“But the nature of archival silence is that certain people’s narratives and their nuances are swallowed by history; we see only what pokes through because it is sufficiently salacious for the majority to pay attention.”
― Carmen Maria Machado, In the Dream House

September 15 kicked off  Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month, an annual observance with roots nearly 60 years old that honors the generations of Hispanic and Latinx people who have enriched our nation and society. From creatives like Sandra Cisneros and Mauricio Lasansky to civil rights leaders like César Chávez and Johanna Fernández, these trailblazers for change have influenced national and local policy, public thought, and creative expression.

We call these people “trailblazers” because of the incredible ways they make change for both past and future generations. However, a reason they march and create and speak out is because a policy, situation, or gap in creativity needs to be addressed in the present. As Machado says, “certain people’s narratives and their nuances are swallowed by history,” and unless we have someone willing to make the sacrifices and do the work, those narratives may be lost for good.

That’s (in part) why I believe it is so essential to acknowledge and honor those who have come before us, who have paved a way to this moment so we can continue the journey after they are gone. Where would we be today without Chávez and his partners’ work toward labor rights, for example?

InclusiveVT, the institutional and individual commitment to Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence, and the Office for Inclusion and Diversity share goals of (and continue to work towards) preserving Virginia Tech’s Hispanic-Latinx history, provide for today’s Hispanic and Latinx students, and prepare for future Hispanic and Latinx Hokies.  

The work is never done. Along the way, may we remember the Hispanic and Latinx leaders who changed the United States and laid a foundation for all of us to build upon.

Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month at Virginia Tech

El Centro, Virginia Tech’s Hispanic and Latinx Cultural and Community Center, will be hosting the Blacksburg Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on Tuesday, September 17 at 11:30 a.m. in Pamplin 1028. The celebration’s theme will be ¡Unidos!: Building a Model Inclusive Community, and will feature catered food, lively music, and free swag.

The Roanoke celebration will take place September 26 at 4 Riverside Circle in Room 1101 at 5:30 p.m.

El Centro will be hosting/co-hosting nearly 25 additional events, including movie screenings, a Comida y Comunidad & The Graduate School Latinx Connect Luncheon, Dungeons and Dragons play sessions, and more. Information about these events can be found on the El Centro website.