A Take on Spanish Heritage Month: Camila Cabello

Photo+courtesy+of+Muneed+Syed+on+Unsplash.com

Photo courtesy of Muneed Syed on Unsplash.com

Sana Khan, Staff Writer

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated across the United States from September 15 to October 15. It commemorates the history, culture, and contributions of American citizens with Hispanic ancestry. Hispanic celebrities have had a huge impact throughout America, and one such celebrity who has impacted the world and represented Hispanic people is Camila Cabello.

Camila Cabello, a well-known singer and songwriter, has celebrated Hispanic countries and culture through her music. Through lyrics from her hit song “Havana”, Cabello paid tribute to her native land of Cuba and its heritage. Furthermore, Cabello is known for being an activist for many organizations. She has partnered with the nonprofit Movement Voter Fund to create the Healing Justice Project, an initiative that provides funds for mental health and wellness resources to aid youth activists and organizations. “When you’re struggling or feeling burnout, it’s hard to show up for other people. You have to heal yourself before you can heal the community,” Cabello told People, reaffirming her support for better access to mental health facilities. 

As an ambassador for Save the Children, Cabello has continued to raise awareness of causes such as gender equity, early education, and emergency response, as well as supporting visitation programs in Puerto Rico to meet families impacted by natural disasters. For example, in 2017, Hurricane María devastated Hispanic countries in the Caribbean, including Cabello’s native Cuba. Cabello donated part of the proceeds from her concert “Never Be The Same” at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico to Save the Children’s Hurricane María Relief Fund. 

Furthermore, for Cabello, the fight to defend immigrants is more than a political position — it is a passion shaped by her own experiences. During the Billboard’s Women in Music event in 2017, Cabello spoke about why she values ​​the fight for the rights of undocumented immigrants. “This land was built on immigrants,” said Cabello, “who come not only to lead a better life, but also to contribute to this land and this culture.” By defending Hispanic immigrants, supporting Hispanic countries in difficult times, and aiding people in Hispanic communities, Cabello has impacted the world.