FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Source: NCLR)
Oct 31, 2005
NCLR REPORT COMPILES NEW DATA ON THE BURGEONING LATINO COMMUNITY IN GEORGIA
Atlanta, GA – Responding to concerns over the lack of data on Georgia's fastest-growing community, the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., today released Latinos in Georgia: A Closer Look, a demographic analysis of Georgia's Latino community, which grew almost 300% from 1990 to 2000. The report, produced by NCLR's Georgia Latino/Hispanic Health Agenda and Leadership Project with the support of the Healthcare Georgia Foundation, Inc., examines the economic, education, and health status of Latinos in the state.
"This report clearly shows that Latinos are a growing and important share of the workers and taxpayers of Georgia and that the entire state's economy depends on their well-being," stated Janet Murguia, NCLR President and CEO. Unfortunately they are also a vulnerable population, often lacking health insurance and more likely to be in the lowest paying and most dangerous jobs."
Key findings include:
Population Growth:
• Georgia had the third-fastest-growing Latino population of any other state in 2004, and now has the 11th-largest Hispanic population in the U.S.
• Three-fifths (61.9%) of Latinos in Georgia are 29 years old or younger.
• Five Georgia counties - Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Clayton - are home to more than 50% of the state's Latino population.
Education:
• One in 14 students enrolled in Georgia's public schools in 2005 (7.8%) is Hispanic.
• Three in five of these students (61%) were classified as Limited English Proficient as of 2001, and about half (49.6%) graduated from high school in 2004.
Economic Status:
• Almost four in five Latinos in Georgia are working or looking for work compared to two-thirds of all state residents, yet a higher share of Hispanics, compared to others, lives below the poverty line.
• Hispanic buying power in the state of Georgia grew faster than any other segment of the state's economy - up 710% to almost $11 billion in the past 14 years.
• In 2002, Hispanics applied for and received 9,333 of the small business loans granted to firms in Georgia.
Health Status:
• More than two in five (43%) nonelderly Hispanics in Georgia did not have health insurance, despite their participation in the labor force.
• Only 5% of all doctors and only 2% of all nurses in Georgia are Latino.
• Unintentional injuries, such as workforce and motor vehicle accidents, are the leading cause of death for Georgia's Hispanics, whereas they are only the third-leading cause of death for Hispanics nationwide.
"Because the health of each of us is inextricably linked to the health of all of us, it is important that our portrait of Georgia include the growing number of Latinos calling the state their home," said Dr. Gary D. Nelson, President of the Healthcare Georgia Foundation, Inc. "A commitment to better health and health care for all Georgians recognizes the disparities and embraces the diversity depicted in this report."
This analysis is the first piece of a larger report also funded by the support of the Healthcare Georgia Foundation, Inc., on the health status of Hispanics in the state that will provide recommendations to policy-makers, health providers, and the leaders of social service organizations on how to overcome current gaps in state services.
"Hispanics need and want what many other Georgians may take for granted - a quality education and access to health care. Given that Latinos are an increasingly critical part of the region's economy, we urge state officials in Georgia to work with community leaders to ensure that all residents of the state are able to access and receive basic services," Murguia concluded.
The full report, Latinos in Georgia: A Closer Look, can be accessed on the Internet at www.nclr.org.
###
The Georgia Latino/Hispanic Health Agenda and Leadership Project is funded by a grant from the Healthcare Georgia Foundation, Inc. (Foundation). Created in 1999 as an independent private foundation, the foundation's mission is to advance the health of all Georgians and to increase access to affordable, quality healthcare for underserved individuals and communities.
The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) - the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States - works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. Through its network of more than 300 affiliated community-based organizations (CBOs), NCLR reaches millions of Hispanics each year in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. For more information, please visit www.nclr.org.
All Content © 2005 NCLR. All Rights Reserved
Monday, October 31, 2005
REFLECTIONS ON BLOGS
By Clarisel Gonzalez, BLOGS Curator
NEW YORK CITY -- It all started in Puerto Rico. That enchanted island inspired me to shoot photos and more photos. It also inspired me to want to share those images with the world.
That's what started the Puerto Rico Sun cultural news e-magazine back in 2002, which later (in 2004) became the Puerto Rico Sun cultural news/photoblog because it was easier and quicker for me to maintain.
