Al servicio de la comunidad latina del condado de Humboldt
19 de noviembre, 2014
Vol. 3 Edición 4
Eureka Latinos congregate to share stories and empower one another by Adrian Barbuzza A majority of the hands in the room rose high when Elvira Saavedra asked participants at the Latino community meeting in Eureka if they had crossed the U.S. and Mexico border. The event titled “Convivio Para La Comunidad Latina de Eureka” was held at Jefferson Project Community Center on Nov. 7 as a series of meetings that aim at gathering, listening and addressing the concerns of the Latino community in Humboldt County. The meetings have come about because of the non-profit organization True North’s collaboration with other local organizers like LatinoNet and Paso a Paso. “If we have crossed the border then we truly are strong,” Saavedra said. “We are here tonight to unite, unite our voices, because with one voice we can go far together.” In hopes to empower the audience, a group of promotores and speakers shared their personal stories of immigration and overcoming obstacles to obtain their goals for a better future. The focus of the meeting took place when the attendees were asked to partner in groups of 6 to
future for their children. Eureka citizen Hilda Bogarin attended the meeting looking to be more involved in the Latino community. “It is the responsibility of a parent to be informed about their child’s life in order for their child to succeed ahead.” A mother of two Eureka High School students, Bogarin frequently attends the Parent Teacher Organization meetings at her daughter’s high school. She believes meetings like PTO and the Latino community
meeting are important and great experiences in building community. “My mother did not kiss before school not because she did not love me but because thats how things were, I am changing that for my daughters to have a better future,” said Bogarin. Community organizer Fernando Paz shared a tale meant to inspire and motivate the Latin community to work together called Los cangrejos y los americanos. In one barrel of crabs, the crabs fight to the top of a barrel,
por Óscar Olivas López
while in another the crabs burrow their way to escape the fisherman. The fisherman catches the last one before it escapes out of the barrel. The crab tells the fisherman “I am glad you caught me because I know the rest of my friends are free and can now have a better future.” “The moral of the story is yes we understand the oppression that we face but it is important to remember that we can unite to work for a better life,” said Paz.
Desde el semestre pasado, los miembros de la alianza estudiantil C.U.S., “Coalition of Unified Students”, han presionado a la presente administración para la construcción de un mural prometido por el ex-presidente Rollin Richmond. El ex-presidente de la universidad, Rollin Richmond, prometió la suma de 10,000 dólares para los materiales y la elaboración del proyecto (monto que hasta la fecha no ha sido otorgado a los estudiantes) así como también dió como fecha límite el otoño del 2015 para terminar el mural. Dadas las circunstancias, los estudiantes se han dado a la tarea de presionar a la presente administración exigiendo lo prometido. Ahora, con esta nueva administración, la promesa de la dirección ha querido ser redefinida; el mural prometido ahora podría ser proyectado electrónicamente como obra de arte contemporáneo. Los estudiantes involucrados se preguntan quién decide cómo y de qué forma se producirá el mural y cuales son los parámetros necesarios para la elaboración de este. Todo empezó cuando el prestigioso premio de artes visuales, President’s Purchase, de la Universidad de Humboldt State, fue otorgado al ex-alumno Ryan Spaulding. Su obra, Super Taco, presenta un grupo de trabajadores de apariencia latina en una cocina
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pasa a la página 4
Elvira Saavedra facilitates a group at the Latino comunity event in Eureka. | Photo provided by Kelly Boehms
8 and follow a facilitator into separate rooms. The facilitators then asked their groups questions like “What keeps you up at night? What would make your family feel safe and content? What concerns do you and your family have?” Most of the examples participants gave were in regard to their families and their jobs. Some of the concerns they discussed included: deportation, job security, obtaining a driver’s licence, safety at night, healthy insurance, and insuring the brightest
El misterio del mural multicultural de HSU se acerca a su fin
La importancia de ser bilingüe en Humboldt
por Juan Carlos De La Cruz
En el condado de Humboldt, existen programas para ayudar a los padres de familia a aprender inglés como segundo idioma. Uno de esos programas es Parent Partners in Education. Este programa es libre de costo y existe gracias a la asociación de Humboldt County Office of Education, la Universidad Estatal de Humboldt y College of the Redwoods. Elizabeth Niemeyer, una de las profesoras del programa, cuenta que en las clases de la universidad comunitaria se trabaja el vocabulario, la conversación y la gramática del inglés.
