LSU assemblies seek to empower students

The Latino Student Union (LSU) held several assemblies in Mercer Hall on May 20 for the awareness of gender equality and freedom of speech. The presentations, done through powerpoints and speeches, were carried out by students in Ms. Cervantes’ class including Rufina Piche, Breana Acevedo, Britney Avelar, Evelyn Hernandez and Karina Sanchez. USC law professor Jody David Armour, advocate for feminism Kalee Childs and journalist Lynda Gorov were invited to speak about their work and experiences involving the issues at hand.

“I’m nappy but I’m happy,” Armour said, flashing a smile. Having faced his own experiences with discrimination due to his representation of his “natural self,” Armour spoke to the kids in LSU, talking about how his natural hair had been an obstacle for him in certain situations and how people would assume the “worst of him” because of it.

Gorov spoke about sexism in the workplace. She told her story about how she ventured into risky situations involving gangs and murders to get the perfect story. “Because of what I did, they couldn’t reject what I wrote,” she said. “It was too good.”

Organizers said that the focus of the assemblies was to encourage students to empower themselves and to express their individuality.