Archive for May 10th, 2006
Soraya succumbs to cancer at 37
7:46 pm By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Celebrities|Health · Comments Off
10 May 2006
Thanks to a tip from one of our readers (thanks, Kathy) we were alerted to the sad passing of the beautiful and talented Latina singer Soraya.
Soraya, of Colombian descent, was not only an amazing singer songwriter, but she also became a powerful voice for the message of prevention of breast cancer among Latinas, lending her support to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. AP reported on her death in Spanish today:
The singer-songwriter, born on may 10 1969 in New York to Colombian parents, and who had been diagnosed with cancer six years ago, was about to celebrate her first decade of her music career.Soraya brought the 12 stringed guitar known as “tiple” to the United Stated and sang songs both in Spanish and English.
Soraya even spoke about the importance of prevention and embracing life as she was in the clutches of her illness, posting a letter to her fans on her web site which sends a powerful message, especially as we contemplate her death:
I am confident that my existence will leave a mark on your lives, and will benefit the future of many women, and that the light of my own life will illuminate that of many other families’, reads the letter on her web site.`I am not losing this battle today because I know that my struggle has not been in vain, but that it will help win a larger battle, that of early detection and prevention of this terrible illness.’
`Now it’s your turn to continue with our mission’
I hope with all of my heart that I can transmit to you my love of life and the you be a channel by which many people may receive this message which could save their lives.’
VL originally wrote about Soraya’s struggle with cancer back in September.
Related:
Listen to Soraya’s interview with NPR in 2002
Soraya’s web site (currently down)
Via / Frontera.info
Studying Breast Cancer in Latinas
1:25 pm By Maegan La Mala · Health|Women · 2 Comments
10 May 2006
Breast cancer is being detected in Mexican women on both sides of the border an average of 10 years earlier than the average age it is being detected in white women. Also cancerous tumors found in Latina women tend to bigger than those found in white women, leading to an increased mortality rate. Part of the reason for this includes assimilation. While assimilation is being touted as the way immigrants need to go, assimilation into U.S. culture means more greasy fast food and a rise in smoking, making breast cancer numbers rise. It is because of the disparity that a new study will begin looking at breast cancer specifically in Latina women.
Daddy Yankee: Reggaeton is here to stay
12:32 pm By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Celebrities|Music · 6 Comments
10 May 2006
That’s what he told the L.A. Daily News. Contrary to what “jealous” detractors are staying, reggaeton isn’t going anywhere.
Yankee says rumors of reggaeton’s demise are entirely exaggerated.The Puerto Rican superstar, whose song “Gasolina” is reggaeton’s biggest crossover hit, insists the music is surely evolving. But whatever happens, he adds, the ubiquitous blend of tropical rhythms, reggae, hip-hop and rap is here to stay.
“It’s part of the landscape,” said the singer-producer known to his mom as Raymond Ayala. “It has been used in hip-hop, rap, all the top hit styles. People who don’t even know what they’re listening to love it. It can only get stronger. Those that say reggaeton is going away are just jealous.”
The article points out that despite his fame, Daddy Yankee is still living in Puerto Rico with his wife and kids. He’s still Daddy from the block, it seems.
Via / AZ Central
Photo via People en Español
Immigrants Paying for Children to Come Over the Border
9:04 am By Maegan La Mala · children|Family|Immigration · Comments Off
10 May 2006
Anyone who knows an immigrant working without papers knows the story too well. Most likely that person has come here from his or her home country leaving behind their children. If the migrant plans on staying for a significant amount of time and wants to be with their child, that usually involves paying someone to smuggle that child into the United States.
Since October, about 70,000 children have been detained along the Mexican border, a 5 percent increase over the same period a year earlier, the U.S. Border Patrol says. Rather than risking a return to Mexico to get their children, many migrants are paying smugglers to bring them north. Experts say that number will likely increase if the U.S. Congress presses ahead with plans to tighten border security even more.
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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