“You can’t cover the sun with a finger.” As we commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month in New York City, this common saying reflects the reality many of our communities face today. Too many of our neighbors continue to suffer discrimination, harassment and unfair treatment. These injustices are not abstract concepts: they are real problems that affect New Yorkers at school, at work, and at home.
I know that Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the cultures, creativity and strength of our communities. We have contributed to the music, gastronomy, traditions and work sector that have shaped this city for generations. We are entrepreneurs and innovators, law enforcement officers and first responders, artists and teachers, public servants and community leaders. From organizing local projects and events to leading cultural and political institutions, our contributions enrich every neighborhood. From Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, El Salvador, Ecuador, Peru, the Dominican Republic and many other origins, we make New York a stronger and more beautiful city every day.
But celebrating cannot mean turning your back on reality. Families continue to live in fear of harassment or exclusion. Workers still face discrimination, and renters still experience bias in housing. Children still hear hateful words directed at their families and wonder if they really belong here. Prejudice and harassment can come in subtle ways, such as unfair treatment from a supervisor or a comment from a teacher, or more overt, such as threats or intimidation. These harms are felt throughout neighborhoods, affecting the sense of safety and belonging that every New Yorker deserves, and cannot be ignored.
That’s why the New York City Human Rights Commission exists. Our job is clear: protect New Yorkers from discrimination, harassment and bias in housing, employment and public spaces. We investigate complaints, hold people accountable when they break the law, and enforce one of the strongest human rights laws in the country.
Law enforcement is only part of our job. We collaborate with schools, community organizations, houses of worship and other government agencies to ensure that people know their rights and know how to exercise them. We provide education and training, connect New Yorkers to resources, and ensure language is never a barrier to protection. Through community workshops, events and multilingual services, we work to make every neighborhood a place where families feel safe, supported and empowered. During my tenure as Commissioner, we have helped countless New Yorkers resolve conflicts, assert their rights, and rebuild trust in their communities.
As we honor Hispanic Heritage Month, let us recognize both our joy and our struggle. Celebrating does not mean ignoring the difficulties we face; It means insisting on pride, dignity and respect even in the face of adversity. It means remembering our history, recognizing our present, and working together for a future in which every Hispanic New Yorker can thrive.
“You can’t cover the sun with a finger.” The challenges facing our shared communities are real and cannot be ignored. But our strength, our contributions, and our rights cannot be ignored either. Every day, Hispanic New Yorkers demonstrate determination and dedication to building a city where everyone belongs.
The New York City Human Rights Commission is here for you. We are committed to protecting every New Yorker, confronting hate, and ensuring our communities are treated fairly. Our presence cannot be denied, and our voices will not be silenced.
Annabel Palma is the president and commissioner of the New York City Office of Human Rights