2008 Woodie Awards
Your Take
Letters to the editor
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: Perspectives
'Hispanic' has broad connotations
I'm responding to the article concerning the Hispanic Culture Center in the Sept. 26 issue of The All State. I found it interesting and insightful, especially the remarks made by Jessica Rivera. First and foremost, I want to thank all of the individuals who gave of their time and effort to put this event together. Their efforts are greatly appreciated by everyone in the Hispanic community.
Rivera was quoted as saying that she was offended by all of the Mexican decorations. While I take offense to her remarks because I am of Mexican descent and her comments offered no appreciation for my culture, I can understand why Rivera feels the way she does. She is Puerto Rican, not Mexican, and what we have in common is simply our language and not our culture.
While each individual and family adopts various customs from their place of origin, my roots and culture are of the indigenous people of the Americas and of the Spanish colonial settlers in Texas. I consider myself Native American, Tejaña, Chicana and Mejicana, but because of my Spanish surname I am classified Hispanic.
Needless to say, the APSU Hispanic Culture Center is available for individuals like Rivera. She needs only to participate and provide information or décor that represents her Puerto Rican roots.
Pat Trevino
Free speech: Use it or lose it
Thank you The All State for educating the rest of us about the existence of the sanctioned free speech area and the university's restrictions on this activity. Yes, the university is run as a business and the managers in charge try to stifle certain activities that perhaps they don't really have the authority to do. Everyone should remember that Austin Peay State University is actually a creature of the state and not a private business. This means that there are certain rights that exist, such as due process, freedom of assembly and freedom of speech, that do not exist on private property or in a private business. It is this existence of these additional rights that nurture and foster the exchange of ideas that make a university campus such a truly special place.
I'm responding to the article concerning the Hispanic Culture Center in the Sept. 26 issue of The All State. I found it interesting and insightful, especially the remarks made by Jessica Rivera. First and foremost, I want to thank all of the individuals who gave of their time and effort to put this event together. Their efforts are greatly appreciated by everyone in the Hispanic community.
Rivera was quoted as saying that she was offended by all of the Mexican decorations. While I take offense to her remarks because I am of Mexican descent and her comments offered no appreciation for my culture, I can understand why Rivera feels the way she does. She is Puerto Rican, not Mexican, and what we have in common is simply our language and not our culture.
While each individual and family adopts various customs from their place of origin, my roots and culture are of the indigenous people of the Americas and of the Spanish colonial settlers in Texas. I consider myself Native American, Tejaña, Chicana and Mejicana, but because of my Spanish surname I am classified Hispanic.
Needless to say, the APSU Hispanic Culture Center is available for individuals like Rivera. She needs only to participate and provide information or décor that represents her Puerto Rican roots.
Pat Trevino
Free speech: Use it or lose it
Thank you The All State for educating the rest of us about the existence of the sanctioned free speech area and the university's restrictions on this activity. Yes, the university is run as a business and the managers in charge try to stifle certain activities that perhaps they don't really have the authority to do. Everyone should remember that Austin Peay State University is actually a creature of the state and not a private business. This means that there are certain rights that exist, such as due process, freedom of assembly and freedom of speech, that do not exist on private property or in a private business. It is this existence of these additional rights that nurture and foster the exchange of ideas that make a university campus such a truly special place.
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