By Jovana Rodriguez and Emily Ford
Dominican University kicked off Latine Heritage Month Sept. 10 with the Una Tarde En La Plaza Event from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Quad.
This year there are fewer but bigger events for Latine Heritage Month that are sponsored by the Center for Cultural Liberation (CCL) as they move away from a bigger calendar to two events that are intended to hold extra value for students.
“Both events for Latine Heritage Month, and any event that caters to Latine students at Dominican are centered around inclusion of all cultures and backgrounds and everyone is welcome to attend,” said Jacky Neri Arias, director of the CCL.
Upon checking in, guests acquired their ticket for a free meal from the dining hall. Students could also spin the wheel of fortune. The wheel’s panels gave chances to enter a free raffle for cool items such as a JBL speaker, a DU fleece blanket and more.
The event featured a DJ who is a DU alumnus for the event. For those who were feeling frisky, there was an instructor teaching the whole quad salsa, bachata and merengue moves.
Six undergraduate and two graduate students within the CCL took part in the planning of “Una Tarde en la Plaza”.
Arias said the event was “re-vamped” from the previous years. To encourage inclusivity, the CCL opened the event for all Latine cultures, customs and backgrounds, not just Mexican heritage like in the past.
“Una Tarde En La Plaza event will be a little different this year,” Neri Arias said. “In the past it’s been centered around Mexican culture but this year it will be showing spotlight on Caribbean culture, meaning that there will Caribbean food and traditional Caribbean salsa music.”
As far as the name for Latine Heritage Month, Neri Arias emphasized that the “e” in “Latine” is extremely important.
Over the years the name has morphed into what it has become because students were able to weigh in on their opinions about the traditional name of “Hispanic” Heritage Month.
Neri Arias said that students felt as though the title “Hispanic” was too anglicized and American and although the term “Latinx” is inclusive, it was difficult for Spanish speakers to pronounce.
Students chose “Latine” because it is a name that is still inclusive, easy to pronounce, and the “e” still removes any Americanized washing to this name that is associated with their culture.
The CCL is headquartered in the Mazzuchelli building on the second floor in room 260. The murals, artwork, colors, and posters in the CCL wing help students build a sense of belonging while also creating an open environment to feel welcomed in
The CCL’s other goals for Latine Heritage Month are to strengthen bonds with a variety of scholarships and support programs such as Dream U.S., Pritzker’s Scholars, as well as Pillars and The Village” Neri Arias says, and to “develop an inclusive theoretical and physical space for students.”
Students with any interest in being part of the planning committees should email Neri Arias directly at jneriarias@dom.edu.
jrodriguez3@my.dom.edu & eford@my.dom.edu
