We started off by visiting the Levine Museum of the New South where the exhibit NUEVOlution just opened this past weekend. It's a wonderful exhibit chock full of interactive activities, historical to current-day information, and most importantly - actual community members and leaders from our immediate area. The exhibit also highlights the works of 14 regional artists - one of which is my husband! :) When I scheduled this field trip a few months ago, my husband had not yet signed on to do a piece for NUEVOlution - so it was a nice treat for my students to see his work as a part of this great exhibit!
NUEVOlution starts with the history of Hispanics in the US, reminding us all that way back when native Mexicans, often referred to as 'Chicanos' today, established much of the southwest - way before their Anglo counterparts came along. From there, we are taken on a journey through the decades showing us how the Latino population has grown in the US. An in-depth look at immigration leads into a fantastic flow chart detailing the complicated path to citizenship. Food, faith, activism, social justice, stereotypes, dance, music, etc. are all explored throughout NUEVOlution - commenting that it's comprehensive would be an understatement. NUEVOlution will be on display through October 30, 2016. A whole year's time to enjoy it - I've already been three times in the past seven days!
The only thing I could comment that NUEVOlution lacks in highlighting is the millions of people like me living in the United States! According to the Pew Hispanic Research Center, "Spanish is spoken by more non-Hispanics in U.S. homes than any other non-English language." I am a direct by-product of this "nuevolution." I am not Hispanic, but a Spanish speaker (more or less from childhood) because of an immigrant family I became close to - which then led me to meet and marry a Colombian native. We speak Spanish in the home, my oldest child is completely bilingual, and my 3 year old is speaking-Spanish only! This demographic speaks volumes as to how our country's meshing of cultures is actually taking place. In 2013, it was reported there are 2.8 million of us (non-Hispanics) fully embracing the culture and using Spanish in the home!
"An Immigrant's Tale" by Nico Amortegui
After the Levine, I took the students to the International House (in Plaza-Midwood) so they could attend a real conversation hour. All were very nervous to say the least, but I assured them getting outside their comfort zone wouldn't kill them! If you're not familiar with the International House, it has been around since 1981 and provides assistance to immigrants and foreign-born citizens in our area. They carry out numerous programs, but one I like to promote is their FREE Language Conversation Hours, which they offer weekly and in 10 different languages.
Upon arrival, students first met Raul - the conversation circle's leader. Raul is an octogenarian from Chile and has been leading this weekly Spanish conversation hour for as long as I can remember. He may not remember me, but I remember him! :)
Raul and I chatted it up for a few minutes while my wide-eyed students attempted to calm their nerves! If you've never participated in a public convo hour, there are a few basic rules: must stay in target language, no judgement, and no politics! For the most part, there's a committed group of retired attendees, lunch hour business professionals, and ever so often teachers / students. While my kiddos entered with much trepidation, they left feeling confident and inspired! That is what I love about conversation hour! No matter your level - novice or advanced - the environment is so welcoming that everyone leaves feeling accomplished!
We ended this wonderful day by eating at Sabor Latin Street Grill, and it was yummy! The students tried arepas rellenas, empanadas, mazorca, and churros - and they LOVED it all!
The opportunity to share with my students a little bit of my world (the places I go, the things I eat, the people I know) and for them to trust me in leading them outside their comfort zone is special. They (I hope) learn and grow from such an experience; and I in turn, get to experience the things I love through a fresh lens, learning new perspectives each time.
This is what teaching and learning is all about - the experience!
