Hispanic Heritage Month: How Disney Pixar’s Coco Explores Cultural Pride

By Skylar DeNoyer, BSW Intern

September 15th-October 15th is Hispanic Heritage Month.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a period of time where we recognize the contributions and influences of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.

One way to celebrate this month is to look at the way the Hispanic culture is displayed in the media.

Disney Pixar’s Coco (2017) is a wonderful depiction of the culture of the Hispanic community.

It displays a sense of humanity in every character on screen and provides children with a beautiful aesthetic to understand the importance of cultural competency and pride.

Coco follows Miguel, a young boy who aspires to become a musician despite his familial disdain and ban on music.

Our children follow Miguel on screen through his journey to the truth about his family’s history.

The movie also does a wonderful job teaching us about the Día de los Muertos celebration and the significance it has in the Hispanic culture.