Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, is when we recognize the contributions made by Hispanic and Latino Americans, as well as their important presence in the United States. This is also the time of year that we celebrate their heritage and culture. Sept. 15 is the anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries.
Del Mar College will offer many free activities as part of the celebration. The events, which include film screenings, lectures and more, are presented by the Mexican-American Studies program and the DMC chapter of the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education.
Sept. 16, 9:30 a.m. — “Reminiscence of South Texas Mexican American Farm Workers: A Round Table Discussion.” This will kick off Hispanic Heritage Month and the observation of Dr. Hector P. Garcia Texas State Recognition Day. DMC Associate Professor of History Derek Oden will serve as moderator on the panel discussion with Professor of Political Science Renato Ramirez and Rosa Linda Reynoso, with College Relations and president of the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education DMC chapter. Room 514, White Library, East Campus.
Sept. 18, 2 p.m. — Film screening of “Cesar Chavez.” This is a 2014 American film produced and directed by Diego Luna about the life of American labor leader Cesar Chavez, who co-founded the United Farm Workers with Dolores Huerta. Room 530, White Library, East Campus.
Sept. 22, 9:30 a.m. — “Ojo, Susto, and Curanderos: Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Mexican-American Folk Healing in South Texas” by Christine Reiser Robbins, assistant professor of anthropology, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and Christopher L. Martinez, undergraduate student in criminology, Texas A&M University-Kingsville. This presentation will discuss some of the key illnesses and healing elements in curanderismo, Mexican-American folk healing traditions. This will be drawn on recent studies of college students in South Texas. It will examine the extent to which younger generations today believe in and seek out folk healing practices. It also will include their attitudes about common folk illnesses such as mal de ojo and susto, and their familiarity with curanderos, parteras and other traditional folk healers. This study will compare the results of today to the same population 25 years ago to assess whether beliefs in curanderismo are rising or declining in contemporary society. Room 514, White Library, East Campus.
Sept. 25, 1:30 p.m. —DMC Viking Book Club Discussion: “The Devil’s Highway: A True Story” by Luis Alberto Urrea. Room 434, White Library, East Campus.
Sept. 30, 2 p.m. — The film “La Lengua de las Mariposas (The Tongue of the Butterflies)” will be shown. Room 530, White Library, East Campus.
Oct. 1, 11 a.m. — “Among the Valiant: Mexican Americans in WWII and the Korean War.” Interim Chair and Professor of Political Science Renato Ramirez will provide a presentation on “Among the Valiant” which was published in 1963. The factual accounts explained in this book describe the heroic exploits of 17 Mexican-American recipients of the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor. Room 514, White Library, East Campus.
Oct. 5, 1 p.m. — “Stand up, Sit-In, Walk Out!” Assistant Professor of History Dawson Barrett will discuss the proud tradition of Mexican-American high school student activism. Through the picket lines, marches and many other protests, teenage rebels have confronted discrimination, demanded better schools and changed the content of U.S. history books. Room 514, White Library, East Campus.
Oct. 8, 2 p.m. — The film “El Viaje de Carol (Carol’s Journey)” will be shown. Room 530, White Library, East Campus.
Oct. 14, 2 p.m. — The film “El Laberito del Fauno (Pan’s Labyrinth)” will be shown. Room 530, White Library, East Campus.
Oct. 15, 1 p.m. — “Immigration from Mexico to South Texas in the Early 20th Century.” Associate Professor of History James Klein will discuss why immigration into South Texas from Mexico accelerated in the first three decades if the 20th century. “Immigration from Mexico to South Texas in the Early 20th Century” is also presented to commemorate the “DMC Mexican-American Studies Program Day” proclamation issued by Mayor Nelda Martinez in 2014. Room 514, White Library, East Campus.
Oct. 16, 2 p.m. — The film “Mariachi Gringo” will be shown. Room 530, White Library, East Campus.
Oct. 23, 6 p.m. — Dolores Huerta, a prominent Chicana labor leader and human rights activist, will share her experiences with community participants. Huerta is the co-founder and first vice president of the United Farm Workers. She has received numerous awards for her community service and advocacy for workers, immigrants and woman’s rights, including Eugene V Debs Foundation Outstanding American Award, the United States Presidential Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Richardson Performance Hall, East Campus.
Oct. 30, 2 p.m. — The film “The Devil’s Backbone” will be shown. Room 530, White Library, East Campus.
All events are free and open to the public. For more informa