News from Latino Country

Social Security Benefits Remain a Vital Source of Retirement Income for Latinos

2011-05-16T06:55:00.000-07:00

A smart article with numbers and the "reality" of many Latinos expectations about recovering some of all the hard work they gave to this country. Read on...

Don't Let this Happen to You!

2011-02-11T11:14:00.000-08:00

Spanish and English classes taught by native instructors with the precise vocabulary you need for any professional or personal need!

LCSWORLDWIDE is now offering personalized Spanish and English for Specific Purpose classes through Skype. If you have a Skype account, you can get personalized classes for your professional activity, prepare a speech with the correct pronunciation and culturally appropriate body language, and discuss with your instructor media presentations, video scripts and more. For additional information, contact Laura at info@lcsworldwide.com. Add our Skype address to your network: sbaumann342

¡Hola, amigos! A Plan for Latino Outreach

2010-12-06T06:25:00.000-08:00

Latinos are the fastest growing population in the United States, and are creating a large bilingual market. Librarians are often eager to attract, serve and retain Latino patrons, and library services are sorely needed by the Latino community; but it takes more than adding a few Spanish-language books to the collection to meet those needs. Besides the cultural and language barriers library personnel encounter when interacting with this community, libraries generally have neither the funding to engage in multicultural advertising nor the time and specialized personnel to do it. This practical, step-by-step guide is designed to help libraries attract Spanish-speaking patrons to their collections and services, with proven strategies, effective program and event planning.

The book offers users a systematic, orderly plan that will guide outreach activity with worksheets, discussion reports and easy-to-follow schedules, and more than 100 marketing ideas, tips, and examples from libraries around the country that can easily be incorporated into day-to-day activities. (Many of the strategies can be applied to outreach of other minorities as well.)

Immigration Agency Ends Some Deportations

2010-08-27T04:28:00.000-07:00

Finally some good news from the Obama administration deciding to do the right thing!The feared ICE will take a new approach to undocumented immigrants detained in detention centers due to the "backlog" in the justice system of thousands waiting to be deported. The new approach especially contemplates those who already have active applications in the immigration system and are waiting for their cases to be resolved.

Sorry for Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa who affirmed that “Actions like this demoralize ICE agents who are trying to do their job and enforce the law.” How do you think those immigrants' families feel about their loved ones been detained after years of working hard, paying taxes and sustaining the economy of this country? Please read on and comment!

Judge Blocks Arizona’s Immigration Law

2010-07-29T07:15:00.000-07:00

Two articles caught my attention this morning, both related to Arizona State. One is related to Federal Judge Susan Bolton ruling that blocks "sections of the law, scheduled to take effect on Thursday that called for police officers to check a person’s immigration status while enforcing other laws and required immigrants to prove that they were authorized to be in the country or risk state charges." The article states that the injunction was issued in response to a legal challenge brought by the Obama administration.

The other stating the number of deaths in the Arizona Valley since the first of the year, -more than 150 people trying to cross the border have been found dead, well above the numbers in the same period in each of the last two years- according to this article in the New York Times.(see below)

The immigration debate is showing to be as a pressing issue as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan or financial reform. However, we keep waiting for the President to give the GO! In the meantime, two questions come to mind:

1. Do we need to stimulate the anti-immigrant sentiment by letting this type of actions be taken by other states? If this matter reaches the Supreme Court, it will have a very thin chance to be ruled in favor of immigrants.
2. What is the Mexican government involvement and responsibility in this matter? We have started wars with countries for personal and political revenge, we have started wars to slam other countries economic resources, we have pictured ourselves as champions of human rights. However, we are unable to set political boundaries with the Mexican government regarding their expel of national citizens? What is wrong with this picture?
I look forward to your comments!

Desert Deaths Soar, a Morgue Grows Crowded

2010-07-29T06:46:00.000-07:00

The Wooden Bowl – El bol de madera wins the following book awards!

2010-06-22T09:32:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the writer for this magnificent work for generations to come!

Gates & Buffett: Get Your Friends To Pay Taxes and We Won’t Need Their Donations!

2010-06-22T07:28:00.000-07:00

Even if this article does not belong directly to the realm of Latino affairs, it is a good reminder of the painful times non-profit organizations -many of which stand for Latinos- are going through with a slow down in their donation income.

Gates is the one rich guy I always had as an example of smart giving. I know and was a part of his foundation work with libraries and Latinos around the country -Spanish Language Outreach at http://www.webjunction.org/spanish- which brought a wealth of information and library action to this community.

However, this is one more sign of the times we live in! A few people in charge of the nation's destiny instead of the vast majority of people in charge of their own destiny.

Immigrants are major part of memorial day

2010-06-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

"As of last year," says Saif Kahn, an immigrant from India, who joined the Virginia Army National Guard in the year 2000, "about 29,000 people serving in our military did not have U.S. citizenship."

Kahn served as a combat engineer in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004 and 2005. In this article, he worries about the soldiers who are serving to obtain citizenship, and their families left behind.

Another proof of our current immigration law injustice: immigrants cannot work legally in this country but can pay taxes; immigrants can fight for this country but do not have the right to obtain citizenship until -maybe- it is too late.

Why the immigration debate has come to a stall, when at least 60% of Latinos voted Obama for office? Promises were done in the midst of the election excitement. However, once again, the immigration reform is left for last. How do you think organized immigration leaders should show their active disagreement?

