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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 8, 1993)
Refleciones de San Jose The 21st Annual Conference of the National Association for Chicano Studies was held March 24-27 in San Jose, Calif. More than one thousand fel low Chicanas/Latinos (and a handful of interested Anglos) were on hand to participate in the various events centering on the conference’s theme, “Rede FiningChicana andChicanoSlud ies." It was the third lime 1 have came away re-energized and ready to carry on the struggle to end oppression in whatever form it may raise its ugly head. The first day’s opening wel come began with a sacred indig enous ceremony led by Concha Saucedo from F.l Instilulo Famil iar de la Raza, Inc. The ceremony was followed by two excellent plenary addresses: one on Chicana feminism by Professor Norma Alarcbn from the Univer sity of California at Berkeley, another by Professor Rcnato Rosaldo from Stanford Univer sity speaking on culture, power ana justice in t,nicano/a stuaies. For the remainder of the four day conference, participants roamed in and out of around 92 panels to hear presentations by more than 300 Chicano/Latina scholars on topics such as "Chicanas, Patriarchy and Crimi nal Justice,” “Confused and Full of Rage?: Negotiating the Frag mentcdChicana/o Identity," "Kx tcnding the Borders of Azllan: Chicano Communities Outside of the Southwest,” "Multi-Klhnic Political Coalitions” and “The Im plications of Acuna vs. The Uni versity of California'Regents." In addition, the evenings were more than enjoyable as fellow conference participants from all over the United Stales, as well as from outside U.S. territorial bor ders, were treated with Una Noetic de Cullura (A Night of Culture) on Thursday, an awards reception on Friday, and of course, el baile (the dance) on Saturday. 1 especially looked for ward to these events, as it is one of the few times during the hectic , academicyear that 1 am able to sit back, enjoy and take pride in the multitalented dancers, vocalists, actors and poets who are so much a part of our heritage. While the conference is not without the political infighting that is part of so many academic conferences, the conflict is of secondary importance to me. I hear enough about what Chicanos/as should call them selves, just what beingaChicana/ o is, and how we should present our issues here at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This is not to say that I do not enter the debates and voice my opinion. However, in the three confer ences I have attended (two as a presenter), I have found myself arguing forChicanasand Latinos in the Midwest and especially in Nebraska. Most of theChicanos/ as who attend the conference cannot fathom the idea of Latinos in Nebraska. If the majority of our brothers and sisters in the Southwest do not know we exist here in the Midwest, one can. imagine the nature and scope of our struggle here on the Lincoln campus, not to mention the state as a whole. Nevertheless, we have our chance to inform and educate those who want to be informed and educated ab(>ut ou r rich a nd vibrant culture during this Chicano Celebration Week. This third-generation Ne braska Chicano extends a per sonal invitation to all to attend this week’s events, “Y que se desfruten.” F.d Mu ho/ in a graduate student In aociology and a Diversion* contribu tor. The Daily Nebraskan... .is now accepting applications for senior staff positions for the fall semester. Senior staff managing editor, associate news editor, sports editor, wire editor, senior reporters, copy desk chief, night news editor, photo chief, assistant photo chief, art director, cartoonist, supplements editor, Sower editor and columnist. If you are interested, come on down to the DN office in the basement of Nebraska Union, pick up an application and sign up for an interview. UNL does not discriminate its academic, admissions or employment programs and abides by all federal regulations pertaining to same._* Hit and miss * /•- • * * V • Candy-filledpiftata draws young, old to Chicano Awareness Week festival By Jan Calinger Staff Reporter _ As part of Chicano Awareness Week, the University Program Council presented a Pinata Festival Wednesday at the Nebraska Union. For the festival, a Mexican-slyle pinata in the shape of a six-pointed star was hung from the ceiling in one of the TV lounges. Students were blindfolded and spun around before trying to break the pinata with a broomstick. Travis Fox, Nebraska Union Fes tival chairman, said the festival was chosen both for Hispanic culture and as a Wacky Wednesday event. “BeingChicano Awareness Week and Wacky Wednesday, we de cided to hold this festival," he said. The pinata was made by Mi Barrio, 1028 O St., said Misty Calleroz, chairwoman of UPC Spe cial Events. The first contestant to lake a shot at the pinata was 9-year-old Marquita Bowden, who was at the festival with a cousin. Atop her cousin’s shoulders, Marquita took three swings — all three failed. The next contestant was UPC President Gary Doyle, who was blindfolded, spun and sent in the opposite direction of the pinata. After finding his way to the star, he took six violent swings — all of which also failed to break the pinata. “I swear that thing is made of concrete,” Doyle said afterward. “1 was swinging mad.” However, it was Trent Steele, first vice president of the Associa tion of Students of the University of Nebraska, who finally broke the pifiata, although he fcad several wild misses first. “I used a golf swing,” Steelesaid. " Had (the pifiata) been on the floor, I would have done a belter job. “I did gel a piece of it. It was tough . . . (but) for the record, though, I did break it open." When the pifiata broke open, 6 1/2 pounds of candy spilled onto the Moor, causing at least two dozen students to flood to the floor, stuff ing candy into their pockets. But Steele said he didn’t get any candy. “Frankly, 1 was so embarrassed, I thought I’d get out of there as quickly as possible," he said. Jan Callngcr in a freshman news-edi torial major and a Diversions contribu tor. Robin Trimarchi/DN Trent Steele, first vice president of ASUN, searches for the piftata in the Nebraska Union as part of UPC Wacky Wednesday and a Chicano Special Events program.
