RSSProfessors will bring Michoacan culture to CWU
Yakima Herald-Republic
E-mail
Print
Comments
More 'Local'
- Valley students show an eye for art
- Nation in distress leaves lasting impact on Yakima aid workers
- 02/08/10 News quiz answers
- No drive for students to learn to drive?
- Officials seek information about horse-shooting incident near Outlook
- Heart of the matter
- A touch of tech enhances math class
ELLENSBURG -- There's Cinco de Mayo, then there's Nov. 20. Back in Mexico, there is no question which date is more important.
In November, uniformed school children march down the streets and families gather in central plazas to mark the outbreak of their country's revolution, a 10-year uprising against longtime ruler Porfirio Díaz.
"It's something that stays recorded in your memory, something that will never get erased," said Ruben Muniz, general manager of KeBuena radio station in Yakima. "When I talk to people here about the two dates, I just don't understand the hype about Cinco de Mayo. It's pure commercialism."
He hopes that begins to change with a new project now under way through Central Washington University and Mexican cultural officials.
Starting in January, six college professors from Michoacán will speak at Central about life, literature, festivities, music and paintings related to the 1910 outbreak of the Mexican Revolution and the country's independence 100 years earlier.
On Thursday, Michoacán's secretary of culture will sign an agreement to foster the academic exchanges among students, immigrants and others interested in the issue. Secretary Jaime Hernández Díaz will also speak at Yakima Valley Community College on Friday -- the 99th anniversary of the revolution's outbreak.
"What better way to celebrate the Michoacano experience than through culture?" said Michael Erwin, an associate history professor who heads CWU's Latino and Latin American Studies program. "I think honoring the Mexican history and the Mexican past as a part of our own is a sure sign of respect for the culture, for the heritage that is becoming every day more and more our own."
Michoacán sends more immigrants to the United States than any other state in Mexico -- and a high concentration of Michoacanos lives in the Yakima Valley. Its capital, Morelia, is Yakima's sister city.
Stefanie Wickstrom, a political scientist who studies indigenous rights movements in Latin America, serves as the liaison between the Michoacán secretary of culture and CWU, where she has taught in the past.
"The secretary of culture has an interest in establishing relationships with people from Michoacán, whether they be immigrants or migrants who don't necessarily have a formal education and haven't necessarily been exposed to the culture and arts in a way that gives them an appreciation for their cultural heritage," she said.
Erwin said he doesn't expect immigrants to flock to Central's events right away.
"Honestly one of the first steps we have to take as a newly formed center is to earn the trust of the community, to communicate with them that we don't have the answers," he said. "But we want to spread the word that we want to learn from them, would like a positive role in telling their stories."
Muniz, whose station has regularly promoted the events, wants to encourage the immigrants who work in agriculture and listen to his station to think about attending college.
"So many poor Mexicans view universities as these untouchable places," he said. "I hope that by having these events at Central, at YVCC, that people will get excited and maybe think about studying something."
* Melissa Sánchez can be reached at 509-577-7675 or msanchez@yakimaherald.com.
This week's events
WHAT: "Images of Valladolid (Morelia) through Traveler's Eyes," a presentation by Michoacán's Secretary of Culture Jaime Hernández Díaz.
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday.
WHERE: Dean Hall lobby at Central Washington University, Ellensburg.
WHAT: Music and dancing, in celebration of the 99th anniversary of the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution. Following will be a presentation from Hernández Diaz.
WHEN: 4 p.m. Friday.
WHERE: Hopf Student Union, Yakima Valley Community College.
2010 Speaker series (Thursday and Fridays)
Jan. 21-22: "Conjugal Wars amidst Revolution," by Cintya Berenice Vargas Toledo, of the Mexican Center for Documentation and Research in the Arts under the Michoacán Secretariat of Culture of the State of Michoacán.
Feb. 19-19: "Civil Festivities and Political Power in Morelia on the Eve of the Mexican Revolution," by Juana Martínez Villa, of the Institute for Historical Research at the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo (UMSNH).
