Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. At a time when conversations about culture, identity and belonging are shaping the national dialogue, Rice faculty members can provide context and expertise to enrich coverage of this celebration.
Politics and the Hispanic electorate
Guillermo Rosas, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science, studies how electoral systems shape political behavior in Latin America and Europe. His expertise helps explain the dynamics of Hispanic political engagement both at home and abroad.
“Millions of Americans of Hispanic heritage contribute their effort and talent every day to building a vibrant and prosperous America,” Rosas said. “The Hispanic community contains enormous diversity of political opinion and socioeconomic backgrounds but is homogeneous in its ability to persevere through adversity and in its capacity to imagine a better future.”
Culture, migration and Hispanic identity
Azucena Castro, assistant professor of Latin American cultural studies, brings a socioenvironmental lens to the study of Latin American cultural products from the 20th and 21st centuries. Her research sheds light on how art, literature and media envision concepts of territory, community and resistance in the face of socioenvironmental migration and displacement.
“Recognizing the contributions of Latino American cultures is crucial for understanding the rich diversity of this nation, which has been shaped by influences from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America,” Castro said. “Moreover, it is essential for promoting the freedom of movement across nations and advocating the rights of migrants in our country.”
Health and resilience in Hispanic communities
Luz Maria Garcini, associate professor of psychological services and director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research’s Center for Community and Public Health, focuses on the intersections of community health, mental health and immigrant well-being. She can speak to the challenges Hispanic communities face as well as the strengths that sustain them.
“More than ever, celebrating Hispanic culture and pride is a reminder of the resilience, contributions and rich traditions that continue to shape our nation’s future,” Garcini said.
Traditions and cultural values across the Americas
Cymene Howe, professor of anthropology, has conducted extended fieldwork in Mexico and Nicaragua and writes broadly about cultural values throughout Latin America. She can provide context on how traditions shape collective identity across the hemisphere.
“No matter what our cultural background, we gain so much from celebrating our heritage,” Howe said. “With Hispanic Heritage Month we get the beauty of all the traditions of the Americas passed down over time — from the tip of Tierra del Fuego up to the Southwest U.S. — food and music and language and religion all combined in unique ways to make one of the most dynamic cultural experiences in the world.”
To schedule an interview with any of the listed experts, contact media relations specialist Brandi Smith.