By MARIA GESEK
Contributing Writer
A well-known Chicano author who has published children’s books, poetry, and novels visited The College of Saint Rose on Thursday. Rigoberto González came to help promote National Day on Writing. He also spoke to help acknowledge the importance, his experiences, and his wisdom of writing.
González is a writer who has published many bilingual books and novels. His visit helped to enforce the theme of “Writing Around the World” this year and to celebrate The College’s focus on internationalism. His first language is Spanish but after moving to the U.S. at the age of 10 he learned English. González said, “I write in English but I think in Spanish,” which proves how perfect he was to help the college celebrate the diversity of writing.
González found an importance to write in both Spanish and English, because each language is unique and interpreted in different ways. González said his knowledge of two languages has enabled him to be able to understand the different meanings of language and writing in both English and Spanish. He has come to find that most of Spanish literature is not translated to its true meaning when put into English. He finds that even if the words are right, the meaning does not come through the same. González believes that the visions of Spanish speakers are usually lost when put into the English language.
Just like González , writing is one of the best ways for other’s to connect thoughts. Each person has a different way of thinking and interpretation of writing. Jenna Herbert, a senior at Saint Rose, took part in organizing the event. She has read and enjoyed González’s poetry and one of his books. Herbert was excited for the event and listening to González speak. She realizes how important writing is and said, “writing is such a big part of everyday life and we use it all the time.”
Frequency North works to have well-known writers, artists, and poets like González come to Saint Rose. They encourage students on campus to get involved with the National Day on Writing and attend events such as this one. Daniel Nester, an associate professor at Saint Rose who organized the speaker series, said that he wanted to have Rigoberto come to The College of Saint Rose for a long time. He admires the genres of his work and personality. He said he finds, “Rigoberto’s career interesting to him because he is more than just a poet.”
Nester also said it was important to have González because he was a good fit for this year’s international theme. Rigoberto González is a good example of the importance of spreading internationalism. He achieves this through his writing and his speaking to students as he did at Saint Rose.
This event puts into perspective the importance of writing to students and everyone, along with the significance of internationalism in writing. Nester explained that the National Day on Writing is one day that people can appreciate something that tends to go unnoticed and realize that, “writing is in everything we do.”
