ALL

MAKING THE NEWS THIS WEEK

Despite personal pitches by President major foundation funding. About 10% of its
Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama in $25 million annual budget comes from fed-
Copenhagen for Chicago to host the 2016 eral grants and these are being eliminated
Summer Olympics, the International Olym- by Congress, reports the Washington Post
pic Committee selects Rio de Janeiro, ...President Obama nominates Stephanie
making Brazil the first South American Villafuerte as U.S. Attorney for the District of
country to host the Olympics. It will also Colorado and recently retired Omaha Po-
entertain the soccer World Cup in lice Deputy Chief Mark Martínez as U.S.
2014...The battered Association of Com- Marshal for the District of Nebraska...
munity Organizations for Reform Now, aka Mercedes Sosa, the famous “Voice of Latin
Vol. 27, No. 32 Oct. 5, 2009 ACORN, which helps low-income fami- America” and leader in its New Song move-
Your News Source for 26 Years lies with housing needs, continues to lose ment, dies in her native Argentina at 75...

LATINO GROUPS’ QUEST: OUST DOBBS FROM CNN

By Erick Galindo of hatred that seals the cup and pocketbook Lovato gives the CNN show credit for one
Twice now, Lou Dobbs has mentioned of Lou Dobbs and CNN,” Lovato told Weekly positive advance in the Hispanic commu-
Roberto Lovato on his “Lou Dobbs Tonight” Report. nity: Dobbs’ attacks have brought the com-
program carried by CNN. Lovato is an inves- The majority of Dobbs’ shows deal with munity to its feet, he says. They have facili-
tigative reporter and former community orga- immigration, a problem Lovato says “has tated the movement, seriously damaged his
nizer. On the air, Dobbs labeled him a “flea” the potential to change the course of Ameri- credibility with the public, and put in ques-
and a “bozo.” can history.” In 140 broadcast hours this tion CNN’s impartial image as “the most
Dobbs annoyance year from Jan. 1 trusted name in news.”
stems from the fact that through July 23, “Lou This year Dobbs aired a piece question-
Lovato is part of a na- Dobbs Tonight” de- ing the citizenship of President Barack
tional movement to get voted 77 — more than Obama even as CNN itself had already dis-
the controversial com- half — to the topic of credited the so-called “birthers” movement.
mentator dropped immigration. (continued on page 3)
from CNN. Lovato’s Dobbs has claimed
group, Basta Dobbs, is that immigrants carry CHCI Health Panel
diseases across the
conducting one of three
major campaigns tar- DOBBS border, are criminals LOVATO Gives a Voice to the
geting the conservative anchor.
Drop Dobbs Now and Democracia Ahora’s
and steal jobs from U.S. workers as part of
a major Mexican conspiracy to re-conquer
‘Forgotten Children’
the Southwest as part of the fabled Aztlán. In By Carolina Escalera
campaign entitled “Enough is Enough!” are
2007 he falsely related a substantial rise in Adamant to get started, U.S. Rep.
the others.
leprosy cases to immigrant flow across the Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.) skipped
“At some point the Latino community had to lengthy introductions of the blue-ribbon
do something to push back against the tide border.
panelists who shared their mental health
care expertise at the recent Congressional
Latinos, Other Members of Congress Jump Hispanic Caucus Institute’s 2009 Public
Policy Conference.
into Honduras Fracas — on Both Sides Napolitano wanted to make certain that
By Erick Galindo & Camila Rodríguez Campo Jim DeMint (R-S.C.). the issue was addressed with the imme-
Tensions continue to mount in the Ameri- Kerry blocked U.S. State Department fund- diacy it deserved. It was time to give a
cas with the tumultuous political climate of ing for DeMint’s Oct. 3 trip to Honduras. The voice to “the forgotten children,” she said.
Honduras. Ousted President Manuel senator’s aides had called the visit a “fact- The experts discussed the status of chil-
Zelaya’s return to his country under the pro- finding” trip, but also told The New York dren in the foster care and juvenile correc-
tection of the Brazilian Embassy has not only Times that the senator was going to Hondu- tions systems with a special emphasis
ras to encourage the coup government to on implications for Latinas and Latinos.
escalated the risk of violence but it has raised
“resist” U.S. government pressure. Psychiatrists and specialists who con-
the stakes in U.S. chambers.
Three other Republican members of tributed included a judge and a represen-
The rift between Republicans, who sup-
Congress accompanied DeMint, and three tative from the Office of Juvenile Justice
port conservative coup-installed president
more, all Cuban Americans, are scheduled and Delinquency Prevention.
Roberto Micheletti, and Democrats, who Dr. Anita Chandra, with the RAND Cor-
defend democratically elected populist to travel there Oct. 5.
Obama Administration policy calls for re- poration, provided statistics to give the
Zelaya, is underpinned by a confrontation session context. California has the most
between Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and instatement of Zelaya, although U.S. offi-
cials stated in the last Organization of foster care children in the nation and 44%
of them are Hispanic. Nearly 60% of all
AmeriAS meeting that the way Zelaya re-
those detained and incarcerated in the
The Inside Stories turned to his own country was irrespon-
United States are black or Hispanic.
sible and foolish. They stressed the impor-
PAGE 4: Hispanic press in U.S. cel- While many of the youth have mental
tance of recreating a peaceful democratic
ebrates its bicentennial. health problems, the stigma surrounding
environment.
PAGE 7: ‘New Reads’ reviews Randy Ertll’s those issues sometimes prevents those
book on Salvadorans in the U.S. (continued on page 2) (continued on page 2)

