Honoring Hispanic Heritage: Kyle Gahlau
From Sunday, September 15 to October 15, our nation celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month, which honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The observation was started in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson as Hispanic Heritage Week and expanded under President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. The September 15 start day is especially notable as it marks the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Toward the end of the 30-day celebration, October 12 is Columbus Day or Día de la Raza or Indigenous Peoples Day, a controversial date to some.
The theme for 2024’s National Hispanic Heritage Month is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together”, and in honor of the month, we asked All Souls Fellowship congregants of descent from three different Hispanic countries their thoughts on the holiday, their heritage, and commemorating their culture in their respective lives.
Interview with Kyle Gahlau:
The Balmaseda Family in Cuba. Kyle's family is the last on the right.
Please tell us which country you or your family descend from.
“My grandfather, grandmother, two uncles, and mother left Puerto Padre, Cuba in 1964. My grandparents had to split all three kids up by sending them ahead to family members in Los Angeles, New York City, and Miami while they stayed in Mexico City awaiting Visa approval.”
When did you or your family come to the United States and why?
“That was five years after the revolution and my family couldn't live under communist rule any longer. They often shared stories about how friends and neighbors turned on each other because of the conditions. My grandparents were both college-educated at the University of Havana. My grandfather was an agronomist specializing in sugar cane cultivation and my grandmother was a school teacher. They gave all that behind for a better life in America.”
Living in Decatur, what reminds you of that country?
“I've never been to Cuba but I was raised in the culture. What reminds me of the culture here in Decatur are the Latin restaurants, especially Alex Garcia's amazing Cuban sandwiches.”
Food is so essential to all of us and our experiences and upbringing. Do you have a favorite dish or local restaurant that you can share?
“I have so many happy memories of being in the kitchen when my great-grandmother and grandmother were cooking. Anytime I smell garlic, onions, and bell peppers (sofrito) cooking a flood of memories come. My favorite dish is called Papas Rellenas and it's ground beef (picadillo) stuffed mashed potato balls that are fried. It was a labor of love anytime my Abulea would make it for me and I think that's why it's so special to me. If you haven't tried Alex Garcia's Cuban sandwiches yet you're doing yourself a disservice. They are the best Cuban sandwiches I've ever had.”
Language is also vital to our experiences. How important is it to you for your children to be bilingual?
“I would love it if our children became bilingual. Mainly because I wasn't able to achieve this. Luckily for us, the school system has some amazing Spanish teachers.”
With the theme for this year being ‘Shaping the Future’, how would you like to see your heritage honored into the future?
“To me, the greatest honor is when I see people from all walks of life embrace the Cuban Culture through its food, music, and dance.“
Anything else you’d like to share (books, Bible verses, music, art recommendations)?
“I grew up listening to Celia Cruz, Albita, Gloria Estefan, Linda Ronstadt, and the Buena Vista Social Club. To this day, I still listen to this music and expose my kids to it as well. One of my cousins has written a book I would highly recommend. Sweet Mary by Liz Balmaseda.”