The Los De La Homan performing at Latine Fest The Xavierite
Unidos hosted their second annual Latine Fest on Oct. 30 in the Butler Reception Room. The goal of Latine Fest is to educate the SXU community on their Latinx and Hispanic culture and heritage.
“This event is to show the appreciation and variety of cultures and experiences that come from Latin American and Hispanic countries,” stated senior Evelyn Martinez, president of Unidos. “This is to show love and appreciation, but to also educate other people who may not be familiar with this large variety of cultures we have, and show the love they deserve.”
Hispanic/Latin flags and other items representing their heritage were spread throughout the room on individual tables. Cultural decor, snacks, and traditional dresses were placed originating from specific countries in hopes for students to get a wider understanding of the culture.
“These are all foods that are native to these countries, so that these countries feel represented and even a way we can all feel connected through,” says senior Evelyn Martinez, president of Unidos. “ We like to use food as a building bridge to help build that connection and love for the countries.”
Chicago Latin band, The Los De La Homan also performed . Students sang and danced alongside one another, as the music brought excitement to the audience.
“I am surprised at the turn out, I love that Saint Xavier hired a Hispanic band that’s widely recognized in the Hispanic community because we are a HSI (Hispanic serving institution) so I think it’s a really culturally responsive move with the University to approve getting this band for students,” commented senior Vanessa Serna.
This year included the addition of Guatemala, Ecuador, and Honduras to this year’s fest.
“I think it’s good that they recognize that we’re part of SXU, especially since there’s such a big percentage of us, so I feel like it feels good to be recognized and our culture brought out at school,” said senior Adnana Qulroz.
“Even if it’s students from other cultures, I definitely feel like it’s important for them to see how our culture is and how welcoming we are to other students as well.”
The importance of recognizing the culture of Latino America as a larger group, rather than a singular country, was expressed throughout by members of Unidos.
“I think representation, especially in the academic sphere, is so important for students to feel seen and to feel actually recognized because usually university is more academics,” says attendee senior Vanessa Serna. “I feel like the university is doing their own moves to really be responsive.
They’re really just showing the Hispanic students like, ‘we see you, we validate you, we validate your identity’, and I think it’s a really beautiful thing.”
Karen Salgado, Multicultural Specialist, is the co-adviser to Unidos says the Latinx community involves their culture into everything they do, as giving her community a space helps to bring everyone together and represent themselves.
Salgado mentions that despite it being Latine Fest’s second year, there are plans for the event to reappear annually for students to look forward to. An inspiration to create this event came from the Arab Fest hosted by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) to bring awareness to minority countries within the SXU community and bring representation for students.
“We’re such a community based culture, so we know we can’t do it alone,” Salgado said. “I hope they [students] just see themselves, because I know for me going to school, it was really important to see other people that looked like me, that there were things beyond me that were inspiring, so hopefully they see themselves at these events.”
Most attendees were from the Latinx and Hispanic communities, however others from different cultures joined the event with just as much excitement.
“This is great, I always love learning about different cultures. I just love getting involved and getting to know everything else that’s different from what I’m used to, says sophomore Zaina Darabain. “It’s really nice they have the different cultures around the different tables and I can’t wait to learn more about each and every single one of them.”
For more information on Unidos or plans to join the organization, contact unidos@mymail.sxu.edu. For any upcoming events, check out the SXU Den.