Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are an amazing way to help our military. Not only through its ranks but also within the diverse community of families that make up our circles.
Hispanic and Latinx service members have been a part of our strong military for decades, many fighting as far back as the Revolutionary War.
Hispanic and Latinx military families need to be supported on many levels; not only should there be more accessible resources but it is important to acknowledge that many service members who are born outside the U.S. miss the cohesive communities many left behind as they took the oath to serve.
The question is, how can we support the Hispanic and Latinx families within our military community?
From the day-to-day spouse groups, to the command-driven family days to root issues of equality, it all starts with the simple step of opening the lines of communication and practicing inclusion.
How can our Hispanic military families feel welcomed when the language barrier poses limitations through different aspects of their lives? From filling out PCS forms, finding a health provider that speaks the language or understands their culture and finding a safe community on or off base that will not pose a threat to them through discrimination, how can we create change in small ways that will eventually form waves that will benefit this group and bring on more DEI initiatives to our local community.
Hiring
Hiring people who are culturally aware and diverse is key to causing impact. DOD-wide, there should be people being hired in offices on base to support our Hispanic and latinx families. From language-friendly resources for financial aid, legal assistance and counseling services, we need the right people to tackle the task at hand to proficiently aid our English non-speakers. And yes, obviously the hiring process is applied differently here, however, there are plenty of spouses in the military who are bilingual and with proper training can be assertive and fulfill this duty. That sounds like a win to me, Military spouses need jobs, hire the ones that speak the language and can help so our Latinx community can receive the proper assistance.
Cultural awareness
Cultural awareness is another way in which Commands and Units can support and welcome Hispanic service members and their families. This can help others understand Hispanic and Latinx culture, traditions, values and can mitigate disrespect due to lack of knowledge about the culture. Cultural sensitivity and inclusion will benefit these groups and be a great way to help through their unique challenges.
Cultural awareness can be supported through events that showcase the wonderful diversity these families bring to our force. Events that proudly cater to this variety of heritage can create an important sense of belonging.
A great idea would be to get your Family Readiness Group, Ombudsman or Key Spouse involved and help them set up an event showcasing the diversity within the unit or command. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with other military spouses, have everyone bring a dish from their home country, share traditions like Dia de los Muertos or host Carnaval as a theme for a meet-up. Bring on culture and heritage to your local spouses club; play “Loteria” (a fun and traditional Mexican game), celebrate Noche Buena during the holidays, and visit a local museum that displays Hispanic culture and history. Plan a movie night for our military kids; show movies like “Vivo” and “Encanto”, these show the vibrancy and traditions we hold dearly. Most importantly, ask questions. We love it when someone truly wants to know about our heritage and traditions. “What dish reminds you of home?”, “What are your favorite holiday traditions?”, “How does your family celebrate birthdays?” These are fun and appropriate questions that are the perfect icebreakers to get to know the Hispanic and Latinx military families in your community. Our community is all about family and we love having that wherever we go.
Representation matters and there are many ways in which our Hispanic and Latinx families can be advocated for. Let’s support organizations that advocate for these underrepresented communities, the ones who truly care for their hardships and can create change. Places like “Secured Families Initiative” are a great pin on the map on where to start. Ensure their voices are being heard through advisory boards, networking and mentorship.
Creating a supportive environment where our Hispanic and Latinx families feel represented, welcomed and taken care of is a must. We are all one big family and we have been a part of the United States military for a very long time. We would love to feel supported.