What we call Latino literature in the U.S. has a long, winding history. It dates back to the early conquistadores period, beginning with the experiences of indigenous tribes in southern parts of the U.S., such as Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca’s account of his experience among Native Americans during the 1500s. That writing is widely recognized as a foundational text for U.S. Latin literature.

Spanish and Latin American individuals then continued to influence the evolving landscape of the United States, in every facet, and as a result “Latino literature [became] part of the canon and mainstream culture,” said Jorge Camacho, an associate professor and Spanish Program Director at the University of South Carolina. Camacho provided Latin Post with a detailed account of U.S. Hispanics' presence in literature and American history and their ripening legacy.

Richard Blanco is an example of the legacy and Latino prevalence in literature, according to Camacho. Born in Madrid, Spain, to Cuban exiles, Blanco came to Miami in his youth and quickly pursued poetry as his chosen form of literature. Blanco, like many Latino writers and artists, proved his talent was second to none. "The Indiana Review," "Michigan Quarterly Review," "TriQuarterly Review" and "The Nation" are among the many publications to feature his work, eliciting accolades from critics. 

In early 2013, President Obama selected Blanco as the poet for his second inauguration, which made Blanco the first immigrant, Latino or openly gay individual to fulfill that role -- and the youngest. The picking of the poet proves that Blanco and many other Latino writers, performing artists and film makers make a remarkable impression on the realm of art and written works. 

While the American public has developed a budding taste for Latino literature, much of the recognition offered to Latinos artists and performers can be attributed to the 53 million Hispanics dwelling in the U.S. and “their commercial power [and] their visibility not only in our communities but also through the many radio stations and television channels available.” To a degree, the present day status of Latinos as contributors, creatives and citizens can also be attributed to the diaspora.

"No doubt the diaspora is a big part of the Latino experience in the U.S., but this is not the only topic in [Latino authors'] work. They also talk about their communities, their obsessions as writers, their sexual identities. They talk about politics, and their new nation," said Camacho. "In this sense, Latino writers are cosmopolitan and behave as any other writer. What is important however is that they are giving a voice to a community, a voice that was not heard before, and they serve as role models for new generations of American children and young adults eager to know more about their heritage."

When asked to choose a favorite from the long list of valued contributors, Camacho admitted that it was "difficult," but settled on José Martí, a Cuban exile that spent 15 years of his life in the U.S. during the 19th century. 

"Martí’s literature and politics is enormous. He explained the U.S. culture, literature and politics to Latin Americans as no one else did it before. He started the modernist movement in New York, which extended to other countries in the South and to Spain. He also led Cuba’s last war of independence in 1895,” Camacho said. “Martí is as much part of the history of the U.S. as he is of Cuba and Latin America, and the new American studies are recognizing the need of expanding the canon and incorporating these figures that were a sort of a bridge between cultures.”

The canon can be limiting. Particularly when the term “Latino” is used to generalize authors and “overlook their differences and the polyphonic nature of their work.” The Portuguese and Spanish-language are spoken outside of Latin America, and those who live in Latin America are not the only ones with "Latin roots." However, when speaking of Latino writers, "We tend to think of Spanish-speaking writers or authors that work within this framework. There are also issues that are inherent to cultural relationships such as racism, discrimination and prejudices that will not go away that easily, and we need to keep working on," Camacho adds.

Though Camacho was not raised in the U.S. and did not celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at school, he's raised his children, who were born here, to know their heritage and feel proud of it.

"I believe that every student in the academic system should know and recognize the contributions made by so many generations of Hispanics in this country, that know their leaders, their aspirations and the works they created. Those whose heritage is not Hispanic should be aware that this is also about them, that Hispanic culture is not something foreign to them, that it is an integral part of their communities," Camacho said.