INA, Ill. (Oct. 12, 2023)—The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Cultural Events (DEIC) Committee at Rend Lake College celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) by bringing in special guest speaker, Dr. Ted Cohen from SIU Carbondale.
Cohen’s talk presented on RLC campus on September 28th was titled: “What’s In a Song? ‘La bamba’ in Mexico and the United States.” In this talk he examined the cultural, racial and geographic meanings behind the song ‘La bamba,’ made famous by Ritchie Valens. La bamba is a traditional song and dance, originating in Venezuela, that traveled across countries, hearts, and cultures that would help influence the Chicano movement in the U.S.
Cohen (BA, Yale University; Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park) is an associate professor of Africana Studies and History, with a focus in Latin America, at SIU Carbondale.
Cohen studies history through a cultural point of view, taking pop culture movements and entertainment—music, art, poetry, and film—to understand the deeper history of a country, and he reflects that same interest of study in his teaching style.
He said that most of his students have never been in a curriculum that so closely examines other country’s cultures, saying that those topics are not typically covered in their high school education. Cohen has found that teaching history and race through the lens of art, media, and music is a great way to engage with his students and help aid them in expanding their world view.
He mentioned that it is important for everyone to get involved in Hispanic Heritage Month, even if they themselves don’t identify as Hispanic. “Diversity shapes our country and the global world,” Cohen said. “So if we don’t understand people who aren’t like us, we don’t appreciate the world in which we live.”
For more information on DEI events at RLC, contact RLC Student Success and Wellness Coordinator Sarah Draper at drapers@rlc.edu or call 618-437-5321, ext. 1264.
Fall 2023 DEI Cultural Events Calendar
Tuesday, October 24 @ 11 a.m., Student Center 110
Janine Armstrong, SIU-C Graduate Instructor - “Empowering Ourselves and Others: Intersectionality at Its Best.”
Wednesday, October 25 @ 11 a.m., Student Center 110
Jonathon Walters – “Communicating Through Artistic Outlets: A Perspective From Autism.”
Wednesday, October 25 @ Noon, Student Center 110
Visiting Author: Rafael Frumpkin
Thursday, October 26 @ 11 a.m., Student Center 110
Lauren Cross – “Lead Crisis and Environmental Impact.”
Friday, October 27 @ 1 p.m., Student Center 110
Brittney Warren – “LCPC: Let’s Talk About Anxiety.”
October 27 – December 1, Theater Lobby
Visiting Artist: Janet Bixler