TRANSITION WATCH: Ken Salazar Will Head Department of Interior

 agreed to stop any raids during the census. perpetrates it and regardless of who alleg-
Political The department’s decision departs not edly benefits,” said EEOC spokesperson

Poop only from its 2000 stance, but also two years
ago, when it asked the Department of Home-
James Ryan said.
Mortgage Bias Charged
by Patricia Guadalupe land Security to stop raids until after the The denial rate for blacks and Hispanics
2010 census. That request was rejected by applying for conventional mortgages is
the then-Bush administration. more than twice that for whites, found an
Dept. Won’t Try to Halt Raids The census is used to apportion House Oct. 1 Federal Reserve study on mortgage
The U.S. Commerce Department Oct. 1 seats and distribute nearly $450 billion in lending.
said it would not seek a halt to immigration federal dollars. Nearly one in three persons who applied
raids as it did in the 2000 census as part of EEOC Sues over Latina Maids last year were denied, up from 29% in 2006,
efforts to get as accurate a count as pos- The federal Equal Employment Opportu- but 45% of Hispanics and nearly half of
sible. The 2010 count begins April 1. nities Commission Oct. 1 filed a discrimation blacks were given the thumbs down.
“Our job is to count every resident once, lawsuit against owners of a Best Western The study also found that while the per-
and in the right place, and that’s what we motel in Alexandria, Va., alleging the motel centage of borrowers taking high-interest
do,” Commerce spokesperson Nick would employ only Hispanic maids. loans — those considered at least three
Kimball. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court percentage points above the rate for prime
“All the information the Census Bureau against Mount Vernon Holdings LLC on loans — has gone down, 17% of blacks
collects is protected by law and will not be behalf of three maids who said they lost and 15% of Hispanics took out those types
shared with any other agency. Neither the their jobs because they are not Hispanic. of loans, compared to 7% for whites.
Commerce Department nor the Census They said new ownership at the motel The study was based on data collected
Bureau will ask DHS to refrain from exer- instructed told all employees to reapply for from nearly 8,400 lenders, as required by
cising their lawful authority,” he said. their jobs. “All discrimination based on na- law under the Home Mortgage Disclosure
In 2000, immigration officials informally tional origin is wrong, regardless of who Act of 1975.

