In honor of Latinx Heritage Month, John Jay College—a Hispanic-Serving Institution—is proudly celebrating the many ways in which Latinx people have enriched our country. As part of our “Latinx Celebration” series, we sat down with a talented group of ¡Adelante! students to learn more about their Latinx identity, what this celebration means to them, who in the Latinx community inspires them, and why they are hopeful for the future of Latinx communities.
When Jesus Guerrero ’23, a Criminology major from the Bronx, New York, thinks about the future, he envisions a Latinx community that is represented in the highest levels of government. “We belong in all spaces of government where decisions are being made on behalf of our communities,” says Guerrero, who has political activism “running through his veins.” His grandfather fought against the Trujillo dictatorship in Guerrero’s native Dominican Republic. “My grandfather wanted better for his community. I want better for our communities now. Our government is making decisions that impact us. So, we need a government that reflects us. I want to see more representation in government, with more Latinx people filling seats in Congress, in the Supreme Court, and in the White House,” says Guerrero. “As someone who lives in the Bronx, I look up to people like Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Her journey from the Bronx to the Supreme Court is inspiring and shows that we Latinos can make it to the top. We can accomplish anything.”
“I want to see more representation in government, with more Latinx people filling seats in Congress, in the Supreme Court, and in the White House.” —Jesus Guerrero
Why is it important to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month?
I feel like it’s important to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month because it brings together and highlights all the different cultures and experiences within the Latinx community. It promotes and celebrates diversity. Also, Latinx Heritage month means we can put a spotlight on the issues affecting our communities. It’s a time to be seen and have our voices really heard.
How has the Latinx community personally enriched your life?
The Latinx community in my Bronx neighborhood has given me a place I can call home. I can walk down the street and I know almost everyone I walk by. That’s because the community is there and has been there for a long time. It’s a lot like my home back in the Dominican Republic, where everyone knows everyone. The Latinx community is welcoming and that helps me really put myself out there and communicate with and learn from others.
“I believe that until the people that represent us look like us, or understand our struggle as Latinx people, then we won’t prosper as a community.” —Jesus Guerrero
What do you hope to see for the future of the Latinx community?
I’d like to see more Latinx people holding seats of power, from our local community leaders, to the highest national level, in the U.S. House of Representatives, in the Senate, and on the Supreme Court. I believe that until the people that represent us look like us, or understand our struggle as Latinx people, then we won’t prosper as a community.
How do you personally embrace your Latinx culture?
If I’m home, I’m cooking Dominican food with my mom. She teaches me all these little tricks she learned from back in the day. When I’m out, what I love to do is listen to music really loud in the car. I’ll have the music blasting, so I’m going through the street listening to Ozuna, Daddy Yankee, and Nicky Jam.
“When the Dominican dictator, Rafael Trujillo was in power, my grandfather was part of the group that fought against him. I know it took a lot of courage and bravery to do that.” —Jesus Guerrero
If you could meet any Latinx thought leader, visionary artist, educator, politician, cultural icon, or any person in history, who would it be and why?
If I could meet any person in Latinx history it would be my grandfather. Since we live in New York, I didn’t really get to know him all that much. When the Dominican dictator, Rafael Trujillo was in power, my grandfather was part of the group that fought against him to take down the dictatorship. I know it took a lot of courage and bravery to do that, to go up against the entire regime. I’d love to speak with him and find out what he felt. I’d ask him how did he gather the courage to stand up for his community, and was he ever scared. I’d also let him know that I’m inspired by him.
Finish this sentence: I’m proud of my Latinx heritage because…
I’m proud of my Latinx heritage because it gives me a home. Everywhere Latinos are feels like home.
