SUNY Oneonta’s campus community is recognizing National Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month with an array of educational and celebratory events and activities, from guest speakers and theatrical performances to dining and dancing.
The festivities kicked off Sept. 12 with the colorful, annual Parade of Nations through the Quad, where students and staff proudly march through the heart of campus carrying the flags of all different nations. Immediately following the parade, the 12-person musical group Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra climbed atop a makeshift stage near Schumacher and serenaded the crowd. Dozens of students, employees and visitors enjoyed Hispanic cuisine and danced together during the fiesta.
View Photos from the Parade of Nations & Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra
Photography by Nate Inzerillo & Evelyn Mead
Celebrated each year from Sept. 12 to Oct. 15 (in alignment with the anniversary of independence for many Latin American countries), Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month is a chance to learn about and celebrate the contributions of Hispanic people, the country’s fastest-growing racial or ethnic minority, according to the U.S. census. This includes those whose ancestors come from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
“This is a time to celebrate the vibrant cultures and contributions of Hispanic/Latinx communities while reinforcing our dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion at SUNY Oneonta,” said Vice President of Equity and Inclusion & Equal Opportunity and Compliance Bernadette Tiapo. “We are committed to fostering a sense of belonging at SUNY Oneonta and reflecting on how our diverse backgrounds strengthen growth and innovation.”
List of Events
- Noche de Poesía
Friday, Sept. 12, 6:30 p.m., Quad
The Africana & Latinx Studies Department will host a night of poetry on the Quad immediately following the Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Kickoff.
- Film Screening: American Agitators
Thursday, Sept. 18, 6 p.m., Great Room, CRJIE, Lee Hall
Screening of American Agitators with executive producer John Heffernan, featuring Fred Ross Sr., Dolores Huerta, and Cesar Chavez in their fight for justice.
- Saturday Soundscape: Selena The Last Concert: Live From The Astrodome
Saturday, Sept. 20, 8:00 p.m., Red Dragon Theatre, Hunt Union
Screening of Selena The Last Concert (2017) is a filmed performance of her final 1995 concert in Houston, Texas.
- Intersections Series: "A Fantastic Woman" Latinx Pride Film Screening and Discussion
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 7:00 – 9:30 p.m., Great Room, CRJIE, Lee Hall
Screening of “A Fantastic Woman” (2017), a Spanish-language film about a trans woman in Chile navigating life after her boyfriend’s death. A short discussion on representation will follow.
- Roundtable: Entre Palabras, Nos Encontramos (Between the Words, We Find Ourselves)
Thursday, Oct. 2, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Freedom Room, CRJIE, Lee Hall
A student-led roundtable on translating language and culture. Co-hosted by the SUNY Oneonta Heritage Language Institute and the Center for Racial Justice & Inclusive Excellence.
- Banned Books Fair
Wednesday, Oct.8, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Great Room, CRJIE, Lee Hall
The Banned Books Fair will include karaoke, a raffle for a chance to win free books, and delicious food.
- Guest Lecture: Carmen Perez-Jordan – “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future”
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., Great Room, CRJIE, Lee Hall
The Office of Equity & Inclusion will host Carmen Perez-Jordan, a renowned activist and Chicana feminist, for the Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month closing lecture.
“The events we have planned, which are free and open to the public, highlight the strength found in diversity,” said President Alberto Cardelle, “and encourage a shared sense of belonging and mutual respect. All are welcome to join us in embracing the spirit of togetherness and cultural appreciation.”
The festivities kicked off Sept. 12 with the colorful, annual Parade of Nations through the Quad, where students and staff proudly march through the heart of campus carrying the flags of all different nations. mmediately following the parade, the 12-person musical group Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra climbed atop a makeshift stage near Schumacher and serenaded the crowd.