The Latino community and UW-Madison students will celebrate Chicano/Latino Heritage Month with 30 days of events and activities across campus. The celebration kicks off with the Super Mercado student resources fair on Tuesday, Sept. 13, in the Gordon Commons Event Center Concerto Room. Speakers, discussion panels, and focused group conversations, include:
- A Lunchtime Lecture With Colombian Badgers: “From Magic Realism to Narconarratives” by Professor Beatriz L. Botero on Sept. 28 at noon in ECB- 1025 (Engineering Centers Building). Prof. Botero will discuss the evolution of literary narrative and its relationship with Colombian history from the “Violence novels” during the 60’s to the “sicaresque” novel (hitman narrative) of the 90’s, exploring Magical Realism and the psychoanalytic impact of anxiety stemming from violence;
- Professor Lunch-in with Oscar Mireles: Sept. 29 at noon in the Law Building. Prof. Mireles will discuss the presence of Latino/a individuals in Wisconsin and give away 25 of his books to the first students that arrive at the event;
- Latinos in Health Care: Oct. 4 from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. in 336 Ingraham Hall. Hosted by the Chaican@ and Latin@ Studies Program and Professional Association of Latin@s for Medical School Access (PALMA), Dr. Edward Vargas, Post-Doctorial in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, will speak about health resources and trends for Latino immigrants.
Other activities will continue through the closing two-day conclusion, starting with a Latinx Student Summit on Oct. 13. Latinx Despedida will be where students will gather to have a candid discussion on being Latino on campus and in America to promote unity. On the evening of Oct. 14 in Varsity Hall III in Union South, the month-long campus celebration will conclude with the annual Latinx Ball, where leaders in the UW Latino community will be acknowledged.
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.
Bienvenida – September 16th
Time: 5:00pm – end
Location: 206 Bernard Court – At MEChA Office
Description: It is our pleasure to welcomes students back to campus with delicious food and a safe place where they can make connections. As a student organization that has the privilege of having a house as an office space we would like to spread the word that the house is a safe space available to anyone at anytime. We do this by giving students an introductory tour of the space as we celebrate the start of another academic year. We additionally provide students with materials to do some art work and facilitate a variety of workshops that vary from one year to the next.
Path to Citizenship Workshop – September 16th
Time: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Location: Christ Presbyterian Church, 944 E. Gorham Street
Description:
Who is this for?
- The Citizenship Workshop is for people with green cards (lawful permanent residents) who want help to complete the N-400 application.
At the workshop people will:
- Meet with an attorney to confirm they are eligible for U.S. Citizenship
- Get help to complete the 21-page N-400 Application for – – — Naturalization
- Be assessed for fee waiver/get help completing fee waiver, if eligible
- Have an attorney review the completed N-400.
If people plan to attend the Citizenship Workshop, please ask them to:
- Call the number on the flyer and leave a message to register for the workshop (608) 263-6735
- Bring all documents listed on the back of the flyer (attached).
Latinx/Chicanx Social – September 19th
Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Location: MSC Lounge – 2nd Floor, Red Gym
Description: Come socialize with fellow students, staff, and faculty. This event is one of many socials the MSC will be hosting to build community and support, and of course free food.
Steeping it Real – September 20th
Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Location: MSC Classroom – Red Gym
Description: Join a monthly discussion series hosted by the MSC to give students a space to process and share on a monthly topic while enjoying coffee, tea, and snacks.
El Reventonazo – September 23rd
Time: 8:30pm -12:00pm
Location: Memorial Union Terrace
Description: On an annual bases M.E.Ch.A hosts El Reventonazo during the fall semester. El Reventonazo allows for community members and students to come together and enjoy different genres of music from Latin America. All artists performing are required to give a workshop and the content of it depends on the artists. Previous performers have chosen to speak about how their group further contributes to social justice movements. Other performers have chosen to teach how to play certain instruments they utilize during their performance.
