Tiana Blount-Muscarella
Staff Writer
Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration which takes place from Sept. to Oct. 15 to honor the cultures of Hispanic and Latino Americans. This month-long celebration exhibits the differences, similarities, and cultures of those with ethnicity from Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
FSC highlights these heritages through celebrations like Mercado FSC on Sept. 12, HLSC tabling on Sept. 25 and Teach Me to Salsa on Oct. 7. All students are welcome at these events with the mission to support inclusion in the community.
“My friends and I are most excited for Teach Me to Salsa, as there are so many different dances and routines depending on what culture you are learning,” sophomore Cindy Restrepo-Velez said.
Multicultural Student Council (MSC) President Tian Ho speaks on Hispanic Heritage month and emphasizes its importance within the college community.
“The Hispanic and Latinx Student Coalition at Florida Southern College aims to unite, celebrate, and empower members of the community by highlighting the shared aspects of their cultures,” said Ho.
In order to build a sense of community, FSC hosts events to learn about different cultures because it creates an interconnected world with a broader insight of the life. The focus is not only on celebrating what makes the world unique, but also on the shared experiences that enrich the future, driving toward a diverse world that is empowered collectively.
Restrepo-Velez values her Colombian and Puerto Rican heritage because it is a significant part of who she is.
“I have a new appreciation for this month since I have moved to Florida and attended Florida Southern, as I have been able to make more connections with other people in my culture,” Restrepo-Velez said. “It is important to elevate this topic and the different cultures within the Hispanic community, appreciating our similarities and differences. We all deserve to be acknowledged together and individually.”
The Simmons Multicultural Center is an educational beacon for diversity appreciation on campus. The goal of this center is to host engaging cultural awareness events, teach about DEI initiatives and provide leadership opportunities for students.
Working very closely with MSC, the Simmons Center supports student organizations that promote equity and inclusion, such as FSC Asian & Pacific Islander Student Association (APISA), Black Student Union (BSU), Caribbean Student Association (CSA), etc. The Simmons Center puts on events for all student diversity organizations throughout the year, not just during their respective celebratory months.
“Our cultures should be celebrated all year long, not just their one dedicated month,” said Ho. “It is a time to reflect on the countless contributions Hispanic and Latino individuals have made in various fields, from the arts to science, politics, and beyond, further enhancing the structure of our society.”
For more updates on events hosted by the Simmons Center and other multicultural student organizations, students can check out @fscmc on Instagram for ways to get involved and activity opportunities.
