Return to Table of ContentsApril 1998
In Depth With the Gastón Institute UMass Boston counts among its students this year 454 of Latino background. Native or foreign-born, they represent countries as diverse as Puerto Rico, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Peru and Colombia, countries with different national interests and agendas. It's a diverse group, yet they find themselves united by their experiences as Latinos in the United States.
"What often surface as big differences between Latinos from different countries, even boundary disputes or wars, tend to fade when youth from those countries come together," says Prof. Andres Torres, recently appointed co-director of the Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy. "Latino students find that when they come here, their identities become more aggregate," says Torres. "Differences tend to dissolve."
The Gastón Institute works in a variety of ways to promote the interest of the Latino community, on campus and off. It is the only public policy institute in New England to focus on an improved understanding of the experiences of Latino communities in the Commonwealth.
What is the most central issue for Latinos? According to Torres, the foremost issue is lack of visibility in the political process. Presently, there is not a single member of the Latino community in the Massachusetts House of Representatives or the Senate.
So a priority for the Institute will be to facilitate a dialogue on what a Latino political agenda will look like. While acknowledging that it is up to the community to create the agenda, the Gastón, says Torres, will work to help the community articulate one. "It's our role to facilitate these kinds of dialogues, and I can't think of a more important mission," he says.
"The Gastón Institute doesn't get involved in partisan politics, but it is contacted all the time by those who are interested in finding out about conditions in the community, who want information and research on the problems, challenges, and assets of the community, and are thinking of experts on policy issues," says Torres "So whatever we can do to facilitate greater visibility of Latino issues is what we can be counted upon to do."
Numerous other activities and projects are also underway. "Our publications, our Speaker's Series, and the Latino Leadership Opportunity Program (LLOP) are all activities we don't let up on, because they are our stock in trade," says Torres. Other projects and activities include recruiting faculty for specific research projects, bringing Latino writers and artists to campus, and offering technical assistance when requested. The Institute was recently approached by the City of New Bedford for help with a survey of its Latino community and their needs.
"This is the kind of thing we often do, although we get no reward," say Torres. "But we feel strongly that the Gastón is bound to do this as part of its mission. We want to be seen as the place where the Latino and general public can come for policy and research on Latinos in the Commonwealth."
The Institute was recently asked to co-sponsor a one-day emergency meeting on HIV/AIDS in the Latino community as part of the "Lead for Life" initiative of the Harvard University AIDS Institute on May 4. This very important meeting aims to mobilize a stronger response to the AIDS/HIV threat within the Latino community.
Next year, the Gastón Institute will celebrate its tenth anniversary, an appropriate time to celebrate its unique standing as the only institute devoted to Latino policy and research in New England. Torres says that much of the credit for its success lies with the Institute's devoted staff. "A key element of our success has been our staff and the faculty who have worked with us. The Gaston is the product of a community initiative, and we're proud to be here, still expanding, and a key part of the linkage between the University and the public," he says.
Torres was appointed co-director of the Institute in January. He will serve as acting director next year when long-time director Edwin Melendez is on sabbatical.