Upcoming Event: Dia de los Muertos 2011 @ SPH 11/2 & 11/3

Post by Claudia Ivette Sanchez

El Dia de los Muertos is a ritual that has indigenous roots and has been practiced for over 3000 years. Outside of Mexico, other Latin American countries like Guatemala, Ecuador, Bolivia and Brazil continue to celebrate this ritual. With the influx of Latin American people in the US, many US cities collaborate to continue this celebration, as well.

 The current tradition consists of basic principles adapted from the originating Aztec ritual (such as the use of skulls), but in modern day it is highly influenced by Catholic theology. The skulls were used to symbolize death and rebirth and were used to honor the dead, whom the Aztecs and other Meso-American civilizations believed came back to visit during the ritual.

Unlike the Spaniards, who viewed death as the end of life, the natives viewed it as the continuation of life. Instead of fearing death, they embraced it. To them, life was a dream and only in death did they become truly awake. However, the Spaniards considered the ritual to be sacrilegious. They perceived the indigenous people to be barbaric and pagan. The ritual was celebrated throughout the duration of the 9th month of the Aztec calendar. To make the ritual more Christian, the Spaniards moved it so it coincided with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 1 and 2), which is when it is celebrated today.

There is a vast diversity in the way this tradition is celebrated and often varies from town to town. In some areas family members visit the cemetery, while others create altars in memory of the deceased in their homes or community spaces. These altars transform into the space where the living and the dead can reconnect. People place offerings, photos and memorabilia, and many more items that show their respect and remembrance of the deceased.

Join us on Wednesday 11/2 and Thursday 11/3 from noon-3pm at SPH 1 and check out our altar display, learn more about this tradition, health issues afttecting the Latino community, and have a bit of fun with some arts and crafts!

Dia de los Muertos 2011 @ UM SPH brought to you by La Salud.

La Salud at Prospective Student Day 2011

Post by Claudia Ivette Sanchez

Four members of La Salud attended Prospective Student Day 2011 at the University of Michigan School of Public Health on Saturday, October 22nd. Part of the Prospective Student Day Agenda included a Student Organization Fair that gave interested students an opportunity to learn about the active groups within the UM School of Public Health. Daniel Chavez-Yenter, Lanette Garcia, Claudia Ivette Sanchez, and Gerardo Rodriguez hosted La Salud’s information table and got to chat with future MPH’ers. Aside from giving information about La Salud, our members were able to answer questions for prospective students about applications, requirements, and life as an MPH graduate student at U of M.

Please follow us on facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/UMLaSalud

La Salud will be having a Dia de los Muertos event in the next coming week. Stay tuned for details!

Cuatro miembros de La Salud atendieron El Dia de el Estudiante Prospectivo 2011  de la escuela de salud publica en la Universidad de Michigan el Sabado 22 de Octubre. Parte de la agenda de El Dia de el Estudiante Prospectivo incluyo una feria de organizaciones que les dio la oportunidad a estudiantes interesados para aprender sobre las organizaciones activas en la escuela de salud publica. Daniel Chavez-Yenter, Lanette Garcia, Claudia Ivette Sanchez y Gerardo Rodriguez hospedaron la meza de La Salud y charlaron con futuros MPH-istas. Aparte de dar informacion  sobre La Salud, nuestros miembros contestaron preguntas sobre solicitudes, requisitos y sobre la vida como estudiante de MPH (Maestria de Salud Publica) en la Universidad de Michigan.

Por favor, siganos en facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/UMLaSalud
La Salud tendra un evento para el Dia de los Muertos en la proxima semana. Esten atentos para mas detalles!

La Salud’s first Speaker Series event was a success!

On Thursday, November 19th, La Salud hosted the first speaker of it’s series La Vida Latina, highlighting health issues that Latinos face. Our guest speaker, Larry LaFountain Stokes is Associate Professor of Latina/o Studies in the American Culture Department here at U of M. Dr. LaFountain-Stokes presented two short films dealing with HIV/AIDS and Latinos: AIDS in the Barrio, Eso No Me Pasa a Mi and Just Like You Imagined.

After viewing the film participants shared their comments and reactions to both films, providing very insightful questions to ponder on such as the accuracy of the HIV facts presented and the use of such short films to promote HIV testing.

The food selection was also great! Students had the opportunity to taste delicious casamiento (rice and beans), Salvadoran tamales and fried plantains with sweet cream.

Dr. Larry LaFountaine-Stokes

Mmmm! Yummy food, que rica comida!

Students at the first Latino Lecture Series: La Vida Latina

El jueves 19 de noviembre, La Salud presentó al primer orador de su serie La Vida Latina, la cual busca enfatizar los problemas que enfrenta la comunidad Latina. Nuestro invitado especial fue el Dr. Larry LaFountaine-Stokes, profesor asociado del Estudios Latinos del Departamento de Cultura Americana aquí en la Universidad de Michigan. El Dr. LaFountain-Stokes mostró dos cortometrajes que abordan el tema del VIH/SIDA y la comunidad Latina, SIDA en el Barrio, Eso No Me Pasa a Mi y Tal Como lo Imaginaste.

Después de ver los cortometrajes hubo oportunidad para compartir nuestros comentarios y reacciones hacia ambos videos, que dieron lugar a muy buenas preguntas como la veracidad de la informacion sobre el HIV presentada en el video y el uso de tales para promover la prueba del VIH.

La comida estuvo deliciosa! Los que llegaron tuvieron la oportunidad de saborear un delicioso casamiento (arroz con frijoles), tamales salvadoreños, y plátanos fritos con crema dulce.