aplican en la vida laboral del alumno, sea a la hora de buscar un nuevo empleo o pasar el examen nacional G.E.D (desarrollo educativo general) que puede influir mucho a la hora de aplicar para un trabajo. Este tipo de programa, es encontrado alrededor de sus casas en lugares como las preparatorias públicas de Arcata, Fortuna, Eureka y en College of the Redwoods. Una guardería gratuita es ofrecida para los padres que no tengan donde dejar a sus hijos. Como toda nueva enseñanza, cualquier principiante de este programa tendrá algunos desafíos comunes como por
“la gran motivación de estos padres es poder ayudar a sus hijos, entonces ellos quieren aprender el idioma para poder ayudarlos en las tareas, motivarlos y ayudarlos a hacer personas exitosasr.”
“También, hay diferentes tipos de talleres sobre el idioma y trabajos en colaboración con otros participantes,” explica Niemeyer. Niemeyer sostiene que la gran motivación de estos padres es poder ayudar a sus hijos. “Ellos quieren aprender el idioma para poder ayudarlos en las tareas, motivarlos y ayudarlos a hacer personas exitosas.” Los beneficios del programa,
ejemplo en la lectura, gramática o en la conversación. Algunos de los desafíos como principiante son inevitables. El ex-alumno Enedino Valladares Ramírez, comentó que uno de los desafíos que se le presentaron como alumno fue el diferenciar la gramática entre español e inglés. “Por ejemplo, en español, se pasa a la página 2
Illustration by: Jefferson Posadas
Is HSU truly practicing Environmental Justice? by Paradise Martínez Graff There is major hostility and disconnect between white students and students of color on the HSU campus. It is my hope that anyone in the Humboldt community who is a person of color, has taken an Ethnic Studies course or a Critical Race, Gender, and Sexuality course, or is simply perceptive of racism in this country and understands that the racial divide between students alone is a result of white supremacy — “the belief that white people are superior to those of all other races … and should therefore dominate society in various parts of the colonized world. The racial divide in the U.S. is due to white supremacy, because in basically all sectors of our society white people are placed at the forefront. White supremacy is the reason we as Americans see white people represented in the media as the center piece, the face of America, while people of color are placed in the background. By keeping white people at the forefront, the exploitation and oppression of people of color remains on the margins and out of sight.
One area on campus in which primarily white people are at the forefront is our alleged Environmental Justice (EJ) movement. Having primarily white people represented in the Environmental movement at HSU means that the problems that specifically affect people of color are kept outside of the environmental discourse, which is not the goal of a true Environmental Justice movement. Dorceta E. Taylor, professor in the department of natural resources and environment at the University of Michigan states that the EJ movement “does not treat the problem of oppression and social exploitation as separable from the rape and exploitation of the natural world.” Yet on campus we tend to discuss issues of environmental conservation separately from problems of “oppression and social exploitation.” As we leave out intersectionality (the study of intersections between forms or systems of oppression, domination or discrimination) in the Environmental Conservation movement, we continued on page 3
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19 de noviembre, 2014
Noticias de América Latina por Juan Carlos De La Cruz
San Salvador, El Salvador: Sigue aumentando la cifra de mujeres adolescentes violadas, destrozadas y descuartizadas en El Salvador. Actualmente, en el 2014, se cuentan por lo menos 239 mujeres. Las autoridades de El Salvador, dicen que los responsables de estas matanzas son de dos pandillas rivales; La mara salvatrucha y el barrio 18. Buenos Aires, Argentina: La presidente, Cristina Fernández, fue dada de alta médica tras estar una semana en el hospital por una infección intestinal que afectó a la mandataria.
Bogotá, Colombia: Colombia tiene planes en legalizar el consumo de marihuana con fines medicinales. Este martes, 9 de noviembre, el Senado dió a conocer los votos cuales fueron 13 a favor y 2 en contra esta ley. Si se llegara a pasar, se convertiría en ley en el 2015. Lima, Perú: Una tormenta, que duró casi 12 horas, cayó sobre las viviendas de Moyobamba. A pesar de que la tormenta ha pasado, el gobierno peruano ha tenido que ofrecer viviendas a aquellas personas quienes sus casas fueron desbarrumbadas.