Latino Members Line Up with Own Parties as Honduras Standoff Drags On

(continued from pg 1) of Defense. ates are attacking
Six House members sent a letter to the The trio of Cuban-American congres- Micheletti for suspending
president of the Honduran Congress on Oct. sional members represent Florida districts. constitutional rights. His
3 clarifying that the GOP legislators’ view did The Díaz-Balart brothers, Lincoln and regime has already tear-
not reflect that of the U.S. Congress as a Mario, and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, all Repub- gassed the Brazil Em-
whole, which includes the all-Democrat, 24- licans, made arrangements to travel to bassy where Zelaya has
member Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Honduras Oct. 5 to explore whether current taken refuge. The coup
Arizona’s Raúl Grijalva joined 15 other House U.S. policy is “undermining the democratic government recently or-
members in a letter urging Obama to take aspirations of the Honduran people and dered the closure of
stronger action against the coup regime. vital U.S. national security and commercial media outlets, including
Despite the U.S. posture and lack of inter- interests,” as Ros-Lehtinen framed it. Ros-Lehtinen Radio Globo, one of that
national support for Honduras’ de-facto Zelaya was seized and spirited out of the country’s largest broadcasters. Respond-
government, DeMint acquired logistical sup- country on June 28 for what his foes called ing to world reaction, coup leaders later lifted
port for his trip through the U.S. Department constitutional violations. Now his associ- sanctions.
Ros-Lehtinen has remained adamant of
Job Growth ‘Is Not Good Enough’ — Solís her support of Micheletti.
“I am traveling to Honduras to conduct my
By Erick Galindo December 2007, the number of unemployed
own assessment of the situation on the
Hispanic unemployment rates showed persons increased by 7.6 million to 15.1
ground and the state of U.S. interests in light
little improvement in the month of Septem- million, and the unemployment rate has
of the U.S.’s misguided Zelaya-focused
ber as the overall rate rose to a 26-year record doubled.
approach,” she said.
of 9.8%, according to the Department of “It’s not good enough, but we are working
The de-facto government gave Brazil a ten-
Labor’s monthly report released Oct. 1. every single day to make sure that we are
day ultimatum either to give political asylum
At 13.0% — down 0.3% from August — doing everything we can to create jobs and
to Zelaya or to turn him in to the Honduran
Hispanic unemployment continues to be well create the kind of credit opportunities that
authorities to keep its diplomatic status.
above the national rate and second only to businesses can expand, manufacturing
Brazil responded by warning Honduras that
blacks at 15.4% as opportunities can occur and we put people
invading the Brazilian Embassy would be a
the most unemployed back to work,” Solís told Weekly Report.
major violation of international law.
ethnic group. Overall, The unemployment figures underscore
Ros-Lehtenin explained her visit, “I wish to
263,000 U.S. workers economists’ reports that the recovery has
ensure that the Honduran people and demo-
lost their jobs last begun. President Obama has repeatedly
cratic constitutional government have the
month. The largest said that jobs are the last part of the economy
opportunity to tell their side of the story, given
losses were in con- to rebound.
that the international community has ignored
struction, manufactur- Solís added that on the DOL website,
the will of the Honduran people throughout
ing, retail trade and where employers can post available posi-
this process.”
government. tions, 2.4 million remain open. She added
Neither her fact-finding mission nor those
Secretary of Labor SOLIS that the bulk of the jobs being created for
of the Díaz-Balarts included a meeting with
Hilda Solís said that although the overall projects in construction and manufacturing
Zelaya, Ros-Lehtinen communications di-
high was disappointing, it was a vast im- that are already on the books will not be
rector Alex Cruz, travelling with her, told
provement from the recession’s start. Since available until the first quarter of next year.
Weekly Report. “It’s not part of our agenda.”
2 Oct. 5, 2009 Hispanic Link Weekly Rerport
AS CONGRESS ARGUES, PUBLIC STILL WANTS HEALTH BILL
By Erick Galindo Pew Hispanic Center report. It places un- the uninsured.”
President Obama’s promise of change documented Hispanic adults lacking health Grijalva said he personally remains com-
that helped him defeat two U.S. political insurance at 60%. This highlights the need mitted to oppose any bill that does not in-
dynasties is no more apparent than in the for an affordable health care option that in- clude the public option. He made that asser-
barn-burning health care debate, where the cludes provisions that take into consider- tion following the Senate Finance
revolving opinion polls, contrasting finan- ation their plight or the risk of their spreading Committee’s release of its bill, which does
cial figures and cyclical political stances of flu or other contagious diseases, advocates not include a public option.
House and Senate say. “Its version is very
leadership have The argument over an affordable health much status quo,”
dominated the argu- care option may not matter much for some Grijalva reacted. “Their
ment. Latinos if provisions of the bill regarding attempt at a public
“There is some immigrants approved by the key Senate Fi- option — the co-op —
pressure to get things nance Committee regarding immigrants are will not work. It’s too
done,” Rep. Raúl not amended. small and has no
Grijalva told Hispanic These would keep undocumented immi- start-up capital to
Link News Service, as grants out of the health exchange, prevent- compete with insur-
the Arizona congress- ing them from purchasing insurance even ance companies.”
man acknowledged GRIJALVA at an unsubsidized cost. Grijalva’s home BAUCUS
that even in the 83-member Congressional The bill includes a verification system re- state of Arizona, which is 30% Hispanic, con-
Progressive Caucus, which he co-chairs, quiring immigrants to prove legal status and tinues, at 20%, to be among the nation’s top
there is some “slippage” in support for a creates a five-year waiting period for legal five in percentage of uninsured residents.
government-funded public insurance option. immigrants to be eligible for subsidies to Three of the other top five also have large
This is occurring in spite of a new NBC pay for health care. Hispanic populations. Texas, with its 8.3
News/Wall Street Journal poll that shows “I’m disgusted by the scapegoating that million Latinos, leads the nation at 25%
public support for the option at 53%. accompanied this,” Grijalva said, in a swipe uninsured. Tiny New Mexico, with 850,000
A lot is at stake for Latinos, who remain at committee chair Max Baucus of Montana, Latinos, is at 23%. Florida, with its 3.3 mil-
uninsured at a 30% rate and have 25% of a fellow Democrat. “Hispanics are once lion Latinos, follows at 20.5%. Rounding out
their number stuck in immigration limbo. again the whipping boy. The rising costs of the top five, Louisiana at 20% is home to
The argument is compounded for those health care are not being caused by the some 100,000 Hispanics and 4.5 million
who are undocumented, according to a new undocumented. They are being caused by blacks.

