3:17 pm By Maegan La Mala · Activism| Celebrities| Dominican Republic| Latin America| society · 1 Comment
19 Dec 2007
According to the head of Women’s Issue of the Dominican Republic, 160 women died of domestic violence related crimes in the Caribbean nation between the months of January and October 2007. In Puerto Rico, the figure is smaller: 18 deaths. In order to call more attention to this epidemic, two of the PR and DR’s most well-knowns are coming out on behalf of victims of domestic violence:
Dominican singer songwriter Juan Luis Guerra and Puerto Rican salsero Gilberto Santa Rosa will be, among other artists, protagonists of the serán, entre otros artistas, los protagonistas de la campaña “Pégale a la pared” campaign, an initiative against violence towards women in their respective countries, which was introduced today in Santo Domingo.The first phase of the campaign will be made of up of two 30 second advertising spots starring Guerra and Santa Rosa, which will be shown on television and broadcast on the radio in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
While the initiative is to be applauded, they could have come up with a better name (which was inspired by a song by Reyli Barba). “Hit the Wall”…no, don’t hit anything. Get some help with your violent temperament instead.
Other stars will also participate, among them Reyli himself, puertorriqueño Joseph Fonseca and dominicanos Andy Andy, Wason Brazobán and Raymond Pozo.
Via / El Universal (Venezuela)
1:59 pm By Maegan La Mala · Blogs| Bolivia| Latin America · Comments Off
19 Dec 2007
My friend Mariano Amartino over at the Clarin newspaper’s “Blog about Blogs” reports that Bolivia’s first citizen-produced online newspaper has just launched. It’s called AhoraBolivia.com.
Founded by two young journalists, the project — apparently the first of this kind in Bolivia — has a noble mission:
We want to, in a selfless and free way, create an authentic citizen newspaper in which the voices of the citizens of Bolivia may be heard; free voices and voices committed to freedom. Voices that create unity in a country rich in resources and culture.
As Latin American countries such as Bolivia continue to struggle through political strife, this is a refreshing departure from mainstream media’s reporting of the issues. Let’s hope this is just the first of many citizen journalism initiatives in Bolivia.
Via / Weblog Sobre Weblogs
10:29 am By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Books| Dominicans| Gifts| literature · Comments Off
19 Dec 2007
Ever since his breakthrough short story collection Drown came out almost 10 years ago everyone wondered what the Dominican writer Junot Diaz would do next. At long last we have an answer via The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. Released earlier this year with much fanfare, Diaz has become the Latino darling of the literary world, again. The tale of a Dominican geek who gets no play is linked to larger Dominican history. The book is making the must read list of critics and pop culture mags alike.
9:17 am By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Colombia| Politics| Venezuela · Comments Off
19 Dec 2007
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) said they were willing to release three hostages to Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez or someone he designates. The three hostages named are Clara Rojas, who was kidnapped with former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt in 2002, Ms Rojas’ son from a captor, Emmanual, who was born in captivity, and a former congresswoman, Consuelo Gonzalez. Ingrid Betancourt’s freedom was not offered. Last month Colombia ended Chavez’s involvement in the hostage negotiations.
VivirLatino is a daily publication published by 2 Mujeres Media, dedicated to featuring all the latest politics, culture, entertainment of interest to the diverse and influential Latino and Latina community in the U.S.
About | Advertise with us | Contact | Twitter