Tunnel vision Skits for social justice by Stacey De Marcos Magdalena Cortez watched as an actor blurted out racist comments about Mexicans to another actor. It all began because one of the actors did not want to buy a used car from the “dirty Mexicans.” As Cortez watched the argument escalate she could not bring herself to intervene and stop the scene before her. This was the first year the child development major attended the Tunnel of Oppression, which is part of the Campus Dialogue on Race. The Campus Dialogue on Race is an annual event that strives to achieve racial, social and environmental justice. The Tunnel of Oppression is an event that exposes participants to different forms of oppression. In order to do this, participants are guided through a series of skits in which they are encouraged to take a stand against oppression. The skits acted out addressed mental illness, gender identity, racism and bullying. In most of the skits the actors used hurtful language to make the scenes more drastic. The event was not what Cortez expected. “I thought it was going to be in a dark tunnel because of the name.” Cortez said. Despite the lack of tunnels, this was still an intense experience for her. As she watched some of the skits play out she could not bring herself to intervene. She watched as others stepped up and attempted to address the problem. Cortez managed to gather the courage to intervene in the final skit of the night. In this skit she saw two students, one playing video games and the other writing a paper. The student writ-
Ciudad de México, México: Los padres de los 43 estudiantes desaparecidos en Iguala, piden la renuncia del presidente Enrique Peña Nieto, tras saber los resultados de los científicos argentinos los cuales dijeron que las evidencias encontradas en el basurero de Cocula, no coincidían con los 43 estudiantes.
Montevideo, Uruguay: Un Jeque árabe, ofreció un millón de dólares por el automóvil del presidente uruguayo José Mujica. El carro del presidente uruguayo es un Volkswagen “Fusca” de 1987.
ing the paper shared that he could not focus in his room because his roommate was crying all the time. The two students then went on to call him “retarded’ and make fun of him. “I got a hit of reality. I might have to speak up at one point and it’s good to know how to intervene when a situation comes up.” Cortez said. The tunnel of oppression utilizes the form of theater of the oppressed. This gives participants an opportunity to intervene in the scene and address forms of oppression that may come up. “[The tunnel of oppression] is a really important event and I like to attend to get exposed to stuff like that” said Maricruz Luna, biology major. “The scenes we were exposed to do happen and being able to talk about it and intervene is important.” Luna has attended the annual event for three years. Each year different forms of oppression are brought up so the participant’s experience is different each time. This year the event was put on by the employees of Humboldt State Residence Life and Housing and Dining Services. They facilitated all the skits and the discussions that were held after the skits. The event was an opportunity to practice for something that may happen in the future. The idea is that if a student does not stop the moment of oppression during the skits they can at least walk away with some skills to know how to intervene. Abraham Fernandez, biology major, is new to the campus and he enjoyed the event because it was beneficial for him. “The event shows students how to deal with certain situations that demand social justice.” Fernandez said. “I feel more confident discussing the problem if it escalates.”
Sen bilingüe en Humboldt continúa de la página 1 pronuncia cada letra que tiene la palabra y en inglés muchas palabras tienen muchas letras que no pronuncias y son muy complicadas, como la palabra “phone” no lleva “f,” asegura Valladares Ramírez, quien a menudo se confundía al querer escribir ciertas palabras en inglés. Aun así, los alumnos han encontrado muchos beneficios en aprender otro idioma. Ramírez indica que ser inglés-hablante le permite ser parte de diferentes actividades relacionadas a su familia y vida cotidiana. “Como padre de familia yo podría ayudar a mis hijos que están en las escuelas, en sus materias, en conferencias de padres, y también en la comunidad, por ejemplo llevándolos a las clínicas locales para chequeos anuales,” dijo Ramírez. Ramírez también expresó que el haber aprendido inglés facilitó su proceso inmigratorio. “Todos sabemos que el inglés es unos de los requisitos para una reforma migratoria y además,
para saber nuestros derechos humanos en este país.” Hoy en dia, el señor Ramirez es un ciudadano norteamericano y ademas, se ha dedicado ayudar a otras personas a llenar sus aplicaciones a través del Dream Act. Del mismo modo, el ex-alumno Fermin Velazco aseguró que gracias a estas clases él ha podido mejorar su segundo idioma al poder hablarlo bien en su trabajo. Velazco cree firmemente que los padres de la comunidad de Humboldt deberían inscribirse a estas clases. “Primero, son gratis, segundo, nos va ayudar a lo largo de nuestras vidas, y tercero, ir a estas clases nos sirve para futuras referencias para empleos,” indica Velazco. Por último, el padre de familia y ex alumno cree que así los padres podrán comunicarse con sus hijos y ayudarlos en su educación. Juan Carlos De La Cruz can be reached at ellenador@humboldt.edu
Stacey De Marcos can be reached at ellenador@humboldt.edu
Calendar
Calendario
Viernes, 21 de noviembre Taller de AB60: ¿Qué es el AB60? Parroquia San Jose 2312 Newburg Rd. Fortuna, CA 5:30 p.m. Auspiciado por Promotes de Humboldt, F.R.E.E., ACLU del Norte de California y DRIVE CA.
