CESR Newsletter: December 2024

Coming Up at CESR

El Día de las Velitas

When: December 5, 2024 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Where: The Global Hub, 1st Floor Posvar

El Día de las Velitas (Day of the Little Candles) is a beloved Columbian tradition celebrated on the night of December 7th. While it originally honors the Catholic feast of the Immaculate Conception, today it's a joyful community celebration enjoyed by people of all backgrounds. Families and neighborhoods light thousands of candles and lanterns, filling the streets with beautiful light displays. It marks the start of the Holiday season, bringing people together to celebrate with music, food, and festive cheer. El Día de las Velitas is a symbol of hope, unity, and warmth, a tradition that lights up both the streets and the hearts of Columbians across the country.
Join us, learn about this celebration, and help us decorate our holiday trellis that will be on display at the Global Hub.

Follow easy instructions to create ornaments inspired by different countries from Columbia, Mexico, Denmark, Japan or write Happy Holidays in any language.
There will be a catalogue of flags from around the world to paint a flag of your choice.
Help us decorate and create a new tradition at the Global Hub.

To register: https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/clas/content/clas-event-registration
Sponsors: Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS); Center for Ethnic Studies Research (CESR); Hispanic and Latinx Professional Association (HLPA); European Studies Center (ESC); Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies (REEES); Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs (NRIEP); Pitt Spanish Club; The Global Hub

Celebrating and Advancing Latinx Studies at Pitt

When: December 9, 2024 from 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Where: 4130 Posvar Hall

As we build on the momentum of the vibrant Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, the Center for Ethnic Studies Research, the Center for Latin American Studies, and the University Center for International Studies invite you to join us on December 9th, from 4:00-6:00 p.m., to recognize the ongoing work of faculty and staff researching and teaching on Latinx/a/o/e Studies. This celebration is not only a reflection of where we are but a commitment to building a future where Latinx/a/o/e Studies thrive here at Pitt. We warmly welcome all faculty and staff dedicated to this work, along with university leadership, to join us. When you RSVP, you can describe your research or share relevant events or classes that we can announce and highlight during the event to promote more awareness. Please feel free to share this invitation with your colleagues passionate about building an inclusive community of learners. All are welcome.

One of the main objectives of this event is to foster a sense of community among colleagues who are dedicated to advancing Latinx studies at Pitt through their work, teaching, research, and other activities. Additionally, we aim to gather resources that will not only promote our exceptional faculty in this field but also inform our community—students, potential collaborators, and allies—about the significant work being done in advancing Latinx studies at Pitt.

Sponsors: Center for Ethnic Studies Research (CESR); Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS); University Center for International Studies (UCIS)

Mark your calendars!

Coming in 2025

Border to Border Series: Immigration, Activism, and the High Stakes of the 2024 Election-- What Now?

When: January 10, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Where: 4130 Posvar Hall

In the aftermath of the 2024 election, we find ourselves at a crucial turning point. With promises to deport millions of Latinos, we face consequences that will impact not just our communities, but the entire fabric of the U.S. and beyond.

This impending social and economic storm will generate forceful opposition, though its shape is not yet determined. In this context, this panel discussion will emphasize three major questions:

How extensive could these deportations be?
What are the potential economic impacts?
How can vulnerable communities protect themselves, and how can allies best support them?

Join us for a challenging, but necessary conversation in a safe, collaborative space that will include academics, community, and activist leaders.

To register: https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/clas/content/clas-event-registration

Sponsors: Center or Latin American Studies (CLAS); Center for Ethnic Studies Research (CESR); Global Studies Center (GSC)

The Center for Ethnic Studies Research (CESR) advances innovative, multidisciplinary, and collaborative research addressing core communities central to Ethnic Studies—Chicana/o Latinx, Asian American, Native American, African American/U.S. African diasporas—from local, regional, comparative, and transnational perspectives.