¡Wachale! Department of Chicano and Latino Studies| University of Minnesota, TC
E-newsletter connecting departmental friends, family, alumni, allies, and others interested in issues impacting Chicanx and Latinx communities and the
Chicano & Latino Studies Department.
Content: Campus Happenings|Community Happenings| Career Corner
Departmental Happenings
Welcome Dr. Jessica Lopez Lyman!
Interested in reading something by Dr. J, (as she is affectionately called by her students)? Here is a 2017 article from The Daily Planet. Click below for the full article.
On Nov. 2, a multiracial group of people gathered at Plaza Centenario on the corner of 12th Avenue and Lake Street in Minneapolis. Organized by the Immigrant Movement for Justice, Por Raza and Morena Minnesota, an ofrenda for Day of the Dead was built to honor family members and community leaders throughout the world who passed away due to injustice. The plaza was established by the tireless efforts of local community groups Cuernavaca-Cuernavaca-Axochiapan-Morelos (CCAM), Club Morelos (CM) and Latino artists. Towering above pedestrians stands a bronze statue of Mexican revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata created by German Michel Leal, an artist from Morelos, Mexico, a sister city of Minneapolis. The event and surrounding plaza reflect the beauty of arts and culture on Lake Street. The cultural productions of this area are birthed from social justice seedlings, watered by transnational dreams and cultivated by working class people who believe another world is possible.
Renowned L. A. based queer Chicana artist Alma Lopez hosted by U of M, CLS and Community Partner El Colegio
Los Angeles-based artist Alma López is an Assistant Professor in Residence in the Cesar E. Chavez Department of Chicana/o Studies and LGBTQ Studies Program at UCLA. She gave a public lecture at the Nash Gallery on the West Bank Arts Quarter hosted by the Department of Chicano and Latino Studies and the Department of Art. Above, Lopez connected student undergraduate and graduate students before and after her public talk which included discussing among others, two well known pieces, Our Lady of Controversy and other pieces inspired by Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz.
While here, Alma Lopez also highlighted a fundraising dinner at El Colegio High School in south MPLS and gave a publice lecture there as well. Chicano and Latino Studies faculty, staff, affiliates y amigxs attended and supported this fabulous event at El Colegio! (Picture, bottom right)
So many talented, articulate and creative people!
Ph.D Student, Artist, Musician and Organizer
David Melendez
Name: David Melendez Title: Graduate Student Instructor Department: Theatre Arts and Dance & Chicano and Latino Studies
Graduate Assistant to Prof. Davalos: I’m part of the team that is making Prof. Karen Mary Davalos’ exciting project, Rhizomes of Mexican American Art Since 1848 a reality. Thanks to Angela Boutch, Lauren Sietsema, Rodrigo Sanchez-Chavarria, Christina Martinez, and the other superstar Scott Hall staff, I’ve learned a great deal about organizing within and across university systems as I coordinate the logistics for gatherings of the Rhizomes National Advisory Council.
Graduate Assistant to Prof. Channer: I’m also working with Prof. Lisa Channer (Theatre Arts and Dance) to develop, Denim, an interactive touring production that uses auto-theatre and other modes of performance to explore how blue jeans have shaped mythologies of the “American character.” As the lead Dramaturg, I help research and track ideas, as well as communicate the project to potential funding agencies.
Student Writing Support: This is my second year as a writing consultant at the UMN Center for Writing and I LOVE supporting writers as they bring their ideas into the world. For me, thinking and writing together is about learning how to struggle together better. I’d love to work with you on any writing project, and I invite you to schedule a consultation!
Current performance projects: I’m part of The Brecht Circle, and we just premiered our new play at the West Bank Arts Quarter Festival on Thursday, October 10. The play is Little Boy: A Nuclear Telenovela and stages life within a radioactive space-time where fallout from atomic weapons testing in the Bikini Islands joins itself to US intervention in Central America. We are so grateful to El Colegio High School for allowing us to rehearse in their beautiful theatre space!
What would you like Wachale readers to know about you?
I’m always looking for ways to connect students from Chicano and Latino Studies with artists and educators that are transforming the Twin Cities. Join me on the Latino Advisory Council at Mixed Blood Theatre (just a couple of blocks from the West Bank light rail stop), as we work to dismantle barriers that keep our communities from being welcomed to make and witness performance on our own terms. As a founding advisory board member of the Alliance of Latinx Minnesota Artists (ALMA), I want you to support artists that will support you to make art in an environment that often reduces Latina/o/x artists to decorative objects for mainstream institutions. As a member of the Parent and Guardians Association of Hiawatha Academies, I want you to witness how our parents organize, debate, and build with one another to unite our community.
