2008 Woodie Awards
Immigration a major topic for Heritage Month
Elise Sommerfeldt
Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: Arts & Lifestyle
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Latino Student Programs will sponsor a series of presentations from Sept. 17 - Oct. 18 to evoke dialogue about immigration among students. The presentations are for Latino Heritage Month, which begins Sept. 15 and ends Oct. 15.
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, Whitewater's Hispanic or Latino population is 873. Community leaders and religious groups welcome this ethnically diverse population into Whitewater.
Jorge Islas-Martinez is the president of an organization called Sigma America. The group does various community services throughout Whitewater and surrounding areas.
The goal that Martinez and Sigma America want to achieve is to have Caucasians and Hispanics work together for the common good of society.
During the summer, Sigma America held traditional Mexican dance lessons at the Armory to encourage youth to stay active while learning about culture.
Sigma America held a fundraiser on May 25 at the Downstairs Sports Bar to help a local child with cancer. Martinez collected money at the door and sold food to help the child's family pay for medical expenses.
Another prevalent community organization is Latino's Unidos. The student program offers assistance to help UW-Whitewater Latinos with their educational goals.
Anastacio Aranda, president of Latinos Unidos, hopes the speeches and presentations given during this year's Latino Heritage month will help to improve relations between Mexican immigrants and Americans.
"The point of Latino Heritage month is to touch on those controversial issues within our community, mostly immigration," Aranda said.
Aranda is most looking forward to the presenters sharing the history of U.S. immigration laws.
Immigration laws hit home last August when Star Packaging, LLC. was raided, resulting in the removal of over two dozen illegal Mexican immigrants.
"The raid in that factory affected our entire community, and it's something that we all need to address, not just the officials," Aranda said.
Latinos Unidos share the same mission as Latino Heritage Month: to highlight Latino heritage, while working together with the rest of the community.
The Latino Heritage Month presentations will take place in the Fern Young Terrace, Light Recital Hall and the Crossman Gallery.
Topics of discussion include the issue of immigration from a social, economical, historical and political standpoint.
The speakers represent a range of perspectives and views.
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, Whitewater's Hispanic or Latino population is 873. Community leaders and religious groups welcome this ethnically diverse population into Whitewater.
Jorge Islas-Martinez is the president of an organization called Sigma America. The group does various community services throughout Whitewater and surrounding areas.
The goal that Martinez and Sigma America want to achieve is to have Caucasians and Hispanics work together for the common good of society.
During the summer, Sigma America held traditional Mexican dance lessons at the Armory to encourage youth to stay active while learning about culture.
Sigma America held a fundraiser on May 25 at the Downstairs Sports Bar to help a local child with cancer. Martinez collected money at the door and sold food to help the child's family pay for medical expenses.
Another prevalent community organization is Latino's Unidos. The student program offers assistance to help UW-Whitewater Latinos with their educational goals.
Anastacio Aranda, president of Latinos Unidos, hopes the speeches and presentations given during this year's Latino Heritage month will help to improve relations between Mexican immigrants and Americans.
"The point of Latino Heritage month is to touch on those controversial issues within our community, mostly immigration," Aranda said.
Aranda is most looking forward to the presenters sharing the history of U.S. immigration laws.
Immigration laws hit home last August when Star Packaging, LLC. was raided, resulting in the removal of over two dozen illegal Mexican immigrants.
"The raid in that factory affected our entire community, and it's something that we all need to address, not just the officials," Aranda said.
Latinos Unidos share the same mission as Latino Heritage Month: to highlight Latino heritage, while working together with the rest of the community.
The Latino Heritage Month presentations will take place in the Fern Young Terrace, Light Recital Hall and the Crossman Gallery.
Topics of discussion include the issue of immigration from a social, economical, historical and political standpoint.
The speakers represent a range of perspectives and views.
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