Lovato Says ‘Dump Dobbs’ Drive Has Spread to 25 Cities

(continued from page 1) draw on some of the famed gutters of imag- spiracy theories.”
In August, he affiliated himself with the Fed- ery and language that perpetuate racism Lovato said the movement is making great
eration for American Immigration Reform, and hate and somehow call it news.” strides and has grown by the tens of thou-
an anti-immigrant special interest group, CNN has defended Dobbs opinions and sands in the past few weeks alone, giving
prompting Media Matters President Eric he has repeatedly defended his right to be him optimism to complete the mission.
Burns to issue an open letter to CNN Vice on the air and state his partiality. Yet, his “What is happening now is a national and
President Jonathan Klein. diatribes have contributed to a rise in hate multi-prong, multi-focused effort and that’s
“Mr. Dobbs represents an ongoing threat crimes in the community, according to a report something they have never had to face,” he
to CNN’s credibility as a serious news orga- by the Southern Poverty Law Center. said. “It’s something bigger they didn’t think
nization, in no small part because of his “This kind of really vile propaganda begins the community capable of ever really taking
polemical coverage of immigration issues in hate groups, makes its way out into the on. It’s actually really exciting that way.”
and his continued use of his CNN show to larger anti-immigration movement, and, Lovato said the movement has also made
lend prominence to groups such as FAIR,” before you know it, winds up in places like progress at CNN and some inside the net-
wrote Burns. ‘Lou Dobbs Tonight’ on CNN,” said Mark work have privately admitted that there is
But according to Lovato, Dobbs threatens Potok, director of the Intelligence Project. pressure. The fact that extreme caricature
more than his reputation. “I know the kind of “This country needs a robust debate on zealots, like FOX’s Glenn Beck, continue to
dangerous threat represented by CNN and immigration, but it does not need a debate lose sponsors is also something that con-
Lou Dobbs.” Lavato said. “He is willing to based on racist allegations and bogus con- cerns the network.
Unmet Mental Health Needs are Highest for Hispanics Dobbs has begun to drop in the ratings
(continued from page 1) which could be why he chose to acknowl-
rooted from their familiar environments,
involved from looking for help, she said. edge Lovato on the air and invite him to
they are unable to reach out to close fam-
“Unmet mental health needs are high- come on “Lou Dobbs Tonight” to debate im-
ily members. “Access to service isn’t
est amongst Hispanic youth,” Chandra migration: a move that could re-energize
sufficient and the service being provided
said, alluding to a lack of available and Dobbs’ ratings. But Lovato and other lead-
has to be of quality and evidence-based,”
accessible trained professionals to work ers of the movement say they are past the
she concluded.
with those in need of assistance. One of the most crucial issues involves stage of trying to debate Dobbs.
Dr. Jackie Contreras from the Casey Hispanic youth in juvenile corrections “At this point we are going over his head,”
Family Programs focused directly on care units, Kathi Grasso, of the Office of Juve- Lovato said. “We’re talking to his bosses.
needs of foster students. She stressed nile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, CNN tells us that it is feeling the massive
that they have lost all of the connections pointed out. Many youth face psychiatric attack, I mean, executives are seeing the
that others have when dealing with sad- disorders and substance abuse problems national growing pressure from Latinos
ness and depression. Having been up- that interfere with rehabilitation. throughout the United States.”
Hispanic Link Weekly Report Oct. 5, 2009 3
 The Hidden History of the U.S. Latino Press
Then and today, they help immigrants adjust to life in a strange and
sometimes hostile land.
Guest Columnist “They’re acquainting people to the U.S. who may not have been
welcomed but have always wanted to be a part of American society,”
says Gutiérrez.
NEWSPAPERS HELPED ’06 MARCHES
Lauren Alicia Mendoza What began more than 200 years ago in New Orleans has con-
tinued to flourish. “Latino media in all forms, including newspa-
pers, are growing at a time when others are suffering declines,” he
As the year-long bicentennial celebration of Latino newspapers says.
in the United States comes to a close, its legacy continues to grow This influence was best portrayed in 2006 when Latino newspa-
and serve a community. pers, including the influential Los Angeles daily La Opinión, encour-
“The bicentennial is a significant event for journalism and we have aged readers to “hit the streets” to demonstrate for immigration
a responsibility to document our history,” says Félix Gutiérrez, pro- reform. Nearly 500,000 people did so in Los Angeles.
fessor of journalism, communication and Mexican American stud-
Commemorating the bicentennial, the University of Southern
ies at the University of Southern California. “We have deep roots. We
California recognized this milestone of U.S. Latino newspapers on
should know them, and others should know them.”
Sept. 30 showcasing their legacy.
Even Gutiérrez expresses surprise at what he discovered in his
The opening event at the USC Annenberg Auditorium featured a
research. Before the first U.S. Latino newspaper, the first printed
film preview of “Voices for Justice: The Enduring Legacy of the
news in the Americas was produced in a booklet, hoja volante, by
Latino Press in the U.S.,” an exhibit presenting Latino newspapers
Juan Rodríguez in 1541, nearly 150 years before the first English
and their stories, followed by a discussion on the future of U.S.
colony newspaper. And in 1808 the first U.S. Latino newspaper, El
Latinos and the media.
Misisipí, was founded in New Orleans.
“We were looking for a theme that would translate 200 years.
“I was surprised while digging into all this history,” Gutiérrez says.
Voices for Justice seemed to fit. [Latino newspapers] were all
“Who would have thought the first U.S. Latino newspaper would be
looking for justice in a society that promises justice but doesn’t
in New Orleans?”
always give it,” Gutiérrez reflects.
NEWS BYTES FROM HERE AND THERE
PATRIA GAVE VOICE TO JOSÉ MARTÍ
Throughout the 200 years, U.S. Latino newspapers have played
The exhibit will remain at USC through the month of October.It
shows the role newspapers have played in advocating Latin Ameri-
multiple roles. They have been a voice for the people and to the can independence, adapting to U.S. conquest of the Southwest,
people, whether they were students, women, labor unions or com- acquainting newcomers with U.S. ways, serving as a voice for
munity organizations. leaders, and using new technologies to reach larger audiences.
They allowed a Cuban revolutionary leader, José Martí, to call for TOO MUCH IS FORGOTTEN
Cuban independence from Spain in his New York City newspaper
Adrianna Venegas, a member of the production team that de-
Patria in 1892. They allowed people to voice their opinions during
signed the exhibit, observed, “Latinos are not sleeping giants. We
the Spanish American War in 1898 through various Latino publica-
have this strong history that can change the minds of people who
tions.
still believe that we just started.”
During the U.S. war with Mexico in 1846, hundreds of Latino
newspapers published stories that differed from what English “The exhibit shows that we’re a literate and vibrant community,”
newspapers were reporting, “reflected their own experiences,” Gutiérrez says. While much of its history has been forgotten be-
Gutiérrez explains, “…history of America as reported by U.S. Latinos.” cause it has been recorded in Spanish its story is just beginning,”
In the late 1930s Latino newspapers provided a soapbox for he maintained. “There is a continuing fight for freedom of Latino
Latino students to share their struggles as well as their achieve- press. Its history is still being made. It will never be done.”
ments in education. The Mexican Voice, for one, did it for students (Lauren Alicia Mendoza is a journalism master’s candidate at the
in Monrovia, Calif. University of Southern California in Los Angeles.)

has dominated the immigration debate for years.