Favorite Play: Heroes and Saints by Cherrie Moraga
Departmental In-reach and Outreach
The Department of Chicano and Latino Studies has been out and about this first month of classes--from tabling at MCAE's Welcome to New Students to the Center for Queer and Trans Life's Welcome to La Raza LatinX Student Cultural Center's Grito!, to Painting the Bridge, to placing students in community organizations via the upper division Theory and Action class with Dr. Lopez Lyman, to hosting artist Alma Lopez and supporting community partner El Colegio!
Campus Happenings
We again join with La Raza LatinX Student Cultural Center and the Filipino Student Association to bring Dia de los Muertos to the University of Minnesota campus. There will be a presentation of the altars, activities, danzantes, convivio y mucho mas!
Community Happenings
Plan to attend this fabulous opportunity with amazing Latinx artists, educators and organizers all in the same place at the same time, including the Department's own Dr. J and graduate student David Melendez!
Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en Lucha-Center for Workers United in Struggle
CTUL Annual Fundraising GALA is Just Around the Corner!
Invest in CTUL's next strategic campaign, celebrate a year of powerful wins, and refresh spirits with food, art, and music. Ricardo Levins Morales will provide a keynote speech, and an exhibit of five decades of his work space is in the space. For information about tickets, access, interpretation, dress, and food, go to https://ctul.net/gala. To volunteer, contact Sheff (sheff@ctul.net).
October 24th, 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. @ 3715 Chicago Avenue
ASL interpretation, Spanish interpretation, quiet space, and childcare provided
Emergency Support Needed for Workers Impacted by Labor Trafficking
While the Twin Cities Metro Area is undergoing a construction boom, this development frequently comes at the expense of workers, who toil long hours in deplorable conditions, only to be subjected to further abuses. Every worker, regardless of immigration status, has the right to fair pay and safe, dignified treatment, but immigrant workers trapped in labor trafficking situations that violate their basic rights often cannot escape because of threats to call ICE - threats that have turned into realities for many workers in Minnesota. In turn, ICE often does pick up these workers to detain and try to deport them, even when investigations of labor violations are underway.
But the situation is not hopeless - in the face of all of these abuses, workers are standing up to fight for basic dignity and respect. Now we need you all to stand with workers.
MN Educators Against ICE (Here is their Facebook page)
Event: OCTOBER 17
1) Walkout/Rally for Educators Against ICE on MEA week-end. Leave the RiverCentre and end at Rice Park from 11:45-12:05. (*registration not needed to join the march and rally*)
2) MEA Workshops, 1-2pm (Political and Historical Conditions behind Central American Migration” and 3:30-4:30pm “Immigration Detention, Family Separation and Anxiety”
3) In preparation, come to MFT for an Art Build (67 8th Ave. NE).
4) An additional action against ICE sometime that weekend.
Additional Resource: Click HEREfor ACLU's Know Your Rights if ICE Comes to YOur Door webpage.
UROP Application Deadline is October 14th!
The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) provides all University of Minnesota undergraduates, regardless of college, major or discipline, the opportunity to partner with a faculty member on research, scholarly or creative project. UROP gives students a chance to explore academic and career interests, apply classroom learning to real-time research and prepare for a career or graduate school while working closely with a U of M faculty member. Students may work on a project of their own creation or take part in a faculty member’s existing project.
A note from MN Senator Torres Ray:
Calling all Latinx college students interested in being a Senate intern, withour office or any other Senator’s office, please apply as soon as possible. The deadline for applications is Thursday, October 31, 2019.
All public and private universities in Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system were contacted, as well as various student groups. Students have already started to submit applications for the program.
The selection process will be similar to what has been done in previous years. In mid-November, Senator’s offices will receive recommendations made by Senate Information along with all application materials submitted by the students. Next steps will include in-person interviews and placements with Senator’s offices.
If you have any questions about the program or need assistance guiding a student that would like to intern at the MN State Senate, please contact us at any time.
Friday, November 1, 2019
10:00AM - 3:00PM
Coffman Memorial Union
Cost: FREE
The Government & Nonprofit Career Fair allows candidates to pursue professional opportunities and internships in all levels of government and nonprofit agencies. The fair is an excellent opportunity for students to network with local Twin-Cities organizations and learn more about what a career in the nonprofit or government sector looks like. At the fair, students can explore internships, full time jobs, and volunteer positions within these agencies and gain a better understanding of what employers in this sector are looking for in candidates.