Domingo, 23 de noviembre Domingo, 7 de diciembre Taller de AB60: ¡A estudiar! Taller de AB60: ¡A estudiar! Centro Comunitario de Centro Multigeneracional Jefferson 2280 Newburg Rd, Fortu1000 B St. Eureka, CA na, CA 2 p.m. 2 p.m. Auspiciado por Promotes de Auspiciado por Promotes Humboldt, F.R.E.E., de Humboldt, F.R.E.E., ACLU del Norte de CaliforACLU del Norte de Calinia y DRIVE CA. fornia y DRIVE CA
Viernes, 12 de diciembre Baile “Sabor Latino” Goodwin Forum Humboldt State University 9 p.m. Auspiciado por M.E.Ch.A
Fuentes: El Comercio, BBC América Latina, Univisión
Manuel J. Orbegozo Editor-in-Chief
Rebecca Gallegos
Jeff Posadas
Adrian Barbuzza
Juan Carlos De La Cruz
Adilene Martinez
Stacey De Marcos
Oscar Lopez
Paradise Martinez Graff
Managing Editor Reporter Reporter
Viernes, 21 de noviembre How To Start Organizing Listening To Your Community Jefferson Community Center 1000 B St. Eureka, CA 6 p.m. Hosted by True North
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Opinion Writer
Head Copy Editor
Lorrie Reyes
Mission Statement
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19 de noviembre, 2014
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Dear white people and hopefuls by Adilene Martinez A recent talk with a community organizer here in Humboldt County, Fernando Paz, brought to light an issue that has been infesting communities of color: the investment in white supremacy by people of color. There is a systematic whitewashing of POC that has become more apparent to me ever since coming to Humboldt a year ago, specifically the Humboldt State campus. It has become particularly disturbing to me to see the allowance of white people i n t o spaces for POC in the name of “inclusivity.” There seems to be a readiness on the side of students of color to want to include white people in spaces that white folks don’t have a place in. There is a coalition on campus, C.US., that is made up of only students of color since it deals with issues that only pertain to students of color. A fellow POC was adamant in insisting that white people be included in this coalition. Why this sympathizing? This entire university caters to white people and creating spaces for these students; they need not a space in POC places. The allowance of white people in spaces like Danza Azteca in the name of inclusivity defiles the spirit of resistance associated with indigenous practices. What is the aversion to claiming an only POC space? What is the
aversion to stating, “This isn’t for you.” During the Super T.A.C.O (taking all capitalists out) forum last semester, several students of color adamantly defended the artist’s right to depict bodies of color in the name of “free speech” while completely disregarding our students of
color own rights of “free speech” to critique the legitimacy of the authorship of this privileged, white, male artist. The needs and “rights” of a white male kept being pushed in front of the rights to dignity and proper representation of people of color even by fellow students of color. Critiques were dismissed because “you wouldn’t be angry if a brown artist painted this,” while ignoring the problematic power dynamics of having a white person paint it. The fear to seem racist toward white people seems to be an underlying theme in this institution. There is no such
thing as “reverse racism,” and that needs to stop being used against students who speak, or attempt to speak out on racial issues on campus. Claiming spaces for ourselves doesn’t make us less inclusive. Calling out problematic speech in classrooms doesn’t make us racist. Maintaining our cultures, speech, traditions doesn’t make us separatists, but watering them down to make them accessible to white people is some apologist nonsense that I’m not down with. For all the white people claiming the “ally” tag, if you’re offended by the possibility of spaces that are not for you, this article, or the idea that y’all don’t get to define “ally” then you’re not an ally. The power dynamics that play out in society seem to be replicated here on campus by allowing white people to be an ever-present presence even for things that are meant for students of color. “Sharing” our cultures, and remaining silent or passive contain within them the promise of a piece of the pie of this system. That lure is understandable since being constantly marginalized is a very dehumanizing process. The lure of becoming part of this system instead of a target is a faulty promise though. White supremacy will always and only benefit white people, no matter how much a person of color sells out. Adilene Martinez can be reached at ellenador@humboldt.edu Illustration by Jefferson Posadas
I was once punished for sharing by Diover Duario
