This month, students have a chance to take part in Portland State’s first Cesar Chavez Week. The week of events will celebrate the Latin American civil rights activist and social justice.
Activism, social justice events fill campus calendar
This month, students have a chance to take part in Portland State’s first Cesar Chavez Week.
The week of events will celebrate the Latin American civil rights activist and social justice.
Put on by La Casa Latina and other student groups, the events are being held to reach out to not only the Latino community at PSU, but all of the student body.
“We wanted to do something for the community,” said Emanuel Magana, program coordinator for La Casa Latina. “We thought a lot about what we wanted to do—what we wanted people get out of the week.”
The planning for Cesar Chavez Week began at the end of February by a committee made up mainly of students.
The committee planned events starting April 8 and ending April 13 to help educate students about social justice, the Latino community and, of course, Cesar Chavez.
“People may have heard the name Cesar Chavez before but [do] not know who he is or what he’s done,” Magana said.
Listed below are the events being held during Cesar Chavez Week, from the official press release.
April 8: Cesar Chavez— His Life, His Work
From 1–2 p.m. in the Multicultural Center (Smith Memorial Student Union, room 228) there will be a workshop on Cesar Chavez held by Professor Roberto De Anda from the Chicano/Latino Studies Program.
This event is sponsored by the Associated Students of Portland State University Multicultural Affairs.
April 9: Cesar Chavez Birthday Party
From 1–2:30 p.m. in Parkway North, SMSU, is an event where people in the community can socialize while participating in traditional Latin American games and festivities and learning about Chavez.
This event is sponsored by Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan.
April 10: Tim Wise Keynote and Reception
From 6–8 p.m. at the Stott Center, guest speaker Tim Wise will be giving a lecture on being a white ally and advocate. Wise is a notable antiracism speaker. From 8–9 p.m., in the Multicultural Center, students will be able to meet with speaker Tim Wise.
April 11: Community Fair
From 1:30–3:30 p.m. in the Multicultural Center, several organizations from on and off campus will be available for students and people in the community to discuss ways to be involved in the community, as well as resources that they can access.
April 12: Art Through Social Justice
From noon–1:30 p.m. in La Casa Latina, SMSU 229, both PSU and Portland Community College students will be exhibiting art that highlights Latino and Chicano culture.
April 13: Migrant Housing Tour
From 9 a.m.–3 p.m., students will be able to take a tour of the migrant housing community in Woodburn in order to show students how they can get involved and lend a hand in supporting these communities.
This event is sponsored by the Food Action Committee.
