Latinx Heritage Month Board The Xavierite
On Mexican Independence Day, Monday, Sept. 16, the Latinx Heritage Month (LHM) Committee hosted their annual El Grito Contest for students to participate in.
For the holiday, Saint Xavier University (SXU) participated in their own form of celebration during their El Grito, or “shout” competition hosted by a collaboration of organizations including; LHM, Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), Unidos, Office of Inclusive Excellence, and Student Life.
Chairwoman of the event, Imelda Macias, Vice President of the Inclusive Excellence and HSI. Macias shared that the El Grito competition acted as a “kickoff” event for the events to come during Latin Heritage Month.
When the event commenced, students gathered around Mercy Circle to hear the background story of why the event was organized. Macias stated that the original Grito originated in the 1800s, when Mexico was fighting with Spain to gain their independence. “In the early hours of Sept. 16 of 1810, a Roman Catholic Priest declared himself in open revolt against the Spanish. He performed the first Grito, the first yell or scream that started the revolution against the Spanish” Macias explained.
Macias went on to explain to students that the Roman Catholic Priest was “like a Paul Revere,” and the Grito was an Independence cry for their heritage. Every year, on the eve of Independence Day, the president of Mexico reenacts a cry on the balcony of the National Palace in Mexico City.
“Every year, the President of Mexico rings the same exact bell that Father Hidalgo rang to start the revolution in 1810”, explained Macias. Students of both Latinx descent and non-Latinx descent gathered to prepare for the competition.
Whoever had the loudest shout, as determined by the LHM board, would be gifted an official SXU winter beanie. Macias gave her own demonstration of what a tradition Grito was to sound like, and many other students followed suit.
Karen Salgado, Multicultural Specialist, Office of Inclusive Excellence shared sometimes struggling with Mexican Independence Day. “As a Mexican American, I don’t know if it means as much to me as it means in Mexico because I don’t know that we were ever really taught it here in America,” Salgado stated.
Salgado went on to explain that the month is special because it celebrates what it means to be Mexican in this country. When asked about why it is important to bring cultural events to campus, Salgado explained, “there is a sense of belonging for our students, especially those from different cultures who can learn more about our culture.”
This is not the only event that will be hosted by Unidos in the coming weeks. On Oct. 1, Unidos is hosting a Latinx Grad Panel where participants can come and hear stories of Latinx community members who have graduated college.
During the competition itself, there were several different kinds of Gritos that were exclaimed, including a whistle, a cry, and a yelp. Michelle Coronado, a Business Management major, also attended the event.
When asked about how it feels to have representation on campus, Coronado said “it feels nice, it almost makes me embrace it more because I feel like I’m not doing too much, and it gives me an option on campus.” Coronado explained that she has attended the El Grito contest before, and it is something she looks forward to.
Shadae Harris, student, said she “stumbled across the El Grito contest.” Harris said she didn’t even know it was happening but saw the group of students and walked over.
When questioned about how it felt to participate in the competition, Harris voiced, “it felt releasing, like the scream took away all my anxiety for the day.” Historically, the Grito is meant to be a cry of strength, but it is also meant to be a releasing action.
Reigning champion of the 2024 El Grito contest, Gabriel Ojeda, shared his thoughts on the competition. “I have a loud voice already, so it’s nice to be able to use it for something fun and something that connects to my culture.” Ojeda was also the winner of the El Grito contest in 2023.
Another cultural organization hoping to draw in participants to their event is Students For Justice In Palestine. Manal Kanaan Ph.D. is the director of High Impact Practices and SXU and attended the contest as well. “I feel welcomed enough to explore different cultures and traditions, and this almost makes me feel closer to my own heritage,”Kanaan says.
Kanaan urges students to explore different cultures and come to the Arab Cultural Showcase in the Schmitt Quad on Sept. 26. “There will be games, food, and music, and students can learn more about other cultures,” she said.
More information on upcoming cultural events can be found on theden.sxu.edu.