Sin pelos This report comes to us from Rich Stolz, Reform Immigration FOR

en la lengua Kay Bárbaro

America campaign manager:
“Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, in renewing
SAY IT AIN’T SO, JOE: Disappointing news comes fresh off the even a partial agreement, missed an important opportunity to stand
pack-mule from the Grand Canyon State. Arizona’s infamous Sheriff against racial profiling and arrests without probable cause.
Joe Arapaio, who made a name for himself by rounding up and “Sheriff Arpaio's smug defiance of the rule of law and the authority
hog-tying Latinos and immigrants for harassment and deporta- of the federal government underscore the problems inherent in the
tion purposes in Maricopa County, apparently will stick around for 287(g) program.
a while longer. “With nonexistent or inconsistent federal oversight, rogue, locally-
The Deparment of Homeland Security partially renewed elected cops have used the program to score political points while
Arapaio’s 287(g) agreement, removing his deputies’ authority to terrorizing immigrant communities and undermining public safety.
conduct raids in the community under the guise of immigration “Certainly, more was expected of Secretary Napolitano and Presi-
enforcement. The removal of such authority is a step in the right dent Obama by voters in Arizona and especially from immigrant,
direction, but it is not going to make DHS any friends with Hispan- Latino and Asian voters who played such a critical role in the
ics, who see Arapaio as an example of the racism and hate that President's 2008 victory.”

4 Oct. 5, 2009 Hispanic Link Weekly Report

 Collecting Connecting
(Compiled by Carolina Quintanilla & Camila Rodríguez Casto) (Compiled by Rosa Ramírez and Camila Rodríguez Casto)
SAFETY BELTS: Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of $7 Million Awarded for Migrant Students
death for Hispanics from 1- 44 years of age, and are the third leading More than $7.1 million In the federal High School Equivalency
cause for Hispanics of all ages, surpassed only by heart disease Program (HELP) grants for migrant students are being shared
and cancer. Lack of parental awareness is considered one key among 16 institutions in 11 states.
reason for the negative statistics.. The funding will aid students in gaining their high school diplo-
These data, shared on the Driving University website, have led a mas through educational programs for migratory or seasonal
number of organizations to organize campaigns to promote safety farm workers or their children. Recipients must be 16 years of age
belt use by Hispanics. or older and not presently enrolled in school.
The non-profit National Latino Children’s Institute (NLCI), has Services offered include counseling, job placement, health care
created Corazón de mi vida, an initiative to encourage Latino fami- and, for residential students, housing..
lies to protect their children by informing themselves about the right The list of grantees and grants includes:
way to use safety belts. SER Jobs for Progress, South El Monte, Calif., $475,000;
Many Hispanics come from countries where children are not California State University, Sacramento, $451,221;
required to use the belts. Also, information about safety driving rules University of Colorado, Boulder, $474,324;
is not always available in Spanish to the young and fast-growing West Hills Community College District, Coalinga, Calif.,
U.S. Latino population. $475,000;
For additional information, go to www.drivinguniversity.com/traf- University of South Florida, Tampa, $400,406;
fic-safety-traffic-safety-facts/strenghtening-safety-belt-use- Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, $475,000;
Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, $472,080
laws.htm
McDaniel College Center for Human Services, Westminster,
About Corazón de mi vida, check out www.nlci.org/kits/main.htm
Calif. $427,318;
For Feds Teach Hispanics on Seat Belt Safety:www.redorbit.com/
Northern New Mexico College, Española, N.M., $397,784;
news/general/22593/feds_teach_hispanics_on_seat_belt_safety/
Chemeketa Community College, Salem, Ore., $407,062;
CHILDREN AWARE OF WHITE HOUSE WHITE MALE MONOPOLY: University of Oregon, Eugene, Ore., $474,571;
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin reveals that most University of Texas–El Paso, $469,496;
elementary-school-age children are aware there has been no fe- University of Texas – Pan American, Edinburg, Tex., $475,000;
male, African-American or Hispanic president of the United States. Milwaukee Area Technical College, Milwaukee, $385,686.
Most attribute the lack of representation to discrimination. Heritage University, Toppenish, $473,205;
Rebecca Bigler, a professor of psychology, and a team of re- Opportunities Industrialization Center, Yakima, $406,625.
searchers at the University of Kansas interviewed 205 children For more information, visit the website at http://www.ed.gov/
between the ages of 5 and 10 on their knowledge, attitudes and about/offices/list/oese/ome/index.html.
beliefs about the similarities among U.S. presidents. Sports Shut Out Immigrant Children
Some children thought it is illegal for women and persons of color
A new study by the Women’s Sports Foundation reveals that
to hold the office of president, while others attributed the lack of
children from immigrant families and those with disabilities are
female, African-American and Latino presidents to the racial and
more likely to be shut out of sports.
gender bias of voters.
Some immigrant families are more aligned with cultural tradi-
To obtain a copy of the study, contact Amy Molnar at journalnews
tions. About 43% of girls from these families play sports, com-
@bos.blackwellpublishing.com or by calling 201-748-8844.
pared with 75% of boys.
ETHNIC MEDIA WATCHDOG WORKSHOP: A workshop for journal- Nine in 100 families have a child with a disability. Many of these
ism professionals and students covering topics such as the 2010 parents report a lack of known accommodations for play. More than
Census’ the stimulus package, health care and criminal justice will two-thirds reported that their children would be interested in play-
be held Oct. 16-17 at the American University School of Communi- ing, but 38% said no such athletic opportunities exist.
cations. For details, call Alex Moe at (202) 758-3308 or email her at Copies of the complete report can be found available at
amoe@newamericamedia. www.womenssportsfoundation.org