dead-end job day in, day out to pay for rent and school while I sit on my ass at home every day because the government and my loving parents feel it’s their responsibility to pay for my education and the means for me to earn a degree. He alone bears the burden of his higher education. I do not. The only privilege I feel he has over me? He’s tall. When I go back to the Philippines, everyone sees me differently than before I left. No words need be said for me to know what I am to the people of my homeland: an import, a privileged Filipino-American who has lived a life of luxury in the land of opportunity. Never mind that here, I live among the fickle middle class or that my birth certificate has deemed me ineligible for the oval office. To them, my privilege is as geographic as it is socioeconomic. I wonder if the laymen of my homeland will understand the nature of the American middle class or the self-deprecation of the white “socially conscious” youth in the land of opportunity. I wonder too, if the sheltered, liberal social justice warriors of the first world will understand the complex social hierarchies of Southeast Asia. Here’s a hint: not all brown was created equal. Ask your Filipino/Filipina friends about papaya soap and the kind of spouse their first-generation immigrant parents want them to have. Privilege, and in many ways marginalization, is no longer binary. Maybe it never was. Social discourse is evolving, and the rhetoric needs to adapt. Before you preach it, understand your own perspective, lest you perpetuate ignorance more damaging than silence.
No older than 8 years old, my mother snatched a box of imported chocolate cookies from my hands and forbade me from giving any more to the neighborhood kids. In a tight-knit little Philippine alley community, everyone knew each other. They were my friends. They only feigned hunger, my mother said brashly, to get some of our imported treats my father worked so hard to send home. She made me eat the whole box as penance for my naivety. Snot and tears dripped down my chocolate-laden cheeks as if I swallowed bits of my innocence one chunk at a time. From that point on, in my life, class was a reality I could no longer ignore. This is a privilege I’ve carried with me every day since, easily missed by those unable to see beyond elementary distinctions of first-world societal hierarchies. I am an immigrant, a visible minority who grew up in a rough American neighborhood. I attended an inner-city public high school in the middle of a crime-ridden area of San Francisco. It’s easy to assume I’ve had it rough and “God bless him for making it this far.” I don’t see it that way. What you won’t get from the census or a face-value deduction is that I’ve never had to worry about food on the table, money for school, learning disabilities, or being violated in dark alleyways on my way home at night (a reality all women, regardless of color, still face today). Privilege is complex, much more so than the zealots who preach them and the dullards who dismiss it understand. Let’s put it this way: my roommate is white. His parents Diover Duario can be cover his car insurance and phone reached at ellenador@humbill; that’s it. Yet he works his boldt.edu
Editorial Campo de Almas En Septiembre, se reafirmó la idea de que es ser estudiante en México en el 2014, es más peligroso que haberlo sido en 1968. La masacre de Tlatelolco, había dejado un precedente en los casos de impunidad política difícil de olvidar. En lo que fueron aproximadamente 30 minutos de estruendos y desconcierto, se cree que más 300 personas, en su mayoría estudiantes, perdieron la vida bajo un brutal y cobarde intento de silenciar la libertad de expresión por órdenes del gobierno de Gustavo Díaz Ordaz. Nunca se procesaron a los actores intelectuales del episodio más grave de violación de derechos humanos en México, según Humans Rights Watch. Nunca se supo la cifra exacta de los muertos de la Plaza de Las Tres Culturas. 46 años después, la prepotencia gubernamental, se une a la del crimen organizado para hundir en la penumbra a la comunidad estudiantil una vez más. Porque en México la ironía abunda, la noche del 26 de Septiembre un grupo de 57 estudiantes, de la Escuela Normal Rural Raúl Díaz, que se dirigía hacia la capital para estar presente en las manifestaciones anuales de la masacre de Tlatelolco, encaró su destino incierto en manos de la policía
Is HSU truly practicing Environmental Justice? again leave oppressed groups in the margins and privileged (white) groups at the center. Without intersectionality, we leave out the reality that people of color because of their race, and class, are most negatively harmed by global warming. J. Tom Boer, ex lawyer of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, notes in his article “Is There Environmental Racism? The Demographics Of Hazardous Waste In Los Angeles County”, that “the communities most affected by TSDF [hazardous waste Treatment, Storage, Disposal Facilities] in the Los Angeles
