On September 15, academic institutions and cultural groups nationwide embarked on a month-long celebration of Hispanic heritage and culture. Initially begun as a week-long observance in 1968, National Hispanic Heritage Month was expanded in 1988 to 30 days. September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration to include the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
Some activities involving U.S. campuses and organizations include the following:
NORMAL, Ill.
Illinois State University.
· Suzanne Oboler of John Jay College of Criminal Justice-CUNY, will speak Thursday, Sept, 18, on "Latino, Hispanic. The Consequences of Ethnic Labels in Contemporary U.S. Society" at Bone Student Center. Oboler is a professor of Latin American and Latina/o Studies.
· Diversity Retreat sponsored by Diversity Advocacy at Aurora University in Lake Geneva, Wis. The retreat will be from Sept. 19-21.
ALLENDALE, Mich.
Grand Valley State University
· “Latino Voices, Latino Votes” lecture on Sept 17. Maria Echaveste, lecturer-in-residence at the University of California-Berkeley Law School, will address the increasing Hispanic population in swing states and the Hispanic vote.
· Hispanic Art Experience on Sept 18, showcasing works by local artists.
· “Race, Ethnicity, Nationality and Identity” on Oct. 6. Laura Arcila Villla, visiting professor of philosophy, discussed Latin American philosopher Jorge J.E. Gracia and his analysis of the concepts of race, ethnicity, and nationality and how they help to shape identities.
