In the following piece, which was read aloud at the spring 2013 banquet for majors and concentrators, graduating senior Georgia Greene reflects on the role of Latin American Studies in her personal and academic trajectory.
May 2nd, 2013
I would like to begin by saying that I believe I am in the extreme minority of St. Olaf students, in that I have never changed, added or subtracted a major. The day classes began my freshman year I said I would graduate with a Latin American Studies major. And I will. My major, however, is the only thing that has remained constant. My career trajectory has changed numerous times. I started as the usual Pre-med student, then moved to Social Work, then to Education, finally landing on Law. And Latin American Studies just molded along with me as I moved through these different fields, applying to all of them. I think that is really special.
When I entered Olaf, I had already lived for a month in Nicaragua and taken a few “subversive” courses, if you will, about Latin America and the “real” detrimental impact of U.S. foreign policy on Latin America in my high school. So, I began at Olaf with some already formed “revolutionary-like” conceptions about Latin America, albeit still ignorant ones. Over the years, concepts have been added, taken away and layers upon layers of complexities added to any and every issue addressed. I can say for certain – and Professor Villate is especially going to like this – I can say for certain that I am more confused now than ever before in my life. The concepts have become so complex that I can no longer fully comprehend them at once. As frustrating as that may be sometimes, I have come to terms with the fact that this may be exactly the point of college: to create the gray area between the black and white, and to make us frustrated.
Latin American Studies sent me to Central America – Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. This was perhaps the hardest semester of my life. What with, 5 weeks of bed fleas, and spending the night in an El Salvadorian hospital. And that’s only a couple of the physical hardships. Not to mention all the emotional and intellectual challenges I faced as a foreign student, a woman and as a minority. But I wouldn’t change any of it because those experiences were necessary in the continued cultivation of my social and ethical frameworks.
Last summer I worked as an intern at a Latino Community center in Madison, Wisconsin. I worked with another organizer to create a safe and inclusive environment for middle and high school girls where they could explore whatever they wished, be it their own lives, their families or society at large, through the expression of art and music. I do not have time to go into individual stories but it is safe to say that I have never been so inspired in my life. I worked as a facilitator, navigating that complicated line as a non-Latina in a Latina space. This experience finalized some of my feelings in connection with many things I have been working through at Olaf. And that is feelings of deep respect and honor. I feel so very honored to have had the opportunity to study, and interact with people who have different histories from my own, yet share many similarities as well.
As I move forward in pursuit of a law degree and work for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, I know my Latin American Studies major will continue to apply and only strengthen my work in these fields.
I personally want to thank all of the professors in the room tonight for your time, efforts and passion for Latin America and Hispanic Studies. And for your work for the continued existence of the Latin American Studies major. Because I needed this major. Thank you.
Georgia Greene ‘13