I remember I first joined a photo sharing and storage site called "Flickr" in 2004 with the idea of posting my photos from there to the Puerto Rico Sun blog. But I discovered a whole new world full of photography and interactive communication on Flickr. I immediately started the Puerto Rico Sun photoblogging group and began joining other groups based on my many interests. I also started meeting people from all over the world online who shared a common love for photography and became part of a live and vibrant online community.
Last summer, I relocated to New York City, and I didn't realize that with this move, I would organize a photo exhibit and get to meet many of my online contacts for the first time. I recall Victor Iglesias ("Eros Leafar"), a photographer from Puerto Rico, posted a message saying that he wanted to organize an exposition so photographers can meet and showcase their photography in New York City. We were thinking something small. Just a one- or two-day thing max.
Victor asked for my help and I thought it was a good idea. I began contacting different groups seeking a donated space for our gallery -- and I posted a message in the "Corrientes" forum of a site called: prdream.com. And, Judith Escalona called, telling me she wanted to meet with me "to talk."
While I was thinking of a small gathering and an exhibit of traditional prints, I quickly learned that Judith had another idea: BLOGS. Judith wanted us to showcase our photos using the technology we use everyday to share our work. "It's live," she said, adding that she wanted the exhibit to be a three- to six-week gallery at MediaNoche showcasing photoblogs and how they are transforming the way photographs are shared, displayed and exhibited. MediaNoche is a gallery which offers residencies and exhibition space to artists working in new media in Spanish Harlem.
It made sense to me right at that first meeting. I immediately shared the good news with the photographers online and even they were not clear on how the exhibit would look like without prints. None of us really did!
But the exhibit began to form, largely online. When Richard A. Caraballo ("Minusbaby"), an artist based in East Harlem realized this exhibit was going to be held in his beloved Barrio, he immediately jumped on board to help make this happen. We decided to feature three separate photo groups.
The NYC Exposition, a multicultural/international group, was formed exclusively for the BLOGS exhibit and this group's aim is to showcase photography as art. The NYC Exposition consists of everything from macro to urban/street photography to landscapes and black and white images. Photographers represent different parts of the world, ranging from Puerto Rico and the United States to Latin America and Europe. In addition, I started up the NYC Exposition blog aimed at featuring the photographers who share everything from why they love photography to their photo style to the equipment they use.
Today, the NYC Exposition group has more than 165 members, featuring more than 1,070 images online.
Meanwhile, the two other photo groups featuring at the exhibit are: Puerto Rico Sun, a group dedicated to images of Puerto Rico and stateside boricua communities; and East Harlem, a group dedicated to images of the people and neighborhoods of El Barrio, two groups showcasing communities that the PRDream/MediaNoche project also serves.
The Puerto Rico Sun has more than 65 members and is showcasing 875 photos. The East Harlem group has 15 members, exhibiting nearly 160 photos.
Many of the photobloggers are observers. Many are storytellers. Many just want to capture a moment in time.
Some prefer to create images that are less photographic and more like other art forms such as a painting. Some want to share images reflecting the social conditions of their countries.
And, some say they just want to use their imaginations and create a reality through their art.
"I love photography, because I have the opportunity to create art and influence people's opinion and emotions," wrote "GinoPR" of Puerto Rico in the NYC Exposition blog.
"Enigma" of Taiwan wrote in his blurb: "I also think the idea of a photographic exposition that does not involve physical prints fascinates me (although I wonder sometimes how on earth you will get all of the colors and tones right, as you can't see the prints...but then realize that it really doesn't matter, the virtual prints will just be different, just as people who view photographs on two different monitors often see two different photographs)."
"Monster" of England wrote: "I love photography; I have always enjoyed composing pictures and the digital age has made it so much more accessible and flexible."
Today, I am happy to report that the exhibit has truly been an inspiration for many of us. "Hellophotokitty" of Canada recently wrote in the discussion area of the NYC Exposition group about her experience attending the exhibit: "NYC opened up my eyes again - inspired me and my photography - and you flickr buddies - I love and miss you all!!!"
The exhibit runs until Nov. 26 at the MediaNoche gallery. If you haven't stopped by yet, there is still plenty of time. Enjoy!
By Clarisel Gonzalez, BLOGS Curator
NEW YORK CITY -- It all started in Puerto Rico. That enchanted island inspired me to shoot photos and more photos. It also inspired me to want to share those images with the world.