Destination: Latin America – September 25th
Time: 1:30pm – 4:00pm
Location: MSC Lounge – Red Gym 2nd Floor
Description: Kappa Delta Chi will be hosting a crafting event in which they will provide traditional food from various parts of Latin America. The highlight of the event will be making traditional crafts from four different Latin American countries. Come join for a fun time crafting and enjoying delicious foods.
Breaking the Barrier: Talking about Sex and Sexuality within Latinx & Chicanx Culture and Tradition
Vision of Sex and Sexuality – September 26, 27th
Time: 4:00pm- 8:00pm
Location: MEChA Office – 206 Bernard Court
Place at the Table – September 27th
Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Location: MSC Lounge – Red Gym 2nd FLoor
Description: One of the main community development programs from the MSC. With place at the table come hang out, break bread, get fed while enjoying a free community meal.
contemporary Latin American literature and cultural studies. Her research is oriented
primarily towards topics in narrative and psychoanalysis, with special emphasis on
identity, body and social conflict.
Lunchtime Lecture With Colombian Badgers: From Magic Realism to Narconarratives by Professor Beatriz L. Botero – September 28th
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Location : ECB- 1025 (Engineering Centers Building)
Description: In August 25, 2016, The New York Times, addressed the peace process in Colombia, starting an article by saying “The life of every Colombian alive today has been defined, to varying degrees, by violence”1. Literature reflects on that. In this talk I am going to address the evolution of narrative and its relationship with Colombian history. I am going to trace the transformation of the “Violence novels” during the 60’s to the “sicaresque” novel (hitman narrative) of the 90’s. Between these two big moments in Colombian literature, I am going to explain what is Magical Realism and the importance of this literary movement in shaping the Colombian mentality. This talk will be permeated by Psychoanalytic insights that help explain the anxiety of violence in each of us focusing on the novel Rosario Tijeras, by Jorge Franco.
Professor Lunch-in with Oscar Mireles – September 29th
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Location: Law Building
Description: Professor Oscar Mireles speaks about the presence of Latinx individuals in Wisconsin. Twenty-five of his books will be given away to the first students that arrive at the event.
Chicano & Latino Studies Gatherings – September 29th
Time: 12:00pm – 1:30 pm
Location: 336 Ingraham
Description: Meet the CLS faculty, staff and students. Learn about the CLS requirements and different ways of being involved with CLS. Enjoy lunch with the CLS community.
Career Development Workshop – September 29th
TIme: All Day
Location: MSC – Red Gym
Description: Come learn from the Teaching and Learning Programs of UW Libraries and the MSC on tips on what you should be doing to land a job after graduation.
Breaking the Barrier: Talking about Sex and Sexuality within Latinx & Chicanx Culture and Tradition
Vision of Sex and Sexuality – September 26, 27th
Time: 4:00pm- 8:00pm
Location: MEChA Office – 206 Bernard Court
Dialogue on Sex and Sexuality – October 5th
Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Location: MEChA Office – 206 Bernard Court
Description: Campaign to host the safe space to take pictures and create dialogue about the Latinx & Chicanx cultures and traditions and the community is affected.
Impresiones – October 3rd
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: 206 Bernard Court – At MEChA Office
Description: Unity is essential in creating community and to emphasize such an important topic to the Latinx community, this workshop allows students to learn about two individual’s life trajectory and have the opportunity to create pieces of artwork that depict their thoughts about the individual’s life experiences. Allowing students to express their ideas not only through one medium but through communication as well
Latinos in Health Care – October 4th
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: 336 Ingraham Hall
Desription: Chaican@ and Latin@ Studies Program and Professional Association of Latin@s for Medical School Access (PALMA) host Dr. Edward Vargas, Post-Doctorial in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health to speak about health resources and trends for Latino immigrants.
Dialogue on Sex and Sexuality – October 5th
Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Location: MEChA Office – 206 Bernard Court
Description: Campaign to host the safe space to take pictures and create dialogue about the Latinx & Chicanx cultures and traditions and the community is affected.
The Black and Brown Vote: A Discussion About Civic Engagement in the Current Political Climate – October 12th
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: MSC Lounge
Description: The panel will feature journalists/ academics, political analysts and student commentators who will be able to talk specifically about the presence of Black, Latinx, and Asian voters as well as issues that relate to those communities in the election.
