Latino Realities Topic of Latino Lecture Series

Recent studies show Latinos, America’s second-largest and fastest-growing minority, are losing economic and other ground to both other minority groups and to whites.

To explore that issue from the perspectives of sociology, history and literature the University of Wisconsin–Madison will sponsor a semester-long lecture series featuring distinguished guest scholars.

Ben Marquez, associate professor of political science and chair of the UW–Madison Chicano Studies program, says not only will the series present different viewpoints, but it will allow participants to talk with top scholars in the field of Latino studies.

“The number of individuals actively conducting research on Latinos is small,” Marquez says. “This series is a rare opportunity for anyone interested in issues of race and ethnicity.”

“Cruzando Fronteras/Crossing Borders: Latina/Latino Culture and Politics” will open with speaker Frank Bonilla, professor of sociology at Hunter College. Bonilla will deliver two lectures, “New Knowing, New Practice: Puerto Rican Studies” on Feb. 24 and “Brother, Can You Spare a Paradigm?” on Feb. 26. Both lectures are free, open to the public and will begin at 3:30 p.m. in 8417 Social Sciences.

Later lectures will explore such topics as ethnicity and gender, community and identity, and the future of Anglo-Mexican relations. The series will run through May 7. Watch Wisconsin Week for listings of upcoming events.

Francisco Scarano, UW–Madison professor of history and one of the series organizers, hopes the lectures will prompt people to read and think about Latino realities and aspirations. He adds that those who teach have a special responsibility: “We expect faculty to incorporate the fast-growing literature on Latinos into research and teaching agendas.”

Series sponsors include UW–Madison’s A.E. Havens Center for the Study of Social Structure and Social Change and the Chicano Studies Program. For more information, contact co-organizers Nancy Plankey Videla or Elyse Crystall, (608) 262-1420.