Unity in Diversity: LRC's Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations welcome all communities

As Hispanic Heritage Month continues, San Diego State University’s Latinx Resource Center (LRC) invites the campus community to join the campus celebration, emphasizing unity and inclusivity. 

LRC Assistant Director Erik Esqueda Sanchez said the month-long events, organized in collaboration with various student groups, aim to foster a welcoming environment for all. “We want to celebrate our comunidad year-round…this month is a chance to highlight the many intersections of Latino people across the diaspora, from the Caribbean to South America, Central America, and beyond." 

The LRC was established not only to support Latinx students, staff, and faculty but also to bridge communities and work together toward shared goals. The LRC’s mission is symbolized by a mural displaying the phrase: “We are tied to each other’s liberation,” a powerful reminder of interconnectedness across all communities.

“We’re not just open to students; we welcome parents, families, even little ones who come to hang out,” added Esqueda Sanchez. “It feels like a little ‘Casita’ here, but I’d love to have a real ‘Casa’ (home) where we could host more events, do more, and fully serve our students and the community the way they deserve here at SDSU.”

The LRC and the Gus & Emma Thompson Black Resource Center will launch Hispanic Heritage Month with a joint Carne Asada Cookout on Oct. 3 from noon to 3 p.m., showcasing the cultural intersections between the Latinx and Black communities. Building on last year's successful Carne Asada/Cookout, which drew over 500 students, this year’s event is expected to attract a similar or larger crowd. It will be held at the larger BRC, which recently announced a $5 million gift from Ron and Lloyd Dong Jr., enabling the center to support more students.

Esqueda Sanchez notes that both groups share similar traditions — Latinx families with "Carne Asadas" and Black families with "Cookouts" — and by merging these customs, the centers emphasize unity through shared values.

SDSU’s Hispanic/Latino enrollment, including SDSU Imperial Valley, is over 35%. But the diverse mix of communities on campus creates opportunities to visit other centers and share spaces. 

“We don’t see ourselves as just one community,” Esqueda Sanchez said. “We intersect with Asian, Black, Indigenous, migrant and undocumented communities. It's imperative for us to not just think about ourselves in our own separate areas.”

Esqueda Sanchez highlighted the significance of recognizing those who fought to create inclusive spaces, while also acknowledging the multifaceted nature of Latinx identities.

“It's very important to us that we continue to collaborate with our culture, with other cultural centers. And then continue learning about our own identities and how our identities are also so nuanced.”

The LRC, located in the Love Library, is a popular daily destination for students from across campus. Esqueda Sanchez expressed a desire for the LRC to expand, highlighting the need for more staff, academic specialists, and additional space. He noted that it took five years to secure the center and emphasized that now is the time for growth.

“I would love to see us evolve,” said Esqueda Sanchez.

For more information about upcoming Hispanic Heritage Month events hosted by the LRC, visit their website or follow them on Instagram.