An event was held on Friday, October 30, 2015, to celebrate the diversity of Latino Americans in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Building from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Throughout the day, students and faculty of the university were given the opportunity to learn about the accomplishments, successes and hardships of the Hispanic culture at Latinos Moving Forward in America. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is not just for Latinos, it’s for everyone who wants to learn.

Senator Raymond Lesniak, a lifelong resident of the city of Elizabeth and an army veteran, welcomed the audience with a smile and a warm and cheerful hello. “It is a great honor for me to be here and I want to thank Kean University and the leadership of Dr. Dahwood Farahi and the Human Rights Institute because with his leadership, the university has been doing phenomenal things,” said Lesniak. He begins to explain the opportunities citizens have to celebrate their multicultural society with holidays like Columbus Day, Black History Month and St. Patrick’s Day. “We live in a multicultural society and we should embrace it, but yet there are those that, because of their insecurities and fears, they demonize it.”

Agustin 'Gus' Garcia and Senator Raymond Lesniak
Marlon Ramtahal l The Cougar's Byte

Growing up in Elizabeth, Lesniak shared his experience with racism in his hometown. When his Polish immigrant father and himself would go to the bodega, a local store run by Latinos to do their grocery shopping, people would ask his father where he was going and why. He would reply, “because I want cigarettes and this specific store sells the things I need.” The senator concluded, "I learned early in my life that no matter who you are, where you come from, what you look like, what language you speak, we are all one,” said the senator. He believes equality is a lesson that has been carried on even today and since his father encountered discrimination in his early life, Lesniak considers it as a value to learn from.

After the senator delivered his welcoming speech, another keynote speaker took the stage. Agustin “Gus” Garcia, who is President and CEO of Garcorp International and founding father of Lambda Theta Phi, Latin Fraternity Inc., informs the audience of the purpose of celebrating the Latino heritage. “Money does not make you an American. Power does not make you an American. It’s not about race. It’s not about skin color. Being an American is a state of mind,” declared Garcia.

Janice Murray Laury with members of the military and veteran club
Marlon Ramtahal l The Cougar's Byte

The daylong event had multiple workshops for the attendees that focused on violence prevention, education, living life as a Cuban American, military armed forces, home ownership, medical practices, social justice and drivers’ licenses for the undocumented. In each workshop, students gained exposure to some of the most critical topics that elevate conversation that surround the Hispanic population. From 2:15 p.m. to 3:50 p.m., a roundtable discussion was held in the Green Lane Academic Building (GLAB) where Latino leaders from all over the state of New Jersey spoke about the many goals and achievements Latinos have earned within the past decade. 

Rosa Maria Paya, who is a pro-democracy activist that has directed activities of civil society in Cuba since 2009, shared her insight of the political, economic and social future of Cuban life today. Paya’s father was an opposition leader in the island of Cuba who coordinated and led a massive and free organized system of the Cuban government that sought to guarantee human rights for tens and thousands of Cubans at large. “Due to his social work, my father was murdered in favor of the liberty of the island,” said Paya. She currently works to promote international solidarity with Cuba and seek justice for her father’s murder.

Dariel Bobadilla, a graduate student who strives to achieve his master’s in public administration, was glad that he had the chance to serve as a staff member for the day-long event. “I learned a lot. One of the workshops I went to was the fighting for an education session and I learned that now Latinos are attending four year colleges as opposed to the 1980s, where they attended community colleges,” said Bobadilla.

Brothers of Lambda Theta Phi
Marlon Ramtahal l The Cougar's Byte

“Learning about Latino culture is important. They [Latinos] are growing and they play a critical role in the elections, and since there is a lot of controversy going on, I am glad I had the chance to gain insight and not just getting information from TV,” said Megan Campesi, who is a sophomore majoring in biology. She noted that Garcia’s speech was very inspirational. “I think the way he described America was interesting because I still think it is a nationality, but it is definetly a state of mind because it comes with a lot of patriotism and pride,” said Campesi.

Garcia explained that the event was not about complaining, but it was about celebrating achievements and contributions to American soil. “Our Kean University campus is the forefront of where we can think and where we can be different. It is the forefront of fighting racism and promoting diversity."