Latinx Heritage Month Highlights Activism and Identity at Westfield State University

In celebration of Latinx Heritage Month, Westfield State University’s Hispanic Studies Program hosted a series of events designed to foster understanding and engagement with Latinx identities, history, and activism.

In partnership with the Student Activities, Involvement, and Leadership (SAIL) Office and Latinx Association for Empowerment (LAfE), the program invited students, faculty, and the broader campus community to participate. Lorraine Fernandez, President of LAfE, and Marjorie Rodriguez, Assistant Director for the Course Achievement, Retention, and Engagement (CARE) Center as well as Staff Coordinator for LAfE, were instrumental in spearheading celebrations and festivities on campus.

Fernandez notes the importance of Westfield State’s celebration of Latinx Heritage Month, “It provides an opportunity to recognize and honor the diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of Latinx and Hispanic communities. The days from September 15th to October 15th are to show the achievements of individuals who have shaped various fields—arts, sciences, politics—and foster a greater understanding of these Latinx/Hispanic cultures. 

For someone like me, born and raised in Puerto Rico, this celebration is deeply personal. It is a time to reflect on my Puerto Rican heritage, share my story, and connect with others who have similar experiences. It’s also an opportunity to educate others about the richness of Puerto Rican culture, from its music and food to its history and struggles. This month can foster pride in someone's identity and community, while also encouraging solidarity and appreciation for the broader Latinx/Hispanic experience.”

The month-long celebration began with Springfield’s annual Puerto Rican Parade on September 15. A keynote address by Dr. Santiago Vidales followed on Tuesday, September 17, in the Owl’s Nest. Dr. Vidales, a renowned scholar and activist, discussed the complexities of Latinx identities, focusing on how borders shape these experiences. Additionally, his extensive work in Latinx activism and identity research made him a fitting choice to launch this year’s theme, which centered around Latinx activism in the U.S. and abroad.

With the political and social climate in mind, the program also highlighted various forms of activism within Latinx and Spanish-speaking populations. From grassroots organizing to international efforts for change, the focus was on how communities mobilize and why it’s important for everyone to get involved.

To further explore these themes, the program hosted the Latinx Heritage Film Festival: UnRest, featuring a selection of documentaries that shed light on critical issues facing Latinx communities. The festival opened with Stop Time on September 18, a film about a Guatemalan man in Massachusetts who sought asylum in a church to avoid deportation by ICE. It continued September 24 with The Condor & the Eagle, a documentary addressing the fight for climate justice in indigenous communities across the Americas. On September 30, Paper Children followed the journey of four Honduran children building new lives in Florida amid the immigration crisis.

On October 10, No Place to Grow highlighted Latinx communities creating green urban spaces in Santa Cruz, CA, and was co-sponsored by Ely Library. This screening was followed by East LA Interchange, a documentary celebrating Boyle Heights’ fight against structural oppression in Los Angeles. Celebrations concluded on October 15 with A la Calle, a feature-length film documenting the fight against authoritarianism in Venezuela, providing insight from Venezuelan citizens, politicians, and scholars.

Dr. Christina Beaubien, Assistant Professor of Hispanic Studies at the University, emphasized the complexities of Latinx communities. “Speaking as a professor of Spanish who grew up as an English-speaking, white woman with no direct ties to Spanish-speaking heritage, it is very important to remember that the US currently holds the second largest population of Spanish-speakers in the world,” she said. “Although not all Latinx individuals speak Spanish, this data point is an important fact to remember when we discuss Spanish-speaking communities, considering that there are whole communities inside the US where Spanish is the primary language. The complex reality of what it means to live in the States means that we must reconsider our definitions of standard versus diverse.”

Dr. Beaubien went on to highlight the necessity of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and encouraged others to get involved or attend events that may broaden their current understanding of Latinx communities. “The beauty of celebrating Latinx Heritage Month every fall, is that we have a chance to expand our national narrative beyond what we’ve learned in school, and beyond what some individuals live on a daily basis. Stepping outside our own position to learn about our neighbors lived experiences should be seen as a blessing and a privilege. If you haven’t been able to attend any of our events this year, I invite you to attend in future years. You could also check out the new show on PBS from John Leguizamo – Voces: American Historia. It sheds light on the role Latinx identities have played in shaping US history and culture.”