Information: (202) 833-0060 LITERATURE

Ca l e n d a r NDN
Washington, D.C. Oct. 9
Washington, D.C. Oct. 17
The Library of Congress and the Hispanic
The NDN hosts a special event for Bill Richardson. Division stages The Americas awards for
AFI LATIN AMERICA FILM FESTIVAL Information: (202) 842-7217 children’s and young adult literature.
Maryland Sept. 23-Oct. 12
AFI takes the 2009 Latin American Film Festival
on the road through three cities. It includes films
Coming Soon Information: (202) 707-2013

THIS WEEK IN LATINO HISTORY…

from Spain and Portugal. CLOSING Of HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Washington, D.C. Oct. 13
Former Costa Rica President Oscar
Information: www.marylandfilm.org
Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) holds the closing Arias won the Nobel Peace Prize on Oct.
AJC AWARDS GALA
Washington, D.C. Oct. 6 keynote to the Library’s celebration of Hispanic 6, 1987.
The American Jewish Committee Latino, Latin Heritage Month. Argentinean revolutionary Ernesto Che
American Institute and Embassy of Israel host a Information: (202) 707-9169 Guevara was executed in Bolivia Oct. 9,
awards gala. NDN 1967.
Information: (202) 364-5633. Washington, D.C. Oct. 1 La Prensa newspaper was founded by
MANA AWARDS GALA The NDN hosts a special event forAntonio Patriota, Rafael Rivera in New York City Oct. 12,
Arlington, Va. Oct. 6 ‘s ambassador to the Brazil.
1963.
MANA stages its annual awards gala. Information: (202) 842-7217

