The Latin American Student Organization and the Office of Multicultural Affairs are hosting various events over the next few weeks to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month.
National Hispanic Heritage Month honors people of Hispanic and Latin American descent. In the United States, National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15. The start date is important, as many Latin American countries celebrate their independence day on September 15 and 16.
Kinesiology junior Joselyn Lozano is President of LASO. She said the organization has planned numerous events in partnership with the Office of Multicultural Affairs that students can attend at no cost.
LASO will have a table at Fall Fest on Friday, September 16th and will be doing giveaways and spreading the word about what National Hispanic Heritage Month is all about. Later in the day, they will also host a social gathering at La Chilanga, a local Mexican restaurant.
“We’re kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month with local restaurants around Baton Rouge, especially Hispanic-owned and operated businesses,” Lozano said.
The La Chilanga Social will take place at the 220 W. Lee Drive location on Friday, September 16th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
From September 19 to 22, LASO will host a Latinx Career Week with the Latinx Center that caters to minority students. Each day will feature a different topic to prepare minority students for a career after graduation.
“A lot of us are first generation, so we really don’t know much about how [to] as the start of construction [our] career, how to [we] start networking? Some people don’t know what resumes are,” Lozano said. “I was talking to a guy the other day – he didn’t know about email signatures, which is something professional every student should have.”
Alex Torres, assistant director for Latinx Affairs, encourages all students to participate in National Hispanic Heritage Month events, even if they are not of Hispanic descent.
“It’s also a great way for students to get involved and learn more about the culture, especially for students who take any [Spanish] classes… or for people who might want to study abroad,” Torres said.
On Friday, September 30th, the Latinx Center will host a Latinx Cultural Night from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm inside the Atchafalaya Room of the Student Union. Torres said there will be food, dancing and games and various activities to immerse people in the culture and celebrate.
For the first time, the Latinx Center will have a production called “Black Latina the Play.” The show will focus on the intersection of African American and Hispanic heritage and the struggles to identify with both.
“A lot of people don’t realize that part of the black diaspora is Latin America,” Torres said, noting that many Latin Americans are also of African American descent.
The play will be presented by Black Latina Movement, a black-owned theater and production company, and will take place inside the Student Union Theater on Wednesday, October 5 at 6:00 p.m.
Torres says it’s important for LSU to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month so Hispanic students can embrace their culture.
“There are about 3,000 students who identify as Latin American or Hispanic [at LSU]. Also, when we look at the population here in Baton Rouge and New Orleans… it’s a strong presence, and it’s also important for people to have that visibility and be seen,” Torres said.
For Lozano, events like Latinx Culture Night were how she found her community at LSU.
“The first year, I didn’t have anyone. You know, I’m very family oriented and I’m out of state, so when I came to Louisiana, I was a mess. And that’s how I ended up finding my people because of events like this,” she said.
Towards the end of October, LASO and the Latinx Center will celebrate Dia de Los Muertos and host events to honor loved ones who have passed away.
LASO also has events planned for the rest of the year to celebrate Hispanic culture. Students can view upcoming events on the LASO and Office of Multicultural Affairs social media accounts or visit the LSU website for a complete list of Hispanic Heritage Month events hosted by the Latinx Center.
