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Dia de los Muertos

Alex Peterson
November 1, 2017
1 hour 45 minutes
Story category: Localized Story

La Fuerza Latina gives Latino students at Drake University a voice to promote equality

on campus and to discuss issues surrounding the Latino community in the area.

Rubi Cordova, the president of La Fuerza Latina, says, “We are an organization that aims

to create a safe space for Latina identifying people and also for people wo are interested in

advocating for issues that affect Latina people.”

La Fuerza Latina, which translates to “The Latin Force”, is commonly referred to as LFL.

Former students Thalia Anguiano, Michael Hoyt, Hector Arroyo and Kenia Calderon formed the

group in 2014.

Although the group formed in 2014, Cordova says the concept of LFL is not new at

Drake University. “LFL has a cool story because it was started in the ’90s but then merged with

another group on campus,” said Cordova. “In 2014, it was formed again so it has really only

been around since then. LFL is fairly new but the concept is not.”

There are about 35 members in LFL and the group meets two to three times a month. The

organization serves its members through hosting events, organizing banquets, screening films

about Latino culture, volunteering, and more.

Cordova says that her favorite part of La Fuerza Latina is “the ability to find a place to be

a community in a predominately white institution.”

Most events are held at La Casa Cultural which is a small home on Drake University

campus. The house is dedicated to providing a space for students to meet for various programs

and activities.
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On Monday night, La Fuerza Latina held its annual Dia de los Muertos which translates

to the Day of the Dead. The Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated in Mexican and Latin

culture to honor family members who have passed away. The event featured networking,

discussion, coloring, Latin American food and music.

LFL hosted the event in La Casa Cultural from 6 to 8 p.m. The organization opened the

event to all Drake University students. The treasurer of LFL, Jose Garcia-Fuerte, said the

members hoped to give students the ability to learn more about Latino culture and food.

Jose Garcia-Fuerte says that Dia de los Muertos is one of the most enjoyable events to

host. “We hold Dia de los Muertos every year and I think everyone in LFL really enjoys it

because it is so fun,” said Garcia-Fuerte.

Most LFL events are informal like the Dia de los Muertos celebration. “Most events are

usually pretty relaxed like this one,” said Garcia-Fuete. “There is coloring, food and other fun

stuff. It depends if the event is more formal like a banquet or a dinner.”

For more information on La Fuerza Latina, students can visit the organization’s website

at http://lafuerzalatina.webs.com.

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 Sources:

Rubi Cordova, Des Moines. Rubith.cordova@drake.edu.

Jose Garcia-Fuerte, Des Moines. Jose.garcia-fuerte@drake.edu.

Website:
http://lafuerzalatina.webs.com.

Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/LaFuerzaLatinaDrake.