Faculty in the Ethnic Studies Department began discussing possibilities for its first big event soon after the department was created and agreed last year on the idea of doing a symposium. Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies Dr. Nora Cisneros spearheaded the event.
“We knew we wanted to showcase and introduce ourselves to the university as a department, but we wanted to ensure that we centered students, who are essential to ethnic studies,” she said. “We want to do right by the students, do right by the community.”
That led to the idea of an exhibit in which students would have the opportunity to work on and present a piece of art reflecting the ideas and themes of ethnic studies.
“Students were very excited about putting together artwork that speaks to their acknowledgement and enthusiasm for ethnic studies. That’s what makes the symposium unique in a way,” Dr. Cisneros said.
Liberal studies majors Alehandro Reyes and Esmeralda Morales collaborated on a painting —titled “No Somos Los Mismos,” or “we are not the same” — highlighting the unique cultures of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. The pair hope that it helps show that there are many diverse groups and cultures that make up the Hispanic population.
“People use terms like Hispanic or Latino and generalize so many different cultures and people, and people are done with being generalized,” Reyes said. “They want to be recognized as their own person from their own country. My father wants to be known as Honduran. It’s important for people to respect what the preferences are.”
Reyes and Morales decided to participate in the exhibit because they liked the idea of creating a serious artwork that reflects the complexity of the world we live in.
“This was my first statement piece, so it’s really cool to have that out there,” Morales said. “I think it’s really great to have this opportunity to share. We’re getting the message out there, and that’s ultimately what you want.”
Reyes was ambivalent at first about doing the project, as he doesn’t have a lot of art experience, but ultimately decided to give it a shot.
“I’m not really an artist, so this was a challenge,” he said. “[Esmeralda’s] done art before, but for me, it was my first experience. It was a little weird, but it feels good to see it up there. We are proud of it.”
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