Hispanic Month features two speakers at NIU

By R. Scott Lohman

National Hispanic Month events continue today with two speeches in the Holmes Student Center’s Illinois Room.

The first speech featuring Dr. Jorge Prieto, a Chicago physician who is the author of the Christopher Award winning book, Harvest of Hope, will be held today at 3 p.m.

Prieto’s speech titled, “The Immigrant Experience: A Personal Account,” will be about his experiences of being in exile and of being a migrant farmer. He also will speak about his autobiographical book.

Prieto is known throughout Chicago for his work with education, labor and health organizations, said Liz Monge, NIU junior communications major.

“Prieto is a believer in community. He makes sacrifices for it, and he doesn’t forget people,” Monge said, adding that Prieto is “walking history.”

Alicia Rioseco, senior journalism major and chair of the National Hispanic Month Planning Committee, said that Prieto had “done a lot for the Latino community in Chicago.”

“He’s an excellent role model,” Rioseco said.

The other speech, featuring NIU Spanish literature professor Elena Ray, will be held tonight at 7 p.m. in the Holmes Student Center’s Illinois Room. She will speak about “machismo,” and its history and effects.