Following the end of Latine Heritage Month last week, Occidental’s Latine Student Union (LSU) organized a week of events in collaboration with the Latino/a and Latin American Studies (LLAS) department. The events included a Fall Fiesta Oct. 25, a Día de los Muertos celebration Oct. 28 and a Día de los Muertos workshop and dinner Oct. 29.
Founded in 2017, LSU was created to foster an inclusive space for students who identify as Latine on campus while honoring and celebrating each individual and their unique identity, according to LSU co-president Jimmy Mendoza Hernandez (senior).
Mendoza Hernandez said that he joined LSU during his first year in 2021. Now as a senior and co-president of LSU, he said he has been able to use his experiences in the club to help it grow and change.
“We sort of learned what works and what doesn’t and what changes need to be implemented, as well as what we can keep doing the same,” Mendoza Hernandez said.
Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is a traditional festival where families reunite with their departed loved ones sharing food, drink and celebration in their honor. According to Mendoza Hernandez, celebrating Día de los Muertos for a week at Occidental has been a lasting tradition for LSU.
Community Outreach Liaison Yolitztli Torres (sophomore) said LSU is working on a new project for next semester, which is mural painting.
“I’m still sketching ideas from everybody. Once I have done the sketch, we’re [going to] project it on a canvas and trace it. Then, we will have everybody paint on the canvas,” Torres said.
According to Torres, the mural painting will take place in the Latine Reading Room on the third floor of the library.
Mendoza Hernandez said he wants to continue hosting events that bring students and faculty together, which he thinks is important for building welcoming spaces in the community.
“We did a soccer game between the Latine faculty and staff versus LSU members last year, and that was a big success. And now we want to do a different sport, different activity, sort of bring that connection between staff and students and help them to get to know each other,” Mendoza Hernandez said.
Torres said LSU e-board meetings always have strong participation from first years.
“It’s been cool to talk to a lot of freshmen. Most of our e-board meetings are open to anyone who wants to share any ideas with us or just wants to witness what LSU meetings are like,” Torres said.
Jeslyn Lara (first year) said LSU always puts effort into promoting first-year involvement in the club.
“We get a lot of motivation from LSU members which encourages us to keep coming back to the meetings and events. Now, we have more friends and more connections,” Lara said.
Mendoza Hernandez said LSU members emphasize keeping in touch with the club, regardless of their class years or busy schedules.
“Currently, our e-board consists [mainly] of sophomores, which shows that they are willing to not only come back to the club, but also be a bigger part in it,” Mendoza Hernandez said.
Torres said she joined the e-board to help create spaces for marginalized students to find a like-minded community, something she has been passionate about.
“I think it’s important to have a community, especially in […] [a] predominantly white institution,” Torres said. “It’s so important to relate to people who are missing experiences with the people who speak the same language as you do.”
Lara said friendship is a big part of LSU.
“They’re just really friendly and welcoming just to anyone. Even if they don’t know you, they’re like, ‘You’re my friend now.’ They offer you their friendship just right away,” Lara said. “This is the safe space to connect with them and hang out with them, which is what I really love and I appreciate.”
Mendoza Hernandez said LSU invites all Occidental students to come and support the club whenever they can.
“Even if you don’t see it all the time, like you’ll find yourself making a new friend and you’ll find yourself enjoying these events and looking forward to coming back,” Mendoza Hernandez said.
Contact Aung Myat Htet at ahtet@oxy.edu
