11:05 am By Maegan la Mamita Mala · Immigration|Puerto Rico · Comments Off
11 Jun 2009
Sonia Sotomayor’s family status as immigrants caused a whole mess of controversy here and in other places, pero now it seems like Ricans in politics are jumping on the chance, just in time for the Puerto Rican Day Parade this weekend!
From The Hill:
Reps. José Serrano (D-N.Y.) and Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) have distinct ties to the Caribbean island and identify with Sotomayor’s background, her family’s struggles, her loyalty to Puerto Rican culture and the obstacles she overcame to reach a pinnacle of American public service…
…Serrano was born on the island commonwealth but moved to the Bronx as a child, while Velázquez went to New York at age 19 to attend college after growing up in Puerto Rico.
Serrano said the influx of Puerto Ricans not only paved the way for his and Sotomayor’s success, it also eased the transition for all Latino immigrants who followed. In pursuit of the American Dream, New Yorkers of Puerto Rican descent — or “Nuyoricans” — brought a new flavor to the melting pot of New York City.
“It is still difficult being a Latino immigrant in New York,” said Serrano, who moved to the Bronx at age 7. “But because of Puerto Ricans, it is so much easier.”
9:52 am By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Activism|Environment|New York · Comments Off
27 Mar 2008A hot Colombian I know sent me this video the other day, informing me about the Earth Hour movement around the world.
I had my doubts about one hour of no electricity meaning anything, but if anyone could get me to try anything once, and in the name of the world to boot, it was this hot Colombian.
Later the same day, NY State Senator Jose Serrano’s resolution that passed the State Senate. The resolution requests that Governor David Paterson adopt 8 p.m., Saturday, March 29, 2008 as Earth Hour in an effort to encourage energy conservation.
Make your own personal commitment to Earth Hour by signing up here.
9:48 am By Maegan La Mala · Environment|New York City · Comments Off
24 Mar 2006
When you think of wildlife and fish swimming in rivers, the South Bronx is probably the last place that comes to mind. Congressman José E. Serrano wants to change your mind. On Tuesday the Bronx Rican Congressman helped release 200 alewife herring into the Bronx River. This is the first time in recent memory that a native species of herring have been reintroduced to the river, a long time toxic dumping ground.The fish are expected to be the seed colony for a breeding population. In a statement released to the press Serrano said:
For many years, the Bronx River was a dumping ground, a virtual dead zone for wildlife. That picture today is totally changed. In many spots it has become an urban oasis, a refuge from the concrete and steel of the city. Adding wildlife back will only serve to continue that shift from a mistreated backwater to a treasured resource for generations to come.
8:00 am By Maegan La Mala · Puerto Rico · 2 Comments
10 Mar 2006
Puerto Rico is heating up VL’s comments section. What do people think about Congressperson Jose Serrano and Puerto Rico’s (non-voting) Congressional rep Luis Fortuno’s proposal of a new way for Ricans to vote on the future of their island? They are calling for not one but two votes.
The first vote, to happen next year, would have only two choices : for la isla del encanto to remain a U.S. territory or something else. If people vote to keep P.R. a territory, regular votes would have to happen to see if opinions change. If the something else option wins then another vote, to go down in 2009, would place statehood against independence.
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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