The ANSO family celebrates with joy and enthusiasm Hispanic Heritage Month 2021 with the theme “ESPERANZA: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope.” Our celebration began with our ANSO Presidente’s powerful message. This was the first step leading to a series of interviews, available through our social media channels, sharing the meaning of ESPERANZA in their lives and through this observance.
As I consider ESPERANZA, the sound of Latin pop rings to the core of my being as a powerful song comes to my memory. Color ESPERANZA (The Color of Hope), a song popularized by Diego Torres a decade ago and recently released as a united collaboration of various Hispanic/Latinx artists, brings the message to heart (see lyrics and watch the video below). According to the song, we follow a cognitive process (to know that it is possible) of assurance and validation that leads us to a desire to make things happen (to want it to happen). Then, we must take time to identify our apprehensions and challenges and develop plans to deal with them (to get rid of our fears). After that, it is time to bring hope to the forefront. The song uses a powerful image: paint our faces with the color of hope. This image recalls the face painting used by some of our forces to cover their faces before missions or trainings. In this case, hope is what we are wearing for the world to see. Then, we step into the future with our hearts, with passion, ready to meet new horizons and believe in what we do.
ESPERANZA is a lifestyle, a way to face challenges in life, whether personal, with our families, our teams, or professional, taking steps with confidence and projecting hope. As we celebrate this observance, it is time to renew our ESPERANZA and challenge ourselves to be ESPERANZA for our teammates.
September is also a time to remember the many lives lost to suicide, as we renew our commitment to being there for anyone who struggles with mental health or depression. In some cases, we may have to recognize it is time for us to take a knee and rest. ESPERANZA speaks to that. Instead of considering the great fight against suicide and depression, I invite you to consider the personal opportunities to walk with one another, listen with the intent to understand, and respond when your brother or sister in uniform needs you the most. Be ESPERANZA.
If you have not heard the most recent release of Color ESPERANZA, take some time, and check it out below. The lyrics are great material for personal reflection or group discussion as we continue our Hispanic Heritage observance. Remember to join us for ANSO’s virtual celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and our 40th Anniversary on Wednesday, 6 October starting at 1300 (see more details on our events calendar).