How Lindsey Luis represents Latinx power

Olivia Eldredge | Copy Editor As the Center for Intercultural Learning and Affirmation building at WSU Vancouver remains vacant and closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one student in particular, has kicked off the start by bringing it virtually back to life. While making a name for herself in the political field, educating others about Hispanic heritage and selling homemade sorbet straight from her home, Lindsey Luis is the example of an ultimate powerhouse.

In addition to being CILA’s intercultural outreach and retention leader, Luis is a sophomore this year majoring in social sciences with a concentration in political science and criminal justice. Making it possible for students to connect over Zoom to attend various workshops and events, Luis offers a safe space for discourse about personal experiences and to bring together all people with different identities.

Luis hosted her first workshop titled “Mexico-Centrism, what is it?” on Sept. 4, where she discussed various aspects of Latinx culture, Hispanic Heritage Month and what it means to appreciate all cultures in Latin America. One of the most prevalent topics discussed during the workshop was the proper use and dissemination of terms such as Latinx.

“Latinx is a very new term that a lot of people have really wanted to take in and use more often. Particularly, I have seen younger people use it more often and more interchangeably because it is a gender-neutral term. The ‘x’ replaces the ‘o’ in Latino or Latina, with just an ‘x’ so you can be she, her, they, them, he, him without being misgendered,” Luis said.

As for the celebration of Hispanic Heritage month, Luis personally celebrates by advocating for events that support Latinx culture as a whole, while spreading awareness about historically marginalized groups.

“There is a lot of negativity in the world, but there is some positivity here and there, and many [Latinx achievements] are done by people who are oftentimes underrepresented or silenced. So, being able to uplift these voices is how I like to participate,” Luis said.

Although Luis is busy facilitating workshops and actively supports CILA, she also discussed her involvement with politics and actively encourages others to have a voice with their vote.

“I have immigrant parents, there is a lot of fear for our community, and that connects people as a whole. … [There’s] a lot of brutal and inhumane treatment that a lot of people were going through because of [the Trump] administration. So I felt kind of hopeless, but I realized [change] starts from home,” Luis said.

Making the most of her political involvement, Luis has volunteered in voter registration drives, which are events that encourage people to register as voters, and take part in local or national elections.

“Even in high school, I did a lot of voter registration drives. [I had] a green clipboard, just trying to get people to register to vote so they were able to vote, not just for national elections but also for little things at home. … I have always wanted to bring that awareness to people, allow people to have that opportunity, because, I knew for myself, my parents never told me to register to vote.”

In her free time, Luis makes and sells sorbet using her family’s special recipe that has been passed down through generations. Although her family does not have an official business, she said her mother has wanted to open an ice cream shop in the future.

“[The recipe] has been in my family since I was really small, and as I grew up my mom taught me how to make it. Now that I am older, she is like ‘okay, let us try to share it a little bit.’ It has been a 100 plus year tradition or so that we have on my mom’s side of the family, [but] right now it is not an official business,” Luis said.

Luis said she is looking forward to what fall semester has in store and is excited to bring people together through virtual CILA events. The next workshop Luis is planning to host is a commemoration of first-generation college attendees on Nov. 6, which will involve a reception and keynote speaker. Additionally, CILA events are held every Friday for students to join their ongoing conversations about creating a safe space to promote equity, diversity and inclusion.