Students met in the Diversity Center to celebrate Hispanic culture. Photo by Jonathan Wang.
BELLA BUSSONE | STAFF REPORTER | bbussone@butler.edu
Latinx Student Union (LSU) is in the midst of its annual celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. This celebration spans from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 and recognizes how these communities have influenced and contributed to American society.
On Sept. 27 Butler students flooded the Efroymson Diversity Center to enjoy the fourth event hosted by the LSU this month, “Food Night”. The event had foods that originate from across Latin America, specifically Mexico and El Salvador. Dish options included an array of cultural cuisines such as tamales, pupusas and sopes.
Junior finance major Reigning Barrientos assisted in serving some of the food. Barrientos has been involved with the student organization since his first year and is now on the executive board of LSU as the communication strategist.
“[The] purpose is to showcase a variety of foods from different cultures within Latin America,” Barrientos said. “We want to show people that our foods are not the same and everyone has [their own] take on the different types of foods.”
Upon the arrival of food, the executive board introduced themselves along with what was on the menu for that night. There was enough food for attendees to try at least one dish that intrigued them. Madelyne Leibler, a junior strategic communication and art + design double major, enjoyed a dish among friends also within the organization.
“I have never eaten a majority of the foods that we were introduced to, so it helps me appreciate the background of them,” Liebler said. “We learned about where these foods are coming from, and you overhear people talking about how their families make the foods differently.”
LSU members were not the only group in attendance at the event, as it was open to all students, faculty and staff. Oscar Beltran, an assistant professor of health sciences, asked his Spanish/English Medical Interpretation course to attend the event.
“This class has a very high cultural component,” Beltran said. “I want my students to get exposure to the culinary parts of different cultures and have an understanding of the diets because it can benefit their conversational and interpretation skills.”
LSU is not only providing support and community for those in the organization, but also welcoming others and opening their doors for the common goal of awareness and knowledge. Food Night allowed for Beltran’s students to receive hands-on experience, something that cannot be obtained through photographs or lectures.
While the Food Night was a hit, LSU is frequently putting on new events such as Baile Night and Lotería Night. The organization continues to keep students updated via Instagram at @bu_latinxsu.
