ECC's Latin Heritage Month events go beyond food, dance
At Elgin Community College, Latino Heritage Month is more than a celebration. Through Wednesday, Oct. 13, the event recognizes contributions made by Latinos while creating a respectful dialogue about important issues in the Latino community.
"We hope participants will gain an understanding of the impact Latinos have in this community beyond Cinco de Mayo," said Gabe Lara, the college's student organizations and multicultural programs coordinator.
In addition to food, music and dance, the month's events tackle challenging topics such as Latino immigration into the United States, Latino cultural stereotypes and the rise of AIDS in the Latino community.
For details about the event, call Gabe Lara at (847) 214-7425.
Other events during Latino Heritage Month follow.
• In "My Country, Mi Familia," learn what happens to families of different cultures when their loved ones go away to serve their country from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Sept. 21, in the Advanced Technology Center Auditorium
• In "Latino Diaries," spoken word artist Gabriela Garcia Medina mixes stories, poetry and emotion from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, in the Advanced Technology Center Auditorium.
• In "Immigrant Footprints: A Battle for the Dream," gain a better understanding of the infinite cycle of immigration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, in the Instruction Center Lounge.
• In "Dying to Get In," learn why people take the risk of crossing the border illegally to gain the American dream from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Sept. 28, in the Advanced Technology Center Auditorium.
• In "Spitfires, Latin Lovers and Gangbangers: The Latino Image in Film from Stereotype to Reality," from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, in the Advanced Technology Center Auditorium.
• The fourth annual "ECC's Got Talent" at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, in the Advanced Technology Center Auditorium. Cost is $5.
• In "Bowling for Books," enjoy an evening of bowling for a good cause at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11, at Liberty Lanes, 115 Meadowdale Drive, Carpentersville.
For more information and a full schedule for Latino Heritage Month events, call (847) 214-7370.