This past October, 31, 2020, Prof. Mariana Romo-Carmona from LALS, presented a talk on the international one-day conference on the work of Gloria Anzaldúa, broadcast from Tecnológico de Monterrey, UNAM, Mexico. Dr. Romo-Carmona’s presentation discussed the contribution by the renowned Chicana lesbian academic in terms of organizing in Latinx U.S. communities, and her philosophies detailed in Borderland/La Frontera, as a territory that goes beyond ideologies. The presentation focused primarily on how the work is featured her courses taught at City College, in the Latin American & Latin@ Studies Program (LALS).
Below are some screenshots from various moments of the day-long conference, which featured speakers from Mexico, South America, and the U.S., including traditional musical presentations by the musical group, La bocona, and a moving rendition of the song, “La llorona,” sung by the daughters of one of the organizers.
The conference was organized and facilitated by Dr. Coco Gutierrez Magallanes, Dr. Javier Camargo Castillo, Dr. Norma Cantú, and Dr. Cora Jiménez Narcia. The artwork on the poster was donated by Chilean artist, Liliana Wilson, from Austin, Texas.
In order to view a recording of the conference, go to here!
Along with many of the presenters, Dr. Romo-Carmona also spoke about her own connection with Gloria Anzaldúa over the years, as a colleague and friend, and Latina lesbian writer.
The Conference closed with a reading of Gloria Anzaldúa’s poem, “Arriba mi gente,” and the powerful presentation by Dr. Raúl Contreras, from Chile, who connected the work of Gloria Anzaldúa to the events that have taken place in that country since the Estallido Social of October 18, 2019, and culminated with the passage of the referendum to write a new national constitution, by plebiscite vote this past October 25, 2020, in a nearly 80% vote of approval.