HARLINGEN — As far back as Beto Conde can remember, he identified himself as a Chicano growing up in San Benito.
“Before the politics was involved, we called ourselves Chicanos,” Conde said.
Now 68, Conde, was a presenter at TSTC’s The Strength and Pride of Chicanos Humanities Symposium at the Artist’s Forum yesterday.
Conde recited stories from his book, “America Down by the River.”
Growing up in San Benito, Conde explained to the audience about living in a dual culture speaking Spanish at home and English at school where it was prohibited to speak in his native tongue.
“Not everybody can speak two languages,” Conde said. “It’s important and something to be proud of.”
The other presenters at the Artist’s Forum were Ramiro Rodriguez, Rene Garza and Jose Alvarez.
The symposium continues through today and tomorrow. It hosts a diverse set of events and movie screenings.
The week-long celebration began on April 4 highlighting contributions Latino Americans have made to music, art, and literature.
A screening of episode 5 of the Latino Americans series entitled, Prejudice and Pride, produced by PBS was held last night with a panel discussion following the screening.
Today, Dr. Manuel Medrano is presenting on the life and work of educator and author, Americo Parades, who wrote the story of Gregorio Cortez who was chased by the Texas Rangers on false accusations of murder.
TSTC student Jessie Bibitin, Spanish major, said the symposium was a good event that highlighted the heritage of the Latino culture.
Bibitin attended the Artists Forum yesterday to hear the authors read their work.
“I like to come to these types of events so I can have a feeling of what it used to be,” Bibitin said.
TSTC was one of 203 grant recipients from across the country to receive the Americans: 500 Years of History Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The grant proposal was written by sociology and psychology professor Dr. Richard Kirk, who has taught at TSTC for more than 20 years.
“Latino Americans are the country’s largest minority group, with more than 50 million people, and still many people are unaware of their rich and varied history and culture,” Kirk said. “The awarding of this grant provides TSTC the opportunity to explore this topic in our community.”
If you go
Today
TSTC: The Strength and Pride of Chicanos Humanities Symposium
Manuel Medrano presentation on Americo Padedes
In room W-135A
9:05-10 a.m. and 10:10 a.m. to 11:05 a.m
Insight poetry reading
LRC Orientation Room
12 to 1 p.m.
Evening Movie:
Cesar Chavez
LRC Orientation Room
5:30 p.m. to 7: 30 p.m.
Thursday
TSTC Talks – Student/Faculty presentation of Chicano Influences
LRC Orientation Room
Digital Stories on Religion and Culture
8 to 9:25 a.m
Chicano Leaders
9:35 to 11 a.m.
Stencil Workshop
11:10 to 12:35 p.m.
