There are 354 Hispanics at SLU. When I read the UNews article last week (Nov. 30) titled “The Elusive Consciousness”, that number stood out to me. I spoke with some students and they asked the same question I asked myself- 354? Where?
I have struggled to find others willing to discuss issues that impact the lives of Hispanos y (and) Latinos here at SLU. Domestic and international issues that for many of us hit very close to home aren’t talked about here. Since 43 student-teachers have disappeared in Mexico, I have longed to discuss it with others, but haven’t had much luck. Where is our community? I may not be the only one personally affected by the injustices occurring in Mexico, where my family is from, but it sure feels like it.
That is not to say that we’re completely invisible. There are events sponsored by the Hispanic-American Leadership Organization (HALO), and the Caribbean and Latin-American Student Association (CALSA) that explore many cultures within Latin America – and that’s great. But music, dance, and food, while being a major part of many cultures, are not the only important things. Exploitation, corruption, violence, and inequality have affected all Latinas and Latinos at SLU. It is the struggle against this that makes our people strong; a struggle that can only succeed with a community willing to make the effort. So why aren’t people here willing to have these conversations?
The potential of these discussions is unlimited if we join as a community. There are universities and cities that have an organized and strong community, where panels and workshops are regularly held. I was shocked to find that St. Cecilia is the only parish in St. Louis to offer mass in Spanish.
Ale Vázquez, the author of last week’s piece, is fortunate enough to assist the church and experience being in community, even if only for a short time. Not having a car means that I am not able to participate in that experience. As such, I feel isolated. I know, too, that I am not the only one.
I want to be able to have discussions on government corruption, the seemingly unstoppable violence by drug cartels, the waves of minors trekking all across Latin America for a better life in the US, the endangerments of being a student in Latin America, and the discriminations that we face in the US. But how is it possible to discuss these issues if there is no community to talk with?
There are many different cultures that make up our population. There are also different perspectives and backgrounds within those cultures. From a first-generation American to a fifth generation, an immigrant or an international student, we are all one community – or at least we could be.
The challenge lies in getting this started. It’s difficult building up a community overnight. The two organizations that exist on campus already, HALO and CALSA, are meant to support the SLU community. My suggestion for them is to take the lead in having these discussions. The greater Latino and Hispanic community in St. Louis might be small, but we are not an invisible underclass.
Relationships need to be built with community leaders. Collaboration with students from other universities (University of Illinois for example) to host events, or at least get recommendations for speakers to visit SLU is needed. University-wide changes should include the expansion of the Latin American Studies program and having more classes that teach our history, a history from living in our homelands in the past to the present struggles of living here in the U.S. A community within SLU should be accessible to all. There are 354 Hispanics on this campus, and yet nobody knows each other. It’s time to change that.
Why are people content to have only cultural events represent them here? Because of a lack of community, we’re willing to have these typical, albeit fun, events in the hopes of building one. Unfortunately, these events have been held for several years now and yet, people are shocked to find out that more than 350 Hispanics are on campus. The question remains, “Where is everyone?”
This community can only be built if people want it. Many students I have spoken to so far have told me that they yearn to be in community. They want to have conversations with their brothers and sisters, to talk about all the injustices and actually do something about it. However, taking the first step in doing so is always the riskiest.
Is it possible to have a Latino consciousness here at SLU? Are people still content with silence surrounding issues affecting our families, friends and us? If not, are there enough of you willing to take that first step in building our community?
The conversation of a Latino consciousness has begun. Ale’s bringing the café. Well, count me in- I’ll bring the pan dulce.
