Latinx Heritage Month 2018
Nazareth College takes great pride in creating a supportive and inclusive campus. The College is celebrating National Latinx Heritage Month (observed annually September 15 to October 15) honoring the histories, cultures, and contributions of people of Latin American and Spanish descent. During this time, we also commemorate Latin American countries who received their independence. Latinx is gender neutral, which means it's an identifier that moves beyond gender binaries.
"Nazareth College is dedicated to inclusion, the active pursuit of conscious and sustained practices and processes that value and respect differences. This commitment to diversity and inclusion informs our curriculum, teaching, learning, scholarship, creative activities, co-curricular activities, residential life, community involvement, and support of these endeavors by the Nazareth Community. Latinx Heritage Month is one of many forums that recognizes the contributions and importance that Hispanics and Latinx Americans have made and continue to make on campus, locally, nationally and internationally," says VP for diversity, Diane Ariza. Latinx month is one of the many ways the college focuses on diversity and inclusion.
In an effort to celebrate, Naz has put together a month of events,and here are those open to the public.
RAISING OUR VOICES ~ ALZANDO NUESTRAS VOCES
FEATURE EVENT: LECTURE BY REYNA GRANDE
Tuesday, September 18 ~ 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Arts Center, Callahan Theater
Award-winning author of "The Distance Between Us," Reyna Grande, will share her story about life before and after illegally immigrating from Mexico to the United States.
Born in Mexico and raised by her grandparents after her parents left to find work in the U.S., at nine years old, Reyna enters the U.S. as an undocumented immigrant to live with her father. Filled with hope, she quickly realizes that life in the U.S. is far from perfect. Her father isn’t the man she dreamed about all those years ago in Mexico. His big dreams for his children are what gets them across the border, but his alcoholism and rage undermine all his hard work and good intentions. Reyna finds solace from a violent home in books and writing, inspired by the Latina voices she reads. After an explosive altercation, Reyna breaks away, going on to become the first person in her family to obtain higher education, earning a college degree and then an M.F.A. in Creative Writing.
Documentary Screening: Vietnam, Puerto Rico
Tuesday, October 2 ~ 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Shults Center, Forum
Learn how big business and corrupt politics is displacing a marginalized community in Puerto Rico and speak to a community organizer involved.
Nidiria Ruiz Medina: In Defense of Ancestral Lands: Afro-Colombian Women Resist U.S. Militarization and the War on Drugs
Monday, Oct 15 ~ 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Casa Hispana
Medina is a community organizer, educator, and women's peace activist for the Naya River in Cauca, Columbia.
For More Information
Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.
Award winning author, Reyna Grande, shares her story about life before and after illegally immigrating from Mexico to the United States.