Hispanic Heritage and Activism in Oregon

A Forum presented by
Centro Cultural of Washington County and
Pacific University
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Pacific University – Forest Grove
Funded in part by a grant from Oregon Humanities (OH)

This forum will explore the journey of Hispanics to Oregon and Washington County in particular and the activism that has nurtured self determination in the Hispanic community in their pursuit for a more perfect union.
The forum will use multimedia resources, academic scholars/humanists, and community leaders to engage the participants in facilitated discussion focusing on the following themes:

• Latinos in Oregon: Early Settlers, Braceros and the Migrant Stream: De dónde venimos  y como llegamos
• Activism for Social Justice: Mutualistas – Apoyándonos y defendiéndonos
• Personal, Family and professional resiliency. Sobreviviendo y superándonos

The first three themes above will be presented in the morning session. A keynote speaker, Jerry Garcia, PhD, Director, Chicano Education Program and CAMP, Eastern Washington University, will bring the morning sessions into focus in preparation for the action oriented afternoon breakout sessions. The afternoon sessions will focus on the evolution and state of activism in three critical areas – employment, education and social justice.

• Activism for  Employment
• Activism for Education
• Activism for Social Justice

These sessions will ideally identify current challenges and opportunities in each respective area for which community activism needs to remain vigilant.