DENTON (UNT), Texas — The University of North Texas’ Latino Interest Group will present four days of events to tie into the 162nd anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the U.S. war against Mexico.
The events, scheduled for Feb. 2-5 (Tuesday-Friday) include several lectures and a half-day symposium focusing on issues relevant to the Latino population of the North Texas region, followed by a performance of a play about an historic walkout of Mexican-American high school students in Crystal City, Texas.
The events, which are all free, include:
Feb. 2 (Tuesday)
5 p.m. — “In Search of Cristal: 40 Years After the Revolt of a Texas Town,” UNT’s Annual Commemorative Lecture in Mexican American History, presented by Dr. Ignacio M. García, the Lemuel Hardison Redd Jr. Professor of Western & Latino History at Brigham Young University. García will discuss the impact of Dec. 9, 1969 — the date that Mexican-American high school students in Crystal City, the county seat of Zavala County, Texas, walked out of class to protest discrimination by the schools. The students gained national support from several groups, thanks to media attention for the walkout, and the students successfully negotiated with the local school board for better treatment, including the right to speak Spanish on campus without being punished and to participate in student organizations. Sponsored by the UNT Department of History. Lyceum in UNT’s University Union, which is located one block west of Welch and West Prairie streets. Immediately followed by a reception with García signing copies of his books.
Feb. 3 (Wednesday)
4 p.m. — A reception to honor Dr. Victor Rodriguez, a 1955 graduate of the university who was the first Hispanic student to receive an athletic scholarship. He lettered three years in track and field. Rodriguez, who also has a master’s degree from UNT, served in San
Antonio's schools for 36 years before retiring as superintendent from the San Antonio Independent School District in 1994. He was the first Hispanic superintendent in the SAISD. Rodriguez recently donated his archives to the University Archives and the UNT Libraries’
special collections. Selections from his archives will be on display. Sponsored by the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity. Room 430 (University Archives) of the Willis Library, which is located one block east of Highland Street and Avenue C.
Feb. 4 (Thursday)
7 p.m. — “The Evolving Language of Chicano Testimony,” a lecture and poetry reading by Dr. Tino Villanueva, senior lecturer in Spanish in Boston University’s Department of Romance Languages. Villanueva won the 1994 American Book Award for his book-length poem, “Scene from the Movie GIANT,” which was inspired by his viewing the film as a boy growing up in San Marcos. The scene in the poem takes place at a segregated restaurant. Villanueva is also the author of several poetry collections. Room 127 of the Radio, Television, Film and Performing Arts Building, located on the corner of Welch and Chestnut streets (1179 Union Circle).
Feb. 5 (Friday)
1-5 p.m. — “The Theatre of El Movimiento — Reimagining Our Past and Future,” a symposium featuring guest speakers from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including pioneers of the arts. The symposium speakers will recognize the historical contributions of local community leaders to the arts and raise awareness about the significance of community organizing. Followed by a reception. Silver Eagle Suite, UNT’s University Union.
5-5:45 p.m. — “Student Leaders Needed: Yes, That Means YOU — The Power of One,” a performance for high school students by spoken word artist Joaquin Zihuatanejo, who has been featured on “Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry” on HBO. Lilyan Prado-Carrillo, assistant director of UNT’s Emerald Eagle Scholars Program, will act as facilitator. Room 110 of the Radio, Television, Film and Performing Arts Building.
7 p.m. — Performance of “Crystal City 1969” by the Cara Mia Theatre Company in Dallas. The play, which dramatizes the 1969 high school student walkout in Crystal City, was written by Cara Mia artistic director David Lozano and Raul Treviño, the nephew of one of the three student leaders of the walkout. Lozano and Treviño wrote the play for the 40th anniversary of the walkout, and premiered it in Dallas in December. Room 110 of the Radio, Television, Film and Performing Arts Building.