Siempre pa’ delante, nunca pa’ atrás—Always forward, never backwards

Rachel Chapman, Spanish Teacher, Warrensville Heights Middle School

The year 2025 has been marked by political unrest and increasing hostility toward immigrant communities in the United States. While our students hear this information through social media and the news, many lack a deeper understanding of the historical context behind these events. This gap in understanding leaves them vulnerable to misinformation and can lead to division.

Profesora Morales, my Spanish teacher in college, taught me the importance of historically contextualizing modern-day challenges. Using the lens of postcolonialism, we understand that modern social stratification exists as a result of the social institutions created from colonialism (Said, 1979). The fact that Spanish is the lingua franca of most of Latin America is correlated with the bloody colonial legacy of the Spanish Empire’s domination throughout the Americas. While the independence movements of the 18th and 19th centuries liberated Latin American nations from colonial rule, the shadow of inequality and oppression still remains. The gap between the rich and the poor continues to grow to levels never before seen in human history (Qureshi, 2023). Today, the deep divide between rich and poor in these nations is a consequence of colonial structures that persist in various forms—economic, political, and social. The struggle for equality and a decent livelihood remain an ongoing struggle for the majority of formerly colonized nations.

Migration to the United States, driven by a combination of “push” factors—such as poverty and political instability—and “pull” factors, including businesses seeking cheap skilled labor, has been a persistent feature of U.S. history (Weeks & Allison, 2022). Yet, the realities of this migration are often oversimplified or misrepresented in current discourse. Latin American migrants are frequently subjected to discrimination and profiling, as they are wrongfully associated with criminality due to their immigration status.

The first migration to North America occurred not because of empire expansion but because of humans searching for food, such as woolly mammoths and buffalo. Around 20,000 years ago, via the Bering Strait, the first humans settled in North America. When the glaciers melted after the Ice Age 12,000 years ago, North Americans migrated south to what is now South America (Short & Benton-Short, 2024). South American Native Americans are therefore descendants of North American Native Americans. In most of the United States, North American Native Americans are recognized as being the first peoples to inhabit the land. Latin Americans who migrate to North America are descendants of these first peoples. However, under the current political context, regardless of their immigration status, Latin Americans in the U.S. are frequently profiled by police and ICE agents and portrayed as criminals.

In the classroom, especially during Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15), we have a unique opportunity to shift this narrative. This month-long observance not only celebrates the rich cultural diversity of the Spanish-speaking world but also invites us to confront the historical and political realities that have shaped these communities. September 15 marks the independence days of five Central American countries—Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua—while Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16 and Chile on September 18. For Puerto Rico, September 23 commemorates the Grito de Lares, the island’s fight against Spanish colonial rule.

Celebrating these nations’ independence is more than just a cultural festivity—it’s an opportunity to discuss colonialism, the establishment of democracy, and the continued struggle for equality. These topics are crucial for our students to understand the historical and political factors that influence the lives of millions of immigrants and communities in the U.S.

Teaching a world language is more than just grammar and vocabulary. It’s an invitation to step into a new world, one rich with culture, history, and social significance. While it’s important to teach students about the celebrations, foods, music, and traditions that define different Spanish-speaking cultures, it’s equally essential to equip them with an understanding of the political forces that have shaped those cultures.

When students grasp the political history embedded in language, they become more empathetic, informed, and capable of engaging in meaningful communication. This deeper understanding fosters stronger cross-cultural communication and helps build a more cohesive, compassionate community in our diverse society.

The popular Latin American motto, Siempre pa’ delante, nunca pa’ atrás—Always forward, never backwards—can inspire us to move forward amidst the current political and social problems facing the U.S. Learning about the history of colonialism requires strength, courage, and maturity, but it is an essential step in moving forward as a society. By learning from the mistakes of the past, we can create a more equitable future. Let us empower our students with this knowledge, so they learn not to be passive observers but active participants in shaping a better world—always going forward, never backwards.

References:

Qureshi, Zia. (2023). Rising inequality: A major issue of our time. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/rising-inequality-a-major-issue-of-our-time/

Said, E. W. (1979). Orientalism. 1st Vintage books ed. New York City: Vintage Books.

Short, J. R., & Benton-Short, L. (2024). Human geography: A short introduction (3rd ed.). United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. Weeks, G. B., & Allison, M. E. (2022). U.S. and Latin American Relations. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.