Un Periódico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper
Un Periódico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper
Un Periódico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper
Un Periódico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper
Un podcast sobre la historia del archipiélago de Puerto Rico y el Caribe Conversaciones con expertos sobre el tema y personalidades de interés. Con el historiador público Ramón A. González-Arango López.
¡Nuevo episodio todos los jueves! ¡Comparte y disfrútalo!
2 Foto del Mes /Photo of the Month
Remembering our May 2017 Edition
3 Portada / Front Page
Inauguración de Springfield OTSL
4 Puerto Rico’s Population Keeps Shrinking
5 UMass Fine Arts Center Seeks to Amplify Latinx Voices, Enhance Diversity Initiatives
6 Educación / Education
Some Personal Thoughts on the Umass FAC and the Latinx Communities
7 “REACH OUT WITH WHATEVER YOU HAVE” Service, Dignity, and Justice: 2024 Humanics Values
9 Educación / Education
Estudiantes de UPR Aguadilla Galardonados como Investigadores Emergentes en Washington, DC
10 STCC’s Sustainathon Fosters Environmental Awareness and Innovation
AIC President Benitez Steps Down
11 Literatura / Literature
Con la Música a Otra Parte: El Charlatán Primer cuento de la serie Con la música a otra parte
14 Libros / Books
Sounding Latin Music, Hearing the Americas Puerto Rico: A National History
15 Teachers Speak Up!: Stories of Courage, Resilience, and Hope in Difficult Times
16 Medio Ambiente / Environment Nuestras Raíces Celebra la Finalización del Curso de Contabilidad para Pequeños Negocios
16 Deports / Sports Día Inaugural de Holyoke Old Timers League
Editor Manuel Frau Ramos manuelfrau@gmail.com 413-320-3826
Assistant Editor Ingrid Estrany-Frau
Art Director Tennessee Media Design
Business Address El Sol Latino P.O Box 572 Amherst, MA 01004-0572
Editorial Policy
El Sol Latino acepta colaboraciones tanto en español como en inglés. Nos comprometemos a examinarlas, pero no necesariamente a publicarlas. Nos reservamos el derecho de editar los textos y hacer correcciones por razones de espacio y/o estilo. Las colaboraciones pueden ser enviadas a nuestra dirección postal o a través de correo electrónico a: info@elsollatino.net.
El Sol Latino welcomes submissions in either English or Spanish. We consider and review all submissions but reserve the right to not publish them. We reserve the right to edit texts and make corrections for reasons of space and/or style. Submissions may be sent to our postal address or via electronic mail to: info@elsollatino.net.
El Sol Latino is published monthly by Coquí Media Group. El Sol Latino es publicado mensualmente por Coquí Media Group, P.O Box 572, Amherst, MA 01004-0572.
27 de abril de 2024
The U.S. Census Bureau published the most recent data from the Annual Population Estimates for the municipalities of Puerto Rico, as well as for counties in the states of the United States. These statistics refer to July 1, 2023, and include estimates of the total population for each municipality and the population change in the current decade. On behalf of the U.S. Census Data and Information Center Network (SDCPR), the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics (Instituto de Estadísticas de Puerto Rico) reported several findings from the new publication.
According to the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics (IEPR, for its acronym in Spanish), the current population of Puerto Rico is estimated to have decreased between April 2020 and July 2023 by 2.4%. This means that Puerto Rico has around 80,000 fewer residents.
“The general trend in population decline continues in the municipalities, an aspect that began in the jurisdiction for nearly two decades (2005). The phenomenon of reduction is more cautious in various municipalities where the rate indicates to be five percent or
more in just three years of this decade, according to new estimates,” said Alberto L. Velázquez-Estrada, Senior Manager of Statistical Projects of the Institute, in a press release.
In comparison with the 2020 Census with a reference date of April 1, 2020, compared to the most recent year available, July 1, 2023, estimates indicate that the changes in the population of residents in the municipalities ranged from 1.6% to -10.0%. Almost (96%) of all municipalities showed a population decrease.
Only the towns of Rincón, Naranjito, and Barranquitas witnessed a slight population increase, estimated at 0.1% - 1.6%.
A total of seven municipalities reflected an estimated reduction equal to or greater than five percent (5%) within the compared period.
The towns of Guánica (-10.0%), Loíza (-5.9%), Guayanilla (-5.5%), Ponce (-5.3%), Yauco (-5.2%), Guayama (-5.0%) y Yabucoa (-5.0%) suffered the highest percentages of population decline. Four of the seven towns are located in the South. Loíza and Yabucoa are located in the Northeast.
Likewise, the five towns with the lowest percentages of population decline were Barranquitas (-0.1%), Naranjito (-0.1%), Aibonito (-0.3%), Isabela (-0.4%) and Moca ( -0.5%). The first three municipalities are located in the Central zone (Barranquitas, Naranjito and Aibonito), and the last two (Isabela and Moca) in the Western zone of Puerto Rico.
According to the IEPR, the constant emigration flow that has been recorded since the 20th century between Puerto Rico and the United States has marked a notable and constant growth of the Puerto Rican population that has established itself in jurisdictions outside of Puerto Rico. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the population of people identified as Puerto Ricans reported being greater in states of the United States than the population residing in Puerto Rico. In 2006, estimates pointed to about four (4.0) million Puerto Ricans in the states. Five years later, in 2011, the figure expanded to about 4.9 million people, and later, in 2016 and 2022, to 5.5 and 5.9 million, respectively. In comparison, data shows that the population of Puerto Rico, as of 2023, is 3.2 million.
In the near future, the trend indicates that the Puerto Rican population in the states will double the population in Puerto Rico before 2025.
AMHERST, MA | THE UMASS FINE ARTS CENTER | April 4, 2024
— The UMass Fine Arts Center has committed to amplifying Latinx voices and enhancing diversity initiatives in response to insights gained through a series of listening sessions held in the spring of 2023. The listening sessions, presented under the name ¡Escuchar!, were held in Holyoke, Springfield, and Amherst, between March and May of 2023. The series was planned in collaboration with the Springfield consulting firm Inclusive Strategies, LLC with the goal of gathering insights on the Fine Arts Center’s relationship with regional Latinx populations. Through the ¡Escuchar! series, the Fine Arts Center sought to better understand connections and disconnects with regional Latinx communities. A key goal for the Fine Arts Center was to be able to apply learnings from the series to improve cultural relevance and inclusivity in programming. Insights from the sessions have profoundly influenced the Fine Arts Center’s strategic direction and its commitment to fostering a more vibrant and inclusive arts environment.
Highlights from the ¡Escuchar! sessions.
Holyoke Session: Participants underscored the importance of representation and board diversity as well as a need for culturally relevant events and diverse curators. Recommendations included enhancing AV capabilities and acknowledging Hispanic Heritage Month.
Springfield Session: Discussions revolved around the need for greater diversity and representation in arts programming, and on concerns about systemic racism and oppression. Suggestions included forging partnerships with local organizations and implementing sliding-scale pricing.
Amherst Session: Topics spanned from the historical contributions of UMass Amherst to fluctuations in Latino student enrollment. There was a resounding call to leverage music and performance to engage community members and revamp initiatives through groups like the Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies.
In response to the profound insights gained from the ¡Escuchar! sessions, the Fine Arts Center has committed to the following.
The Fine Arts Center staff is committed to:
Actively pursuing and nurturing connections with stakeholders, organizations, and cultural partners within the Latinx communities of UMass and its surrounding region.
Engaging in collaborative opportunities with cultural organizations primarily dedicated to serving the Latinx community, providing meaningful support for both new and existing arts initiatives.
Strengthening ties with administrators and educators in K-12 school systems across Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. The Fine Arts Center will explore avenues to create new programs and expand the reach and accessibility of its current suite of K-12 arts education initiatives to engage a broader and more diverse student community.
