May 2022 Newsletter

Dear Latin Americanist Community,

May is full of important celebrations in Latin America and the world. Right off the bat, on May 1, we celebrate International Workers Day or el día internacional del trabajador. Last Sunday, in many Latin American cities and elsewhere, in demonstrations big and small, thousands of workers marched for workers’ rights. On May 5, Mexico commemorates the battle of Puebla (la batalla de Puebla), a historic combat when the Mexican army, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, defeated French forces. While Mexicans were not able to stop the French occupation and the installation of a European emperor, the battle of Puebla stands as a monument to anti-imperialism and self-determination in Latin America and beyond. Interestingly, the commemoration of 5 de Mayo started in the United States, promoted by Mexican Americans, who used the celebration to highlight the republican values connecting Mexico and the United States. How do I know this? Because of the extensive research of our colleague and LAI affiliate, David Hayes-Bautista (School of Medicine), on the subject. Check out his book El Cinco de Mayo. An American Tradition.

During the month of May, we also celebrate Mother’s Day. Depending on the country, el día de las madres is observed on May 10 or on a Sunday in May. Just a few days later, on May 15, Colombia and Mexico honor teachers and mentors. The date of Teachers’ Day varies widely, with several South American countries celebrating mentors in different months of the year. Congratulations to the mothers and teachers of Latin American! We value your tireless efforts to raise and educate all of us as kind and principled human beings! 

Congratulations also to our colleague and LAI affiliate Patricia Gándara (School of Education and Information Studies), who was recently elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, together with 10 other UCLA faculty. In addition to being an accomplished researcher of the school experiences of children of immigrants, Professor Gándara is a determined advocate and public intellectual, whose work advances civil rights and just educational policies across borders.

This is the last full month of the academic year, and the LAI calendar is packed with in-person events and webinars. As previously announced, on May 12 the LAI, the Center for Mexican Studies and co-sponsoring institutes and centers will hold a mini-conference on labor and the Covid-19 pandemic in Latin America. The mini conference will include a panel on Gig workers and another one on agricultural laborers. The event brings together scholars from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Check the LAI calendar for details on this and many other events taking place this month organized by the LAI and its affiliated centers. 

Finally, please consider donating to the mission of the UCLA Latin American Institute and its centers, programs, and working groups. Your generous contributions support the lively intellectual life of the institute, student research, and our vibrant outreach activities. Thanks!

Rubén Hernández-León,
Director of the UCLA Latin American Institute