Loyola Kicks Off Latine Heritage Month with Reception

Loyola’s Division of Student Development and Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion co-hosted a celebration of Latine Heritage Month Sept. 19 in the Damen multipurpose room.

With the support of Latin American Student Organization, Mexican American Student Association, Latin Dance Club, Association of Latino Professionals for America and Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc., the celebration honored the multitude of cultures among the Latin diaspora. 

Also referred to as Hispanic or Latinx Heritage month, the observation runs from Sept. 15, the anniversary of independence for numerous Latin American countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, until Oct. 15, according to Loyola’s website.

The month is a commemoration of Hispanic and Latino American culture in the U.S. and its contribution to American culture, The Phoenix previously reported.

Astrid Beltrán, assistant vice president for Diversity & Student Engagement who coordinated with students to organize the celebration, began the event with a speech providing history on Latine Heritage Month in the U.S.

Originating in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage week under President Lyndon B. Johnson, it was extended in 1988 to cover a 30-day period by President Ronald Reagan and codified into law as a national celebration, according to Beltrán. 

Andrea Lopezmalo, co-president of Latin Dance Club and part of the planning committee for the event, said they focused on inclusivity. 

“Sometimes when we talk about the Latin community we tend to focus on Mexicans and being Mexican myself I obviously don’t have an issue with this,” Lopezmalo said. “But it’s super important to honor the entire Latin American community that is represented at Loyola and in Latin America.”

Upon entering the event, each student was able to choose a name tag with the flag of a country they identify with. Beltrán said providing name tags with flags from all over the world is a way to welcome everyone to the celebration. 

Each table at the venue had flags and artifacts as centerpieces representing different Latin American countries and their culture. 

The cuisine included foods from several Latin countries including Mexican tacos and aguas frescas, Colombian empanadas, Salvadoran pupusas, Venezuelan arepas and Argentinian alfajores. A mocktail station offered the option of non-alcoholic Cuban mojitos or Mexican margaritas. 

Maggie Gonzalez, co-president of the Latin American Student Organization and a third-year majoring in math, environmental studies and statistics, said they used food and drinks to promote representation of diverse cultures.

“We tried to get a wide variety so that people who come here can see that their ethnicity and their culture is celebrated here at Loyola,” Gonzalez said. “A really big part of our cultures is being able to share a meal together.”

Lopezmalo said because the event was organized with the Division of Student Development and Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, they had more flexibility with vendor options, compared to when organizations run events independently. 

The vendors for the event included Taco Moro, Mekato’s, Bryanna’s, El Rincón De Fabio, Luciana’s Kitchen, Vidagua Beverages and La Barra. 

Loyola made a change in 2022 requiring student organizations cater food for university events only through their primary vendor Aramark, The Phoenix previously reported.

Lizbeth Arriola, associate member educator of Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc. and a fourth-year majoring in neuroscience and psychology, said presenting several food options was important to introduce the many types of cuisines within Latin America, beyond what people are typically familiar with.

The celebration also featured live music by a Mariachi band and Latin American themed bingo.

Following Beltrán’s speech, Isabel Tamas, coordinator of events and experiences under the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, addressed how, along with the transition of the Hispanic heritage celebration from a week to a month, the language used to connect with communities has also changed over time.

“In our pursuit of being a modern, Jesuit, Catholic university, we are committed to using and promoting inclusive language,” Tamas said in her speech. “So we, as a reflection of this commitment, have decided to shift towards using the term ‘Latine’ which has a neutral -e ending and is still accessible to pronounce in Spanish to describe this month.”

Tamas said the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion encourages individuals to use the language which feels right for them when referring to their heritage. 

In her speech, Arriola said as a first-generation student she works hard in everything she does to achieve what members of her family couldn’t, and is trying to be a role model. 

“Being Latina means having my family by my side and looking up to my siblings as my role models for coming here at such young ages and doing the best they can to live their lives,” Arriola said. “Most importantly being a role model to the future generations, that include my nieces and nephews so they can see that anything is possible.”

Gonzalez said coming from a multicultural household — her dad is Colombian and mom is American — people usually don’t think she is Latina, and she doesn’t have many opportunities to publicly celebrate her heritage. 

“Hispanic Heritage Month is a time where I can be like ‘Yes, this is my culture,’” Gonzalez said. “I am connected to this whether or not people in society think I am based on how I look.” 

Gonzalez said the event intended to help attendees experience the distinct cultures within the Latinx community first-hand.

“I would love to see non-Latinos come to all these events and learn about these cultures, experience them and feel comfortable taking part in them,” Gonzalez said. “The more people who aren’t Latino that experience it or participate in it, the more widely accepted and celebrated it can be.” 

Beltrán said part of the college experience is immersing oneself in other cultures. 

“That’s what college is about,” Beltrán said. “It’s to learn to grow, and to grow within your own identity and other identities.”