That's what started the Puerto Rico Sun cultural news e-magazine back in 2002, which later (in 2004) became the Puerto Rico Sun cultural news/photoblog because it was easier and quicker for me to maintain.
I remember I first joined a photo sharing and storage site called "Flickr" in 2004 with the idea of posting my photos from there to the Puerto Rico Sun blog. But I discovered a whole new world full of photography and interactive communication on Flickr. I immediately started the Puerto Rico Sun photoblogging group and began joining other groups based on my many interests. I also started meeting people from all over the world online who shared a common love for photography and became part of a live and vibrant online community.
Last summer, I relocated to New York City, and I didn't realize that with this move, I would organize a photo exhibit and get to meet many of my online contacts for the first time. I recall Victor Iglesias ("Eros Leafar"), a photographer from Puerto Rico, posted a message saying that he wanted to organize an exposition so photographers can meet and showcase their photography in New York City. We were thinking something small. Just a one- or two-day thing max.
Victor asked for my help and I thought it was a good idea. I began contacting different groups seeking a donated space for our gallery -- and I posted a message in the "Corrientes" forum of a site called: prdream.com. And, Judith Escalona called, telling me she wanted to meet with me "to talk."
While I was thinking of a small gathering and an exhibit of traditional prints, I quickly learned that Judith had another idea: BLOGS. Judith wanted us to showcase our photos using the technology we use everyday to share our work. "It's live," she said, adding that she wanted the exhibit to be a three- to six-week gallery at MediaNoche showcasing photoblogs and how they are transforming the way photographs are shared, displayed and exhibited. MediaNoche is a gallery which offers residencies and exhibition space to artists working in new media in Spanish Harlem.
It made sense to me right at that first meeting. I immediately shared the good news with the photographers online and even they were not clear on how the exhibit would look like without prints. None of us really did!
But the exhibit began to form, largely online. When Richard A. Caraballo ("Minusbaby"), an artist based in East Harlem realized this exhibit was going to be held in his beloved Barrio, he immediately jumped on board to help make this happen. We decided to feature three separate photo groups.
The NYC Exposition, a multicultural/international group, was formed exclusively for the BLOGS exhibit and this group's aim is to showcase photography as art. The NYC Exposition consists of everything from macro to urban/street photography to landscapes and black and white images. Photographers represent different parts of the world, ranging from Puerto Rico and the United States to Latin America and Europe. In addition, I started up the NYC Exposition blog aimed at featuring the photographers who share everything from why they love photography to their photo style to the equipment they use.
Today, the NYC Exposition group has more than 165 members, featuring more than 1,070 images online.
Meanwhile, the two other photo groups featuring at the exhibit are: Puerto Rico Sun, a group dedicated to images of Puerto Rico and stateside boricua communities; and East Harlem, a group dedicated to images of the people and neighborhoods of El Barrio, two groups showcasing communities that the PRDream/MediaNoche project also serves.
The Puerto Rico Sun has more than 65 members and is showcasing 875 photos. The East Harlem group has 15 members, exhibiting nearly 160 photos.
Many of the photobloggers are observers. Many are storytellers. Many just want to capture a moment in time.
Some prefer to create images that are less photographic and more like other art forms such as a painting. Some want to share images reflecting the social conditions of their countries.
And, some say they just want to use their imaginations and create a reality through their art.
"I love photography, because I have the opportunity to create art and influence people's opinion and emotions," wrote "GinoPR" of Puerto Rico in the NYC Exposition blog.
"Enigma" of Taiwan wrote in his blurb: "I also think the idea of a photographic exposition that does not involve physical prints fascinates me (although I wonder sometimes how on earth you will get all of the colors and tones right, as you can't see the prints...but then realize that it really doesn't matter, the virtual prints will just be different, just as people who view photographs on two different monitors often see two different photographs)."
"Monster" of England wrote: "I love photography; I have always enjoyed composing pictures and the digital age has made it so much more accessible and flexible."
Today, I am happy to report that the exhibit has truly been an inspiration for many of us. "Hellophotokitty" of Canada recently wrote in the discussion area of the NYC Exposition group about her experience attending the exhibit: "NYC opened up my eyes again - inspired me and my photography - and you flickr buddies - I love and miss you all!!!"
The exhibit runs until Nov. 26 at the MediaNoche gallery. If you haven't stopped by yet, there is still plenty of time. Enjoy!
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Saturday, October 29, 2005
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