Despite the windy and cloudy day, students and staff still showed up to the Kathy Zolad Stadium on Sept. 15 to witness the raising of the Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month flag that will start the month’s events and celebrations.
The event started with an introduction from Sam Ortiz, the new director of the Myatt Center of Diversity and Inclusion. Ortiz comes from Puerto Rican and Dominican descent, and commented on how Hispanic-Latinx Heritage month means to him, personally.
“Having these spaces where my culture and the cultures of my community are centered is really important,” said Ortiz. “And not just for those in our community but for all of us because this institution [and] our communities are better, they are more vibrant [and have] better seasoning when we are more inclusive.”
Ortiz explained that one of the greatest things about Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month is that it celebrates the “rich tapestry” which inhabits different communities that reside under that larger umbrella.
Since there is much diversity from different Hispanic and Latinx cultures, Ortiz said that he will always be learning and connecting from and with others under that umbrella. He also urged others who fall under that umbrella to represent, celebrate and educate their own communities as well.
Ortiz then passed the microphone to Barbara Lawrence, the vice president for institutional equity and diversity.
Lawrence thanked all the faculty and campus partners who attended the flag raising before beginning her speech.
“It has become [a] tradition for many universities and organizations to celebrate Hispanic students, staff and faculty as a way to forge community, to form, to teach and to learn,” said Lawrence. She continued saying that it is a moment in time to recognize and acknowledge all the contributions from people of Hispanic and Latinx culture across all academic and professional fields.
Lawrence finished her speech by saying, “Let’s come together. Let’s continue to amplify our voices and elevate this year’s theme of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is driving prosperity, power and progress in America.”
The next speech came from Brisa Velazquez Perez, the vice president of engagement in the Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA), who began the speech by saying this flag raising was the second one done for Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month. Velazquez Perez said that the first flag raising for this particular month was one of her fondest memories because “it was something that we as student leaders were able to bring.”
Velazquez Perez said that while the University of New Haven is a predominantly white institution (PWI), “but here we are still able to create our community and we are seen on campus.”
Up next was Kimberly Martinez, the president of the Latin American Student Association. To Martinez personally, Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month is “a time not only for celebrating the success of our people and our pride for our countries but also for celebrating ourselves.”
“Our lives, our parents’ lives were not easy,” said Martinez. “It’s hard to sit there and compare your life to everyone who came before you and still feel as though you have done enough.”
Martinez said that being Latinx is not defined by whether you speak Spanish well nor the color of your skin, but by what being Latinx means to you, specifically.
The next speaker was Noelia Dal Moro, the president of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. To begin the speech, Dal Moro said, “Coming from a diverse background to a PWI was definitely difficult, but I’m glad because I found communities within this school where I felt like I belonged.”
Dal Moro then delved into the things that bring cultural pride. “It’s the little things that make me proud to be Latina,” said Dal Moro. “So, listening to salsa music on a Saturday morning and starting to clean and just getting all my stresses out.”
USGA senator for Hispanic and Latinx students, Yamilett Hernandez Garcia was the next person at the podium. Hernandez Garcia started off by saying that the month of celebration started back in 1968 and only lasted for a week but then was extended to a 30-day long period in 1988.
Hernandez Garcia then went into her background by saying, “Aside from being a daughter of immigrants, I am also a first-generation student. Growing up was always different for me; I always had to figure everything out on my own since my parents could only do so much to help. But they were always there to remind me of my culture.”
The final speaker of the ceremony was Alagie Malick Bojang, the president of the Graduate Student Council. One of the most important points made by Bojang was in relation to student success after finding a community to bond with. “When they tend to feel a sense of belonging in the school or association they are in, that will help them stay and pursue their academic careers and goals,” said Bojang.
After the final speech, the Hispanic and Latinx flag was raised, marking the beginning of this heritage month which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
To keep up with events for Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month, look back on the emailed agenda from the Myatt Center sent out on Sept. 14.