By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
With authentic Mexican food, traditional dances, and candy-filled pinatas, Latino heritage was celebrated Saturday in Bowling Green.
But few people of Hispanic backgrounds attended.
“I’m afraid people aren’t comfortable leaving their homes,” said Lucia Myers, executive director of La Conexion, the organization that hosts the annual event.
This was the 12th annual Latino Heritage Celebration held by La Conexion – and the first that’s taken place under the cloud of ICE raids sweeping up people with brown skin across the nation and sending them to detention centers or deporting them.
Those actions by ICE have had a chilling effect on gatherings, Myers said.
“Just because they haven’t reached smaller communities yet doesn’t mean they won’t,” she said.
La Conexion leaders contemplated canceling this year’s Latino heritage celebration – like several other regional organizations did for Latino Heritage Month. But that wasn’t a message that local leaders wanted to send.
“That would be telling people there’s no place for us to be,” Myers said. “We wanted to create a space for people to be heard and be comfortable.”
Due to concerns about local residents being at risk of detention and deportation, Saturday’s event was one of the first gatherings held this year by La Conexion.
“It’s our first public event in a while,” Myers said. “We’ll be here for anyone who needs us.”
One family of Latino heritage came from Napoleon for the annual celebration.
“We came to enjoy with him,” Ever Arrazola said as he gestured to his son, Marcelo Arrazola, who is a freshman at Bowling Green State University.
They were joined by other family members, who said they put aside any worries to attend.
“I wanted to celebrate my culture,” Marcelo Arrazola said.
But the majority of those attending were white people, wanting to show their support to brown members of their community.
“It’s important for solidarity, to have each other’s backs in these troubled times,” said Jordan Musgrave, a Bowling Green City Council member who is also a member of BGO Pride.
“What happens to one group of marginalized people can happen to all of us,” he said.
Musgrave read a proclamation from Mayor Mike Aspacher, who was unable to attend Saturday’s event. The proclamation praised La Conexion’s efforts to establish and nurture connections among Latinos and the community at large, strengthen and promote Latino identity, and being a resource for community needs. The official statement also recognized the organization’s work to increase awareness on diversity and social justice issues for low income and minority populations.
“The City of Bowling Green strongly supports the message of understanding and mutual respect promoted so urgently and diligently by La Conexion,” the proclamation stated.
In welcoming all to Saturday’s celebration, Myers stressed that the organization believes in creating spaces where all diverse cultures are valued, and where families are respected.
“Enjoy being together,” she said.
Myers also reminded those present to register to vote. “Voting matters. Our voices count,” she said.
After the opening remarks, those in attendance were treated to dance performances by El Corazon de Mexico Ballet Folklorio. Seventeen dancers, with colorful spinning skirts, stomping feet, bright sashes and sombreros, performed traditional dances from different states of Mexico.
A salsa dance demonstration by Latin Dance of Toledo then offered lessons to those in attendance.
Saturday’s event also recognized La Conexion’s community partners – some in attendance at the annual gathering.
Among them was the Wood County Health Department mobile clinic, and a table staffed by Lindsey Ruivivar, CEO of the Community Health Center at Wood County Health Department.
“We serve everyone in the community,” Ruivivar said, noting the health center offers full-time on-site Spanish language interpretation services.
Also in attendance were members of BGO Pride, plus several members of First Presbyterian Church, where La Conexion has office and meeting spaces.
“They’re brave,” church member Joyce Kepke said of La Conexion’s efforts during the current political climate.
And also present was BG Save Our Neighborhoods Group, represented by Rose Drain.
“I felt really honored,” to be asked to partner with La Conexion, Drain said.
“They’re an organization that is welcoming to all people. It’s refreshing to know that is here,” she said. “It feels good right now to make and strengthen local connections.”
