HispanicHeritageEssayVS17

We should keep Hispanic Heritage alive because their sports, music, religion, art and social skills have had a positive impact on our society in the United States.
 * HISPANIC HERITAGE: WHY SHOULD WE KEEP IT ALIVE? **

Hispanic countries have many rich traditions that have transferred over from ancestors that originated in those countries and then migrated to the United States. For example, Uruguayans have gracious social skills. They address people who are not close friends or family very formally. Many Spanish people address others as: Señor, Señora or Señorita. To us, that is Mr., Mrs. or Miss. In Uruguay, people may also be addressed according to their professions: lawyers could be called Doctor, accountants could be called Contador, engineers could be called Ingeniero. Another tradition we have adopted is the traditional handshake with visitors when they come and when they go. When men greet each other, they hug each other, or pat each other on the back. Women usually kiss each other on the cheeks. When Uruguayans are having a conversation, they stand very close together when they talk.

It is also common for Uruguayans to drop in on their friends frequently. Calling is not necessary before stopping by for a visit. Hospitality is always extended to visitors. A gourd (or cup) of yerba mate, a sort of tea, is offered to guests. In Uruguay, it’s also common to greet strangers when passing on city streets. But, residents in more rural areas are also friendly to strangers. There are many similarities in American traditions that we practice.{Uruguay}

We have also adopted religious traditions from Hispanic countries. For example, Chilean’s practice the Christian faith. More than 80 percent of the Chilean population belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. The rest of the population belongs to Protestant groups or other Christian churches. In the United States, the Constitution gives freedom of religion. The Chilean Constitution laid the groundwork because they too provide freedom of religion although the Roman Catholic Church enjoys preferential treatment from the government. In 1999, a law was passed to criminalize religious discrimination. Like Chile, the United States Government observes national holidays such as: Christmas and Good Friday. Additionally, Chile also recognizes the Feast of the Virgin of Carmen, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, the Feast of the Assumption, All Saints' Day, and the Feast of the Immaculate Conception as national holidays.{Chile}

 Sports in Hispanic countries have also influenced sports in the United States and continue to be enjoyed by American citizens. In Columbia, Ecuador, and Argentina to name a few, soccer is the most popular sport. Soccer has been becoming more and more popular in the United States since the 1960’s and 1970’s. It is now the 3rd most played team sport in the U.S. behind basketball and baseball. Watching professional soccer in these countries is also a national pastime. Colombians are very passionate about their national team. {Columbia}

 There are many Hispanic artists whose works we admire here in the United States. They have influenced our artists in many ways. Most notable are: Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. Their works of art are considered priceless and are shown in galleries all over the world. Picasso created thousands of works of art, from paintings to sculptures, to ceramics and more. Salvador Dali too was a famous Hispanic artist. He created famous works of art such as: The Elephants and The Last Supper. Locally, a museum dedicated to his works of art are seen by hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world. Hispanics have also been a huge influence on music in the United States. Gloria Estefan, who is from Cuba originally is an extremely talented artist who sings her songs in both English and Spanish, staying close to her heritage. She has sold millions of copies of her songs and has been an icon in the music industry in the United States.

Music also includes types of dance as well. The Cuban culture brings us a type of dance called “salsa”. It is a very high energy, high impact couples dance. Many Americans enjoy doing the “salsa” dance in nightclubs, and as a form of exercise. Hispanics influence the United States in so many ways that we should continue to learn from their cultures and continue to teach our youth about them. Our Hispanic population as of 2013 is around 17% of the total population in the United States. Spanish is also the most widely spoken language other than English in the United States. Continuing to keep the heritage alive gives our country the opportunity to grow and learn from other countries.       <span style="display: inline !important;">**__<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Works Cited __**

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">"Chile Church and Religion." //Country Reports//. Country Reports, 2015. Web. 29 Apr. 2015. http://www.countryreports.org/country/Chile/religion.htm

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">"Columbia Sport and Recreation." //Country Reports//. Country Reports, 2015. Web. 29 Apr. 2015. http://www.countryreports.org/country/Colombia/recreation.htm

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">"Columbia Soccer in the United States." //<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Wikipedia //<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2015.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">"Cuba Famous Spanish & Latin American Painters." //DonQuijote//. N.p., 2015. Web. 29 Apr. 2015.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">"Uruguay Gestures and Greetings." //Country Reports//. Country Reports, 2015. Web. 29 Apr. 2015. http://www.countryreports.org/country/Uruguay/visiting.htm

//<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">USA QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau //<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">. N.p., 2015. Web. 29 Apr. 2015.