By Eloy Morales, Inglewood City Councilman
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th through October 15th, in order to honor the many contributions and achievements that Hispanic Americans brought to our Country and Culture.
When I was younger, I always pointed out Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and Sonia Sotomayor to name a few. Each person I named has broken barriers and made sacrifices that have made it easier for the rest of us to succeed. It will always be important to recognize what Cesar Chavez did to protect farmworkers that had little resources to change their own environment, as well as the challenging professional climb that Justice Sotomayor had to overcome in order to reach the Supreme Court. We all understand the many obstacles both endured in order to change our country for the better.
Now, I look to also celebrate the many families that are living the Latino experience. Many Latino immigrants are raising their families here, in a country that has given them the opportunity to do so. For that privilege, they work hard at every job you see around you; from cleaning the boardrooms, to sitting in the CEO chair of those same boardrooms.
As a proud son of Immigrant parents, I owe every privilege I have to my parents that worked hard every day. My Dad worked two jobs for 35 years, and my Mom worked a job, then came home to cook dinner every day, wash and clean, and make our home beautiful. The true beauty of my story is that it is not unique, the beauty is that many of our homes in Inglewood are filled with similar daily obstacles, overcome with hard work and never giving up. I am proud to share the same culture with these families and today, I am proud to Celebrate and honor each of them.