Continually assessing and improving language inclusivity within the in-venue experience and across various communication platforms.
The Friends of the Fine Arts Center board is committed to:
Developing initiatives to actively engage local Latinx community members and to support the local Latinx arts community. These initiatives may include organizing and promoting cultural events, and fostering connections with local organizations.
Broadening diversity on the Friends of the Fine Arts Center board through identifying, recommending, and recruiting new Latinx members, and diversifying cultural and racial representation to better represent and reflect the local communities the Fine Arts Center serves.
“We are grateful for the invaluable insights shared during the ¡Escuchar! sessions and are resolutely committed to implementing meaningful changes that reflect the voices and needs of the Latinx community,” said Fine Arts Center Director Jamilla Deria. “Through our continued efforts, we aim to create a more vibrant, inclusive, and culturally relevant arts environment for all.”
Disclaimer. The author of this opinion piece is a member of the UMass Fine Arts Center Board, editor of El Sol Latino, and founder of the Puerto Rican Cultural Project (PRCP) at the Holyoke Public Library (HPL).
The UMass Fine Arts (UMASS FAC) held a series of listening sessions during the spring of 2023, with the partnership of the Springfield consulting firm Inclusive Strategies LLC. The ¡ESCUCHAR! Listening Sessions reached out to the Latino communities of Holyoke, Springfield, and Amherst and Latinos associated with the UMass Amherst campus, past and present.
To gather insights on the Fine Arts Center’s relationship with the regional Latinx populations, “the ¡Escuchar! Listening Sessions were held to facilitate an inclusive community dialogue to help the UMASS Fine Arts Center to better serve and celebrate the rich art and cultural offerings to the Latinx/e/o community. The purpose was to encourage creative and out-of-the-box thinking; to zoom out and think big while considering the limitations. The sessions focused on developing strategies and programs that would help achieve the desired future state.”
A key goal of the Fine Arts Center was to apply learnings from the series to improve cultural relevance and inclusivity in programming.
After listening to all the participants in all three meetings, I found nothing new about what attendees from Holyoke, Springfield, Amherst, and other Latinos associated with UMass Amherst shared. For over thirty years, many of the issues discussed at these meetings have been recurrent themes regarding the region’s Latino community and the Fine Arts Center.
While it’s true that the FAC has created a few initiatives to address some of these issues, these were never fully developed or were short-lived. Budget constraints, a lack of Latino staff who understand and reflect the area’s Latino communities, a lack of long-term Latino outreach commitment, and key personnel changes within the UMass FAC appear to have contributed to our current situation.
One of the long-standing issues is that the Latinx communities, both inside and outside the campus, perceive that UMass FAC does not consider their interests, likes, and dislikes when deciding on programming. This disconnection can be seen in the fact that students and community members organize their own music and arts events.
Vico C, a well-known Puerto Rican rapper and one of the founding fathers of reggaeton; Marc Anthony, a rising star at the time, and Willie Colón, a pioneer of salsa music, are just a few of the artists who have performed at either Bowker Auditorium or at the Student Union thanks to student-led initiatives.
Another well-known artist, Gary Nuñez, a UMass alumnus and founder of Plena Libre, one of the leading Puerto Rican folklore music exponents, performed in the area in 1994 at Smith College, also as a result of student-led initiatives.
Parallel to the ongoing issues at the FAC, in 1980 and 2007 two different administrators of WFCR Radio, based at that time at the UMass Amherst campus, tried to cancel the only local Spanish program from its lineup. In 1980, the target was ¿Qué Tal, Amigos?, a popular Latino program that had been airing for over ten years. In 2007, they tried to remove Tertulia, the program that had replaced ¿Qué Tal, Amigos?
In the Summer of 2008, the FAC took a concrete step to address this perceived disconnection between FAC and Latinos. Shawn Farley, marketing director of the UMass FAC at the time, invited El Sol Latino to be part of the outreach effort to the Latino community to promote a new project, the Festival Latino. The first event of this Festival was a concert by La India, la Princesa de la Salsa, and the well-known salsa singer Jesús Págan and his Orchestra.
MANUEL FRAU RAMOSIn many ways, the Festival Latino was a break-ground initiative. First, it brought together existing Latino media organizations: El Sol Latino, La Prensa del Oeste de Massachusetts, and Tertulia Radio Program at WFCR Radio in promoting this event to the Latino communities of Western Massachusetts. Critical components of this successful outreach were promoting the event in English and Spanish, an in-person approach, and establishing ticket sales locations in Latino businesses in Springfield and Holyoke, which proved more accessible to the Latinx communities.
This new partnership between the FAC and Latino media allowed the FAC to improve its visibility and outreach to a market that had traditionally been excluded from mainstream media and traditional marketing strategies.
The La India event also established another precedent for future Latino concerts at the FAC. Each performance by a Latino artist was preceded by a brief bilingual introduction in Spanish and English. For many years, the Spanish version was presented by Víctor Guevara, who was co-host of Tertulia on WFCR Radio. I did the Spanish version on some occasions, mainly if the event was sponsored by El Sol Latino
Unfortunately, the Festival Latino was a short-lived initiative.
In 2016, I became a member of the Friends of the FAC Board. I brought to the table not only El Sol Latino and Latino media but also the Puerto Rican Cultural Project outreach initiative, which is part of the Holyoke Public Library. My presence on the Board helped to strengthen the initial partnership.
That same year, Puerto Rican Latino Jazz Musician Miguel Zenón, who was visiting the area to perform at the Fine Arts Center, held a community conversation about his new book at the Holyoke Public Library, followed by a dinner open to the community at Salsarengue Restaurant.
Later that year, the FAC started sponsoring the annual holiday concerts organized by the PRCP for the HPL: our 4th Concert, “Puerto Rico Canta on Main Street,” with Gigantes de la Plena and local tenor Charlie Berríos and later, our 5th Concert – “Parranda on Main Street” with Los Cantores del Coquí. The following year, in 2017, the FAC sponsored “El Caribe on Main Street - A Concert of Caribbean Rhythms” with José González y Banda Criolla. In 2018, “Jazz Latino on Main Street” featured two-time Latin Grammynominated artist Dr. José Valentino.
Even when the partnership was an initial step in the right direction, it did not fully address all of the persistent issues, as the FAC’s Latino program offerings continued to show a disconnection with the preferences and tastes of the Latino communities of the UMass surrounding areas.
In general, our Latino communities continued to organize their own artistic and cultural events to fill the void. In 2012, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Puerto Rico, composed of nearly 70 musicians, performed at the Springfield Symphony Hall, with the New England Farm Workers Council as the main sponsor.
Twelve years later, in 2024, a highly successful Latino-organized event was held at the same venue. The renowned Latin Jazz and Afro-Cuban Ensemble Havana Nights with The Mambo Kings visited Springfield thanks to the financial support of Latino businessman César Ruiz.
The Latinx communities support and enjoy the arts. While the FAC has taken a few initial steps in the right direction in the past, it has fallen short in establishing permanent initiatives and programs to close the gap with the Latinx communities in our area. I am encouraged by the recommendations that came out of the ¡Escuchar! Listening Sessions. The proposed steps may help the UMASS Fine Arts Center better serve and celebrate the rich art and cultural offerings of the Latinx communities.
The Humanics philosophy
Humanics is the central, and enthusiastically accepted philosophy of education at Springfield College. The Humanics philosophy calls for the education of the whole person—in body, mind, and spirit—for leadership in service to others. Annually, at Springfield College, a Distinguished Professor of Humanics (DPH) is selected and given a one-year appointment. They are asked to define Humanics and contribute to the philosophy in their own, special ways.
The Humanics philosophy charges the college administration, faculty, students and alumni to undertake a collaborative effort toward a common goal. Four volumes of the addresses of Springfield College Distinguished Professors of Humanics have documented their contributions.
Seth Arsenian gave the first speech in 1967 entitled, “The Meaning of Humanics,” in which he described the concept as a set of ideas, values, and goals that make our college distinct from other colleges; affirming our commitment and working in unity to a common purpose. In 1982, DPH Edward J. Sims stated that “Humanics is not a philosophy that can be handed down from one college generation to another. Each generation must rethink for itself what the meaning will be…. In its simplest form, it is people helping people”. Consistent with this sentiment, according to Mary Ann Coughlin, 2021 DPH, the philosophy of Humanics instructs us to make the world a better place.
I am grateful to be able to share my reflections as the Humanics Professor of 2023-2024. The goals of DPH for the period 2023-2024 were focused on three principles: service; dignity/worth of all; and justice. These principles are the essential core values of social work. As a social worker, I consider these principles as self-evident and indisputable.
But, beyond these foundational values, I wondered, what could I contribute to Humanics? The answer came to me in the voice of a dear friend of all and mystic, a Sister of Saint Joseph Jane Morrissey, who said “Reach out with whatever you have”
What I have are 50 years of community social work practice with marginalized communities as well as a gnawing concern witnessing the growing antidemocratic nationalist rhetoric, political divisiveness, and pernicious dehumanization of the other, of our neighbors in the United States and of our neighbors throughout the world.
The greater Springfield Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area had the highest rates of Hispanic/White segregation in the United States in 1990, 2000, and 2010, and it is likely more prevalent today. Swift action must be taken.
For 2023-2024, I searched out a road map in the lectures given by past Distinguished Professors of Humanics. It was my hope to be guided by their insights and actions.
The Humanics campaign
Joel Cohen (DPH 1991) declared that Humanics is a deed as well as creed. His statement underscores the need for concrete actions to follow words and principles.
The 2023-2024 Humanics effort was a year-long campaign to provide awareness, raise concern, increase education and action regarding Latina/o segregation and its impact on individuals and families who are set apart through poverty and segregation. The campaign was far more than a conference. It sought to bring and share information about segregation with current and potential stakeholders in the helping professions. It engaged in community organizing, inside and outside the College. The conference, a summit event, titled Fostering Inclusion and Equity for Latina/o Children and their Families was a successful culmination of the campaign developed and implemented with likeminded people and significant stakeholders. The central goal of the campaign acknowledged the complexity of the social determinants of health and wellbeing. It recognized the determinants as having a tragic impact; including unsafe housing, low income, inadequate
access to nutritional food, lack of easy transportation, violence, inadequate education, illiteracy, and other adverse childhood experiences that result from segregation and poverty. Simply put, zip code or geographic location matters.
The Humanics campaign prioritized the needs and aspirations of Latina/o children and their families, focusing on those set apart living in segregated communities. The campaign, especially the conference, held on March 13, 2024, provided a forum for successful comprehensive, holistic programs to be presented and explored through 30 workshops.
The campaign sought to:
• Raise awareness and foster discussion about some of the predominant and urgent needs of Latina/o children and their families;
• Promote the participation of all sectors of the community and their shared responsibility in the pursuit of equity and better living conditions for all; and finally,
• Encourage informed discussion regarding current and potential policies and innovative programs designed to provide solutions to the harsh conditions faced by Latina/o families in the Springfield SMSA.
To that end, 270 individuals came together in 30 workshops for the one-day conference held at Springfield College. Notably, the conference reinforced the significance of a renewed college and community engagement through effective partnership.
Springfield College and community partnership
Regina Kaufman, DPH in 2016, asked: what can we contribute to the community that would intentionally shine a light on an issue?
Thankfully, there exist dedicated individuals and organizations, shining lights, highlighting and seeking to build on the resourcefulness and strengths of the Latina/o community. These servant-leaders of the community believe in progress. They have not thrown their hands up and given up. They persist! They partner with families. Together, they seek the social betterment of the vulnerable Latina/o community. They realize the depth of the overwhelming challenges faced. The servant-leaders recognize the synergy in many individuals and organizations uniting for a common beneficial purpose. The campaign gathered an interdisciplinary team of academicians, community organizers, elected officials, governmental public agencies, community-based organizations, and families to address disparities that impact Latina/o families.
(But, AGAIN, I WONDER) What can I, Miguel Arce, contribute? Again, I hear our beloved Sister Jane say, “reach out with whatever you have.”
The Humanics effort for 2023-2024 started and ended with the same concerns of Sister Jane for marginalized people. Sadly, our society sees people as dispensable. Others say that there is nothing to be done or should be done.
But it is a mistake to believe that progress is not possible. Such an erroneous belief and our indifference, or at least inaction, allows injustice to swallow us up.
Low-income residents, especially children, are overwhelmingly impacted by poverty. Leadership in service to others inherently believes in those you serve. You work with them and others to promote success; and, take action to educate the public about the causes and effects of poverty on children and their families. Let us recall that first, it is not the fault of our children that live in poverty. Really, how can the children be responsible? Second, we know that childhood poverty in our country has doubled in one year as a result of shifts in public tax policy. And third, childhood poverty has terrible long-lasting repercussions for the children.
The Humanics philosophy is based on three values
Value #1: Service
Springfield College administration, faculty, students and alumni are instructed to provide leadership in service to others. The possibility for making progress in this challenging environment requires the conviction that transformation can happen, despite incredible challenges faced by many. Leadership in
continued on page 8
“REACH
service to others includes understanding and taking action on behalf of those who are living in fragile conditions. Tragically, in 2024, the chasm continues to grow between those who have and those who have too little in our local, national and international communities.
Humanics is based on the guiding principle that we can affect the daily lives of our neighbors. James E. Genasci, 1993-1994, helped organize A Better Chance, a non-profit organization in Springfield, Massachusetts, for lowincome high school students to become better prepared for college and other community-wide activities. Evidence abounds that Professor Genasci positively affected numerous lives.
The 2023-2024 campaign considered the whole community as the recipient of services. It raised awareness to key social problems; organized an appropriate response and implemented the one-day conference. A central goal of the conference was to identify and learn about culturally specific services designed to respond respectfully, empathetically, and effectively to the challenges faced by a significant group in the community. The Campaign sought to address the problems, disparities and inequities, the disproportionality faced by Latina/o children and families. It explored and promoted more deliberative approaches and beneficial solutions to be incorporated into public policy and social work practice.
Further, the conference recognized that in spite of the disparities, inequities and the progressively difficult lives faced by Latina/o community, children and families, they still cope, succeed and thrive. Despite obvious adverse social and environmental barriers, Latina/o families living in segregated neighborhoods display and foster strengths often overlooked in public policy and practice.
Value # 2: Dignity and worth
Recognizing human dignity means that we are to respect and behave towards each other and others in ways that increase their importance, their dignity and their irreplaceable value. Harry Giles,1972 DPH lecture was titled Humanics at Work Among Friends and Enemies. For him, Humanics centered on: 1. granting the uniqueness of individuals; 2. believing in the unknown limits of human potential; 3. recognizing the power of growth; and 4. the realization that everyone wants to achieve a secure and meaningful life. Giles hoped humankind would be person-centered.
Children must be treated with dignity. They are vulnerable to the harsh economic realities of being born poor in a particular zip code. Childhood poverty is a public policy shortcoming with devastating impacts, including homelessness, missed meals, inadequate clothing and countless other tangible and intangible hardships. Sadly, the gap between those who have too much and those who have too few resources has been cruelly growing and demands responsive public policy.
Fortunately, there are numerous documented accounts of courageous men and women who have overcome intentional and unintentional systemic obstacles placed before them. Their worthiness prevails when nourished.
Value # 3: Social Justice
A social justice point of view is the insistence that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights, as well as responsibilities. Social justice requires a fair balance in the distribution of wealth, opportunities and privileges in a society where individual rights are recognized, protected and pursued. Giles, in his own words, was “fired up” about economic inequality and its sad, devastating results.
