Disparo histórico en El Morro (Historic cannon shot at El Morro grounds)

Disparo histórico en El Morro (Historic cannon shot at El Morro grounds)
Originally uploaded by rampg.

'Yo Soy Latina' is not just a Chick Play

Opinion

A friend of mine took me recently to a play called "Yo Soy Latina." I was a little skeptic at first thinking it was a chick play, but instead I experienced a very powerful message, freely bringing to the open to some of the stereotypes and prejudices that exist within our Latino nation. I urge you to take the time to so see the play for yourself.
It is very funny and very touching, especially for me being a black Hispanic. Although born and raise in the beautiful island of
Puerto Rico, I always felt unaccepted by Latinos here in the U.S. I'm asked still today if I'm West Indian, Dominican or black. I ask myself why is it so difficult for them to identify me as Puerto Rican?
I believe that it is because of these stereotypes and prejudices that keep Latinos from all over from coming together.
The link below is a web page which will provide additional information on this as well as other Latino plays. They added my comments they recorded about the play to their web. Let me know what you think of the play, I think you are going to love it…

http://www.migente.com/ultimatelatinafest/

(THE ULTIMATE LATINA THEATER FESTIVAL runs until June 29.)


Best Regards,

Walter Hernandez

Going Back to Nature. Pellejas River, Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

Going Back to Nature. Pellejas River, Adjuntas, Puerto Rico
Originally uploaded by Oquendo.

Salsa Singer Victor Manuelle at SummerStage

IMG_8696
Originally uploaded by clarisel.

Puerto Rico Sun was there for the outdoor SummerStage concert on Father's Day in NYC's Central Park. While fans represented many countries, the Puerto Rican flag stood out in the crowd. At one point, a fan gave Victor Manuelle a Puerto Rican flag of course.

Visit my site at flickr for more of my photos.

www.flickr.com/photos/clarisel

'Independent Sources'

On TV

NEW!! INDEPENDENT SOURCES on CUNY TV
Channel 75

Independent Sources is where viewers meet the ethnic press. Hosted by Garry Pierre-Pierre and Vianora Vinca, engages members of New York's ethnic and mainstream media in an insightful discussion of stories covered by ethnic newspapers, television and radio stations, and websites. Each half-hour episode also features an in-depth profile of an ethnic news organization or a reporter.

In the premier episode, Garry and Vianora are joined by Philip Kasinitz, Professor of Sociology at CUNY, and Alberto Vourvoulias-Bush of El Diario/La Prensa.

Independent Sources premieres on Wednesday, June 18 at 8:30 p.m. It repeats on Saturday, June 21 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 22 at 10 a.m.

CUNY TV, channel 75, is a cable channel serving the five boroughs of New York City with educational, cultural and public affairs programs. As part of The City University of New York, CUNY TV operates as a non-commercial station.

source: CUNY TV

EDITOR'S NOTE: I, representing PRSUN and Bronx Latino, was interviewed for this program. Clarisel

Time for Clarification: Puerto Ricans Need to End their Indecision

Featured Analysis

On June 9, the UN Special Committee on Decolonization considered yet again the status of the world’s oldest remaining colony, Puerto Rico. The Committee called on the United States to accelerate the process of self-determination for the island, an action that many Puerto Ricans regard as a crucially important step towards fulfilling their fifty-six year-old quest to achieve a majority opinion on the permanent status of the island. However, this is not the first time the UN has issued the same appeal.

For the last eight years, the UN Committee has called upon the United States to grant autonomy to Puerto Rico, but has yet to witness any changes. In response to the most recent resolution, Washington has reminded the international community that Puerto Rico democratically decided to enter into a free association with the United States in 1952. Accordingly, the persisting inconclusive political status of Puerto Rico is a domestic matter that has no place on the UN agenda. The United States has repeatedly stated that only the Puerto Rican people can decide the structure of their future political arrangement. If the United States is willing to resolve Puerto Rico’s status, why are Puerto Rican representatives annually attending a UN Committee that has repeatedly failed to produce results for them?

It seems that after 500 years of foreign domination, Puerto Ricans have grown accustomed to having others decide what is best for them. Its leaders can no longer blame outsiders for their continuing subordinate status. In 1967, 1991, 1993, and then again in 1998, Washington assisted the Puerto Rican government in the organization of referendums on the island’s future status, giving its people the opportunity to decide between statehood, independence, or the existing commonwealth. In each instance, Puerto Ricans voted overwhelmingly in favor of the status quo. However, the commonwealth status was never meant to be a permanent solution, but instead a first step towards independence. In fact, the 2005 White House report gave Puerto Rico only two options: integration as a federal state or independence.

Now that the status quo is no longer a viable alternative, Puerto Rican voters cannot continue badgering Congress to grant them independence or statehood if they themselves have been unable to decide between the two. In order to take control of their future and formalize their own decision, they must act now instead of looking to outsiders to solve their problems. Only after adopting their own plan of action can Puerto Ricans demand that Congress approve it. Until then, the only thing stopping Puerto Rico from achieving a permanent status are Puerto Ricans themselves. In this regard, reaching a decision will prove to be the island’s first act of self-determination.

This analysis was prepared by COHA Research Associate Michelle Quiles


COHA or the Council on Hemispheric Affairs is a nonprofit, tax-exempt independent research and information organization. It was established to promote the common interests of the hemisphere, raise the visibility of regional affairs and increase the importance of the inter-American relationship, as well as encourage the formulation of rational and constructive U.S. policies towards Latin America. For more information, www.coha.org.

source: press release

(Photo depicts scene outside the UN on the day of this year's hearing. Photo by Ismael Nunez)

'In the Heights' Wins Tony

'In the Heights' on Broadway
Originally uploaded by clarisel.

A musical inspired in NYC's thriving Washington Heights neighborhood wins best musical in the Tony awards!
"In the Heights,'' also won for choreography, orchestrations, and original score.


Felicidades.

Celebrate Fathers and Poetry in El Barrio

Américo Casiano Jr. is the founder and artistic director of NuyoRican School Original Poetry Jazz Ensemble. Mr. Casiano has won literary awards such as the 2003 New York Foundation for the Arts Poetry fellowship and the 1974 CAPS Poetry fellowship.

His forthcoming poetry volume is titled On the Stand: Poems by Américo Casiano Jr. to be published by Bronxeña Press, Bronx Council on the Arts (2004). His published anthologies include Bum Rush The Page: Def Poetry Jam (2001), New Rains Volume Nine: Our Fathers/Ourselves (1999), Aloud: Voices from the Nuyorican Poets’ Café (1994), and Nuyorican Poetry (1976).

Mr. Casiano has also been involved in television and film.

source: Hope Community

Lin-Manuel Miranda on 'In the Heights'

Boricua Lin-Manuel Miranda, star and creator of 'In the Heights', talks about the inspiration for his hit Broadway musical, nominated for 13 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Lead Actor and Best Original Score. The Tony awards will be announced tomorrow night.
(source: IntheHeightsBroadway)

'In the Heights' Musical Montage

(source: IntheHeightsBroadway)