Archive for September, 2005
Immigrant childen alienated from “Naco” school?
12:53 pm By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Immigration · 3 Comments
27 Sep 2005
Interesting story out of Arizona via HispanicTips. Intriguing first because of the weird word play: the school is called “Naco” (which for non-Mexicans is a classist, racially charged insult flung from Mexican to Mexican) and it’s located in an Arizona town called “Ajo”. Is this one of those Latin American magical realism movies?
No. Apparently, there’s some tension going on in the town of Ajo, between Naco students and parents and authorities, with charges of discrimination against Mexican families:
The U.S. Department of Education received complaints of discrimination and sent a team to investigate. The complaint says Hispanic students who live within the school district were being asked to pay tuition while non-Hispanic students were not.
The allegation is that the children cross back into Mexico across the Arizona border after school, so they should be paying non-resident (probably international student) tuition.
Study: Most Livable Cities in Mexico
27 Sep 2005
Over the past couple of years Mexican agency Cofemer has been conducting a study to find Mexico’s most livable cities. They used 38 measures, including: geographic location, crime, education services, health care, and job market.
The winners are: Querétaro, Monterrey, Chihuahua, Saltillo, and Mexico City.
This Vivirlatino writer has lived in 3 of those 5 cities, and has visited all but one. I have to agree that these are some great cities, and besides Mexico City (a.k.a.: DF) itself, are some great alternatives to the monstrous capital.
Mexico has quite a bit of land, most of it very sparsely populated. In order to find work, people must go to one of maybe just 20 cities or so that are of significant size. That’s why there are so many people in Mexico City; but there are more and more options arising as companies and families are trying to escape the traffic and pollution of DF.
As time goes on, we will continue to see the population of cities such as Querétaro, Saltillo and Monterrey continue to grow by huge numbers every year.
Must Read: “La Nueva Orleans”
4:03 pm By Maegan La Mala · Lifestyle|Politics · Comments Off
26 Sep 2005
Gregory Rodriguez, a contributing editor to the LA Times is making a big prediction. In his recent article, “La Nueva Orleans”, Rodriguez states that the population of rebuilt New Orleans will look quite different than the pre-Katrina New Orleans. More specifically, he says that New Orleans will have such a large Latino population that it will resemble Los Angeles.
On September 6, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) temporarily suspended a sanction that requires employers to have proof of citizenship for their workers. This suspension is in effect for at least 45 days from the day of issue, and could be renewed.
An excerpt from the article:
Because they are young and lack roots in the United States, many recent migrants are ideal for the explosion of construction jobs to come. Those living in the U.S. will relocate to the Gulf Coast, while others will come from south of the border. Most will not intend to stay where their new jobs are, but the longer the jobs last, the more likely they will settle permanently. One recent poll of New Orleans evacuees living in Houston emergency shelters found that fewer than half intend to return home. In part, their places will be taken by the migrant workers. Former President Clinton recently hinted as much on NBC’s “Meet the Press” when he said New Orleans will be resettled with a different population.
I encourage all Vivirlatino readers to check out the entire article, even though you may have to fill out a registration form to access it.
Department of Homeland Security Notice
Yo hablo coreano
2:20 pm By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Bilingualism · Comments Off
26 Sep 2005
I love stories of mestizaje, of cultures and languages intertwined, I guess because I am a mixed bag of idiomas and etnias myself. For that reason, today’s LA Times article on what I would call “the new face of bilingualism” made me smile. Not only does it speak to new immigrants’ capacity to adapt in the US, but also to the growing importance of Spanish in the world. This piece offers perspectives from Latinos who are learning Korean, and Koreans learning Spanish, as they live their lives side by side in Los Angeles’ Koreatown:
“At the beginning, English was very important – and it still is, if I need to go to a government office or court or get a license,” Aliaga, 32, said as he sat behind a small display case in his soccer-supply shop in Koreatown.
“For me, (learning Korean) is as important because I lived in Koreatown. Now I am able to communicate with Koreans.”
