To make an impact in our communities, we must first consider that “the first revolution begins with our selves.” To understand our journey at a university and as a member of our great fraternity, we must note then that the history of our cultura includes the history of revolution in the Americas. Revolution has brought forth the independence of Latin America, the establishment of our great organization, and the initiation of the first Latina judge to the U.S Supreme Court. It is the triumph of these milestones that have validated our existence as a united community in the struggle to exist. However, it is with in this struggle that we continue to redefine who we are. It is with in these redefining moments that we must preserve our roots, our heritage and our history; most of which can not be discovered in U.S public educational institutions till college. Thus Latino Heritage Month depicts the essence of this notion that includes years and upcoming years of Latino progression in the Americas.
The progress and constructed identity of being Latino encompasses the fusion of European, African and Indigenous cultures. When we look back in time, the struggle and progress of the Latino community is one that can reflect similarities amongst other ethnic minorities facing oppression. As African-American and Latino communities faced oppression in urban cities during the 1960’s in the U.S, the Black Panther Party influenced the creation of the Brown Berets and the Young Lords organizations. These organizations proclaimed a political and social revolution that would face resistance and violence.
As a social fraternal organization, our revolution was marked while facing social issues at a university in one of the most conservative regions in the U.S, the Midwest. Our founding fathers thus intentionally or unintentionally created the basis for a social democratic organization based on shared values, reminiscent of Doctor Martin Luther King Jr.’s message. This initiative served to be monumental because it incorporated collegiate men from diverse economic, political, social, and ethnic backgrounds with in these ideals. These factors are distinctive of any organization today considering our fraternal history and our emphasis on international cultural pride. Now more than ever, it is important to reflect back at how our organization has served as a catalyst for social change and how we will continue to progress in the efforts to uplift our communities. To begin we must first continue to preserve the positive influences our culture incorporates in order to better our selves, our society and the world. Thus a few questions come to mind. What will you do to inform your community about your heritage? How are you a positive influence now? And what legacy would you like to leave behind for others to carry on?
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