“I think it’s really scary when you don’t see examples of yourself in something you want to do. Because, although, no one may ever say “this isn’t for you” that’s the kind of message because there’s no blueprint to follow.” (-Elizabeth Acevedo at Ithaca College)
On Wednesday evening, September 7th, 2016 at 7:00pm in IC Square, world-renowned poet and social justice activist Elizabeth Acevedo took the stage and infiltrated minds with the rawness of her original art (poetry) and invaded the comfort zones of the crowd through her authentic delivery of words crafted from personal experience, pain, joy, struggle, and love. This event was hosted by Poder, a student organization dedicated to fostering and promoting diversity and awareness of Hispanic/Latino culture while motivating Latino/Hispanic students to excel academically and socially to ultimately find a place to call casa (home) here at Ithaca College.
With over twelve years of performance experience, Acevedo has been a featured performer on BET and Mun2, as well as delivered several TED Talks. She has graced stages nationally and internationally including renowned venues such as The Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, the Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts, and South Africa’s State Theatre.
Acevedo engaged the audience through topics of self-love and hate, body image and hair beyond normalcy and what we deem to be acceptable standards of beauty, rape culture and sexual violence, the repercussions of interracial love from society and loved ones, education, creating your own path in the classroom, and allowing "the hurt" to be seen and acknowledged before the healing can begin. This event was a powerful opening for Latinx Heritage month and a meaningful space for attendees.
Kudos to Poder and Elizabeth Acevedo.
To view images from the event, please visit https://orgsync.com/90192/photos/albums/95841
For more information about Heritage Months sponsored by OSEMA, please visit https://www.ithaca.edu/sacl/osema/multicultural/months/
For more information about OSEMA and upcoming events, please visit https://www.ithaca.edu/sacl/osema/
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https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20160908141925892