Two UW-Madison student organizations collaborated on an art workshop Monday, as part of Latino Heritage Month, to celebrate individuals who have made significant contributions to the Latinx movement.
Movimiento Estudiantil Chican@ de Aztlán is a student organization that supports the self-determination of Chican@ and Latinx individuals. They form an alliance to fight oppression and identify as Indigenous People of the U.S. They worked with Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority, Inc., a multicultural Greek organization that mentors underrepresented communities of women.
M.E.Ch.A. and Gamma Alpha Omega gave presentations that explained the individuals they chose. M.E.Ch.A. selected the playwright Luis Valdez, and Gamma Alpha Omega selected labor rights activist Cesar Chavez.
After each presentation, attendees were invited to paint what inspired them from the presentations. They were given a canvas that they were able to take home with them.
Yackeline Gonzalez, one of the organizers of the event, explained the significance of the workshop.
“I think that a lot of [event attendees], just like Valdez, went to school and majored in physics and math,” Gonzalez said. “They see Valdez do all this really cool work that has nothing to do with physics or math, and impacting the community in such a big way. They acknowledge that ... no matter the path you take in life you can always give back to your community in ways you may never think about doing.”
M.E.Ch.A. and Gamma Alpha Omega have held daily events since Latino Heritage Month started Sept. 15. They have seminars and events planned until the month-long celebration ends Oct. 15.
