Silver City NM- Today WNMU is hosting Las Cafeteras, a band out of East L.A. The members of this elite group of musicians set out in 2008 to share the stories of their immigrant families as well as to spread positive messages to communities everywhere. Earlier this afternoon they held a workshop at WNMU’s Light Hall Theatre and the message was this; we all have a story, we all have experiences both positive and negative but those experiences make us who we are and that is something we need to embrace.
The talk started off with simple facts. Within a one mile radius of Roosevelt High School (the most overpopulated high school in the state) there are 24 liquor stores. Beverly Hills High only has two. What does that tell society? It should be telling us that outside factors are influencing our children in either positive or negative ways; same hood, different worlds. The story of who you are and what you’ve been through make you who you are. Las Cafeteras encourages people of all walks of life to share their stories.
One of the band mates, Hector stated “When you share your story with the world you give others permission to do the same; be free or be scared.”
The workshop continued with some emotional activities including having those in the audience write down their own stories. Later we were asked to share as some members of the band played an Afro-Mexican melody. We whispered our stories and we screamed our stories; we told our stories. It was a workshop to bring about awareness and healing as well as to make members of the university and community discover and speak their truth. Some chose to share while others did not, but the love and support that flooded the room was very apparent.
Following the workshop, Las Cafeteras will be having a concert at the Light Hall Theatre from 7-9. It is free to all students with Mustang I.D. Members of the community will be asked to purchase a ticked for $10.00. Doors open at 6:30
