Photo: LISTA members posing with their official mascot at the organizations first meeting of the fall semester. Image courtesy of UHCL LISTA. — LISTA members attending the first meeting of the semester pose with new official mascot, La Chancla. Photo courtesy of LISTA.

LISTA talks name change and Hispanic Heritage Month

By Hanna Gonzales Last updated Oct 4, 2019 329 0

Each year, between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) is observed to celebrate Hispanic and Latinx culture and its contribution to the United States.

The Latinx and Latin American Studies program (LLAS) is hosting a series of events co-sponsored by various University of Houston-Clear Lake offices and student organizations. The HHM kickoff event was originally scheduled for Sept. 18 but was canceled because of Tropical Storm Imelda.

Christina Cedillo, assistant professor of writing and rhetoric in the Department of Communication and Studio Arts, shares why she feels it’s important to celebrate HHM at UHCL.

“As an Hispanic-Serving Institution, observing Hispanic Heritage Month is the very least we can do,” Cedillo said. “It is meant to celebrate the many accomplishments and contributions Hispanic and Latinxs have made to the country and the world more broadly.”

Cedillo went on to explain the value in having culturally relevant programs at UHCL, which is dedicated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

“We all learn when we understand more of the complex diversity in our world, especially where our different identities overlap and inform one another,” Cedillo said.

The student organization LISTA (Latinx and Indigenous Students Taking Action), whose values include cultural and ethnic pride, community, respect, allyship, courage, leadership and growth, is a co-sponsor of the event and supporter of the LLAS program.

“LISTA is not only a proud sponsor of all LLAS events, but we have the privilege of also being able to volunteer at these events,” said Erica Solis, LISTA president.

Solis explains that this collaboration with LLAS is an opportunity for LISTA members to support the LLAS program and assist in professional development by practicing networking skills.

“Our role is to support the LLAS program, but to also strengthen LISTA members’ educational and professional development as well,” Solis said. “It’s all intertwined.”

LISTA (formerly HACER – Hispanics Advancing Culture, Education, and Rights), recently underwent a complete re-vamp.

“Although we share some commonalties like culture, education, and rights, we have made so many changes and have worked really hard to be intentional about those changes,” Solis said.

In addition to the name change, LISTA also revised their constitution and honor point system and established an official logo, colors, and mascot – “La Chancla.”

Official mascot of UHCL’s LISTA organization, a gold encrusted flip flop known as la chancla. Photo courtesy of LISTA. — LISTA’s official mascot, “La Chancla,” meaning flip-flop in English. The mascot is meant to bring humor and levity to the group. Photo courtesy of LISTA

Solis cites inclusivity as the primary catalyst for the name change.

“We strongly felt that the previous name (HACER) included some students, but also left out many others,” Solis said. “We believe that words matter, and that there is power in them.”

Membership to LISTA is open to Latinx, Hispanic, Indigenous and minority students who are seeking community and connection. Solis said membership is also available to those who “respectfully wish to put in the work in order to be able to call themselves an ally; we welcome Allies, too!”

LISTA’s plans for the immediate future are to strengthen their membership with students who will feel a sense of purpose within the organization and fill available officer positions by the end of fall.

Students interested in joining LISTA or finding out more information about the organization can go to www.uhcl.edu/getinvolved, search “Latinx” and request to join. Membership dues are $5 per semester or $10 per academic year.

For more information on Hispanic Heritage Month events at UHCL, visit https://events.uhcl.edu/ or contact Associate Professor of Psychology Desdamona Rios at rios@uhcl.edu.

CORRECTION: 9/16/19 – The LLAS kickoff event will be Sept. 18. The article incorrectly stated the event would be Sept. 19. Additionally, the Social Work Program was incorrectly listed as Social Work.

EDITOR’S NOTE: 9/16/19 – The phrasing “the notorious Latinx/Hispanic disciplinary tool” to describe LISTA’s mascot was removed from the article and photo caption as it does not accurately reflect LISTA’s intention.

UPDATE: 10/1/19 – This article was updated to reflect changes made to the dates, times and information related to referenced events because of Tropical Storm Imelda.

For more Hispanic Heritage Month coverage, check out:

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INFOGRAPHIC: Hispanic population on track to be majority in Texas by 2022

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