Hispanic Link Weekly Report Oct. 5, 2009 5

 Frente’s Influence Includes Empowering Indigenous Women
“But it’s not really the party that gets their Pimentel had been an active leader in
By David Bacon interest. It’s letting them know how we can many demonstrations and marches for
(Final episode in a three-part series) help them. I’ll ask, who wants to become housing and workers’ rights in Baja. Many
The Frente’s organizing strategy is based legal in this country? We talk about very Frente leaders on the peninsula were his
on the culture of Oaxacan communities, basic problems like allies.
particularly an institution called the tequio. that. Really, it all starts Following the election, the conservative
“This is the concept that we must partici- with a small group of state government of the National Action
pate in collective work to support our com- people.” Party manipulated the divisions in the PRD
munity,” farm labor organizer Rufino Maceda’s presence and the Frente, and its political opposi-
Domínguez explains. “In our communities is also a key to devel- tion in Baja California was weakened as a
we already know one another and can act oping the participation result.
together. That understanding of mutual as- of young people in the Frente leaders like Domínguez are not
sistance makes it easier for us to organize Frente. overly optimistic about the new political en-
ourselves. Wherever we go, we go united. Given the strong vironment under President Vicente Fox, who
It’s a way of saying that I do not speak alone pressure in the United BACON was the candidate of the Partido Acción
— we all speak together. States on children and teenagers to assimi- Nacional.
“We make efforts so that our communities late into the dominant consumerist lifestyle, SYSTEM DIDN’T CHANGE
don’t lose their culture, their language and maintaining the connection to home com- “The political party changed, the name of
their traditions. Beyond organizing and teach- munities far away is very difficult. Winning the government changed, but the system
ing our rights, we would like to save continues to be the same,” he says
wearily. “The view of Vicente Fox is very
our language so that it lives and con-
tinues into the future. Even though
‘Wherever we go, we go united... attractive, very optimistic and full of
more than 500 years have passed We want to live our culture and promises, but we’re not seeing any-
since the Spanish conquest, we still thing done.
speak our language. We are con- ensure that it won’t die.’ “He didn’t defend the proposed indig-
serving our way of dancing, and res- enous rights law. [Human rights law-
cuing what we lost in terms of our beliefs — the interest of youth in indigenous languages yer] Digna Ochoa was murdered in Mexico
that nature is something sacred for us just and cultural practices is even more so. Many City. There is a lot of discourse, but no defi-
as it was for our ancestors. We want to live Oaxacans are fanatical basketball players, nite things like electricity, potable water and
our culture and to ensure that it won’t die.” and the Frente has used tournaments to productive projects in our communities.”
WON $8 MILLION attract young people and draw them into its Nevertheless, the Frente is committed to
activities. its strategy combining workers’ rights, com-
In addition to advising workers on their
Along with its bases in Oaxaca and Cali- munity organizing and, in Mexico, electoral
labor rights, the Frente organizes commu-
fornia, FIOB also set up offices in Cañón action.
nities in California’s rural areas. One of them
Buenavista and San Quintín on the Baja In the United States, it advocates for the
is Málaga, a trailer park outside of Fresno, in
California peninsula. right of Mexican citizens to vote in Mexican
which most people come from San Miguel
Oaxacan migrants make up the bulk of the elections.
Cuevas in Oaxaca.
labor force in the state’s industrialized agri- “The Frente should have an alliance with
Residents discovered that the land under
culture. Wages are very low, and whole fami- political parties without losing our identity
their homes had been contaminated for
lies work in the fields as a result, including and being dependent on politicians,”
years by oil and toxic waste from Chevron
children. Domínguez says.
and other oil companies.
There is little housing on the peninsula, “We have to be autonomous in relation to
With the aid of California Rural Legal As-
so land invasions and struggles to find a political parties and create alliances to win
sistance, the Frente mounted a campaign
place to live are common. these positions. Mexican electoral laws don’t
which won a million dollars from Chevron,
“It’s been a very difficult experience,” permit a social organization to run indepen-
and 7 million more from the other polluters,
Domínguez says. dent candidates.
money which was used to resettle the area’s
PIMENTEL EXPELLED “So we have to make an alliance, not with
families. Some residents took cash, but
In 2001, the organization had an internal the PAN or the PRI, but with the PRD. Within
others pooled their money, and with the
division over the actions one of its founders, the PRD there are a lot of divisions and
Frente’s help, built new housing.
Arturo Pimentel. internal problems, and they must resolve
The organization has also begun to
Pimentel had been the director of the Frente their internal conflicts. But it’s all we have.
change the traditional domination of com-
in Oaxaca, and was accused by many mem- (This historical three-part series authored
munity political life by men.
bers of not being accountable to them for the by labor expert David Bacon is one of many
Oralia Maceda, a 26-year-old organizer
organization’s finances and because he he has written on the travels of Oaxaqueño
from Oaxaca, came to Fresno to develop
wanted to run for political office without a farm workers as they fought for cultural sur-
women’s participation in the Frente.
collective decision that he do so. vival in their travels across Mexico and into
“At the beginning men were the ones who
At the FIOB Congress in Tijuana in De- the United States. This account first appeared
would come to the organization. Before I
cember 2001, he was expelled. shortly after the PAN’s Vicente Fox ended
started there were two other women that
the 71-year hold on Mexico’s presidency by
lasted no more than a month. But I believe In Mexico’s national election of 2000,
the Partido Revolucionario Institucional. Re-
it is women’s responsibility to get involved Celerino Chávez, Benito’s brother, was the
printed with author’s permission. This com-
and to find out how to participate. I use differ- first Mixtec candidate in the state’s history
plete three-part series may be found for a
ent tactics to get them to come, say a small for the national Chamber of Deputies, run-
limited time on our website,
party for Mothers’ Day, with small gifts and ning for the PRD.
www.HispanicLink.org)
food.
6 Oct. 5, 2009 Hispanic Link Weekly Report
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CARTOONISTS
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[email protected] (202) 234-0280
Phone (202) 234-0280

New Reads Explore the latest books By Earll Ofari Hutchinson

on Latino subjects

Hope in Times of Darkness, by Randy Ertll. For years my reaction painful search for an identity apart from Mexican immigrants, and
to any mention of news about El Salvador was a Pavlovian two-word the fight for political empowerment. There is the eternal battle
image: war and gangs. Salvadorans wage against the poster ethnic group for international
It was easy to think that. The media has played hard on the banditry.
reputation of El Salvador as rife with poverty and death squads. A Ertll encapsulates that saga of struggle through the prism of his
Salvadoreño who fled to the United States was perceived as a dirt personal experience. He struggled to adapt to the culture, to learn
poor, back-country illiterate who spawned the spread of drugs, the language, and endure the isolation he felt attending a northern
gangs and violence. The supposed lawlessness of transplanted college. He explains how that fueled his drive to build a social action
Salvadorans was the drumbeat stuff of lurid and sensational news organization for Salvadoreño and other Latino immigrants in South-
accounts of murder, terror and major drug peddling. ern California.
This negative typecast might well have remained fixed in my mind To his credit, Ertll does not tell a one-dimensional story of these
if not for the pioneering work of writer/activist Randy Jurado Ertll. The immigrants as put-upon victims of a daunting, at times exploitive,
title of his book, Hope in Times of Darkness, tells much about the culturally alien society. He candidly admits that high crime, family
pilgrimage he, along with thousands of other Salvadoran immi- instability, gang violence, drugs and the breakdown in traditional
grants made to the United States in the past two decades. Salvadoran cultural values have created pain within some of these
In many ways their stories are the same as those of other gen- communities. These problems factor into his effort to build El Centro
erations of immigrants. They all were drawn by a beacon that prom- de Acción Social into more than a help-group. He sees it as a
ised freedom and security, education and opportunity. It offered a transformative model for Salvadoran uplift.
fresh start and the chance for them and their children to prosper. Hope in Times of Darkness succeeds admirably in telling the story
But this is where the story of the U.S. Salvadoran expe- of the struggles of Salvadorans to adjust to their new
rience — as Ertll makes abundantly clear in his pointed home. It’s a revealing and redemptive work that aims to
chapters on stereotypes, politics, race and ethnic rela- lift the veil of darkness that for too long has colored and
tions and gang violence radically diverge from the stan- discolored the lives of many Salvadorans. Above all else,
dard idealized immigrant saga. Hope in Times of Darkness offers candid, thoughtful in-
Ertll tells of the suspicion and tensions between Afri- sights into their much misunderstood and neglected
can-Americans and Salvadorans who rub shoulders in experience in these United States.
the changing inner city neighborhoods of New York, Wash- Roman & Littlefield Publishing, Landham, softcover,
ington, D.C., and Los Angeles. He describes the often 94 pages, $18.95
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