Clearly, the Humanics guiding principles place pressing moral imperatives on the Springfield College community. For instance, Herbert Zettl, DPH in 1985, addressed the implications for the college’s core curriculum. He stated that “Fundamentally, ... the core of Humanics is education with a moral dimension.” And, Bernard Garney, DPH in 2002-2003, spoke about the courage in facing adversity, in his presentation, titled “What would war do to the children?” Martin Dubrow, DPH in 2014-2015, emphasized the importance of bending the arc and working toward social justice and peace.
continued from page 7
All four of the just mentioned Distinguished Professors of Humanics recognized the critical and moral imperatives to social justice.
A global imperative: A reflection on Palestine
In addition, Josephine Cecco,1980 DPH, said that the school must respond to the changing needs and opportunities of a democratic society. The task is to educate individuals so that they participate constructively in the economic, social, and political life of society-at-large.
Walter English, DPH 1979, wondered: “Can we afford to let the gleam of hope flicker and die, to have the candle blown out by the harsh winds of reality that puts life ahead of living, that puts existence ahead of essence?” Springfield College should hasten to urge students to recognize and address genocidal persecution that takes place all too often in our world, and is, lamentably, taking place right now.
Billy Mills, an Oglala Lakota Olympic Champion, is quoted as having said that the primary focus of higher education is the resolution of great social problems. Springfield College alumni are leaders in service to others in approximately 70 of the 192 countries recognized by the United Nations. Said another way, around a third of all countries have Springfield College alumni in leadership and service roles.
In 1959, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which defined children’s rights to protection, education, health care, shelter, and good nutrition. Today in Gaza (and in the West Bank), customary international laws, established by a general consensus of humankind, are being violated.
At this very moment, there is an urgent matter taking place in our global community and it demands justice.
There are 2.3 million people living in Gaza, 47% are children. As in Springfield, the children in Gaza are unique, precious, irreplaceable.
• Since October 7, 2023, 15,000 children have been killed in Gaza-- an average of 90 children per day
• Since October 7, 2023, more than 10 children per day have lost one or both legs
• A new medical term has been coined: WCNSF (wounded child no surviving family)
• Nearly all hospitals have been destroyed
• 396 educational facilities have ALSO been destroyed
• 90% of children under the age of five are suffering from an infectious disease
• One in three children under the age of two in Northern Gaza are acutely malnourished and have compromised immune systems
• A state of famine, in Gaza, has been declared by the Secretary of the United Nations.
A final reflection
In the poem titled For Whom the Bell Tolls, John Donne states,
Each man’s death diminishes me, For I am involved in mankind. Therefore, send NOT to know. For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee.
The suffering and death of our children is our own suffering and death. The tolling of the bells reminds us that the senseless death of another life is a toll for each of us, since we are inextricably bound together as a human family.
Reach out with whatever you have!
With your body, with your mind, with your spirit and with your deeds.
AGUADILLA, PR | UNIVERSIDAD DE PUERTO RICO - AGUADILLA
| 25 de marzo de 2024- El capítulo estudiantil de la Sociedad Americana de Química (ACS, por sus siglas e inglés) de la Universidad de Puerto Rico en Aguadilla (UPRAg) fue galardonado con dos distinciones destacadas: el Premio Outstanding Award, otorgado a la asociación más sobresaliente, y el Premio de Química Verde durante la Convención de la ACS que se celebró en la ciudad de New Orleans, Louisiana, este fin de semana.
La presidenta Karoline Z. Concepción-Rodríguez recibió esta distinción en reconocimiento al trabajo realizado por el capítulo de ACS-UPRAg durante el periodo 2022-2023, bajo el liderazgo del joven Anthony Mártir.
“Me llena de mucho orgullo ver que nuestros estudiantes tuvieron una oportunidad única de representar a Puerto Rico y exponer sus afiches científicos ante una audiencia internacional, que sin duda, es un experiencia muy transformadora. Fueron reconocidos por su labor científica, servicio comunitario y amor por la ciencia, demostrando cómo la química puede cambiar vidas. ¡Así somos, biólogos que aman la química!”, relató la directora del Departamento de Ciencias Naturales de UPRAg, la doctora Brenda Ramos.
La convención titulada “Muchos Sabores de Química” (Many Flavors of Chemistry) se desarrolló como un espacio vital para el desarrollo profesional de estudiantes y académicos en diversas áreas de las ciencias. Este evento no solo facilitó la participación en conferencias, simposios y talleres, sino que también promovió la creación de vínculos profesionales con capítulos estudiantiles nacionales e internacionales y con profesores de destacados en el campo de la química. El capítulo estudiantil de la UPRAg se destacó con una delegación notable en la convención. Entre los estudiantes participantes se encontraban: Karoline Z. Concepción-Rodríguez, Alondra VieraTavarez, Bianka Y. Cabán-Varela, Adriana L. Camacho-Badillo, Jerric I. Durán-García, Indira N. Rivera-López, Natalia Pellot-Pérez, Loriane S. Baerga-Rosa, Juliana M. FreyreNúñez, Carlos J. Del Valle-López y Jadiel O. González-Justiniano.
Estos jóvenes talentos fueron acompañados por sus distinguidos profesores: Dr. Carlos A. Nieves-Marrero, Dra. Brenda J. RamosSantana y Dr. Rafael A. Estremera-Andújar.
Una de las contribuciones más destacadas fue su presentación en el Chem-Demo, titulada “¡Juega con nosotros y adivina el aceite!”, que buscaba realizar presentaciones interactivas alineadas con el tema central de la convención.
Además, el capítulo presentó varios afiches, entre los que se incluyen “Decodificando la Vida a Través de la Lente de la Química” y “Programa TDC-XII: Explorando un Modelo de Mundo Pequeño con Implicaciones de Química Verde”.
Uno de los pósters más destacados fue “Bacillus atrophaeus cepa B5: Efecto antagonista sobre Colletotrichum gloeosporioides y Fusarium: Una solución novedosa para la enfermedad de la antracnosis en los cultivos de café puertorriqueños”, presentado por Jadiel O. González-Justiniano, resaltando así la investigación innovadora y su impacto potencial en la industria agrícola de Puerto Rico.
UPR-Aguadilla ofrece diversas opciones para estudiantes interesados en carreras científicas. Entre ellas se encuentran el bachillerato en Biología con especialización en Biomédica, Genética, Bioinformática, Biología General y Procesos Microbiológicos Industriales. Además de la oportunidad de obtener dos grados (B.S./Pharm.D.) en siete años: un Bachillerato en Ciencias en Biología (B.S.) de UPR Aguadilla y un doctorado en Farmacia (Pharm.D) de Nova Southeastern University.
COLLEGE | April 12, 2024 – Springfield Technical Community College on April 10 hosted its annual Sustainathon, an event designed to raise environmental awareness and inspire students as the celebration of Earth Day approaches.
Sustainability is an important concept in STEM education, research and industry. With a goal of training students in innovative concepts and approaches in infusing sustainability into science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects, the Sustainathon at STCC drew over 500 people from high schools, community and professional organizations and educational institutions.
“The Sustainathon applies to every aspect of our life,” said Dr. Reena Randhir, a professor of biology and one of the event organizers. “Here the focus is on the environment. It’s to leave the world pristine for the future generations.”
STCC students presented research posters and exhibits in a festive atmosphere that concluded with dancing to a live mariachi band. The event was held in advance of Earth Day, which will be celebrated April 22.
Dr. Melishia Santiago, Assistant Dean of STEM, welcomed attendees and later spoke to students about the sustainability of marine ecosystems from her booth.
“We are thrilled to offer this event to students as well as our community partners,” Santiago said. “It’s critically important to develop practical solutions to mitigate climate change, reduce waste, conserve resources and promote sustainable practices both on and off campus. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn and be inspired to create positive change.”
