Through cultural celebration and community involvement, the Hispanic Student Cultural Society aims to educate students about people of different backgrounds.
HSCS is a relatively new organization to the University. This year the group hopes to get involved with more philanthropy, specifically to help with the recent tragedies in Mexico City and Puerto Rico.
Film and media arts senior Hannah Mizwa is president of the organization, but said she had no idea HSCS existed until this semester. She said when she learned about it, she did everything possible to get involved.
“When I learned about HSCS, I went straight to the advisor,” Mizwa said. “…I even told them I’d be interested in running for president and now here we are.”
Mizwa and elementary education junior Karla Rendon are helping HSCS collaborate with the Cajun Airlift. Similar to the Cajun Navy, the Cajun Airlift’s goal is to collect goods and supplies for victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.
Mizwa said a few professors from the University who are originally from Puerto Rico approached the organization hoping they would be interested in helping with relief efforts.
HSCS meets every week, and typically holds social events for students to go into the community and support Latino-owned businesses.
“We like to give back to specific restaurants that are actually [owned] by Hispanic people,” Mizwa said. “I’m from Houston, and the Hispanic population there is huge, but [in Baton Rouge] … not so much.
Mizwa said it is important for students to expose themselves to people of different backgrounds to “chip away” at any ignorance they have about that culture.
“A lot of times, Hispanics or Latinos are just seen as Mexican. There’s over 230 countries in Latin America,” Mizwa said. “People need to see how diverse we are, even within our ethnic background.”
Mizwa said while HSCS is not the biggest group on campus, they have a lot to offer. Hispanic Heritage Month will be celebrated through Oct. 15 and HSCS is hosting a number of events, along with the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Mizwa said she is most excited for the showcase, which will be held in the French House on Oct. 13.
“It’s a huge embodiment of all the events throughout the month,” Mizwa said. “We’ll have speakers, some performers and it’s just going to be a lot of fun.”
This is the first semester Rendon has been involved with HSCS. She has been a member of the Minority Women’s Movement for two semesters, and said both organizations have helped her feel less out of place at the University.
“HSCS encourages people to learn about your own culture or another,” Rendon said. “You can become more open and educated about ‘latinx’ cultures.”
Rendon said during Hispanic Heritage Month, she hopes people will have fun at the events, but also learn about the beauty of Hispanic culture.
“I hope people learn about the struggles that Latinos go through and become more open,” Rendon said. “These events bring awareness to issues people might not know about.”
On Sept. 28, HSCS hosted a “Salsa Night” in coordination with the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Minority Women’s Movement. Over 100 students attended and participated in salsa lessons taught by instructors from Salsa Ardiente.
Interdisciplinary studies senior Josh Malone has been involved with HSCS since his freshman year. He said he joined to learn more about Hispanic culture.
“I’m a Spanish minor, so I really just wanted to learn about the culture,” Malone said. “I’m not Hispanic, I just wanted to know more.”
Mizwa said HSCS wants students to know that everyone is welcome at their events and meetings.
“You don’t have to be Hispanic to join,” Mizwa said. “Of course, we encourage Hispanics and Latinos to join so that they can engage with people on campus, but at the end of the day, we want to spread the word and help people.”
LSU interdisciplinary studies senior Joshua Malone is the public relations manager for the Hispanic Student Cultural Society and planned the salsa event on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 in the Student Union theater reception room.