Latinx Despedida
Thursday : Latinx Student Summit – MSC – October 13th, Time TBA
An evening for candid dialogue.
Friday : Latinx Ball – Varsity Hall III – October 14th from 7pm – 12:00am
A Latinx celebration acknowledging leaders amongst the UW community.
Description: A two day event lead by Latinx student organizations to build greater campus unity.
For more details and updates on events go to Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/1100312130018185/?
11 facts for National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month began this week to celebrate Latinos and their culture and history. Started as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson, it was expanded to a month by President Ronald Reagan and enacted into law in 1988. Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica celebrated their independence days Monday followed by Mexico today and Chile on Thursday.
Here are 11 facts that look at Latinos in the U.S. by age, geography and origin groups.
1 The U.S. Hispanic population now stands at over 54.1 million, making them the nation’s second-largest racial or ethnic group. Today Hispanics make up 17% of the U.S. population, up from 5% in 1970.
2 People of Mexican origin account for two-thirds (34 million) of the nation’s Latinos. Those of Puerto Rican origin are the next largest group at 4.9 million (with another 3.5 million on the island of Puerto Rico). There are five other Hispanic origin groups with more than 1 million people each: Cubans, Salvadorans, Dominicans, Guatemalans and Colombians.
3 There is diversity among Latino origin groups in major metro areas. Mexicans make up 78% of Latinos in the Los Angeles area but, in the New York City area, Puerto Ricans (28%) and Dominicans (21%) are the largest groups. Meanwhile, Salvadorans (32%) are most numerous in the Washington, D.C., metro area, and Cubans (54%) are the largest group in Miami.
4 The share foreign born among Hispanics varies by origin group. Just one-third (34%) of Mexican-origin Hispanics are foreign born. That’s far lower than among the other major groups – Cuban (56% foreign born), Salvadoran (60%), Dominican (56%), Guatemalan (65%) and Colombian (63%). (Most Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens at birth.)
5 As the population of U.S.-born Latinos booms and the arrival of new immigrants slows, the share of Hispanics who are immigrants — as opposed to those who are born here — is on the decline. From 2007 to 2012, the number of Latino immigrants increased slightly, from 18 million to 18.8 million. But they constituted a smaller overall share of the Latino population — decreasing from 40% to 36% over the same time period.
6 Latinos are the youngest of the major racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. At 27 years, the median age of Latinos is a full decade lower than that of the U.S. overall (37 years). Among Latinos, there is a big difference in median age between the U.S.-born (18 years) and foreign-born (40 years).
7 The number of young Latinos has rapidly increased. From 1993 to 2013, the number of Latinos younger than 18 in the U.S. more than doubled (107% increase), compared with an 11% increase among the general U.S. population younger than 18, according to Census Bureau data. In any given year, more than 800,000 young Latinos turn 18.
8 Latinos make up the largest group of immigrants in most states, mostly because Mexico is the biggest source of immigrants in 33 states. In some states, though, other Hispanic groups are the largest: El Salvador is the top country of birth among immigrants in Virginia and Maryland, the Dominican Republic leads in New York and Rhode Island and Cuba is the top place of birth for immigrants in Florida.
9 A majority of Latino adults (55%) say they are Catholic, while 16% are evangelical Protestants and 5% are mainline Protestants. The share who say they are Catholic has declined from 67% in 2010. Mexicans and Dominicans are more likely than other Hispanic origin groups to say they are Catholic. Meanwhile, Salvadorans are more likely to say they are evangelical Protestants than Mexicans, Cubans and Dominicans.
10 A record 25.2 million Hispanics are eligible to vote in 2014, up from 21.3 million in 2010. But during the last midterm election, the voter turnout rate of Hispanics (31%) lagged behind whites (49%) and blacks (44%).
11 More than 35 million Latinos speak Spanish at home. About 38% say Spanish is their dominant language, compared with 25% who are English-dominant and 36% who are bilingual, according to the Pew Research Center’s 2013 National Survey of Latinos.
