In recognition of Chicano History Week the United Mexican American Â鶹ÒùÔº organization on the CU-Boulder campus will host a series of panel presentations Sept. 12-14.
The annual event will address issues that are important to the Chicano community while revisiting the history of the Chicano activist movement, according to Teresa Estrada, UMAS council chair. The panels are meant to promote cultural education, appreciation and respect.
"We always want to make sure that we involve ourselves in teaching the community about our history," Estrada said.
The first evening will offer two presentations from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 12, in the Dennis Small Cultural Center, room 305 of the University Memorial Center.
A panel discussion focusing on the defeat of the statewide initiative to eliminate bilingual education in schools will begin the three-day event. The program titled "Sweet Victory – The Defeat of Tom Tancredo/Linda Chavez’ Movida to Eradicate Bilingual Support Efforts," will feature a discussion about the Denver group Los Padres and the Chicano community’s efforts to mobilize and defeat the measure. The featured panelists will be Pam Martinez, a community activist from Denver; Ramon del Castillo, a Chicano activist, therapist and performance artist; and Patsy Roybal, a teacher and member of the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition.
Ramon del Castillo will perform a poetry reading following the panel discussion. The reading titled "Vato Loco Presents: King Crack" will examine the use of crack, its effects and the devastation it causes within the Latino community.
A highlight of Chicano History Week events will be a panel to be held on Wednesday, Sept. 13, in the UMC Forum Room from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The program titled "1970s Chicano Â鶹ÒùÔº Speak Out!" will relate the personal experiences of seven Chicano alumni who were students at CU-Boulder during the turbulent ‘70s. The speakers will be Freddie "Freak" Trujillo, Patsy Trujillo, Frank Trujillo, Cleo Estrada, Jose Ortega, Salvador Peralta and Andy Galvadon.
Singer and guitarist Augustin Cordova will perform after the discussion. A reception with refreshments will follow.
The final day of activities on Thursday, Sept. 14, will begin with CU Bienvenidos from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the University Club. This is a welcome reception for all Latino students on campus. The reception allows new and returning Latino students to get to know one another and to meet faculty and staff members, according to Cleo Estrada, a university counselor. The welcome event is open to anyone interested in attending. Mexican food and refreshments will be served.
The closing program will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Dennis Small Cultural Center, room 305 of the UMC. Ramon del Castillo and Patsy Roybal will lead a panel titled "Raza Logia – Empowerment Model for Immigrant Families in a New Society." They will perform a bilingual dialogue that delves into the issue of bilingualism and its importance in society. The program has been described as powerful and moving, according to Estrada.
UMAS is hopeful there will be a positive response to Chicano History Week activities not only from Latino students but also from other members of the university community, Estrada said.
"The primary reason UMAS has continued to celebrate Chicano History Week is to educate and heighten awareness within the university community about the creations, contributions and celebrations that Latinos have made in the United States," Estrada said. "And to remind the Chicano and Latino students that they are here to get a degree and go back and reinvest it in their communities."
For information call UMAS at (303) 492-6571.