To be able to represent your culture and celebrate where you come from is a beautiful thing.
Maria Luisa Mejia-Tizatl is a sophomore at Rutgers double majoring in Political Science and Public Policy and is a Fall 2026 intern at America’s Voice.
Hispanic Heritage isn’t just a month that simply informs us about the vast cultures and identities within Latinidad, or the shared experiences of being Latino. It is a time in the U.S. when Latinos, including immigrants, feel the most seen and safe, their journeys are validated and they are able to get a taste of home even if it’s for a month or even a day. This time of the year is my personal favorite – but you may also be wondering who I am?
I’m Maria Luisa Mejia-Tizatl and I am grateful to introduce myself as this fall’s intern at America’s Voice! I am a current sophomore studying political science and public policy at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, I am based in New Jersey, and yes, I do believe it is the best state. There is just something special about the Jersey Shore and the community that fills every street, from a small town to a city like Hoboken. I am also Mexican-American and I am proud of the culture that I’ve been surrounded by my entire life. It felt pretty on the nose to introduce myself during Hispanic Heritage Month, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.
I grew up knowing my background and was taught to be proud of my identity. I consider myself to be privileged to have had that experience. Many first-generation immigrants, specifically those from Latin America, feel the need to safeguard their children from harsh realities, including individuals seeking to “other” them. Children having accents has often been looked down upon by some, and so many parents stopped themselves from teaching their children Spanish or their native language. They felt that the more they could help their child assimilate, the better off they would be. Many families have felt ashamed of their culture because of the hardships that came with not being “purely” American.
To me, Hispanic Heritage Month is not just a time for communities to celebrate their cultures and feel proud of their descendants, it’s also about taking back identities that they have felt shamed over and making those identities a point of pride and honor. To be able to represent your culture and celebrate where you come from is a beautiful thing that no one should feel ashamed about.
As this month’s festivities come to a close, I encourage you to look around and notice how it’s the time of year when communities find it easier to smile, laugh and enjoy life. It’s a window of time when people feel safer, simply because they don’t have the liberty of feeling that way all the time. Notice the music down the street that may be louder than usual, or the flags that seem to be brighter and wave higher.
With that, I wish everyone a Happy Hispanic Heritage Month, a time when people should take pride in their identity. It can also serve as a chance to involve yourself and learn about what surrounds you. I‘m honored to be interning with America’s Voice, a space where I will carry my identity with pride and work towards making immigrants feel seen, not only for a mere month, but everyday.
