http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2010/03/23/teatro_chicana_inspires_studen.aspx
March 23, 2010
By Robin Tilley
In 1971, female students at San Diego State University decided to
stand up and fight for peace, compassion and equality for their
generation of Chicana women.
And today, they're still fighting.
Members of Teatro Chicana performed Monday night in Paul Robeson
Cultural Center's Heritage Hall. The show was complete with skits and
readings from memoirs inspired by their decades-long struggle for
equality in the U.S., as well as their book, "Teatro Chicana: A
Collective Memoir and Selected Plays," published in April 2008.
The performance was presented by the Latina/o Studies Initiative, the
Department of Women's Studies, the Dominican Student Association and
other university sponsors.
Describing themselves as the first generation of Chicana women -- or
U.S. citizens of Mexican descent -- to have the opportunity to go to
college, members of Teatro Chicana said they have used education as a
weapon, focusing their anger on something productive.
"It was really inspiring to listen to the struggles of the first
generation of women who fought for the rights of Chicano and Latin
American students on college campuses," said Leticia Oseguera, who
teaches in the College of Education.
Oseguera said she thinks the main message of Teatro Chicana,
originally named "Teatro de las Chicanas," is to remain committed to
the political and social struggles of people who are marginalized in society.
The performers used music, comedy and tragic stories to explain their
personal journeys and struggles as well as general issues of sexism,
social problems and controversial topics in the last 40 years.
One of the founders of the group, Felicitas Nuñez, said the women
were inspired by the peace movement of the 1970s, as well as the
Civil Rights Movement.
"Rosa Parks is one of the women I hold dearly in my heart," Nuñez said.
However, besides civil rights and political issues, the women dealt
with general issues like sexism and male superiority in their culture
through their most infamous skit, "Bronca," meaning "wrangle," or
being ready to fight.
"I really enjoyed the 'Bronca' skit -- it shows empowerment, and in
order for any change to happen, we have to come together as a
community," said Stephanie Rivera, the Vice President of the
Dominican Student Association.
Rivera (senior-broadcast journalism) said the most important thing
for the audience is to learn about the experiences of not just
Chicana women, but all Latin Americans in the U.S.
She said Teatro Chicana shows the diversity and complexity of what
being Chicana and Latina in the U.S. is like.
Additional Teatro Chicana events include a book signing reception
today from 1 to 3 p.m. at Allen Street Grill, 100 W. College Ave.,
and an open mic night from 6 to 8 p.m. in Waring Commons.
There will also be a workshop entitled "Theatre as Pedagogy"
Wednesday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in 108 Chambers.
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