Illustration by: Jefferson Posadas
municipal en Iguala, Guerrero, lugar donde estaba programada la toma de camiones. Hasta la fecha, se conoce que el alcalde de Iguala habría ordenado la detención de los estudiantes para después entregarlos al cartel Guerreros Unidos y que la operación dejó un saldo de 3 estudiantes muertos y 43 en condición de desaparecidos. Se conoce también, que el ataque fue directo y hostil, con fines de aniquilar al enemigo. Esto comprueba, que las autoridades mexicanas han encontrado
en el crimen organizado un esbirro dispuesto a mancharse las manos de sangre por ellos. Ser estudiante y portador de ideas revolucionarias, en México, ha sido y será una amenaza para los funcionarios públicos y el sistema neoliberal que los beneficia. El gobierno actual no solo ha ingeniado nuevas tácticas de silenciar una voz popular que pide justicia social a gritos, sino que vuelve a usar las mismas estrategias para encubrir crímenes de esa humanidad. Se ha vinculado a los normalistas con
area are working-class communities of color located near industrial areas.” He wrote that higher [predominantly white] income areas have the economic and political power to protect themselves from air pollution that comes from TSDFs, while poorer and oppressed groups do not. This is only one example of Environmental Racism, which is not being talked about at HSU where many students from L.A. come to soak in Humboldt’s Environmental movement. If HSU continues to treat oppression as separate to the Social Justice movement, we will remain silencing voices of oppressed groups who carry the biggest burdens of
narcos e inculpado a los manifestantes de incendiar la puerta del palacio de gobierno. También, se ha dicho que sus cuerpos incinerados se hallan en el fondo del mar, o en fosas clandestinas. La búsqueda de los 43 desaparecidos por parte del gobierno Mexicano, continúa siendo una maniobra torpe y poco efectiva, donde las especulaciones se vuelven verdades públicas que luego son desmentidas por autoridades internacionales. Esta vana investigación ha hecho, como dicen ahora en Ayotzinapa, que el dolor se convierta en rabia. Pero la realidad es más profunda y más triste. En México, el 90% de delitos no son denunciados formalmente, según el último reporte anual del Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI). Esta cifra negra es producto de la desconfianza que mantiene la población hacia las autoridades y que le hace considerar el acto de denunciar una pérdida de tiempo. Si el desenlace de los hechos no digna a los familiares de un reencuentro o un entierro, la incertidumbre los mantendrá en una vigilia perpetua junto a las velas de los funerales fantasma. -Han matado a tu padre. -¿Y a ti quién te mató, madre? Pedro Paramo, Juan Rulfo.
our earth’s current and future destruction. What needs to happen on this campus is a convergence between folks interested in environmental conservation, and folks passionate about social justice. As students from different world views, we must come together despite our gnawing differences and talk about them. We must learn from each other’s areas of focus and see where they intersect in order to dismantle dominator culture and build a more environmentally-just society. Paradise Martinez Graff can be reached at ellenador@humboldt.edu
19 de noviembre, 2014
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Eureka Latinos congregate to share stories and empower one another
continued from page 1 organized to create road safety for pedestrians and cyclists. “If we have crossed the borThe community organizing der then we truly are strong,” and taking action collectively Saavedra said. “We are here to create a better sense of road tonight to unite, unite our safety on Central Ave, Mardiz voices, because with one voice said, exemplifies the change we can go far together.” that can happen when a comThe hallways of the community munity organizes and takes center were lined with tables action together. covered with pamphlets and “Regardless if you are from brochures. Organizers behind the United States or are an the tables answered questions immigrant e are a community and informed those who passed and we have to fight for our by. Several people gathered community,” Madriz said. in the first room to the right “Si se puede,” Madriz conwhich had dinning tables and cluded. chairs for community members Humboldt State University to enjoy the meal prepared by students attended and engaged (can we find out who prepared in the event. the food?). Chicauhca Tlauh Cuahuitl the True North coordinator, Danza Mexica group initiated Marisol Madriz, began organiz- the evening with a ceremonial ing in McKinleyville two years dance. ago. Last year over 200 people Carlos Sanchez, an HSU
