LDC Speaker Series

Latinx and Democracy Speaker Series:

The Latinx and Democracy Cluster Speakers Series brings outstanding scholars in Latinx ethnic studies and humanities to UC Berkeley in the Spring 2024 semester. The series seeks to provide an interdisciplinary community of scholars with insightful perspectives supporting research to enhance justice, equity, and inclusion for Latinx communities. 

Past Events:

Guest Speaker: Dr. Cecilia Ayón

Topic: "Toxic Immigration Stress: The Chronic Exposure to Restrictive Immigration Policy and Enforcement among Immigration-Impacted Families."

In partnership with the UC Berkeley Latinx and Democracy Speaker Series, Dr. Kristina Lovato, Assistant Professor of Social Welfare, hosted the official launch of the Center on Immigration and Child Welfare, which featured a guest lecture from immigration scholar Dr. Cecilia Ayón on: "Toxic Immigration Stress: The Chronic Exposure to Restrictive Immigration Policy and Enforcement among Immigration-Impacted Families." Dr. Cecilia Ayón is a Professor of Public Policy at the University of California, Riverside. The event occurred on Tuesday, April 23rd, from 12-2 pm in the School of Social Welfare, Haviland Commons, 1st Floor. Seventy people attended the lecture.

A Conversation with Lydia Otero

The LDC Speaker Series was launched with a conversation with Dr. Lydia Otero. The event was held on March 6, 2024, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the Barbara Christian Conference Room, 554 Social Sciences Building at UC Berkeley. Lydia Otero is a historian, activist, and author of (most recently) two memoirs:

  • In the Shadows of the Freeway traces their youth growing up brown and queer and working-class next to Interstate-10 in Tucson, Arizona. It has been praised as “a searing memoir of legacy, loss, and love,” as well as “a singular contribution to Latina/o history, urban studies, queer theory, and gender studies.”
  • LA Interchanges continues Lydia’s story after moving to LA as a young adult. The memoir narrates their years of discovery, community building, on-the-job experiences as a professional electrician, and political engagement. Interchanges have been praised as “a gripping, passionate narrative of personal becoming amid the political and cultural currents of 1980s Los Angeles.”