About
National Hispanic Heritage Month traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries. During this month and throughout the year, the National Park Service and our partners, share history, heritage, and accomplishments of Hispanic and Latino Americans of past and present.
All events are open to Coastline students, staff, faculty and loved ones!
At Coastline
National Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 to October 15. To celebrate, the Coast District will be highlighting staff, faculty, and students. If you would like to participate, please fill out the questionnaire.
Submissions are optional and meant for public release (such as social media). Please send a photo of yourself to amylee@cccd.edu for the artwork.
UPCOMING EVENTS
All events are open to Coastline students, staff, faculty and loved ones!
August 27th
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
The Power of Language - “Quien, Soy Yo?”
Led by Nadya Zamora and Leighia Fleming
Join us as we explore and breakdown the many identities used in the Chicana/o/x, Latina/o/x communities. This discussion also explores the intersections of gender and sexuality in these identities. Some questions answered will include: What is the history behind these identities? Why is there a lean toward the term Latina/o/x? How do gender and sexuality impact identity? Why is the term Hispanic used?
Following we will have a conversation about how we as a college can holistically better serve our Latinx students at Coastline.
September 15th
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Curanderismo: Healing the Heart & Restoring the Spirit
Led by Grace Alvarez Sesma
In Curanderismo, a heart-to-heart talk (Plática) is the place where one’s heart is safe to have a compassionate and open conversation. Where we are in a circle with friends, colleagues, and family, in this virtual circle, we will share insights, concerns, and remembrances of healing customs set aside as a result of colonialism, the demands of academia, and the dominant narrative.
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La cultura cura (culture heals) is a phrase often used today as a way of acknowledging that the cultural and spiritual practices of our ancestors, practices that we once turned away from, are now recognized as having a profound positive effect on our mental health and wellness. After exploring ways to use cultural practices to remain grounded, centered, and more able to respond appropriately to the challenges of being amid a pandemic and a brittle political climate, we will conclude with a group healing ceremony.
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Quote:
"The curandera is not only a healer of the body, but also a restorer of faith in one’s own inner wisdom.... She guides us in non-judgmental self-reflection, and helps us let go of attachments to people and situations that have caused us pain.” —Grace Alvarez Sesma
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"Our ways are good medicine: for us, for Mother Earth, and for future generations. This is why I share ways to embody the spirit of reciprocity and encourage positive life-affirming changes in one's personal and spiritual life. It is a return to the cultural medicine ways and values of our ancestors." — Grace Alvarez Sesma
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A few days before the healing ceremony, please purchase:
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Candle (may be taper candle or glass-encased candle). May be white, blue, green or red — follow your intuition.
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If you have received instructions on Indigenous forms of smudging, please have your materials in accordance with your tradition (abalone shell, bowl, sagebrush or white sage or yarrow, feather, etc.)
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A bowl large enough that you can place your hands in it which you will fill with water on the day of the ceremony.
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(Optional) A couple of flowers (or cedar leaves) whose petals you will place in the water. They can be roses, carnations, or marigolds.
The day before the healing ceremony:
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Set aside a few moments for reflection.
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What is in your heart? Your mind?
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How does your physical body feel?
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How are you feeling about being in ceremony?
On the day of the healing ceremony:
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Create a private space for yourself. Turn off cell phones, telephones and make it known that you have set aside this time for to take care of yourself.
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Set up the table or shelf near you on which you will place your smudging materials (not necessary if you haven’t received teachings on this Indigenous practice), the bowl filled with water and flower petals/cedar leaves, and the candle that we will light all at the same time.
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Give yourself permission to participate fully in the ceremony, with the understanding that if you feel uncomfortable at any time you are free to say so and can choose to remain in mindful silence as the rest of your relatives continue.
October 9th
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Latinx Leads Student Leadership Conference
Led by Latinx Leads
The Latinx Leads Student Leadership Conference is the largest national gathering of Latinx student leaders and campus-based advisors to address the most critical topics of diversity and social justice challenging our Latinx community within colleges and universities. We are excited that you have decided to join us at our 2021 Virtual Conference
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Contact Leighia Fleming at lfleming5@coastline.edu to register.
October 13th
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Celebration of Life: The Importance of Honoring Our Dead As We Reclaim Our Lives
Led by Consuelo Flores
Dia de los Muertos is in essence, a healing celebration of life. In a year that has been historic in the loss of life, of the isolation that the pandemic has required of our communities, it's become more important to connect and focus on the beauty of our existence and how to remember the joy of our beloved families, even through the pain of loss.
To that end, there are three simple yet important aspects to the cultural celebration of Dia de los Muertos:
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It is a beautiful way to memorialize and remember those we've lost who were important to us in our lives.
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The celebration is also a recognition that we will all travel this journey.
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All life is to be valued, celebrated, nurtured and respected.
Within our community, especially now as we collectively experience deep loss and mourning, this celebration offers an opportunity for shared healing and a profound understanding of our interconnectedness and resilience while also offering a spiritual restoration.
Come learn about the history of Dia de los Muertos and how to build an altar.
Here are a few questions to ask if you are planning on building an altar:
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Describe the person in three words.
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What was that person's passion?
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Where was that person most happy?
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What did that person enjoy doing most?
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Identify three material objects that, when you see any of them, you think of that person. (Can be animate or inanimate.)
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What were that person's favorite foods/drinks?
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What is/are your favorite memories of that person?
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Where/how did you meet?
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What place reminds you of that person?
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When you think of that person now, what do you see first?
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Materials Needed:
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Goldenrod, orange, and fuschia colored tissue paper;
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The same colored or black pipe cleaners,
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A small box to be used as an altar, and
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Either one large (to fit in the box) copy of a photo or a few smaller ones of who they're honoring.
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Small items that represent the person/people they're honoring.