the achievements and contributions of my Hispanic American people bring tears to my eyes but for different reasons. To see that we have done enough to celebrate a month-long “holiday” but yet not enough to have a solid pathway to citizenship, or to cease continuous attempts to end DACA, or enough to even offer farmworkers fair wages and safe working conditions. It does NOT make me feel appreciated for what our ancestors and following generations have done for this nation. However, I’m grateful for those who celebrate this time with us as an act of solidarity. It warms my heart to see how other Latinx communities and mine are so similar yet so unique. To me, Hispanic Heritage Month represents the impact we’ve made and keep making. And because it is filled with such adversity it comes to show how strong and resilient we are. We find the beauty in the struggle, in every step of the way making me very proud to be Hispanic in the U.S.”
“Hi, my name is Julio Blandon! I am the Founder and Visionary of @iconiclinesstudio and @pinolero_pride in San Diego, CA. I am extremely proud of my Latin heritage and my identity that makes me stand out from the crowd as a Latin American. When I first came to the US, I was just focused on assimilating and learning English. This was a period of tremendous growth in my life as it helped me to see the world from a different perspective. Now that I have more time and have settled into my multicultural experiences, I am trying to reconnect with my roots by educating myself about my own culture. I feel representation is so important and I care about inspiring others to break taboos and beliefs, some of which can be obstacles in our daily lives. Being from Nicaragua has influenced my business and my life incredibly, due to the kindness and hospitality that was always encouraged in me by my family and culture. I feel my own experiences and challenges have pushed me to have more compassion for others and their personal stories and getting to hold space for the brilliant messages that people decide to tattoo on their bodies is very aligned for me because of this. Tattoos for me go far beyond art. Tattoos are a universal language that have so much beauty and richness within them. No matter what language we speak or what culture we belong to, we will always find profound meaning in our own tattoos, which makes it easier for us to connect no matter where we are from.”
- Julio, Owner of Iconic Lines Studio