ECC's Latinx Heritage Month focuses on belonging
Elgin Community College invites the community to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month with a series of events to celebrate the 2023 theme "Belonging: Familia, Herencia, y Poder."
It kicked off on Sept. 21 with a presentation and discussion on human rights in Illinois. The panel experts from the Illinois Human Rights Commission, Illinois Department of Human Rights, the Chicago Workers' Collaborative, and grass-roots organizers.
The month ends with a special celebration of Indigenous heritage from the Black Hawk Performance Company, who share their native heritage through tribal songs and dances.
"With this Latinx Heritage Month's theme, we wanted to recognize that more than 13,000 new arrivals, most fleeing poverty and political unrest in Venezuela, have joined the Chicagoland community in the last year," said Antonio Ramirez, Ph.D., associate professor of history. "These families are searching for belonging in our community, and we want to help. At the same time, we want to recognize the heritage and power of Latinx people who've lived their whole lives in the U.S. by including events focused on human rights, music, and our annual Latinx Conexion event."
The schedule of Latinx Heritage Month events continues with:
• Latinx Conexion from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, in Spartan Corner Lounge, Building B. Get connected with various campus departments and resources. Prominent Latinx leaders from ECC, transfer institutions, and the Elgin community will be present.
• "Venezuela: Why Refugees are Fleeing to the U.S." from 2 to 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, in Building B, Room B181, Community Room.
Learn about the crisis in Venezuela and the Venezuelan refugee migration in the US. During this event, attendees will get the chance to hear from local experts on how it affects our community and what we can do to help.
• A gallery reception, "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness," will be 3:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, in the Renner Library Hallway Gallery, Building C.
The gallery reception features a collection of images that reveal the complicated process of creating a new reality in pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.
• "¡Si Se Puede!" movie will be 12:30 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, in the Alumni Room, Building B, Room B182.
Catch the inspiring story of Dolores Huerta and the impact she had on the history of the United States Farm Workers of America. Attendees will also have the chance to win a framed poster of the movie.
• Black Hawk Dance Troupe from 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Oct. 11, in the Jobe Lounge, Building B.
Join in celebrating Indigenous heritage as the Black Hawk Performance Company shares their native heritage through tribal songs and dances that enrich native people's lives.
For more information, visit elgin.edu/lhm.
Latinx Heritage Month is presented by the Latinx Heritage Month Committee, Office of Student Life, Art and Design Department, History and Political Science Department, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Department, and the Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS).