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National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the migrant community by highlighting its culture and achievements. This year’s theme, “Together, we are more,” calls for unity, especially amid the anxiety and concern caused by the recent surge in street arrests by immigration agents.
Still, there is a sense that the community is facing this together, as Germán Correa, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in New Bedford, put it. “We are united and working to show that we are together and that we are one family and one heart,” said the Colombian-born priest, as he led a celebration with music and food typical of countries like Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Mexico.
“This is a moment to reidentify yourself,” said Edwin Cartagena, a Puerto Rican who has lived nearly his whole life in New Bedford. Cultural organizer Hendrick Hernández-Resto, for his part, said he moved to this country with his family when he was only 2 years old. “Sometimes I think I lost a lot of my Puerto Rican identity,” he acknowledged. “I have two kids who are Latino and who don’t necessarily understand what’s happening these days.”
Hernández-Resto said these celebrations help reconnect with family.
Isabel Berni agrees the moment hasn’t been easy. “We’re going through a difficult situation, but it’s always important to keep our cultures and traditions alive, wherever we are,” she said.
“There’s a bit of nostalgia. You’d want to be in your own country,” said Juan José González.
National Hispanic Heritage Month ends Oct. 15.
Email Gerardo Beltrán Salinas at gerardo@newbedfordlight.org
