The University is partnering with the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Hispanic Student Cultural Society to organize various different events in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 until Oct. 15.
Hispanic Heritage Month has been nationally recognized since 1968 and celebrates all different Hispanic and Latinx backgrounds.
The festivities opened with the first of four talk series’ held each week in the African American Cultural Center. The talk series are designed as an interactive discussion led by University faculty and student guest speakers. University graduate assistants spoke to students about the Latinx student experience. Other upcoming topics include Latinx folklore traditions and questioning one’s Latinx identity.
“I want a lot of students to attend so they can see students who look like them. Representation matters,” said Diana Avile graduate assistant for Latinx
Affairs. “To see that yes, you can be Latinx and have a doctorate and be very important on campus. Having students—freshman, second-year, third-year, even seniors—see that they can make it.”
Elementary education and Spanish junior and president of the Hispanic Student Cultural Society Karla Rendon said she felt at home whenever she met other Latinx faculty members and students. She said the HSCS is open to all students.
“I think it’s very important everyone who comes to LSU finds a community and a sense of belonging,” Rendon said. “Even though it centers around Latinx students and the Hispanic culture, it is open to anyone. We have students of all backgrounds who are members and have even held executive board positions that do not identify as Latinx, but they are still passionate about
the culture.”
Around the World in 80 Minutes was anevent featuring food samples from different Latin American countries. Attendees had the opportunity to taste
authentic dishes and to network with members of the
Latinx community.
“Latinx Gives Back” is a new service program providing assistance for local English as a Second Language students.
“A lot of schools here have a large ESL student populations and there’s not a lot of faculty that is bilingual and can keep up with that,” Rendon said. “There are over 100 students at these schools that are ESL, and many of their parents can’t speak English.”
HSCS is still seeking volunteers and anyone who is fluent in English and Spanish is encouraged to participate.
The month will conclude with the Hispanic Cultural Showcase on Oct. 12 on Tower Drive from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The showcase is one of the Office of
Multicultural Affairs’ signature events and features art, poetry, musical performances and food as well as a variety of interactive activities to educate students on the history and traditions of different Latin American cultures.
“In my opinion, the Latinx population is very family-centered,” Aviles said. “It’s about helping your brother and your sister. Having a taste from home, having someone to speak your own language with. When you hear your language, or you taste food from your country, it you a sense of belonging. You feel at home. And who doesn’t want to feel at home?”
Director of Salsa Ardiente Dance Company Sarita Reyna and Jason Priddle showcase their salsa dancing during an event hosted by the Hispanic Student Cultural Society on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 in the Student Union theater reception room.
