Seven Ways To Celebrate Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month
Among Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month events, shown clockwise from top left: Emily Aguilo Perez, who will present “An American Icon in Puerto Rico: Barbie, Girlhood, and Colonialism at Play,” Oct. 2, Latin American Film Series: La Muerte de Pinochet, Sept. 17 and South Side Restaurant Tour Oct. 5.Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month is observed each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 to honor the cultures and experiences of Americans who have ancestral roots in Central or South America, Spain, Mexico and the Caribbean.
The University of Scranton will host a series of celebratory events including a film series, a cultural awareness night, a restaurant tour and more. The theme for this year, “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” will spotlight influential figures who have paved the way for change in the Hispanic/Latinx community.
The Culture Centers invite students, faculty and staff to attend the following events. For details, please contact the Cultural Centers at Multicultural@scranton.edu
The Multicultural Center and Association of Latinx American Students will begin Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month with a table sit Monday, Sept. 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the 2nd floor of the DeNaples Center.
Latin American and Latinx Studies will present La Muerte de Pinochet, Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 5 p.m., Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall 228 as part of a Latin American Film Series with a focus on history and politics.
Shown, La Muerte De Pinochet Photo Courtesy Facebook.com (https://www.facebook.com/lamuertedepinochet)
The Multicultural Center will host a Hispanic Heritage Month Cultural Conversation, “Latino Voices and Pioneers that have Shaped the Future of Latinos in the U.S.,” Wednesday, Sept. 18, 8 p.m. in the DeNaples Center, room 405. Jose Sanchez, Assistant Director for the Cultural Centers, highlights the figures that will be discussed in this cultural conversation. “Attendees will learn more about these Latino pioneers: Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, Sylvia Rivera, Dr. Ellen Ochoa, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Luis Alvarez and Illeana Ros-Lehiten,” he said.
The Multicultural Center and the Association of Latinx American Students will also sponsor Latino Culture Night, Thursday, Sept. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Multicultural Center Lounge Area. Students can take part in various activities to celebrate Latino culture. “We are planning to have board games, Latin dances, music and cultural videos showcasing Latin American countries,” Sanchez said.
President of the Association of Latinx American Students Wailly J. Lewis '26, shown, explained the significance of the monthlong celebration.
"Hispanic Heritage Month is really important to our University because it highlights the rich culture, history, and contributions of Latinx communities, which often go unrecognized,” he said.
“As a student and a proud Latino, it's great to see our heritage celebrated on campus and know that our identities are valued. It also gives the entire community a chance to learn, engage and build understanding ... which helps foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone in the Latinx community.”
Shown, Wailly J. Lewis '26, Association of Latinx American Students president
October Events Spotlight Hispanic Literature, Cuisine and Collaborations
Next month, Emily Aguilo Perez, shown at left, will present “An American Icon in Puerto Rico: Barbie, Girlhood, and Colonialism at Play,” Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 5 p.m. in Brennan Hall, Pearn Auditorium, 228. The Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities will sponsor this presentation.
The Multicultural Center, Latin American and Latinx Studies and Office of Community Relations will host a South Side Restaurant Tour, Saturday, Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The tour will include La Libertad Pupuseria and Italo’s Mexican Restaurant. Registration is required.
Daysi Carreto '14, Assistant Director of Communication and Civic Engagement at the University highlights the dual benefits of this event.
“The event provides an opportunity for students to sample delicious Hispanic/Latinx cuisine while also learning more about the Hispanic/Latinx community in Scranton,” said Carreto. We are coordinating details for an academic component this year that will include insights from local community leaders and organizations working with the Hispanic/Latinx Community.”
The University of Scranton will collaborate with the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine to host Hispanic/Latinx Voices: Screening and Panel Discussion, Monday, Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, 525 Pine St., Main Auditorium. The panel will feature three oral histories and five interviewees from Latinx backgrounds. For details or RSVP at surveymonkey.com/r/Hispanic-LatinxVoices
Julie Schumacher Cohen, Assistant Vice President of Community Engagement and Government Affairs, shares the representation and connection that this event will display. “Attendees can learn that there is a great deal of diversity within the Hispanic/Latinx communities in the Scranton area. There is no single story,” said Schumacher Cohen.
