Blank stares and doubt over the value of a degree in Chicano/Latino studies prompted students from professor Jose Moreno's Chicano/Latino's Senior Colloquium class to host Dia de la Familia.
The event, held on Saturday at Cal State Long Beach, was an attempt to familiarize and connect parents of Chicano/Latino studies majors to their sons' and daughters' education.
However, organizers said the primary motivation behind the event was to answer the lingering question that most Chicano/Latino studies students receive from both parents and fellow classmates: What can you do with a degree in Chicano/Latino studies?
"I wanted to bring my dad out to the campus so that he can see what Chicano/Latino studies is all about," said Humberto Rivera, a senior Chicano/Latino studies major. "He's always asking questions. 'Is that going to make you money?' … I want him to see this is what I've been doing for four years. It's not engineering, it's not medicine, but it's about my community, and in the long run it'll pay off."
Maria Haro, a senior Chicano/Latino studies major, said, "It's important for the university and the community to be in communication, especially for the Latino community ... It's important to have our family be a part of this."
Juan Benitez, interim director for the Center for Community Engagement, served as the keynote speaker for the event.
During his lecture Benitez gave a brief history and definition of the Chicano movement. He also asked questions and cited statistics that prompted an open forum discussion among parents and students.
Benitez's questions included, "Is the educational system set up, was it created, does it function so that everyone has equal access to succeed?"
Benitez also cited a "crisis" at CSULB, referring to what he saw as a lack of representation on the part of the university in regards to a substantial Latino student population.
According to the Institutional Research's spring 2007 university facts report, 25 percent of the student population at CSULB is Latino.
By the end of the presentation, Benitez - speaking to the audience in Spanish - delivered the long-awaited answer to the question of the day: What does Chicano/Latino studies offer?
"We offer your students the preparation to distinguish themselves in life and to be prestigious in whatever profession they choose. However, they carry a great responsibility to eliminate discrimination and racism," said Benitez.
Benitez further described the program, pointing to critical thinking as the foundation for Chicano/Latino studies. "We want [students] to be able to think for themselves. We don't want robots."
Professor Moreno described Dia de la Familia as a representation of what Chicano/Latino studies was intended to do.
"It connects our department to our roots," Moreno said. "It's a sense of community that often doesn't exist at Cal State Long Beach for Latinos."
Luis Arroyo, Chicano/Latino studies department chairman, said, "It was a great success. I'm happy to see so many parents and students."
In addition to the lecture, the event also featured a musical performance by "Hermanas Garcia," who sang Spanish folklore, and a catered lunch.
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