PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University will celebrate WSU Chicana/o Latina/o culture, art, history and scholarship March 1-6 with Semana de la Raza 2004.
This year’s theme is “25 Years Honoring the Legacy of Gabriel Cardenas.”
On Monday, March 1, the week will begin with an opening ceremony at noon in the Compton Union Building Auditorium.
Keynote speaker Jimmy Santiago Baca, a Chicano poet, will speak at 7 p.m. March 2 in the Smith Center for Undergraduate Education, Room 203. Baca grew up in an orphanage before being incarcerated for drug possession. While in prison, he taught himself to read and write. Last year, Baca earned a doctorate in English literature. Copies of Baca’s two new books will be available for purchase at the event. Poetry Night will begin at 8 p.m. in the Smith Center, Room 518, following Baca’s talk. For information on how to participate in Poetry Night, contact Miguel Márquez at marqueztm02@yahoo.com. The deadline to enter is Feb. 29.
“Encuentros,” a speaker series, will begin at 11 a.m. March 3 in the Smith Center, Room 512. Here, undergraduates will present their work on research projects.
On March 4, the movie “El Norte” will be shown at 7 p.m. in Todd Hall, Room 216. The 1984 drama is about Guatemalan brother and sister who flee their native land, due to ethnic and political persecution, and come to America (El Norte) in search of a better life.
La Alianza, Latina/o Alumni Alliance will dedicate a plaque at 3 p.m. March 5 to Dr. Ricardo Sanchez (1941-1945), WSU professor of Chicano studies and creative writing, in the Holland Library atrium. The late Rafael “Filo” Mendoza, WSU student and artist and creator of the plaque, will be remembered. The Alianza’s Latino Homecoming welcome reception will be from 6-9pm at the Lewis Alumni Centre Great Hall. A talent show, Noche Cultural, will begin at 8 p.m. in the CUB Ballroom.
On March 6, there will be a Chicana/o Latina/o alumni meeting at 10 a.m. in the Smith Center, Room 518. The 25th Annual Gabriel Cardenas Banquet will begin at 7 p.m. in the CUB Ballroom. Tickets are $15 each. Proceeds will benefit the Gabriel Cardenas Endowment. A dance with music by Dominio will follow at 9 p.m.
For more information on the week’s events, call the Chicana/o Latina/o Student Center at (509) 335-2616 or stop by Wilson Hall, Room 101. The events are sponsored by ChlLASTAL, MEChA, Mujeres Unidas, Gamma Alpha Omega, the Office of Student Affairs, Office of Provost, WSU Student Entertainment Board, Department of Foreign Languages, Chicana/o Latina/o Faculty and Staff Association, Chicana/o Latina/o Student Center, and Multicultural Student Services.
