Ryan ChartrandNovember is Latino History Month and this year’s celebration is bigger than ever.
“This year is really cool because we have a director and have planned more events,” said Gabriela Garcia, a nutrition senior and Multicultural Center employee.
There are usually two weeks in October dedicated to Latino history, but the center wanted to have a whole month to bring awareness about Latino heritage and culture.
Festivities began Nov. 2 with a workshop to let students and faculty celebrate Dia de los Muertos with a skull painting workshop. Mickela Gonzales, an architecture senior and Multicultural Center employee, said the workshop went well and was excited to see new faces in the center.
“Many people think Latin heritage means only Mexican, instead it’s a celebration of South and Central America, the Caribbean and Mexico,” said Renoda Campbell, the newly inducted director of the Multicultural Center.
Upward Bound director Sam Cortez gave a multimedia presentation on Nov. 7 about Latino reggae.
KSBY news reporter Kimberly Romo will speak about Latinas in the broadcasting world Nov. 14. The location has not been announced.
The center also invited co-author Justin Akers Chacon to come speak about his book, “No one Is Illegal,” on Nov. 16 at 8 p.m. in the Business building, room 213.
Communication studies senior Aimee Williams will be presenting her senior project topic, “Women of Juarez,” on Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. in the Chumash Auditorium.
“I definitely wanted to do something more than just write a paper,” Williams said.
Williams first learned about the missing women of Juarez, Mexico when she was involved in the production of “The Vagina Monologues.” Williams wants people to understand why the United States should get involved. Juarez is located close to the border of El Paso, Texas, and there are many American factories set up there, Williams said. Many young student mothers have been abducted and killed in the area. Williams believes that American corporations and the Mexican government need to work together to make the area safer.
The festivities will come to an end Nov. 30. Campbell said the Multicultural Center plans to get the Cal Poly Salsa Club to dance, have food and “just have a celebration” with live music by the Palos Latin Roots group during UU hour from 11 a.m. to noon.
For more information go to the Multicultural Center on the second floor of the University Union in room 217 or go to www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu.