Spring Break
UA campus celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Taniah Tudor
Issue date: 9/15/08 Section: Life & Style
The panel discussion will include Jim Miranda, who is a member of and involved in several civil rights organizations; Margarita Solorzano, the executive director of the Hispanic Women's Organization of Arkansas; Ana Claudia Aguayo, a junior at the UA and an advocate for education, health awareness and civil rights for the Hispanic community; Ana Bridges, who explores Latino mental health and service utilization in the department of psychology at the UA; Javier Boyas, an assistant professor at the UA School of Social Work; and Charlie Cervantes, the state director for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in Arkansas, Salazar said.
Plaza de las Americas will be in the Arkansas Union Connections Lounge, and will include displays of artifacts and information about specific Latino cultures, Salazar said, and performances from 22 Hispanic countries will be available at the event.
There will also be a Latino-related film series and the return of the off-Broadway play "Plátanos and Collard Greens," a romantic comedy that tells the story of an African-American man and a Latino woman, according to a UA Multicultural Center flyer.
"People need to be aware that Latinos and African-Americans are coming together in relationships, not just friendships," Salazar said.
Daniel Diaz, a senior history major from Texas and member of LULAC, is also on the committee, putting forth ideas and helping organize events such as Friday Night Live. A Latin band from Dallas, TX., will be at the event, as will authentic Mexican food and activities for the whole family, he said.
"There's still work to be done, but this is the first step in closing the gap between cultures…the first step for students in Arkansas to get to know the Latino culture better," Diaz said.
Rafael Arciga, a senior from Mexico majoring in political science and international relations, is the president of LULAC. He said there has been a great deal of student involvement, from being part of the committee and events, to volunteering and getting the word out about HHM.
Plaza de las Americas will be in the Arkansas Union Connections Lounge, and will include displays of artifacts and information about specific Latino cultures, Salazar said, and performances from 22 Hispanic countries will be available at the event.
There will also be a Latino-related film series and the return of the off-Broadway play "Plátanos and Collard Greens," a romantic comedy that tells the story of an African-American man and a Latino woman, according to a UA Multicultural Center flyer.
"People need to be aware that Latinos and African-Americans are coming together in relationships, not just friendships," Salazar said.
Daniel Diaz, a senior history major from Texas and member of LULAC, is also on the committee, putting forth ideas and helping organize events such as Friday Night Live. A Latin band from Dallas, TX., will be at the event, as will authentic Mexican food and activities for the whole family, he said.
"There's still work to be done, but this is the first step in closing the gap between cultures…the first step for students in Arkansas to get to know the Latino culture better," Diaz said.
Rafael Arciga, a senior from Mexico majoring in political science and international relations, is the president of LULAC. He said there has been a great deal of student involvement, from being part of the committee and events, to volunteering and getting the word out about HHM.
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Philip Alan Thompson
posted 9/15/08 @ 12:34 AM CST
How exciting--Hispanic Heritage Month... If there's sufficient time during one of the many panel discussions that will be convened during the celebration, perhaps someone can explain why, if Hispanic culture and traditions are so wonderful, then why virtually NO Hispanic nation in history has EVER provided either democracy or prosperity to its citizens? If Hispanic culture is so great, then why will literally millions of Hispanics risk their very lives in voyages of leaky boats or crossings of desert infernos--just to reach ANY nation founded by white, English-speaking, Anglo-Saxon men? If the United States is so enriched by Hispanic culture, then you'd better explain that to the law-abiding citizens of once-quiet and idyllic towns now plagued by the violent gangs that INVARIABLY accompany Hispanic immigration. (Continued…)
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