On the Thursday before fall break, many students gathered at Lusty Cup for the last event of Hispanic Heritage Month. Mujeres*, Bryn Mawr College’s Latino affinity group, collaborated with the Bryn Mawr Athletic Alliance, which works to foster the success of athletes of color, to host a poetry night honoring and celebrating Latino poets.
A little after 7 p.m., students rushed in from dinner and sports practices to escape the cold, perform, and support one another. As one member of Mujeres* announced at the beginning, poetry brings people together not just through language but through rhythm and melody, which are universal. The poems varied in length, language, and subject, united only by the common theme of Latino heritage and pride. Topics ranged from immigration to Afro-Latina identity to family bonds, illustrating the diverse perspectives of the student body and engaging the audience.
Members of Mujeres* and the Bryn Mawr Athletics director performed the final poems of the night. The showcase marked the end of Hispanic Heritage month, as well as one of the last days before fall break. The poetry night gave students a moment to reflect on all that had happened in the first months on campus for the year, before parting ways for a much needed rest.
As students left Lusty Cup, there was a shared feeling of both closure and anticipation. The poetry night had offered a space to celebrate identity and experience, while also providing a moment to breathe before the rush of break.
