Students looking for a way to learn about Latin American history can do so at the “Harvest of Empire: A history of Latinos in America,” presentation.

The documentary is being shown at 4 p.m. Thursday in the Coleman Auditorium.

Kristin Routt, a professor of Spanish, said the screening is a part of the movie series that the Latin American advisory board planed for the students.

The board prepares a film and documentary series each year to increase awareness of the Latin American culture on campus.

Routt said the department, this year, decided to coordinate the film during Latin American Heritage month. To appeal to students who are interested in the culture issues.

The event will be a combination of the documentary screening and discussion. Routt said she is only showing fragments of the documentary so students can have a chance to express their opinions on the film.

“This has some heavy material that will shake up the way some people see our country, hopefully,” Routt said. “It analyzes how the United States’ foreign policy has affected, influenced and really motivated immigration to the United States.”

Routt said foreign policy in the United States often appeals to people in other countries. The purpose of this screening is to get students aware of the world around them.

She said the bigger picture of showing the screening is for people to claim their education. To know the truth about immigration.

“Because the people in power have knowledge and we need access to that knowledge so that we don’t stay powerless,” Routt said. “When a politician says the people who come to our country are rapist and drug dealers, we’re not that dumb, and we need to know better.”

Routt said the screening would allow students to open their eyes to the political system. She said people could love their country “dearly,” but still recognize the government does make mistakes.

“We as common citizens have to not feel threatened and have to be comfortable saying maybe we messed up here,” Routt said.

The movie will show students how to educate themselves and not repeat the cycle of misunderstandings, Routt said. She said student activism is another goal from the screening. She wants students to think about how they can help the Latin American community.

“Even if it’s just with my vote, or volunteer work, or maybe it’s just being more open and understanding to immigrants,” Routt said.

T’Nerra Butler can be reached at 581-2812 or tabuter@eiu.edu.