by Cherise T.

It’s the story of a block that was disappearing. Once upon a time, in a faraway land called Nueva York, en un barrio called Washington Heights. Say it, so it doesn’t disappear – Usnavi

National Hispanic American Heritage Month happens September 15 to October 15. For a small celebration, visit Central Branch on Sunday, Oct 1, at 1:30 pm, to watch In the Heights. An exuberant celebration of community, family, music, and culture, the film highlights the lives of Hispanic Americans living in Washington Heights, New York. In a rare combination, both spectacular musical numbers and warm, insightful character portrayals captivate the viewer.

Usnavi, a neighborhood bodega owner surrounded by friends and found family, yearns to return to his Dominican Republic birthplace. Usnavi’s friend, Nina, has just returned from a year at an exclusive out-of-state college, but she is questioning her choices and goals. Usnavi and his friends are guided by the neighborhood’s Abuela Claudia who sings a film-stopping anthem, “Paciencia y Fe,” about the lessons of patience and faith she learned as a Cuban immigrant. Based on the Broadway show, the film has a score written by Lin Manuel-Miranda who makes a cameo appearance as Piraguero, the “guy” who sells piragua, flavored shaved ice.

The biographical documentary, My Name Is Lopez, describes the life and accomplishments of Trinidad “Trini” Lopez, one of the first Mexican American performers to achieve mainstream status as a rock and roll performer. Trini’s parents were undocumented immigrants, and he reached for a life beyond his Texas upbringing. His career included acceptance as a member of Frank Sinatra’s “rat pack.” Lopez refused to anglicize his image, enduring countless racial injustices, and is considered a trailblazer for Latin performers. Sadly, he died of COVID in 2020, at the age of 83.

Stand and Deliver tells the story of a Hispanic math teacher, Jaime Escalante, inspiring students in an under-resourced school in Los Angeles. Determined to disrupt the cycle of underachievement amongst his Latino students, Escalante sets a goal for his class to reach the level of AP calculus. As Escalante is mocked by his fellow teachers and threatened by gang members, he makes many personal sacrifices to inspire those around him. This award-winning film, based on a true story, includes outstanding performances by Edward James Olmos, Lou Diamond Phillips, Rosanna DeSoto, and Andy Garcia.

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society. Learn more at
www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov.

Cherise Tasker is an Adult Instructor and Research Specialist at the Central Branch. When not immersed in literary fiction, Cherise can be found singing along to musical theater soundtracks.