Cultural heritage months, such as Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept.15 to Oct.15, offer us the opportunity to celebrate the various groups that make up the Willamette University community. This time honors the rich cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. It commemorates the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, such as Mexico, Chile and others.
This month is a vibrant celebration of diversity, history, and achievements. It’s a chance to recognize the significant impact Hispanics have made in areas like art, music, science, politics, and more.
At PNCA, folks can visit the exhibition, Un Jardin Familiar, by sophomore Intermedia student, Nico Rodriguez, on the second floor of 511 Broadway through Sept. 20. Rodriguez uses paintings, collage work and the use of multiple mediums Mexican culture, sexuality and family. On Sept. 14, the Latinx community on the Salem campus came together for a “Cafecito Chat,” hosted by the student organization, Alianza, and sponsored by the Office of Intercultural Engagement and Inclusion. The group will host more throughout the month and many more events will give folks the opportunity to celebrate and learn in Salem and Portland, and even online.
There are more ways to learn and celebrate in the next few weeks. See the full list of events and details (PDF).
Some highlights:
Sept. 23 - Viva Salem! – Come enjoy this first-ever Hispanic Heritage Month celebration by the City of Salem at Riverfront. Meet on the first floor of the UC at 12pm noon to walk over. Free and open to all.
Sept. 29 - Negra – This documentary tells the story of five afro-descendant women from southern Mexico, exposing racism, resistance and processes of self-acceptance. The film is in Spanish with English subtitles and has a run time of 72 min. Sponsored by the WU English Department with a student-facilitated discussion following the film. 6pm in Ford 122. Free and open to all.
Oct. 3 - Redefining Latine Leadership – Latinx juniors, seniors and graduate-level students are invited to join this online workshop by a professional leadership coach. 4:30 p.m. on Zoom. See registration link below.
Oct. 11 - Bird Walk & Latinx Scientists – Folx interested in nature and migration as a basic right for humans and nonhumans alike are encouraged to join Biology Professor David Craig and his students as they lead a campus walk and talk in celebration of World Migratory Bird Day (Oct. 14). They will share information about the Latinx scientists working on research and conservation, as well as bilingual birding resources. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Chicken Fountain on the Salem campus. No experience necessary, binoculars provided. Open to all.
Oct. 18 - Artist Talk: Patricia Vazquez Gomez – Hear from this multidisciplinary artist whose practice investigates the social functions of art, the intersections between aesthetics, ethics and politics and the expansion of community based art practices. Vazquez Gomez’s work is informed by her experiences working in immigrant rights and other social justice movements. 12:00 p.m. PNCA, 511 NW Broadway, Mediatheque 1st Floor. Free and open to all.
Oct. 25 - Author Jasminne Mendez - Join the Willamette community in welcoming Jasminne Mendez, a Dominican-American poet, playwright, translator, and award-winning author of several books for children and adults. The reading, sponsored by the WU English Department, will be at 5pm in the Alumni Lounge, 3rd floor of the UC, Salem campus. Free and open to all.
As always, it’s important to recognize the contributions of people year-round. When the planning committee met with Alianza co-Presidents, Maria Aguilar Alvarado and Eduardo Ojeda-Sierra, one of the hopes these students had was that the university community would go beyond their bubbles to support local Latinx-owned businesses in the area. If you’re new to the region or haven’t had a chance to explore, see the lists of Latinx-owned businesses in the Salem and Portland areas linked below.