Dr. John B. Cook, STCC’s president, welcomed hundreds of students from area schools gathered at the Sustainathon. They cheered as he
announced each school’s name: The High School of Commerce, Springfield Central High School, Roger L. Putnam Vocational and Technical Academy, Springfield High School of Science and Technology, the Springfield Renaissance School and Springfield International Charter School.
Chicopee High School and area colleges, including the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, were also represented at the event.
Ron St. Amand, Director of Science for Springfield Public Schools, said he was excited to connect his students to environmental and sustainability professionals and have them visit STCC, the only technical community college in Massachusetts.
“We hope that through meeting with different environmental and sustainability professionals, not only will they think about the importance of sustainability in their own lives in terms of conserving this precious planet – the only place we have to live – but also they can start thinking about some job opportunities and future education opportunities,” St. Amand said.
He noted that sustainability-related careers are growing and will be good options for the high school students after they complete their education.
STCC offers certificate and degree programs that align with careers in sustainability. They include HVAC/Energy Systems, Urban Studies and Landscape Design and Management Technology, among others.
STCC students interviewed at the event said they have been preparing for the Sustainathon throughout the semester. They created research posters that were on display throughout the gym.
Charles Walker-Hoover, a business administration student at STCC, created an award-winning poster in his biology class. He received a “Champion of Change” trophy.
I didn’t set out to be the winner. I just wanted to create change and be a part of change,” Walker-Hoover said.
He described his research: “Plastics are persistent in their nature. They don’t break down and they last for thousands of years. We want to find a way to find a solution to that, and the solution is microbes. They are small micro-organisms which are everywhere. These specific micro-organisms will have the ability to break down plastic.”
Another student, Abigail Pronovost, is studying health science at STCC with the goal of becoming an occupational therapist assistant. She said the Sustainathon raises awareness about the importance of protecting the environment. She created a poster about the role robots play in agriculture.
“There’s a lot of pollution and we have to get the planet back so it’s healthier for everyone,” she said. “We need to make the world a better place.”
Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.
Con la Música a Otra Parte: El Charlatán
cuento de la serie Con la música a otra partepor JOSÉ EDGARDO CRUZ FIGUEROA
En el 1960, Lola Sepúlveda era la mujer más codiciada en Barrio Obrero. En eso competía con Iris, su hermana mayor, pero Iris estaba en la categoría de “mujer fácil” y por eso no era tan deseada como Lola. Lola era de mediana estatura y figura tipo Venus. Su pelo era una mezcla de lacio con rizo, negro que te quiero negro, que hacía juego con sus ojos. Estaba muy bien desarrollada y usaba espejuelos. Tenía buenas notas en la escuela y le gustaba muchísimo el baile. En la Einstein no había biblioteca así que ella estudiaba debajo del palo de almendra en el patio de la escuela y después de hacer sus asignaciones sus amigos se le unían para beber vino El Canario y mojonear. Arturo Martínez la conocía desde la escuela intermedia. Eran vecinos en la calle 7 donde vivía el compositor Héctor Urdaneta, cuyo nombre se usó años después para designar la calle. En la casa de tres plantas que compartían, a pocos pasos de la casa de Urdaneta, ella vivía en la tercera y Arturo en el sótano. En la segunda planta vivía una familia de cubanos exiliados. Desde el cuarto de Arturo, mirando a través de las celosías de las ventanas Miami, se le veían las piernas a los miembros de la familia de Lola cuando bajaban del tercer piso y pasaban por el pasillo que conducía de la parte de atrás de la casa hasta la calle. Arturo reconocía a Lola por las medias. En cuanto la divisaba salía corriendo del cuarto y antes de que llegara al portón ya la estaba esperando. Todos los días caminaban juntos en la mañana, primero a la Asenjo, que quedaba cerca de la casa, y luego a la Einstein que quedaba justo en la frontera entre Cantera y Barrio Obrero, donde terminaba la avenida Borinquen y comenzaba la avenida Barbosa. Esa caminata era más larga, lo que les daba tiempo de sostener una conversación más prolongada.
Por el camino hacia la Einstein se detenían en la panadería La Euskalduna para comprar sendas mallorcas que luego degustaban con maví durante la hora de la merienda. Cuando pasaban por la Ramos Antonini saludaban a los muchachitos que siempre les salían al paso babeándose por Lola. El maví lo compraban de caneca en el Goody, un kiosco ubicado a la salida de la escuela donde se reunía la muchachería escolar y del vecindario, para pasar el rato. Compartían una caneca y cada cual la pagaba un día sí y otro no. El vino lo compraban en un colmado en la calle Lima que quedaba paralela a la avenida Borinquen y por ende estaba exenta del gentío y el tráfico vehicular que cundía en la avenida. El dueño sabía que eran menores de edad, pero se hacía de la vista larga. Para entonces Arturo podía votar y matar gente si se enlistaba en el ejército, pero comprar vino era ilegal.
Durante los años de la Einstein, aunque Arturo sentía el picor del deseo cuando veía a Lola, todavía la consideraba una niña. Dejar de pensarla como lo había hecho desde que se conocieron en el séptimo grado, en la clase de francés de Mr. Choulon en la Asenjo, no fue fácil. Pero un día de marzo del cuarto año, una amiga mutua, famosa tanto por su madurez como por su crudeza, lo sacó de su estancamiento diciéndole que a Lola hacía tiempo que le llegaba la regla y por ende era una mujer. “Si te gusta tanto”, remató, “no seas pendejo y métele mano que ella sabe”. En esa época el modus operandi de Arturo era despreciar a la muchachas que estaban interesadas en él y perseguir a las que no le hacían caso. Su relación con Lola no caía dentro de ninguna de esas categorías. Él se sentía atraído hacia ella pero no la buscaba y ella tampoco se mostraba
interesada. Eso cambió ese día de marzo pues desde entonces la pensó como mujer pese a que era tan tierna como una muchacha. Él no era el único.
Lola tenía una legión de pretendientes. Aun descontando a los de la Ramos Antonini, que eran unos nenes, sus admiradores formaban un grupo bien grande. Muchos estaban interesados en una sola cosa y ella, que era muy avispada, sabía distinguir entre los que estaban genuinamente prendados de ella y los que nomás querían llevársela a la cama. No es que fuera puritana. Cuando bailaba un bolero le gustaba hacerlo bien pegada para sentir la fisionomía de su acompañante en todos sus detalles. Pero una vez la música paraba, se retiraba abruptamente dejando a su pareja en la pista mirándola alejarse como un pajuato. Sabía que era objeto del deseo, pero también estaba muy consciente de que una vez el deseo quedase satisfecho su valor iba a depreciar más que el de un carro nuevo que se saca por primera vez del lote de ventas a la calle. En privado se lamentaba de que así fueran las cosas y en público ocultaba su decepción al mirar de modo altanero y hasta con desprecio a los que revoloteaban a su alrededor como moscas en torno a un frasco de miel. Le gustaba sonsacarlos, llevarlos al punto más cercano a la cúspide del placer, para luego alejarse, dejándolos hambrientos y respingando. Lola no era única. Como ella había cantidad de mujeres en el barrio: bonitas, deseables y recatadas. En la Einstein había un grupito que era la excepción a la regla. Era un grupo pequeño; entre cinco o seis. Era conocido como Las Flamas pues sus integrantes eran coquetas, arriesgadas, aventureras, transgresoras, y les gustaba meter mano. La hermana mayor de Lola pertenecía al grupo y era íntima con la mejor conocida de sus integrantes, Mariana Romero, hija de Carlos Romero Barceló. Las muchachas del grupo llevaban la falda del uniforme escolar bien cortita antes de que se pusiera de moda la minifalda. Algunas no usaban brassiere. Todos los viernes se juntaban con los muchachos de la escuela que eran músicos y se reunían frente al Goody para rumbear. Las Flamas se les sentaban en la falda cuando paraban y luego bailaban cuando volvían a tocar. Cuando daban vueltas se les veían los muslos y los panties. Era de conocimiento público que esos rumbones empezaban en la calle y terminaban en la cama. El grupo representaba lo prohibido y por ello provocaba suspiros y excitación. Lola solía mirar la escena durante la parte del rumbón porque las descargas le gustaban, pero lo hacía de lejitos para que nadie fuese a creer que ella era una de Las Flamas. Si Lola era codiciada era precisamente porque era inaccesible. No hay nada que atraiga a un hombre más que una mujer difícil. Lola era tentadora y lo sabía y se aprovechaba de su poder seductivo. Lograba que sus pretendientes comieran de su mano como palomas amaestradas. Para llamar la atención no necesitaba vestirse provocativamente como Las Flamas. Tampoco usaba mucho maquillaje. Con pintarse los labios era suficiente. Sus pantallas eran recatadas. Tenía la uñas cortas como para tocar el piano. No tenía talento musical excepto por el ritmo, que ella decía que lo llevaba en la sangre. Su voz era dulce pero no podía cantar. Le gustaba bailar porque sabía bailar. Le interesaba lo que pasaba en el mundo y
continued on next page
quería viajar. Durante los años de escuela intermedia había ido a St. Thomas en bote, saliendo de Fajardo, y durante el verano de 1958, justo antes de su primer semestre en la Einstein, había pasado un mes en Nueva York. Ese viaje no fue como ella esperaba. En una foto en el tope del Empire State Building, tomada junto a su hermana y su mamá, Lola se veía con el pelo esmoruzao y la barbilla reposando sobre su mano derecha, con una cara de aborrecía que gritaba sáquenme de aquí.
La clase de cuarto año a la que pertenecían Arturo y Lola fue una de las menos distinguidas en la historia de la escuela. Según Arturo en la clase de ciencias sociales nadie prestaba atención y en la de geometría lo que tenían era un relajo. El maestro de ciencias sociales se halaba los pelos tratando de interesar a los estudiantes en la historia de la Revolución Americana y la maestra de geometría no sabía cómo hacer que en vez de pasar el periodo tirando aviones de papel de una esquina del salón a la otra, los estudiantes prestaran atención a sus explicaciones de cómo la distancia entre una figura y otra se relacionaba con sus formas, tamaños y posiciones relativas. Poco antes de acabarse el primer semestre del cuarto año los estudiantes se enteraron que la pobre mujer había sido hospitalizada porque ellos la habían vuelto loca. Arturo y Lola se sintieron culpables y a modo de arrepentimiento trataron mejor a la maestra sustituta que terminó el semestre y luego enseñó el resto del año. Lola era participante pasiva en el desorden pues le gustaba la geometría. Arturo sacó D en la clase y ella terminó con una B. El segundo semestre del año no fue muy distinto al primero y el descalabro de ese semestre, al que Arturo y Lola contribuyeron poco como muestra
de su arrepentimiento, fue presagio de la desorganización que a fin de año resultó en que la clase se graduara sin anuario.
“¿Cómo va a ser?”, exclamó Arturo cuando supo que la clase no iba a celebrar un senior prom. Él creía que los pantalones bien planchados del presidente de la clase, con un filo que podía cortar carne, sus camisas almidonadas, su bigotito precisamente delineado y su pelo bien peinado, con todas sus hebras tiesas de tanta pomada, eran indicios de que el tipo era un líder bien organizado. Resultó que todo eso era una fachada que ocultaba su incompetencia. Los miembros de su equipo eran peores pues ellos ni siquiera aparentaban organización y eficiencia. Durante todo el año no habían hecho nada para recaudar los fondos necesarios para contratar al fotográfo, diseñador gráfico, mecanógrafo y la imprenta que hacían falta para producir el anuario. Nadie había hecho la gestión de identificar un grupo musical o una sala de baile. De otros preparativos ni se diga, el equipo era un desastre.
A última hora, Arturo reunió a varios compañeros de clase que estaban tan sorprendidos y enfadados como él y tomaron las riendas de la clase graduanda. En un acto digno de militares latinoamericanos, depusieron al presidente de la clase y a su equipo, actuando con el beneplácito de las autoridades escolares. Lograron que la escuela se pusiera pálida y accediera a costear una orquesta y la sala de baile. Le rogaron con éxito a los comerciantes del área cercana a la escuela que cubrieran el costo de los entremeses y persuadieron al dueño de un bar de que donara refrescos y montara una barra cosa que los estudiantes se sintieran adultos ordenado tragos aunque fuesen sin alcohol.
continued on next page
Para la música Arturo pensó en Chacón y sus Batirrítmicos. El grupo de Chacón era local pero resultó que era muy popular y tenía un compromiso previo que le impedía tocar. Tommy Olivencia acababa de fundar su orquesta a la que le puso de nombre, con arrogancia pero también con mérito, “La Primerísima Orquesta de Puerto Rico”. Después de hacerles ofertas a dos grupos más terminaron contratando a Olivencia, quien accedió a tocar por una suma ridícula pues estaba necesitado de guisos para su recién formado grupo. Arturó negoció el contrato y pensó que había dado un palo. Sus compañeros estaban preocupados pues sabían que el cantante de la orquesta era un tecato empedernido y tenían miedo que no se presentara o que llegara al baile tan arrebatao que no podría cantar. El miedo fue infundado. Aun así, el baile terminó mal, pero no por nada que hiciera la orquesta o su cantante. El problema lo creó un tipo que no era parte de la clase y que se presentó al baile como invitado. Su reputación lo precedía. A tono con ésta, había traido a la fiesta licor de contrabando. Envuelto en su borrachera se puso un poco fresco con varias muchachas. Las que eran del grupo Las Flamas supieron manejarlo. Pero cuando trató de sacar a bailar a Lola, a quien como muchos otros en el barrio él también codiciaba, ella primero lo ignoró y cuando él insistió, abruptamente y de mala gana Lola le dijo que la dejara quieta, que dejara de joder el parto y se fuera pa’ su casa. Esa actitud seca y desafiante, ese lenguaje directo, era típico de Lola. No tenía miedo ni pelos en la lengua. Encima sabía defenderse pero el tipo la cogió desprevenida. Jamás pensó que por decir que no quería bailar con él, “que me dejes quieta borracho de mierda”, se iba a estrellar de repente y sin aviso contra un puño macizo que la restralló contra el suelo y la dejó inconsciente. Sus espejuelos salieron volando y cayeron en una mesa hechos un garabato. El acto no pasó desapercibido pero el tipo salió corriendo, tambaleando más bien, pero aún así a las millas de chaflán. Aprovechándose de la confusión logró salir a la calle y desaparecer. No fue así por mucho tiempo. Él era del vecindario y al otro día fue fácil encontrarlo.
Cuando Arturo lo confrontó él no recordaba nada pero no obstante su actitud era provocadora. Lola lo miraba intensamente y con rabia. En los ojos de él, todavía lánguidos por la resaca, podía notarse un brillo lujurioso. Era un resplandor opaco, contrarrestado por la ira que sentía por querer a Lola y que ella lo rechazara. Sabía que si ella ni siquiera estaba dispuesta a bailar, mucho menos podría tirársela. El tonto no entendía que Lola lo había rechazado no porque no tuviera su atractivo sino por borracho. Al agredirla, su destino quedó sellado: más nunca podría acercársele.
“Los dos se pueden ir pa’l carajo”, les gritó. Lola apretó los puños y se echó pa’trás. Arturo emitió un resoplido que si hubiese sido un dragón en un cuento de fantasía habría botado fuego. “Mira canto’e cabrón”, dijo Arturo alzando la voz, “anoche le diste a mi Lola porque estaba sola”. Lola viró la cabeza para mirar a Arturo con sorpresa y satisfacción cuando escuchó eso de “mi Lola”. “Ahora que está conmigo atrévete a darle maricón”.
El tipo hizo un movimiento que no se sabía si tenía intención agresora o si era un intento de escapar. Arturo no esperó a que su intención quedara clara y le cayó encima como un bombero. Lola no se quedó quieta. Se unió a Arturo en la sinfonía de puñetazos, bofetadas y patadas que dejaron al tipo aturdido y embarrado de sangre. Lo dejaron tirado en el piso escupiendo los dientes. Antes de irse Lola le dijo: “eso te pasa por charlatán, por borrachón y por
abusador, hijo de la gran puta”. Mientras el tipo gemía, por compasión Arturo llamó a una ambulancia. Pero antes de irse le advirtió que si los reportaba a la policía, a la primera oportunidad que tuviera regresaba, pero entonces sería para triturarle los sesos con un bate. Lola añadió: “Yo no te tengo miedo desgraciao. Si te quejas de esta pela, te voy a buscar para caparte”.
Una semana después, Arturo le hizo el cuento a su amigo Toñín Romero quien quedó tan fascinado que decidió escribir una canción que tituló “El charlatán”. A pesar de que la época de las transgresiones protagonizadas por hippies y disidentes ya despuntaba, la canción que Ismael Rivera hizo famosa con la Orquesta Panamericana en el 1961, no incluía las interjecciones vulgares y violentas de Arturo y Lola. Así, lo que ellos dijeron quedó blanqueado. Las palabras “cabrón”, “maricón” e “hijo de la gran puta” fueron excomulgadas. Las diatribas proferidas a ritmo de golpes en la cara, en el pecho, el estómago y hasta en los güevos del tipo, fueron tan desvergonzadas que ni siquiera yo he querido repetirlas. En la canción, el coro decía: “anoche le diste charlatán, le diste a mi Lola, anoche le diste charlatán, ven dale ahora”, y en uno de los soneos Ismael Rivera cantaba: “tú tienes cuchillo charlatán yo tengo pistola, anoche le diste charlatán ven dale ahora”
Lo del cuchillo y la pistola Romero se lo inventó para darle más color al relato. Arturo y Lola habían maceteado al infeliz a puño limpio y patadas. Sus amenazas prometían escalar el desquite si el tipo los denunciaba. Durante el ajuste de cuentas inicial, pistolas y cuchillos no habían hecho falta.
La canción que Ismael Rivera hizo famosa con la Orquesta Panamericana en el 1961, no incluía las interjecciones vulgares y violentas de Arturo y Lola.
JOSÉ EDGARDO CRUZ FIFUEROA (cruzjose5319@gmail.com) es natural de San Juan y criado en El Fanguito y Barrio Obrero en Santurce, Puerto Rico. Es profesor emérito de ciencias políticas en la Universidad del Estado de Nueva York en Albany.
How is Latin American music heard, by whom, and why? Many in the United States believe Latin American musicians make Latin music which carries with it a whole host of assumptions, definitions, and contradictions. In their own countries, these expatriate musicians might generate immense national pride or trigger suspicions of national betrayal. The making, sounding, and hearing of Latin music brings into being the complex array of concepts that constitute Latin Americanismits fissures and paradoxes, but also its universal aspirations. Taking as its center musicians from or with declared roots in Latin America, Jairo Moreno presents us with an innovative analysis of how and why music emerges as a necessary but insufficient shorthand for defining and understanding Latin American, Latinx, and American experiences of modernity.
This close look at the growth of music-making by Latin American and Spanish-speaking musicians in the United States at the turn of the twenty-first century reveals diverging understandings of music’s social and political possibilities for participation and belonging. Through the stories of musicians Ruben Blades, Shakira, Arturo OFarrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, and Miguel ZenonSounding Latin Music, Hearing the Americas traces how artists use music to produce worlds and senses of the world at the ever-transforming conjunction of Latin
PRESS | May 2023 | 376 pages
America and the United States. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.
Reviews
“Original and insightful, Sounding Latin Music, Hearing the Americas is carefully researched in terms of historical framework, painstakingly structured and argued, and well written. Though the author’s expertise is primarily musicological, his erudition spans several fields, and allows him to cover theoretical, historical, and disciplinary terrain that most scholars would be well advised not to attempt. In short, no one else could have written this tour de force.” ― Jason R. Borge, University of Texas at Austin
“This is a powerful, insightful, and enlightening book by a major thinker in his field with an impressive command of the literature and musical repertoire of Latin America as well as Latinos in the United States. Moreno writes consciously as an intellectual ‘migrant’ at the crossroads of music studies, Latin American studies, cultural studies, and American studies. The theoretical contributions of this book are palpable, and it is humanized by the author being so conversant in popular music for mass audiences.” ― Timothy Brennan, University of Minnesota
JAIRO MORENO is associate professor of music at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of Musical Representations, Subjects, and Objects and coeditor of Econophonia: Music, Value, and the Forms of Life. Jairo Moreno’s work in music theory addresses the production of knowledge of music and the sonic in modernity from a historic-speculative perspective.
by JORELL MELÉNDEZ-BADILLOPRINCETON, NJ | PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS | April 2, 2024 | 312 pages • Available in Spanish - Grupo Planeta
Description
Puerto Rico is a Spanish-speaking territory of the United States with a history shaped by conquest and resistance. For centuries, Puerto Ricans have crafted and negotiated complex ideas about nationhood. Jorell Meléndez-Badillo provides a new history of Puerto Rico that gives voice to the archipelago’s people while offering a lens through which to understand the political, economic, and social challenges confronting them today.
In this masterful work of scholarship, Meléndez-Badillo sheds light on the vibrant cultures of the archipelago in the centuries before the arrival of Columbus and captures the full sweep of Puerto Rico’s turbulent history in the centuries that followed, from the first indigenous insurrection against colonial rule in 1511—led by the powerful chieftain Agüeybaná II—to the establishment of the Commonwealth in 1952. He deftly portrays the contemporary period and the intertwined though unequal histories of the archipelago and the continental United States.
Puerto Rico is an engaging, sometimes personal, and consistently surprising history of colonialism, revolt, and the creation of a national
identity, offering new perspectives not only on Puerto Rico and the Caribbean but on the United States and the Atlantic world more broadly.
Reviews
“Meléndez-Badillo...explores the history of...his native Puerto Rico in a thorough, accessible exposition. Beginning with the archipelago’s Indigenous Taíno people, back when Puerto Rico was called Borikén, the book traces a history of imperialism as the land was colonized by the Spanish and then by the United States.” — Library Journal
“It has been a double privilege to translate Jorell Meléndez-Badillo’s brilliant book into Spanish and to have been invited on board the inaugural journey of this wonderful series of collaborations between Princeton University Press and Grupo Planeta. Working with Meléndez-Badillo on the Spanish version of this beautifully written and thoroughly thought-out book was a delightful and illuminating experience; a translator’s dream.”— Aurora Lauzardo, translator of continued on next page
Description
In the past several years, we have witnessed unprecedented political, racial, economic, and health-related ruptures in society. The resulting turmoil has had an inevitable and negative impact on students, teachers, the profession of education, and especially marginalized and vulnerable populations. Academics and policymakers have had their say on how to address today’s volatile issues, but teachers and other practitioners closest to students have not had the same visibility or access.
This volume is an attempt to remedy that absence, resulting in a compelling picture of education today. Chapters highlight essays written by a diverse group of K–12 classroom teachers who share their visions for education and describe their empowering classroom practices. At times hopeful and full of joy, at other times angry and full of frustration, these essays speak to what classrooms and schools based on social justice might mean for our nation. Teachers Speak Up! presents a bold vision of what education could be if teachers were to have a more direct influence on the purpose and aims of learning and teaching.
Book Features:
• Offers grounded accounts about creating classrooms filled with hope and promise amid the many challenges to everyday practice.
• Addresses the harm done by universal school closures due to the pandemic, growing political divisions, the ugly specter of racism, book bans, and more.
continued from page 14
• Gives voice to classroom teachers who describe their vision for education, as well as their successful practice teaching diverse students.
• Includes chapter authors who are diverse in their identities, the subject matter they teach, and their time in the profession.
Reviews
Once again, Nieto and López Nieto bring us the authentic, unfiltered voices of teachers who help us understand what they do, why they do it, and how they do it in the face of opposition and discouragement. Their love of teachers and teaching shines brightly through this volume and reminds us once again why teaching is the most noble of professions.” ―Gloria Ladson-Billings, professor emerita, University of Wisconsin–Madison
About the author
SONIA NIETO is a professor emerita of language, literacy, and culture at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. A teacher at elementary and middle school levels for several years, and a teacher educator for over 30, she has written extensively on diversity and teacher education. Her books include Affirming Diversity, The Light in Their Eyes, and What Keeps Teachers Going?, and Finding Joy in Teaching Students of Diverse Backgrounds, as well as edited books Puerto Rican Students in U.S. Schools, Why We Teach, and Dear Paulo: Letters from Those Who Dare Teach. She has received many awards for her scholarly work, advocacy, teaching, and activism, including nine honorary doctorates.
ALICIA LÓPEZ NIETO is an ELL teacher in the Amherst Public Schools, Massachusetts. Together, they are the authors of Teaching, A Life’s Work: A Mother–Daughter Dialogue.
“I finished reading this book with tears in my eyes. This is a book that many Puerto Ricans should read for their individual and collective good. With the rigor of a well-trained historian, Jorell Meléndez-Badillo goes beyond traditional accounts and, with clarity and precision, with courage and honesty, offers a national history of Puerto Rico and a call to conscience.”—Aníbal González-Pérez, Yale University
“Puerto Rico is a much-needed retelling of the island nation’s story. Jorell Meléndez-Badillo’s centering of workers’ movements, women, and queer activism as vital sources of political history resurrects Puerto Rico’s silenced past. The usual suspects of established two-party politics are all here, but the riveting context of an array of actors from the bottom up as well as the author’s personal narrative make it a rewarding read.”— Ed Morales, author of Fantasy Island:
Colonialism, Exploitation, and the Betrayal of
“Written with urgency and care, Jorell Meléndez-Badillo’s Puerto Rico eschews a top-down narrative of colonial violence and instead amplifies Puerto Ricans’ vibrant and creative forms of resistance. As Puerto Rico finds itself in a moment of deepening crisis, the histories recounted in this book provide lessons about how Puerto Ricans have always found ways to imagine and fight for a future rooted in freedom.”— Marisol LeBrón, author of Policing Life and Death: Race, Violence, and Resistance in Puerto Rico
About the author
JORELL MELÉNDEZ-BADILLO is an assistant professor of Latin American and Caribbean history at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He is a historian of Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and Latin America. His work focuses on the global circulation of radical ideas from the standpoint of working-class intellectual communities. He is the author of The Lettered Barriada: Workers, Archival Power, and the Politics of Knowledge in Puerto Rico.
WESTFIELD, MA | Westfield Puerto Rican Association (WEPRA) | 26 de abril de 2024 – WEPRA (por sus siglas en inglés) comenzó haciendo trabajo voluntario para el programa estatal de árboles. Posteriormente recibió un grant de la Oficina Ejecutiva de Energía y del Ambiente de la Gobernadora Maura Haley para promover el programa en Westfield. Así comenzó la campaña ‘Dile Sí a los Árboles’ / “SAY YES TO THE TREES” en el Mercado Agrícola de Westfield (Westfield Farmers Market) localizado en los terrenos de la iglesia Church of the Atonement.
Miembros de WEPRA y de la congregación de Church of the Atonement junto al árbol recién sembrado, el Black Gum.
El Programa que siembra los árboles gratis es el “Greening the Gateway Cities Program” (GGCP). El GGCP tiene la meta de aumentar la cubierta de árboles (TREE CANOPY) y mejorar la calidad de vida en áreas urbanas y en comunidades de justicia del
ambiente) localizados en las 23 comunidades identificadas como “Gateway Cities” a través de todo Massachusetts. Westfield es uno de los “Gateway Cities”. Los residentes y dueños de negocios en estas zonas pueden ordenar árboles gratis para ser sembrados en sus propiedades. El área de dowtown de Westfield califica para recibir arboles gratis.
Uno de mejores ejemplos que muestra los beneficios en zonas urbanas de una capa forestal en la ciudad (TREE CANOPY), es el valor del árbol Haya Cobriza (Copper Beech tree) que estaba frente a la iglesia hasta enero 2024 desde hacen 200 años. Lo tuvieron que tumbar de inmediato por tener una enfermedad irremediable. Bajo su amplia copa, este árbol brindaba sombra permanente. Creó un hábitat humano para un sinnúmero de actividades. En el Mercado Agrícola, debajo del árbol había un área de picnic y un espacio para la tarima de los músicos.
Los dos árboles que se sembraron son – American Linden y Black Gum Trees -fueron seleccionados por la iglesia y por el MA Department. of Conservation and Recreation para reemplazar el gran árbol. Ambos son especies nativas que crecerán bien en nuestro clima.
WEPRA promueve este programa estatal. El trabajo de sembrar los árboles le corresponde a los silvicultores urbanos de DCR, quienes han sembrado más de 600 árboles en Westfield y casi 40,000 árboles en todo MA en los últimos 10 años. El sitio web MAUrbanCanopy.org contiene información sobre la iniciativa. La campaña informativa de WEPRA acerca de SAY YES TO THE TREES logró que Westfield sea la ciudad en Massachusetts con más árboles ordenados para sembrar esta primavera. Agma Sweeney, presidenta de WEPRA nos dice que, “Sembrar árboles para reestablecer la capa forestal en la ciudad es algo bondadoso y muy efectivo para beneficiar nuestro planeta, nuestra ciudad, nuestros vecindarios y a nuestras familias”.
continued on page 17
27 de abril de 2024
Joshua García, alcalde de Holyoke, junto a la concejal Jenny Rivera reconocen a la familia Fernández, al fondo.
Lanzamiento de la primera bola por Manny Rivera y en la caja del bateador, Ada Fernández
WEPRA Apoya Proyecto de Siembra de Árboles continued from page 16
Muchas áreas residenciales urbanas están ubicadas en lugares que sufren del ”Efecto Isla de Calor” (Heat Island Effect). Este fenómeno se da en las áreas urbanas a causa de temperaturas más altas en comparación con las áreas rurales en su cercanía. Esto ocurre por la actividad humana, falta de árboles de sombra y por edificios que retienen calor. Las áreas residenciales dentro de las “Islas de Calor” en el casco de las ciudades están rodeadas de estacionamiento, asfalto y áreas pavimentadas, y tienen pocas áreas verdes como patios y parques. Por lo tanto, sembrar árboles para reestablecer la Capa Forestal ( tree canopy) en la ciudad provee un sinnúmero de beneficios tales como: Aire limpio, más oxígeno, refresca el aire,
prevención de inundaciones y erosión, crea hábitat, reduce ruidos, reduce la velocidad del tráfico, mejora la vida y la salud, reduce la violencia, ahorra electricidad para refrescar hogares, y crea sombra. WEPRA es parte de la comunidad de Westfield quienes han perdido un gran árbol para remplazar el árbol Copper Beech de 200 años, que estaba ubicado en los terrenos de la iglesia Church of the Atonement, en la ciudad. WEPRA ha colaborado con esta iglesia y el Westfield Farmers Market (Mercado Agrícola) todos los veranos promoviendo el programa GGCP para que los residentes puedan conversar con un(a) silvicultor(a) urbano de DCR para escoger sus árboles gratis.