By Khori Baker
Writing for Publication Staff Writer
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| Khori Baker |
A great university is centered
around more than what we learn in a classroom; it also creates opportunities to
experience traditions, ask questions, and connect with people whose backgrounds
may differ from our own. Monday, the Department of Languages, Literature and Philosophy will celebrate Día de los
Muertos (which translates to Day of The Dead). All are invited.
Dr. Francesco Masala-Martínez, an LLP Spanish professor at TSU, will host the annual Día de los Muertos event on Monday,
November 2nd from 1-2pm in Holland hall . Open to the entire TSU community,
the celebration will offer a presentation about the syncretic tradition, which
blends Indigenous practices and Spanish Catholicism, along with food and
drinks. Dr.Masala-Martínez describes this event as “a great learning
opportunity for both faculty and students on campus.”
Dr. Masala-Martínez will host a
space that introduces students and attendees to the origins of Día de los
Muertos, its cultural significance, and why it continues to be celebrated
today. His discussion will look beyond its commercial association with Mexico
to include its celebration in other Latin American countries as well.
For students who have heard of the
holiday (whether from a favorite Disney movie or cartoon) but know little about
its history, this event not only offers an opportunity to gain a deeper
understanding but also invites attendees to consider the meaning behind a well
known tradition and why many Latin American communities have continued to carry
it forward.
Connecting Through Culture
One of the most valuable parts of a
campus event such as this is the opportunity to learn outside an academic
setting. There are no pressures of a grade or the anxiety of completing an
assignment. Students can freely explore a cultural tradition while sharing a
space with faculty, staff, and fellow students who are also learning about the
significance of the holiday. Participation is not limited to Spanish students
or a particular major; the invitation extends to everyone in the TSU community,
which is the greatest part.
The celebration also highlights the diversity within our university. The LLP department's committment to voice and identity provides a meaningful foundation for exploring cultural histories. Considering how diverse histories often intersect with our own cultures and customs is key to bridging humanity together (think pouring one out for the homies or your grandmother’s end table full of obituaries from past decades). Learning about another community’s traditions can encourage both an appreciation for diversity and a recognition of shared experiences.
Join the Celebration
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| Dr. Masala-Martinez |
The program is Monday, Nov. 2, at 1p, Holland Hall, Room 110. Come with curiosity, enjoy food and drinks, and take part
in a celebration that brings cultural learning into campus life.
Khori Baker
is a junior English major at Tennessee State University and a South Nashville
native. A poet and creative writer, she is especially interested in poetry, storytelling,
and literature that explores Black life, womanhood, and identity. Her favorite writers
include Warsan Shire and Toni Morrison. Outside of the classroom, Baker is a published
author and spoken-word poet whose debut poetry collection, The Bearings of My Beloved, was released in 2026. She aspires to
become a literary agent while continuing to publish her own work across
multiple genres.