“In California, Spanish is more important than English,” said Paik, a Seoul native. “I haven’t found any inconvenience because I don’t speak English. … I don’t need to speak English. If you can speak Spanish, you can drive, employers can have clients, you can order in restaurants, you can do anything.”
Welcome to the new America.
Mornings After in Mexico
26 Sep 2005
In the United States, there is currently a battle to allow emergency contraception, known popularly as “the morning after pill” or “Plan B” to be available over the counter. Currently in the US, it is available only via a prescription. Even with said prescription, there are reports of pharmacists refusing to fill prescriptions.
The Morning After Pill has been readily available in pharmacies in Mexico and more recently public hospitals and health clinics are stocking up on emergency contraception, ensuring equal access across class lines.
Who would have thought that it would be easier to gain access in very Catholic Mexico than in the so called leading country in the free world? If the FDA keeps dragging its feet will U.S. mujeres be crossing the border?
Un Gran Abrazo
10:30 am By Maegan La Mala · mexico|society|Texas · Comments Off
26 Sep 2005This weekend, over 14,000 people joined together to hopefully break the world record for largest hug. The hug streched from the violent city of Ciudad Juarez across the Mexican/U.S. Border into El Paso, Texas.
AP Article: “Now That’s a Big Hug”
Good or Bad Timing Depending on How you Look at It.
2:16 pm By Maegan La Mala · Puerto Rico · Comments Off
25 Sep 2005
Friday was the 137th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico and of the cry for independence from Spain known as el Grito de Lares. The FBI chose this historical date in Puerto Rican history to go after Filiberto Ojeda Rios, considered to be a hero by many Puerto Ricans, considered to be a terrorist by the U.S. government for his efforts to liberate Puerto Rico from its ties to the United States.
Puerto Rican activists in New York City will be holding a rally on Monday in front of the Federal Building in downtown Manhattan to protest what Puerto Rican independence activist call an assassination.
I find it hard to believe that the FBI didn’t know that they were going after Ojeda Rios on a day so important to the Puerto Rican people.
Nothing Celebrates Latino Heritage Like Beer???
24 Sep 2005
I guess corporate sponsorship of Hispanic Heritage Month events is a good thing. Right?
All Aboard America pero Not Latin America
8:38 am By Maegan La Mala · Immigration|States · Comments Off
23 Sep 2005
With rising airline prices, many communities, Latinos included, rely on other means of transportation for business and pleasure. Undocumented residents who face growing restrictions on driving often use bus services. However, soon they may be left with no other option but to stay put. A recently revealed Greyhound policy, sounds like racial profiling and could discriminate against Latinos. The policy, which prohibits under threat of termination and possible arrest, selling tickets to undocumented immigrants, was first made public by La Opinión.
But how exactly do you spot an undocumented immigrant? Well Greyhound is telling their employees to beware of people in large groups, moving in single file and traveling with little or no luggage. It says other telltale signs include people “trying to hide or stay out of plain view” or large groups led by a “guide” who holds everyone’s tickets. Hmmm, so does that mean that they won’t sell tickets to large groups of shy white people traveling with backpacks? Probably not.
It seems the policy was created to protect the bus company after another bus company was indicted in 2001 on immigrant smuggling charges. But what policy will protect nuestra gente?
yerbabuena: Good for your Cuerpo
22 Sep 2005
Abuelita always said yerbabuena was good for me like in a tea to calm los nervios for example. In New York City Yerbabuena is good for your ears too. yerbabuena is the name of a New York City based musical collective committed to the musical traditions of Puerto Rico. Tired of hearing musical forms such as bomba and plena labeled as folkloric or watered down by mainstream musicians, this eclectic mix of artists has been keeping it real since 1999. You don’t hear yerbabuena, you feel them. I dare you not to move, sing, clap and engage in the call and response portions, based in the African roots of Puerto Rico, when you experience one of their performances.
If you are in the Nueva York area you can catch yerbabuena every Thursday night , 9:30PM-Midnight at Camaradas el barrio, 2241 First Avenue at 115th Street.
Hola!
VivirLatino is a daily publication published by Mamita Mala Media, dedicated to featuring all the latest politics, culture, entertainment of interest to the diverse Latin@ diaspora.
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