student, gave a personal testimony of how he and his family immigrated to the U.S. Sanchez shared his life odyssey to bring him to the point where is he in life now. Daniela Martinez a student member representative of Finding Resources through Empowerment and Education announced the club’s upcoming events like DACA scholarships and AB60 workshops. The next meeting will be November 21 from 6pm-8pm to discuss how to organize and listen to the community of Latino’s in Eureka. “Tonight,” said Candelaria Ramos, “the Latinos in Eureka are here and here to stay.” Adrián Barbuzza can be reached at ellenador@humboldt.edu
Photos provided by Kelly Boehms
Latinos and climate change: is the language used by activists appealing to Latinos at HSU? by Roberto Gutierrez Climate change is talked about all over the country. However, it seems that a group of the population isn’t aware of it, doesn’t want to become aware or isn’t being reached out effectively to become aware of it. I’m talking about the Latino population within the United States, Humboldt State students in specific. On Mexican Independence Day I watched about 60 Latino students gathered for the Ballet Folklórico de Humboldt dance in the University Center Quad; however, what I observed after the celebration left me surprised. After the event, participants and local activists marched around campus to raise awareness of the effects of climate change. We stopped outside the library for a presentation when I realized that I was the only Latino present. After having seen at least 60 at the celebration, I was La importancia de ser bilingüe en Humboldt continúa de la página 1 comercial. Después de haber sido galardonada, la pintura fue colocada en el comedor del “J” creando controversia entre estudiantes, trabajadores y el personal administrativo de la universidad por la problemática que implica la obra y lo que su esencia representa. Los estudiantes empezaron a manifestar la incomodidad que la pintura causaba en ellos y después de expresar su opinión a Michele McCall-Wallace y Ron Rudebock, maestra de arte y director de los servicios de comida de la universidad, la directiva removió la pintura, colocándola después en la biblioteca. El motivo del cambio de localidad, a pesar de que la inconformidad de los estudiantes demandara el retiro absoluto, era, de acuerdo al Dean del Colegio de Artes y Humanidades, Kenneth Ayoob, el derecho a la “libertad de expresión” del artista. Después de varias juntas y foros estudiantiles, los estudiantes dieron voz a varias propuestas para una mejor representación estudiantil, entre ellas, un mural creado y pintado por estudiantes de color representando su multiculturalidad. Así nació el proyecto “Respect Existence or Expect Resistance” (Respeten nuestra existencia o esperen nuestra resistencia) por parte de la organización “Coalition of Unified Students”
the only one who marched. The stark contrast made me wonder: Is the language used by climate change activists appealing to the Latino students on campus? If climate change will affect everyone equally, why some more concerned than others? Maybe climate change activists are doing their job effectively but Latinos don’t show any interest, and there are other factors that come into place for this to be the case. I can think of two. These factors can be the socioeconomic struggles many Latinos face. “It is difficult to get people to listen to you on taxes or education if they believe that you want to deport their grandma,” said Senator Marco Rubio at a GOP convention in November 2012. If it’s hard to talk about politics to someone whose relatives could be deported at any time, then surely it must
(C.U.S.). El objetivo principal del proyecto, es dar voz y representación los estudiantes de comunidades minoritarias, y a su vez oprimidas, en el campus universitario. Julio Torres, estudiante de psicología, opina que el proyecto colectivo del mural multicultural mejorará la estética de la universidad dándole un toque de las culturas vivas que existen en el campus. “Como estudiante de color, me gustaría que el mural representa nuestra historia y a los individuos que han contribuido en lo academico, artistico y social para mejorarla,” dice Torres, quien añade que la idea de un mural virtual no le sienta bien por que le gustaría que “el mural perdurara por muchas generaciones”. Otra preocupación que intriga a los estudiantes de la alianza es la procedencia de los 10,000 dólares prometidos. En los últimos meses, la Universidad de Humboldt ha pasado por una serie de injusticias por parte de la administración. Muchas de ellas han sido dirigidas a programas que promueven el progreso de minorías étnicas. Además, se han impuesto cortes financieros a muchos de los programas alrededor de la universidad. Es por eso, que los estudiantes demandan un informe claro de la procedencia del dinero que utilizarán. La oficina de la presidente, ha informado en la pasada junta del
