Yalies at the March on Washington for Immigration Reform

¡ECCSF Conference @ Brown!

MEChA de Brown presents:

East Coast Chican@ Student Forum | Spring 2010

Poplitical: The Politics of Popular Culture

April 9-11, 2010

Online Registration/late fee applies after April 2nd:https://payment.brown.edu/C20460_ustores/web/store_cat.jsp?STOREID=2&CATID=78&SINGLESTORE=true


Keynote Speakers
Sergio Arau and Yareli Arizmendi, co-writers of “A day without a Mexican”

Conference Schedule
Friday, April 9 2010
→ Registration @ J. Walter Wilson 7pm-12am
→ “A Day without a Mexican” screening @ Salomon 001 7-9 pm
→ Semana Chicana party: “Fuego” 10pm-2am

Saturday, April 10, 2010
→ Breakfast @ Smith-Buonanno
→ Workshops @ Smith-Buonanno
→ Keynote Lecture @ Salomon 101 5-6:30pm
→ ECCSF Dinner @ Andrews Dinning Hall 7-9pm
→ ECCSF Party @ Andrews Dinning Hal 10pm-2am

Sunday, April 11 2010
→ Departure

For more information, please contact Brown co-chairs jose_loya@brown.edu or mayte_garcia-salgado@brown.edu


A Day Without A Mexican Trailer:

Georgetown Advocates for the Dream Act

Congratulations to Georgetown on their ability to advocate change, and fight for the Dream Act!

The Georgetown president wrote a letter to Senator Durbin, in support of the Dream Act.
*Note that there is an option to zoom in, and to open the letter in full screen.

Durbin Letter

ECCSF at Harvard Recap

Hearing Dr. Jose B. Gonzalez speak was one of the highlights of the conference. His insights about Latino literature, achievements, Latino pride, and motivational words were inspiring.  Here is a clip of a poem he recited:

Dr. Jose B. Gonzalez is a Professor of English and Latino Studies at the United States Coast Guard Academy. The presentation he gave at the conference was entitled, "What is Latino Literature and Why it Matters."


At dinner, everyone was excited to join the Harvard mariachi band in singing, "El Rey."

Enamorado, A Short Story By Luis Alberto Torres Mendoza (MIT)

Enamorado-3

MEChA de Georgetown Organization Report

MEChA de Georgetown In Full Gear

MEChA de Georgetown began the new school year with the goal of maintaining tradition and bringing attention to current social issues affecting various communities. The Winter ECCSF conference, hosted by Georgetown in October, did just that. Under the theme “Narcocultura,” the conference brought awareness to the current drug trafficking issues that terrorize national borders and plague local communities. Several members from the DC community volunteered their time to contribute to the ongoing conversation. The conference came to a close with a brief cultural show, dinner, and a visit from Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who also addressed the needs of the battered education system in America.

The organization also continued and began to celebrate new traditions. It cosponsored Reventon, a yearly cultural dancing showcase, celebrated Posada and Dia de Los Muertos, as well as volunteered to make sandwiches for the less fortunate. Among the new, MEChA organized its first Carne Asada Cookout, an event that promises to bring together the Latino community every semester. At the same time, MEChA de Gerorgetown continues its campaign to push for the GULSI Initiative, a proposal aimed at creating a Latino Studies Program at Georgetown University.

Looking ahead to 2010, MEChA de Georgetown will shift gears a bit and shed light on two topics: Immigration and Education Reform. In an effort to parallel the focus of President Obama’s agenda, MEChA de Georgetown will hold various events, ranging from writing constituent letters to introducing guest speakers, in order to highlight the need for immigration and education reform. These two matters mark an opportunity for what will be a very exciting, busy, and promising semester. 

MEChA de Mount Holyoke Organization Report

*Noche Latina* (co-hosted with La Unidad) is an event where we will perform a series of dances, skits, and open mic acts. Refreshments will be served.
*Semana Chicana* is a week-long event where we will have keynote speakers, dinner and games. The dinner will serve as a fundraiser for a cause of our choosing. The whole event will address a political topic that has to do with Latinos. Last year's topic addressed the issues of immigration and how they have affected and continue to effect the chicano/latino community.
Dia de los Muertos Cena y Leyendas: A day to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, an important day in our culture with food, decorations, and storytelling. People came and learned about this important holiday and shared their experiences and leyendas.
Dia de los Muertos Altar: The group went and set up and decorated an altar in our campus center.
Carnival (co-hosted with La Unidad) games and food (arroz con leche, flan, popcorn, cupcakes, etc.) 
Mural: Working on a mural that is meant to honor the diverseness of our culture and the impact being a Latina in the United States has had on all of us


*starred titles indicate upcoming events