The celebrations of Latin and Spanish Heritage Month begin this week, and in celebration of the occasion, Facebook has a new 25-page guide to help businesses showcase their support to Latinx communities, as well as new in-app features that allow users to participate in the broader cultural celebration.

As explained by Facebook:

“This year we commemorate the resilience and hard work of the Latinx community, which was taken out of proportion during the pandemic under the theme ‘Thrive With Us. ‘Thrive With Us is a call to action for all businesses to take part in the celebration and thrive with Latin and Hispanic-owned businesses, which continue to grow, create new opportunities and inspire change. Read on to learn more about some of this month’s programs.

As noted, Facebook is the most important element new guide for businesses, which sets out the history of the community and its presence in the USA.

The guide also provides a useful explanation of the term ‘Latinx’ and its use:

Pan-ethnic labels – such as “Hispanic” and “Latinx” – are often used to refer to different communities. However, it is not an easy task to create one label that speaks to the multidimensionality of the ingredients. And although the term “Latinx” has grown in popularity online and is used in this cultural guide, most people in the community are more familiar with or prefer “Latino / a” or “Hispanic.”

The guide also outlines the impact the COVID pandemic has had on Latinx communities, and calls on businesses to support Latin causes where possible, including through advertising.

Facebook guide for Latin and Spanish Heritage Month

This is an important note-Facebook says that Latin and Spanish businesses have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, while also being 50% less likely to receive PPP loans than white-owned operations. This is an endemic problem in the wider community and financing mechanisms, but the Facebook guide highlights how brands can also help strengthen the cause by working with Latinx companies and suppliers, and committing themselves to strengthening under-represented votes.

There are some valuable notes that can help you play a more active role in supporting the community. You can download the complete guide from Facebook here.

In addition, Facebooks have also added a new sticker package on Instagram for Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month.

Facebook guide for Latin and Spanish Heritage Month

While also hosting several events during the event.

Join us Facebook Elevate’s month-long celebration of Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month, which puts the spotlight on the businesses, organizations and people who uplift this community. Whether you are a Latinx and Spanish business, a job seeker or a student, this is your opportunity to increase your access, knowledge and skills with a range of opportunities that will inspire and educate you.

You can stay up to date with the latest happenings via the Facebook Increase Page, while Facebook is also a conversation between award-winning Mexican-American writer and filmmaker Moisés Zamora and Facebook’s director of strategic audience partnerships, Nuria Santamaría Wolfe, about the representation of Latinx and the Spanish community in the media. The conversation will be available on the Spanish website from 30 September.

As the COVID pandemic has major consequences in all communities, it is important to consider supporting minorities and under-represented groups where possible, to ensure that we provide assistance where it is most needed, and that we do not lose contact with individual groups or elements of society that may feel more isolated within the situation.

Latin and Spanish Heritage Month provides a good reminder of this front, and it’s worth checking out Facebook’s latest guide to see how you can show your support.



Source link