be hard to pay attention to issues such as climate change for those who face more immediate problems. In “The Washington Post,” journalist Roberto Ferdman wrote that “the average Hispanic household still only has about $109,000 to its name, or nearly $400,000 less than the average American household, according to a new report by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, and more than $500,000 less than the average white American household.” I guess for the poverty-stricken, no issue is more pervasive than putting food on the table. At least 25 percent of HSU’s student body is Latino, prompting its qualification as a Hispanic Serving Institution. In the ideal scenario, 25 percent of the people at the march that day should’ve been Latino. There are other factors that come into place, such as classes, work,
7 de Noviembre, que el dinero saldrá de la cuenta de “discretionary funds” (fondo discrecional) del presidente. Este es un monto disponible para cuestiones que no son necesarias pero pueden ser benéficas. Kris. A. Patzlaff, directora del departamento de arte, dijo que un mural es lo que ayuda a un espacio público a ser más hermoso. “Viendo que los estudiantes quieren un mural tradicional [pintado en una pared], yo solo serviría para facilitar el proceso de la obra y dar diferentes ideas y asesoramiento a los estudiantes de la alianza,” señaló Patzlaff. “De ninguna manera trataré de influenciar en el contenido del mural.” Patzlaff confirmó que el departamento de arte no tiene voto alguno con la esencia de este mural. “En realidad, es su mural; el mural de la alianza,” dijo Patzlaff. “Yo solo quiero ayudarlos, quiero ver este proyecto en acción ya que apoyo a los estudiantes.” Los estudiantes de la alianza están decididos a dar marcha a este proyecto y ahora con el apoyo del departamento de arte, empezarlo solo es cuestión de tiempo.
Óscar Olivas López can be reached at ellenador@humboldt.edu
extracurricular activities, etc. However, one Latino does not represent 5 percent of those who attended the march. It makes me think that the percentage of Latinos who understand the language used by activists is below what it should be. For example, HSU alumnus Yvan Delgado, who has a degree in Wildlife, said that “local activists need to start using more basic vocabulary. For example, when you say greenhouses or detrimental you are drawing a line between science people and non-science people.” This might be an answer to why there weren’t many Latinos at the march. Now it is on activists to change the language used to take that acknowledgment to another level. Roberto Gutierrez can be reached at ellenador@humboldt.edu
Calaveras: De Humboldt Al Panteón por Óscar Olivas López
La historia que aquí se cuenta Hace poco en Humboldt pasó A un montón de estudiantes La calaca los sorprendió Por pensar que eran radicales A todos se los llevó. Decían que ellos luchaban Por la justicia social Pobres, nunca imaginaban A dónde habían de parar Y por lo poco que estudiaban Otra vez tendrían que reprobar. En el periódico de la escuela Surge esta publicación: “Vengo por los latinos Pa’ llevarlos a inmigración Y el que no tenga sus papeles Me lo llevare al panteón”. Se decía que en “El Leñador” Trabajaban puros mojados Por eso el diablo mando A la muerte y dos soldados Para qué se llevarán A Manuel Orbegozo y a todos sus aliados Los gueritos muy contentos Brindaron con pizza y tamales Pues la huesuda se llevó A un montón de “ilegales” Y de paso cargó con ella A una bola de federales. Entre los federales iba Un morenito gracioso Que ni el diablo quería Pues era muy mentiroso Y lo más malo de todo
El se sentía bondadoso. Era el presidente Obama Orgullo de la nación Deportaba mucha gente Sin tener una justificación Y la mayoría decía: “Este guey NO tiene corazón”. Cuando llegaron al infierno Y sonaron la campana La muerte le dijo al diablo, “Ahora yo soy mexicana” Lucifer dijo enojado, “Otra vez vienes marihuana” Pues en su ruta por Humboldt La compartía con sus camaradas. Ella contesto apenada Sin saber como explicar Que con aquellos estudiantes Nadie se puede escapar Y fácilmente la convencieron De esa hierbita fumar Y que por allá en aquellas tierras Había hasta para llevar. También la muerte llevaba A quien corrieron sin justificación Nuestra querida maestra Jacquelyn También yace ya en el panteón El único consuelo que tengo: Siempre nos dió motivación. De su querida raza indígena Orgullosa ella siempre estaba Por eso los gueros canijos Pensaron que les estorbaba Y la líder de la minoría Sin justificación nos dejaba.