If you have a recently released book or CD you would like included in New Reads or New Sounds, send a copy to Editor, Hispanic Link, 1420
N St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20005. (202) 234-0280. E-mail:[email protected]
Hispanic Link Weekly Report Oct. 5, 2009 7
 Other boricua multiple nominees include Wisín y Yandel, Don
Arts & Omar, Daddy Yankee, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Luis Fonsi and Tito “El
Entertainment Bambino.”
Calle 13’s nominations include the principal Album of the Year
category, for Los de atrás vienen conmigo. Others in that category
By Antonio Mejías-Rentas
are Andrés Cepeda (Día tras día), Luis Enrique (Ciclos), Ivan Lins
& The Metropole Orchestra (Regencia – Vince Mendoza) and
Mercedes Sosa (Cantora 1).
WINNERS ALL: Actors Penélope Cruz, Benjamin Brat, Lauren
The Latin Recording Academy will hand out the awards Nov. 5 in
Vélez, Óscar Núñez, John Leguizamo and Selena Gómez were
Las Vegas. This month the organization also announced that Mexi-
among ALMA Awards recipients at a ceremony held Sept. 17 in Los
can singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel is its Person of the Year.
Angeles.
Leguizamo won as best film actor for Nothing Like the Holidays, ONE LINERS: Actor Adonis Losada, who plays the character of
which also earned awards for director Alfredo De Villa and screen- Doña Concha in comedy sketches on Univisión’s Sábado Gigante,
writer Rick Nájera. was arrested Sept. 18 and charged with 30 counts of possession
The ALMA Awards, given by the National Council of La Raza,also and distribution of child pornography…
handed out special honors to Salma Hayek and boxer Oscar de la After performing at the Sept. 20 Paz sin fronteras concert in
Hoya. The ceremony, hosted by executive producer Eva Longoria Havana, Cuban singer Cucu Diamantes, a U.S. resident, was re-
Parker and George López, aired on ABC on Sept. 18. moved from a planned performance in Union City, New Jersey;
Rita Moreno presented a special tribute to the late actor Ricardo according to officials, Cuban-American residents planned to dis-
Montalbán. rupt the Sept. 26 show at a local high school…
In a related item, Latin Grammy nominees were also announced And according to Guiness, Mexico holds the record for the largest
in Los Angeles on the same day.. number of people dancing simultaneously to Michael Jackson’s
Puerto Rican acts dominated this year’s list of nominees, with Thriller, after an Aug. 29 event gathered 13,597 people in Mexico
urban duo Calle 13 receiving five nods, more than any other artist. City….
from a conference hosted by a “hate group.” SUPPORT FOR MARK LLOYD: A letter was
Dobbs is one of 45 radio talk show hosts sent on Sept. 16 asking the Federal Com-
who attended the rally hosted by the FAIR,
Media the Federation for American Immigration
Reform. Southern Poverty Law Center has
munications Commission and congres-
sional leaders to defend the work of Mark

Report branded FAIR a hate group, asserting that

the organization has ties to white suprema-
Lloyd and the commission.
An excerpt from the letter stated: “In recent
weeks, Mark Lloyd, the associate general
By Aaron Sheperd cists. The center of the controversy was the counsel and chief diversity officer of the FCC,
annual “Hold Their Feet to the Fire” rally in has come under attack by prominent cable
‘DROP DOBBS’ WANTS CNN TO DROP
Washington D.C., in which the 45 talk-show TV and radio hosts, and even by some
DOBBS: Several Hispanic groups are press-
hosts and other immigration hard-liners members of Congress, who have made
ing CNN to drop talk-show host and immi-
called on legislators to assure them that false and misleading claims about his work
grant critic Lou Dobbs, Sept. 15. This is in
undocumented immigrants do not receive at the agency.”
light of him broadcasting his radio show
amnesty. They conclude that this is “threatening to
Among organizations urging that Dobbs derail important work” by Congress and the
be dropped are The Hispanic Institute, FCC on media and tech policies.
Dolores Huerta Foundation, League of Groups that have signed the letter include
United Latin American Citizens, National Free Press, Public Knowledge, the Center
Hispanic Link News Service Hispanic Media Coalition, National Puerto for American Progress, Communications
Rican Coalition and the National Council of Workers of America, NABET/CWA and Me-
1420 ‘N’ Street NW
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Reporting: Julio Barreto, Michael Coleman,
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