March 11-12: "Literature and Everyday Life at Independence and during the Mexican Revolution," by Raúl Eduardo González, of the Faculty of Hispanic Languages and Literature, UMSNH
April 15-16: "The Music of Valladolid-Morelia: 1810-1910," by Alejandro Mercado Villalobos, of the Council of Programming in Santa Ana Maya, Michoacán
May 13-14: "¡Corridos! Expressions of Revolution in Mexico," by Álvaro Ochoa, of Institute for Historical Research, UMSNH
June 9-10: "Independence and the Revolution as Portrayed by the Escuela Mexicana de Pintura," by Sofia Irene Velarde Cruz, of the Center for Documentation and Research in the Arts
"I think honoring the Mexican history and the Mexican past as a part of our own is a sure sign of respect for the culture, for the heritage that is becoming every day more and more our own."
I disagree, it would be a sure sign of capitulation to what I see is an invasion. Pray tell, why should we celebrate anybody else's culture than our own - officially anyway?
I certainly agree that it would be an interesting learning experience, but that is the end of it.
If I wanted to live in Mexico, or be submersed in their "culture", I would move there. I have enough of this "culture" as it is, just in my own neighborhood. This idea seems like asking ME to assimilate to Mexico, while living in my own country. It should be the other way around.
What is wrong with celebrating American Culture in America?
Nick,
I have not posted on this blog recently because you and several others are so negative about anything that has to do with the Latino people or culture is so negative and ill reflects on you that I do not even feel that a response is warranted.
There is nothing wrong with celebrating American culture or St. Partick's day for that matter. I believe that the US does have a history of being a melting pot and it does not take anything away from this country, from my point of view.
I am also happy to see Central Washington University finally getting involved with the Latino community as far as active outreach through cultural events and QBuena finally doing some community work other than just making
money, ie commercial.
LOL Nick Hector oth of u crack me up i could agree with both of u, sure bring Michoacan over here. but the truth is Michoacan is known for the drug cartels n marijuana everywhere n very vioent people which fits yakima just perfect i guess we need more of thet LOL. Im from Michoacan n I love my state even do nothing but beautiful women,is about the only good thing that comes from that state.......
Report ViolationHector, at least the vast majority of the Irish came her as LEGAL IMMIGRANTS, not ILLEGAL ALIENS. We might start with that.
I have no problem celebrating a Festive holiday from anywhere, just that suddenly, there seem to be so many of them - and they are all Spanish names: 5th of May, Day of the dead, and now another? It is getting to the pint that we will have more Latino holidays than our own. And don't forget, all your other demands for entitlement to citizen benefits for non-citizens that are your stock-in-trade.
Hardly an example of "assimilation", if you ask me. More like one of contention.
this is all fine and dandy for those who are interested in it, but i think that many kids don't really know much about our history. they should learn that first!
Report ViolationNick,
Beautiful, lets start with that; "The vast majority of Irish came here as legal immigrants." What do you base this on. Give me valid statistics, lets not just throw out a statement and expect me to believe it.
Back then the borders and the harbors were much more open and border patrol agents less therefore we really do not know what the breakdown on the number of legal or illegal
Irishman that came into our borders. Back then many, many, of the people that came to the US were criminals or people persecuted by the king so do not expect me to just take you on your word. Lets talk proof or shut up.
In so far as the Mexicans being contentious, not hardly, that is one of our problems. Actually, the majority of Mexicans are law abiding and quiet people. Just a few of us uppity Mexicans that dare challenge people like you.
Posting Guidelines - Updated Aug. 21 2009
Readers are encouraged to use these forums to discuss issues affecting the
Yakima Valley. Debate the ideas presented in stories and other comments, but
refrain from personal attacks and offensive remarks aimed at others; e.g.,
you may call an idea idiotic, but don't say the person is an idiot. The
Herald-Republic reserves the right to remove any comment for any reason.
Examples include material that is obscene, encourages illegal activity or
stereotypes based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and
other factors. Continued violation of these guidelines can lead to
suspension or revocation of your ability to post comments. If you believe a
comment is inappropriate, you can bring it to our attention by clicking the
"report violation" link by each comment. Guidelines revised Aug. 21, 2009.
Registered User?
