The Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority creates a space for Latin women on LSU’s campus, promoting the principles of love, unity and respect. One of the organization’s biggest goals is the cultural advancement of the community and political engagement.
Johanna Gonzalez, a sophomore Spanish major on the pre-law track, organized Banda Night for the sorority on Monday at the International Cultural Center alongside Britney Tobar, a psychology and French major on the pre-med track, and graduate student Kenya Soto, studying Hispanic studies.
The night consisted of traditional food and music. Gonzalez’s friend, Fernando Sandoval, is the leader of the local band Herencia Real. Gonzalez booked the band to play at the event, and it was the first Mexican sierreño band to perform at LSU.
“I just thought that this was a perfect way to actually incorporate real culture, real food, into LSU in general,” Gonzalez said. “It’s a campus that we love so much, and we just wanted to show everybody a little bit of what we experience when we go to quinceañeras or other Latin cultured events as well.”
The sorority served carnitas made into tacos with toppings like traditional green sauce, red sauce, cilantro and onions, alongside orange rice, which is a traditional Mexican rice.
Gonzalez mentioned that as a Salvadoran person, she normally has white rice, but since the event centered around Mexican culture, she thought orange rice was perfect. She also bought Jamaican juice, or Agua de Jamaica, from a small taqueria near her home.
People did not show up right away, but Gonzalez realized that was part of Latin culture. After an hour, the room was filled with people, and Gonzalez highlighted the love and support she felt.
“They were just out there eating, and everybody was eating as a community,” she said. “You could just feel the love. You could just feel the connection with everybody — not just within the sorority, but everybody that attended the event.”
Gonzalez joined Lambda Theta Alpha her sophomore year and was later elected as political engagement chair because of her work experience at an immigration law firm and passion for political activism. Through this position, Gonzalez teaches people about Latin culture and speaks out for those who cannot speak for themselves.
“I consider myself to have the strength to speak out for immigrant and Latino voices in a community where they’re not always fully represented,” said Gonzalez.
Banda Night was part of this goal, as it was a night where she and her sorority sisters, along with whoever wanted to join, could come together and celebrate their cultures.
“I think Lambda [Theta] Alpha is such a beautiful sorority that can help with that advancement and help with that contribution to society for immigrants, to Latinos and immigrants in general,” said Gonzalez.
