This month, cultural discovery is taking center stage through the Unity Multicultural Education Center in collaboration with Foley Library. From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, students and faculty can find a display in the library that shares a brief history and resources for students to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
Valentina Sanchez-Prieto, a sophomore and Unity Multicultural Education Center Social Justice Peer Educator, said this month is a time to highlight representation.
“It’s important to always represent minority communities, especially during times like these,” Sanchez-Prieto said. “We’re not a large population at Gonzaga, but it’s still important to make sure those students feel seen.”
Alondra Nieves-Alvez, a junior and Unity Multicultural Education Center Social Justice Peer Educator, said that being part of the Hispanic community brings challenges while attending a primarily white institution.
“I think some people don’t really acknowledge that,” Nieves-Alves said. “Although I love being Hispanic, it does affect how I have to live my life, especially here at a PWI.”
This month’s display in the Foley Library highlights a series of authors, books, art and history that are all tied to the Hispanic community. Sanchez-Prieto said that her interest in creating the display stemmed from the importance of showcasing different cultures, especially to represent minority students, and for others to understand the diversity of Latinx identity.
“I wanted to make sure that we had a widespread array of books from a bunch of different authors from a bunch of different countries,” Sanchez-Prieto said.
Sanchez-Prieto said that she worked alongside the Foley Library to create a display that reflected the unique history and voices of the community.
“I feel like a lot of our students of color feel underrepresented,” Nieves-Alvez said. “These months are really used to help our students feel seen, understood and celebrated.”
Clarissa Flores, a senior at GU, said that as a Hispanic person, she feels that the U.S. prioritizes individualism over shared cultural experiences.
“Living in the United States, there is an implied expectation to assimilate to American culture,” Flores said in an email. “As a Hispanic person, I think that celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month can be important to remember your ancestors, their history and to get in touch with your roots.”
Beyond the library, this month, the Gonzaga Association of Latin American Students has taken to social media to spread awareness and uplift the Hispanic and Latinx communities. In recent posts, the club has celebrated the independence of many Latin American countries, including Belize, Chile, Mexico and Costa Rica.
Sanchez-Prieto said that this month serves as a way to reconnect with her culture and reflect on her heritage. She said that one of her fondest Colombian traditions was Novena, a nine-day celebration during Christmas, centered around quality time with family.
Flores said that Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity for people to learn about and embrace Hispanic culture.
For Nieves-Alvez, recognition and allyship also mean observing the complexities of being a minority.
“I think that’s how you start that foundation [of allyship], is really educating yourself and also building community with Hispanic people, extending that friendship can be really helpful,” Nieves-Alvez said.
Flores said that support also goes beyond recognition and reflection. Year-round, as a campus, people should actively work toward allyship to bridge the divide between the majority and the minority.
“Spread the word about cultural events on campus! Highlight Hispanic voices and ask questions,” Flores said in an email. “The most valuable thing you can give a marginalized community is your allyship.”
