UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — 'Lived Mosaic: Diverse Experiences of One Culture,’ honors and celebrates the historic background, culture, heritage, and many influences of the Hispanic community throughout the years, during Hispanic Heritage Month, from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. For more information about Hispanic Heritage Month events at Penn State, visit http://sites.psu.edu/hispanicheritagemonth.
In September 1968, the U.S. Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, expanded in 1989 to a month-long celebration of the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.
A number of events will be held on the University Park campus, including:
Book Presentation: “Undocumented Fears: Immigration and the Politics of Divide and Conquer in Hazleton, Pennsylvania”
4-5 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 18, Foster Auditorium, Paterno Library
Discussion by Jamie Longazel, author and associate professor of political science, John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Sponsored by the Latina/o Studies Program and Penn State Law’s Center for Immigrants’ Rights Clinic.
Hispanic Heritage Month Cultural Night
6-9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 22, Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center
Free Tickets for the dinner will be available in the Multicultural Resource Center, 220 Grange Building, beginning Monday, Sept. 17.
Keynote: Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez, Writer and Founder of Latina Rebels. Sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity, the Latina/o Studies Program, and the Paul Robeson Cultural Center.
Presentation: Latinx Indigenous History
6-7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 25, 267 Willard Building
Sponsored and led by Latino Caucus and the Mexican American Student Association.
Lecture: “Altars for the Living: Shadow Ground, Aesthetic Memory, and the Borderlands”
3:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28, 102 Oak Building
Presented by Mariana Ortega, associate professor of philosophy, Penn State. Sponsored by the Department of Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.
Discussion: Am I Latinx Enough?
6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 3, 160 Willard Building
Sponsored and led by Latino Caucus.
Hispanic Heritage Month Children’s Day
2-4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 7, Schlow Library
Join us for children-age arts and crafts, music and fun. Sponsored by Penn State’s Latinx student groups and Schlow Library.
Book Presentation: “An American Language: The History of Spanish in the United States”
6-7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 8, Foster Auditorium, Paterno Library
Discussion by Rosina Lozano, author and assistant professor of history, Princeton University. Sponsored by the Latina/o Studies Program and the Department of Spanish, Italian and Portuguese.
Book Presentation: “Futbolera: Women, Gender, and Sexuality in Latin American Sports”
3 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 11, 127 Noll Lab Conference Room
Discussion by Brenda Elsey, author and associate professor of history, Hofstra University. Sponsored by the Department of Kinesiology.
Noche en México: El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
6-10 p.m., Friday, Oct. 19, Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center
Explore the history and importance of Día de los Muertos in Mexican culture through interactive pieces. Sponsored by the Mexican American Student Association.
For more information about Hispanic Heritage Month events at Penn State, visit the website at http://sites.psu.edu/hispanicheritagemonth.
Questions may be directed to Melissa Landrau Vega at mxl256@psu.edu or 814-865-1773, or Andrew Sandoval-Strausz at sandoval@psu.edu or 814-863-0106.
Any group that may be holding additional events in celebration of the month may submit information to DiversityEvents@psu.edu for possible inclusion in Penn State Today.