“Olga Mendez was a great role model not only for the residents of her Bronx and Manhattan district, but across the United States. As the first Puerto Rican woman elected to the New York State legislature, she opened doors for all who came after her, myself included. She was a tireless advocate for the concerns of her constituents, and she will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers, as well as those of all Bronxites, are with her family as they mourn her loss.” -- Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Re: The Death of former NY State Senator Olga Mendez
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The NY International Latino Film Festival celebrates anniversary with movies
The New York International Latino Film Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this year with a rich lineup of feature length flicks, documentaries and short movies highlighting Latino culture of course. The festival, which runs until Sunday, is also a time to star watch.
For more, go to
http://www.examiner.com/x-11970-NY-Latino-Community-Examiner~y2009m7d28-The-NY-International-Latino-Film-Festival-celebrates-anniversary-with-movies
I'm the NY Latino Community Examiner. Have story ideas for my Examiner column, feel free to e-mail me at clariselgonzalez (at) yahoo.com.
For more, go to
http://www.examiner.com/x-11970-NY-Latino-Community-Examiner~y2009m7d28-The-NY-International-Latino-Film-Festival-celebrates-anniversary-with-movies
I'm the NY Latino Community Examiner. Have story ideas for my Examiner column, feel free to e-mail me at clariselgonzalez (at) yahoo.com.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Artist restores Spirit of East Harlem
Manny Vega Begins Restoration of the Spirit of East Harlem Mural
| Artist Manny Vega began restoration on July 17th of Hope Community's defaced Spirit of East Harlem mural. The artist will complete the work by the end of July. Vega, along with community artists from different genres, will participate in an educational forum on the history and cultural significance of community (outdoor) artwork that Hope Community will host on August 13th. (photo and text courtesy of Marina Ortiz) To view more photos, go to http://www.hopeci.org/Spirit_Vega071709/index.htm |
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
To Be or Not To Be Supreme Court Judge: Sonia Sotomayor
Commentary
By Manuel Hernandez Carmona
There has been a lot of debate over the qualifications and character of the nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor. To be or not to be Supreme Court judge that is the national question. The up and coming confirmation of the Puerto Rican judge from the Bronx has refueled the issue of who is and who is not qualified to be United States Supreme Court Judge. Her critics have questioned her integrity and vision, yet they admire her tenacity at the Senate Hearings.
Although in terms of curriculum vitae, she is overqualified---her critics continue to question decisions she made as Federal District judge and as judge at the US Circuit Court of Appeals. Many have questioned the influence that her ethnicity and humble backgrounds may have in future judicial decisions. The United States has made its forefathers proud with the election of President Barack Obama, but his choice for Supreme Court Judge really has taken liberty and justice for all to the next level of American understanding. No doubt, she is a woman and a Latina.
To top all that, her parents were part of one of the most massive immigration movements in American history, precisely fostered by the Puerto Rican government’s ties to the American government in the early 1900’s which granted them U.S. citizenship and the right to enter the U.S. without having a passport. Sotomayor’s parents made the journey inspired by the so-called American dream, and the opportunities their children would have in New York City.
More than just a story, Sotomayor’s appointment brings down stereotypes that were ingrained in the minds of the American public with West Side Story’s (1957 Broadway play) prejudiced portrayal of the Latina woman. Hollywood has made a living off the bias depiction of the easy-slut and close-minded Latina woman. The Senate Hearings are underway, and some will use a magnifying glass to look closely at any little detail that will make Sotomayor unworthy of the highest appointment bestowed upon any attorney in the United States. The truth is that she is worthy beyond any reasonable doubt. Even Shakespeare would rethink his famous “to be or not to be” quote in light of what will come down in American history as one of the most “justified” nominations to the Supreme Court of all time.
There has been a lot of debate over the qualifications and character of the nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor. To be or not to be Supreme Court judge that is the national question. The up and coming confirmation of the Puerto Rican judge from the Bronx has refueled the issue of who is and who is not qualified to be United States Supreme Court Judge. Her critics have questioned her integrity and vision, yet they admire her tenacity at the Senate Hearings.
