The Ninth Annual Iowa Latino Conference took place on Nov. 2 and 3 in Marshalltown. Hundreds of pe
ople from Iowa and other states as far as Minnesota, attended this event at the place where just a few weeks ago, police arrested several immigrants for using false documents.
The conference arrived so that the people in communities like Marshalltown could make contacts with other Latinos and people who work with Latinos in other cities. The first day’s events focused on the youth with themes about cultivating leadership in the future.
The next day featured several workshops that included topics on creating political power, challenges and opportunities for new immigrants, making connections among Blacks and Hispanics, resisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Raids, how to finance a business, as well as many other workshops.
The moment that united the crowd was when the keynote speaker, Roberto Dansie, gave his speech in Spanish that was interpreted to English and transmitted through cordless hearing aids for people who did not understand the language. That’s how he delivered his joyful message that was full of stories like that of a proud bullfighter who was hurt by a bull, sustaining an injury that prevented him from fighting bulls. Roberto told of how sad and depressed the bull fighter became after being told he could not do what he loved so much. He was so sad that he wrote a folksong about his frustrating situation and in the process, discovered his new talent. Then Roberto picked up his guitar and invited a friend from the audience to sing that song, closing with the perfect finale.
After that, lunch was served, consisting of Mexican dishes like pozole, enchiladas, rice and beans. To drink, horchata (rice milk) was served. The Maestro Ocelocoatl of México gave a blessing in an indigenous language for the meal. Then the group, “Jovenes Embajadores” (Young Ambassadors) entertained with Mexican traditional dances.
Following lunch, more workshops were presented and there was time for everyone to visit the event’s sponsors and organizations in the exhibit room. Organizers have not selected the site for the next Iowa Latino Conference but it promises to be even bigger, being the tenth anniversary of the event.
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