21 Inspirational Quotes by American Latinos To Uplift & Empower #HHM

As we continue the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, today I’m sharing 21 Inspirational Quotes by American Latinos.

These days, more than ever, we are in need of words of wisdom, inspiration, and empowerment in the Latino community. When so many are spewing hateful words towards and about us, we must remind ourselves of all the talent, goodness and strength that lives within us. That’s why I’ve compiled some of my favorite inspirational quotes by American Latinos that speak of the resilience, work ethic, and beauty of a community that lifts every corner of this country.

In celebration of Latino Heritage Month, I’ve chosen to feature inspirational quotes by American Latinos that not only offer encouragement in different areas but also tell our stories as many of us have lived them. These inspirational quotes offer a window through which we see reflected stories of struggle, defeat, and triumph. More importantly, they let us know that no matter what we are going through in our personal lives and as a group within the United States, we can overcome, work towards our goals and succeed.

From recognizing our place within the fabric of the US to being bold in our aspirations and goals, to how to deal with prejudice and raise children to be proud and empathetic, these twenty-one inspirational quotes by American Latinos can serve as fuel for celebrating the month and each other the best way we know how: working hard and getting the job done!

Be proud. Be decent. Be bold. Be inspired.

Happy Latino Heritage Month!

Inspirational Quotes by American Latinos

“The Latino population has become such a presence. We are part of the American tapestry in a very profound way, in every area you can think of and are very significant in popular culture.” ~ Jimmy Smith

“Being Afro-Latino is being a bridge-builder, standing squarely at the crossroads of pan Africanism in the US. I am a proud Black Panamanian! We exist! And we exist with the knowledge that Blackness is global in its scope. No one has hegemony on Blackness and we are the proof!” ~Merrick Moise

“We are always going to have prejudices … I don’t think we can change society. You can only change individual by individual. And you can change yourself.” –Esmeralda Santiago

“Some people shy away from boldly claiming what they most wish for. Maybe they fear it’ll make them look pushy. Or greedy. Or ungrateful for what they have. But when you keep your dreams hidden away, when you hide them under a sofa cushion, they never get the light they need to grow.” ― Diane Guerrero, In the Country We Love: My Family Divided

“We are a multicultural country – always have been, and to our credit, always will be. It is something that we should be very proud of and embrace.” ~Cheech Marin 

“In every position that I’ve been in, there have been naysayers who don’t believe I’m qualified or who don’t believe I can do the work. And I feel a special responsibility to prove them wrong.” ~Sonia Sotomayor

“The most valuable possession you can own is an open heart. The most powerful weapon you can be is an instrument of peace.” ~ Carlos Santana

“Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.” ~ Dolores Huerta

“One of the greatest things you have in life is that no one has the authority to tell you what you want to be. You’re the one who’ll decide what you want to be. Respect yourself and respect the integrity of others as well. The greatest thing you have is your self-image, a positive opinion of yourself. You must never let anyone take it from you.” – Jaime Escalante

“It is a necessity for us to raise our children with our roots so that they can communicate with their grandparents, but also so that they can create some kind of empathy for human beings that do not look like them, and do not sound like them and do not smell like them.” ~Zoe Saldaña

“Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on Earth.” ~Roberto Clemente

“You only live once. You don’t want your tombstone to read: played it safe.” ~ Rosario Dawson

“Preservation of one’s own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures”. ―Cesar Chavez

“Revenge only engenders violence, not clarity and true peace. I think liberation must come from within.” ~Sandra Cisneros

“You are not lucky to be here. The world needs your perspective. They are lucky to have you.” ~Antonio Tijerino

“You only have what you give. It’s by spending yourself that you become rich.” –Isabel Allende

“Success is a matter of one’s own feelings about oneself.”-Edward James Olmos

“Everything good that’s ever happened to me came out of helping others”. ~Danny Trejo

“As part of a minority within a minority, I’m concerned to hear voices that tolerate and even justify discrimination.”  ~Illia Calderón

“The point is not to pay back kindness, but to pass it on.” ~ Julia Alvarez

“In the end, the American dream is not a sprint, or even a marathon, but a relay. Our families don’t always cross the finish line in the span of one generation. But each generation passes on to the next the fruits of their labor.” ~Julian Castro

[dania]

We are so excited for our eighth annual Hispanic Heritage Month series! Now through October 15, you’ll find great resources to share Hispanic Heritage with kids, plus you can link up your own posts on Hispanic Heritage! Find even more ideas on our Latin America Pinterest board:

September 16 Pura Vida Moms on Multicultural Kid Blogs: Celebrating Latino Culture

September 17 Discovering the World Through My Son’s Eyes: Julia de Burgos, Puerto Rico’s Most Famous Latina Poet

September 18 Hispanic Mama: Raising Kids to Be Proud of Their Latino Heritage

September 19 Spanish Playground: Spanish Tongue Twisters for Kids

September 20 MommyMaestra: Tito Puente Lesson Plans, Coloring Pages, Crafts, Activities and More

September 23 Kids Spanish Book Club

September 24 Embracing Diversity

September 25 el Mundo de Pepita

September 26 Little Nómadas

September 27 De Su Mama

September 30 Baby Devotions

October 1 For the Love of Spanish

October 2 Tiny Tapping Toes

October 3 LadydeeLG

October 4 Bicultural Familia

October 7 Spanish Mama

October 8 The Multilingual Home

October 9 Bookworms and Owls

October 10 Jeddah Mom

October 11 Pretty Mama Breastfeeding

October 14 Multicultural Kid Blogs

October 15 Maritere Bellas

Don’t miss all of the great posts from previous years as well: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.