Although in terms of curriculum vitae, she is overqualified---her critics continue to question decisions she made as Federal District judge and as judge at the US Circuit Court of Appeals. Many have questioned the influence that her ethnicity and humble backgrounds may have in future judicial decisions. The United States has made its forefathers proud with the election of President Barack Obama, but his choice for Supreme Court Judge really has taken liberty and justice for all to the next level of American understanding. No doubt, she is a woman and a Latina.
To top all that, her parents were part of one of the most massive immigration movements in American history, precisely fostered by the Puerto Rican government’s ties to the American government in the early 1900’s which granted them U.S. citizenship and the right to enter the U.S. without having a passport. Sotomayor’s parents made the journey inspired by the so-called American dream, and the opportunities their children would have in New York City.
More than just a story, Sotomayor’s appointment brings down stereotypes that were ingrained in the minds of the American public with West Side Story’s (1957 Broadway play) prejudiced portrayal of the Latina woman. Hollywood has made a living off the bias depiction of the easy-slut and close-minded Latina woman. The Senate Hearings are underway, and some will use a magnifying glass to look closely at any little detail that will make Sotomayor unworthy of the highest appointment bestowed upon any attorney in the United States. The truth is that she is worthy beyond any reasonable doubt. Even Shakespeare would rethink his famous “to be or not to be” quote in light of what will come down in American history as one of the most “justified” nominations to the Supreme Court of all time.
Manuel Hernandez Carmona contributes his writings to Puerto Rico Sun.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Silent history
Pensamientos
Photography is a
story teller
though silent
i should not
feel ashame
i have no
photo history -- Coconut Brujita
story teller
though silent
i should not
feel ashame
i have no
photo history -- Coconut Brujita
Coconut Brujita contributes her writings to Puerto Rico Sun.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights national convention in Philadelphia
Community calendar
NATIONAL CONGRESS for PUERTO RICAN RIGHTS 8TH NATIONAL CONVENTION OCTOBER 9-11, 2009 TEMPLE UNIVERSITY PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA AT THE CONVENTION WE WILL DISCUSS WAYS TO REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS: * TO ADVOCATE FOR RESPECT AND EQUALITY FOR PUERTO RICANS IN THE U.S. AND ON THE ISLAND * ENSURE ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUERTO RICANS * PRESS FOR THE RESOLUTION OF THE STATUS OF ISLAND OF PUERTO
* AND MANY OTHER ISSUES SPECIAL INVITED GUESTS Wanda DeJesus, actress, Illegal Tender Congressman Jose Serrano (D-NY) Ana Ortiz, actress, Ugly Betty Frankie Negron, singer Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) Jimmy Smits, actor, Dexter, West Wing Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-ILL) Angelo Falcón, National Institute for Latino Policy Marta Garcia, National Hispanic Media Coalition Daddy Yankee and many others! CONTACT:
www.ncprr.us or veteran712004@yahoo.com SEND YOUR DONATION TO NCPRR 4322 North 5th Street Philadelphia, PA 19140 ATTN: Victor Vazquez
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Our Barrio Love Story
Pensamientos
east harlem
lower east side
south bronx
los sures
each pueblo
has its own
fable
the honorable
judge
is our love
story with
el barrio -- Coconut Brujita
Coconut Brujita contributes her writings to Puerto Rico Sun.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Sotomayor LEMC PSA Lin-Manuel Miranda
This public service announcement by Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist, Lin-Manuel Miranda, famous for writing and starring in the Broadway musical "In the Heights," is part of a series of PSA's, in both English and Spanish, were developed by a team of independent, New York-based Latina producers in support of Judge Sotomayor's Supreme Court nomination. The creators hope to raise awareness among an increasingly diverse U.S. Latino constituency about Judge Sotomayor's experience, credentials and qualifications. They also seek to motivate people from all walks of life to learn more about the nomination process and to contact their local Senator in support of Judge Sotomayor. The spots, which will primarily be seen on the internet, offer striking insights into how Latinos in America see themselves.
About LEMC: The Mission of the Latino Educational Media Center is to produce and distribute educational media materials in all technology and promote Latino media arts in order to represent the full spectrum and dynamic reality of Latinos in the United States, and to offer Latinos opportunities in media through a wide array of programs. The PSA's will be archived at LEMC for future historical review. www.lemctr.org
In addition to those mentioned above, the following professionals and companies have donated their services, time and equipment towards the success of this campaign.
source: LEMC at YouTube
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