San Saba Room, University Center

The Center for Mexican American Studies Community Series is proud to present "La Invasión Mexicana: Immigration, La Opinión, & a Latino retelling of the 1994 World Cup," with Celso Thomas Castilho.



About the Talk: This lecture examines the 1994 FIFA World Cup as a pivotal moment in the cultural and political expression of Latino communities in the United States. Drawing on archival materials from La Opinión, Los Angeles’ leading Spanish-language newspaper, Dr. Celso Thomas Castilho analyzes immigrant experiences, negotiating identity, and asserting cultural agency. This presentation offers a fresh perspective on how Latinos reshaped mainstream narratives during a pivotal moment in U.S. and Mexican history.



About the Speaker: Celso Thomas Castilho is an associate professor of history at Vanderbilt University, where he's directed CLACX, the Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies, since 2021. He has published prize-winning studies on the histories of slavery and abolition in Brazil and across the Atlantic world. He is currently working on a book about Latino culture and politics from the perspective of sports studies. Today's talk comes from his book-in-progress, La gran fiesta: A Latino History of the 1994 World Cup.



Coffee and Snacks will be provided.



UTA students, faculty, and staff, please RSVP at MAV Engage to help us plan accordingly.

This event is open to the public. If you are unable to access Mav Engage (alumni or guests), please don't hesitate to contact monica.lopez@uta.edu to reserve your spot and obtain a parking pass before November 4th.



If you need special accommodations or have questions, contact cmas@uta.edu.



We are live-streaming through the Facebook CMAS page.

Talks & Lectures