The celebration of Latino Heritage Month continues with reflections on last night's "Swagger Like Us," Latino Month's Cultural Showcase and Fashion Show.

Last night Bwog arrived early, but as sartorially inclined soirees are wont to do, the "Swagger Like Us" Latino Heritage Month Showcase and Fashion Show started fashionably late, about forty-five minutes late. After the initial ecstatic rush of the complementary flan and Red Bull wore off, the audience -- a mix of predominantly Latino students, friends and family -- had tired of dancing and singing along to Kayne remixes and turned to texting.

But when the lights in the Roone Arledge Auditorium finally dimmed, the audience warmly greeted the event's emcees, Cindy SugaRusH and Yamaneika, a Nuyorican comedian and a black, self-described culturally adopted Nuyorican comedian, and only groaned slightly at their exhortation to buy raffle tickets. The grand prize was a Metrocard. (Insert gallows humor about the economy here.)

Spectator Takes on Russia, World Oohs and Aahs

McDonald's Opening Deserves Headline

Fuck Naked Parties. Fuck ME!

Flier-Posterer Responsible for Posting Fliers

Latino Studies Deep-Sixed for Less Intimidating Hispanic Studies

When one sits in John Jay Lounge for any significant length of time during housing season--and there is nothing else that Bwog would rather do--it becomes evident just how big a calculated mindfuck the entire thing actually is. Tensions run high, futures are decided, relationships forged and broken--all to the soothing strains of Josh Groban on loop and the celebratory glow of blue balloons and tablecloths. The room selection whiteboard is embellished with flowers and butterflies, as if trying to disguise the columns of zeros that extinguish the hopes of seniors wanting to spend their last year in good housing. And over it all preside housing and dining staff in sweaters and suits, beaming welcoming smiles, saying we're here to serve YOU.

How comforting.

Money quote:

Girl on the phone: You just dropped to general selection. Thanks for telling us, because were were just here for 15 minutes waiting for you.
Turning to her friends: Wow, I was like, I don't think you really need housing then. That's so whack.
A few minutes later: I'm Latino, so I probably should have just gone to her room and set it on fire.

Update as of 1:40 PM
GONE:
All of East Campus, Hogan, one- and two-bedrooms in Watt, two-bedrooms in Woodbridge, four- and five-person suites in Ruggles, four-, five-, and six-person suites in Claremont.
YOU STILL HAVE A CHANCE WITH:
Studios in Watt (26), one-bedrooms in Woodbridge (21), eight-person suites in Ruggles (12), seven-person suites in Claremont (9).