Wednesday, October 21, 1998 The University Daily Kansan Section A·Page 5 Latina professors share how to stop stereotypes By Steph Brewer Kansan staff writer Two Latina professors presented their strategies for empowerment yesterday at the Latinas in Power program. Christina Arguello, professor of law, and Valerie Mendoza, assistant professor of history, lectured to 10 people yesterday afternoon in the Kansas Union's Alderson Auditorium. The program was part of Hispanic Heritage Month. Mendoza started by presenting media and cultural stereotypes of Latina women. She said two images were predominant: the illegal immigrant maid and the "luscious Latina" — a highly emotional, over-sexed woman. "I don't know about you, but I don't know anyone who fits these stereotypes." Mendoza said. She said that because Latino society was male-dominated, Latina women were often rendered face less and powerless. "I want to reinforce to you that this is not what's going on in daily life." Mendoza said. She said Latina women participated in many behind-the-scenes activities. Mendoza said this sort of "informal activism" was an important part of the community. Latina women have also traditionally been involved in formal activism, such as the League of United Latin American Citizens. Mendoza said half of the Kansas chapter's founders were women. Arguello said women didn't always get credit for their work. She said problems began early in life for Latina women. "I came from a very stereotypical Hispanic household: my father was the chief, my mother was subservient," she said. "There were many days I went on about how unfair life was because I wasn't born a man." She said many students said they faced the same issues. "You cannot allow peer pressure to get in your way, and on the other side, be supportive of each other," she said. A second obstacle for Arguello in striving for a career was peer pressure. She said that in high school when she announced her plans to go to Harvard law school, her classmates laughed at her. Despite their doubts, Arguello achieved her goal. Arguello said once she reached the professional world and was hired by a law firm, the battle continued. She said she fought problems by finding a mentor, which she said is a necessity. Janell Avila, president of the Hispanic American Leadership Organization, said that Latinas could empower themselves and break down stereotypes by being involved with University organizations. Stacy Greenbaum, Overland Park freshman, left; Dana Blecher, Lawrence resident and KU Hillel Foundation member, center; and Lauren Harmel, Dallas sophomore, make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the Kansas Union. Blecher and student volunteers made 300 sandwiches yesterday to distribute at Penn House, 1035 Pennsylvania St. Photo by Christina Neff/KANSAN Sandwiches feed the hungry Kansan staff writer By Pallavi Agarwal KU students yesterday spent time between classes making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches mixed with love, or mitzvah. The sandwich drive was organized by members of the KU Hillel Foundation. "In Judaism, one is traditionally supposed to help out the poor and needy. Mitzvah is a good deed that would benefit others," said Dana Blecher, Steinhardt Fellow with the Jewish Campus Service Corps for the KU Hillel Foundation. Members of the group were stationed in the Kansas Union from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., working together to make the 300 sandwiches they had planned. The sandwiches were donated to Penn House, 1035 Pennsylvania St., a voluntary agency that caters to the hungry. David Radom, St. Joseph, Mich., senior, said Jewish people often were stereotyped as not connected with charity. "In Judaism, we have the concept of Tzedakah, or charity, that many people do not know about," he said. He hoped the event would help to dispel some of the negative stereotypes connected with Jewish people but added that the main purpose was to help the hungry. An executive board member of Penn House said it did not take long for 300 sandwiches to be consumed by needy people, 95 percent of whom come from low-income families. "We set the food on the counter. Anyone who comes can take what they need for their family," said Loretta James, chairwoman of the executive board for the agency. KU Hillet Foundation and the Lawrence Jewish Community Center will be doing volunteer work for a community kitchen, LINK, 221 W. 10th St., from noon to 3 p.m. on Thursday. Interested students should contact Dana Blercher at 842-8011. Presentation bases focus on education Mayan leader speaks to students, faculty on improving society Alberto Esquit, a leader of the Mayan people of Guatemala's movement for political and cultural equality, said outsiders could help Mayans by opening doors for their education. By Kelli Raybern Kansan staff writer Esquit, a Kaqchikel Mayan linguist from Guatemala, addressed a crowd of about 30 students and faculty members at 4 p.m. yesterday at the Walnut Room in the Kansas Union. Esquit's speech, sponsored by the Center of Latin American Studies, was in Spanish. Ivonne Heinze, a Ph.D candidate in Linguistics at the University, translated Esquit's remarks. He said improving education for Mayans was central to the achievement of their other goals and praised programs created by Mayan people for Mayan people. Esquit said the Mayan people had three primary objectives: improving the economic and social position of the Mayan people, targeting increased political participation for Mayan people in Guatemala's government and improving the education of Mayan people. "The fact that this education is based on Mayan people's needs makes real an exercise of participation, an exercise of power," Heinze translated. Esquit said to achieve a society that respected all of its cultures it was important to teach Guatemalan Latinos who had been in positions of power. Andrea Batres-Chacón, Guatemala City, Guatemala, sophomore, said she had learned a lot about the Mayans' struggle since moving to the United States. "It's ironic that I've only started to pay more attention to what's going on in my own country now that I'm living somewhere else," she said. Batres-Chacon said it was important that their issues be discussed in the United States to forwarding the Mavans' cause "We have to raise international awareness for people in my country to understand what's going on there," she said. SOUTHWIND 12 3433 IOWA FEATURING STADIUM SEATING | | Sat. | Sun. | Daily | Fr. 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You can apply for entry to sell, just come by the SUA SUk Want to sell something fast? Use the Kansan Classifieds! THAT SURE DOESN'T SMELL LIKE A CIGARETTE YOU'RE SMOKING, BOY." Legal Services for Students 864-5665145 BURGE UNION JO HARDESTY, DIRECTOR BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT GETTING OUT OF THIS ONE ALONE. STUDENT SENATE MFG. COUPON EXPIRES DECEMBER 31, 1998 Save 50¢ ON ONE HOT POCKETS* , LEAN POCKETS* CROISSANT POCKETS* , Sandbread Salted HOT POCKETS* , PRIZZA MINI'S, or TOASTER BEAKFS* , Sandbread Salted The coupon good only on an order of product indicated in the CARD. COUPON LIST PURCHASE: The first order Chief America remembers you for the free purchase of the coupon. The second order Chief America remembers you for the free purchase of the coupon. Valid only if redeemed by distributions of our merchandise or anyone else. Chief America Department 4387, One River Drive, Dallas, TX 75216. CARTS DEPARTMENT 4387, One River Drive, Dallas, TX 75216. 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