Diálogo' s 25th Anniversary Fall Recap

by Laura Pachón

Diálogo: An Interdisciplinary Studies Journal, is a double-blind peer-reviewed publication that features original research articles and artistic work with a focus on the experiences of US Latinx/a/o, Latin American, Afro-Latinx/a/o, and Indigenous populations Established in 1996, Diálogo is issued twice a year with support from DePaul University's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and the Office of the Provost As our name implies, Diálogo is distinguished by our effort to promote dialogue between scholars, artists, public intellectuals, and other communities.

Diálogo seeks to publish creative scholarship and cultural expressions that reflect transformative and activist initiatives We welcome general submissions throughout the year, as well as proposals for themed issues Themed issues explore a specific, engaging topic relevant to Latinx experiences using interdisciplinary viewpoints and methodologies Each issue of Diálogo also features creative writing and visual art (published in full color), as well as book and media reviews; occasionally we publish interviews We seek to affirm the linguistic plurality of our communities, so in addition to works in English and Spanish, we will consider submissions in other languages Please send queries and submissions to the editor at dialogo@depaul edu

This past Fall Quarter, the Center for Latino Research had the honor of celebrating Diálogo’s 25th Anniversary. The Director of the Center, Dr. Bill Johnson González, moderated an evening discussion with the guest thematic editors from Diálogo 24 1: William Arcé, Michael Cucher, and José Navarro. The theme of this issue was Latinx Detective and Noir Narratives. The event began with a brief introductory presentation on the history of Diálogo as an academic journal here at DePaul University The Dean of the

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Guillermo Vásquez de Velasco, gave a warm welcome speech to indicate how he had learned about Diálogo, an academic journal focusing on Latinx topics within Latin America and the United States, prior joining DePaul Dean Vásquez de Velasco described Diálogo as having been ahead of its time, and since joining DePaul, his appreciation for the work of Diálogo has only continued to grow

Once everyone had gathered food and refreshments, the attendees were able to sit down for a live reading via Zoom by Alicia Gaspar de Alba, a faculty member in the English Department of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) First, Alicia gave a reading from her publication Desert Blood: The Juarez Murders, a book that bases its fictional storyline on the real-life setting of Juarez during a time of increased femicide of women who worked in maquiladoras. This was followed by personal presentations by all three thematic editors. Michael Cucher from the University of Puerto Rico, presented on “Latinx Detective and Noir Narratives ” This presentation was an overview of the noir genre and the particular contributions made by Latinx writers. Next, José Navarro, from California Polytechnic University, presented on “A Browner Shade of Noir: Luis Valdez’s Zoot Suit as Decolonial Noir ” This presentation focused on an analysis breakdown of the 1981 movie Zoot Suit as a political statement that criticized the racial perception of Mexican American men in 20th-century California The last presenter, William Arcé from California State University, Fresno, discussed “Murder in Military Fatigues: Interrogating Military Masculinity in Lucha Corpi’s Eulogy for a Brown Angel ” He read excerpts from his research that critiques the US military institution and how it negatively impacts cultural ideas of masculinity within the Latinx community.

Overall, the presentations gave the audience a well-rounded understanding of the theme of Noir Fiction for this issue of Diálogo and an overall idea of the research conducted to be published in an academic journal In addition, there were great open discussions on the underlying political message behind a majority of Latinx noir literature and cinematography. We here at the Center for Latino Research were so proud to see the hard work of the editors and researchers be well celebrated at the 25th Anniversary Symposium.

Bill Johnson González giving the introductory presentation

Bill Johnson González giving the introductory presentation

Dean Vásquez de Velasco of CLAS giving his welcome speech to the audience

William Arcé presenting "Murder in Military Fatigues: Interrogating Military Masculinity in Lucha Corpi's Eulogy for a Brown Angel

José Navarro presenting "A Browner Shade of Noir: Luis Valdez's Zoot Suit as Decolonial Noir"

Michael Cucher presenting "Latinx Detective and Noir Narratives"