EU eases trade with Latin America at Madrid summit

2010-05-24T06:08:00.000-07:00

The European Union is opening trade with Latin America and the Caribbean, in an attempt to increase relationships with the region and bring economic growth to the EU, despite opposition from popular leaders on both sides of the Atlantic.

After a failed effort to reach an EU-US summit back in February of this year, when a planned meeting with President Obama was cancelled, the EU faces austerity measures and public sector strikes.

Right before last week summit in Madrid, the EU and a Central American block formed by Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama agreed on a trade baseline that will include total market opening for industrial products from both parties.

Similar negotiations were discussed with South American leaders from the Mercosur. However, agreements were harder to be reached due to the protectionist policies of countries in both sides. Negotiations will continue after the summit.

Spanish socialist leader Zapatero stated that "In an increasingly globalized world where the source of prosperity lies in uniting efforts, the capacity for economic growth lies in openness and liberalization." Are these agreements beneficial to LAC countries -Latin America and the Caribbean- or will this be a reinstatement of the NAFTA effect that brought misery and poverty to the LAC region?

La Unión Europea facilita el intercambio comercial con América Latina en la cumbre de Madrid

La Unión Europea abre mayor intercambio comercial con América Latina y el Caribe en un intento por mejorar las relaciones con países de la región y aumentar el crecimiento económico de sus miembros, a pesar de la oposición de líderes populares a ambos lados del Atlántico.

Después del intento fallido de llegar a una cumbre de negociación entre la Unión Europea y los Estados Unidos en febrero de este año y la cancelación del encuentro con el presidente Obama, la Unión Europea se enfrenta a medidas de austeridad y la consecuente reacción del sector público.

Antes del encuentro cumbre realizado en Madrid durante la semana pasada, la Unión Europea y el bloque de países centroamericanos formado por Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua y Panamá acordaron un base de intercambio que incluye la apertura total de mercados entre las partes para el intercambio de productos industriales.

Negociaciones similares se intentaron con líderes sudamericanos del Mercosur. Sin embargo, las políticas proteccionistas de países en ambos grupos plantearon dificultades para arribar a los acuerdos propuestos. Las negociaciones pertinentes proseguirán después del encuentro.

El líder español socialista Zapatero declaró que “en un mundo crecientemente globalizado donde la fuente de prosperidad se basa en la unión de los esfuerzos, la capacidad de desarrollo económico reside en la apertura y la liberalización.” Me pregunto: ¿Estos acuerdos son beneficiosos para los países de América Latina y el Caribe o será solo una reinstauración del efecto NAFTA que trajo pobreza y miseria a la región?

Las dictaduras latinoamericanas enfrentan a la justicia, después de varias décadas

2010-05-17T08:03:00.000-07:00

Con este título optimista, Noticias IPS encabeza una serie de artículos que ofrecen un panorama de los intentos de justicia en diferentes países latinoamericanos y España. Desde la condena de varios militares argentinos en la “cadena de comando”, pasando por el enjuiciamiento del juez Garzon en Espana, y hasta la liberación de dos soldados y un policía acusados por la desaparición de campesinos peruanos, estos artículos nos recuerdan que todavía no estamos donde deberíamos en el tema de los derechos humanos.

Empezando por la era de Franco y siguiendo con las trece dictaduras militares que ocurrieron durante los 60 y los 70 en Latinoamérica, solo pocos de estos países se han atrevido a adentrarse en los horrores del secuestro, la violación, la tortura y la matanza de millones de sus ciudadanos. Una buena manera de ponerse al día con estos temas en ambos lados del Atlántico, y una pregunta por contestar: ¿Qué es lo que impide que los líderes democráticos latinoamericanos juzguen y castiguen a los culpables?

Latin America Dictatorships Meet Justice, Decades On

2010-05-17T07:25:00.000-07:00

A series of articles under this optimistic heading in IPS news brings a panorama of the attempts to make justice in different Latin American countries and Spain. From the conviction of several Argentinean military officers in the “chain of command" to the prosecution of Judge Garzón in Spain to the acquittal of two soldiers and a police officer accused of the disappearance of Peruvian peasant, these articles tell us that we are not yet where we should be regarding human rights.

Starting with the Franco era and following with thirteen military dictatorships in the 60s and 70s in Latin American countries, only a few of these countries have dug dip into the horrors of kidnapping, raping, torturing and killing millions. A great update of what is happening on these issues on both sides of the Atlantic, and a question to be asked: What is stopping democratic leaders in Latin America from prosecuting and convicting these cases?

I'm back!

2010-05-11T06:58:00.000-07:00

WOW! It's been a year almost since my last blog!
I apologize for being lost in cyber space. A long chain of events kept me from my active duty. Let's see:

Hola, amigos! A Plan for Latino Outreach
My new book is about to be published this year. I'm excited because it has received good reviews so far from well-know professionals in the industry.

www.lcsworldwide.com
Our website is being revamped as we speak. We will offer an array of online courses for several industries including Occupational Spanish training, multicultural competency workshops and webinars, and our new line of work, fundraising and development.

The Chroma Multicultural Health Communications Group
We have entered a new strategic partnership to help health care organizations and corporations achieve their goals in serving multicultural patients and eliminating health disparities. Three agencies and four strategic partners with over 100 years of experience in multicultural health, health literacy, cultural competency and cross-cultural communications. For additional information please call 732 299 9622.

So, as you see, we've been busy! Keep posted for more to come!

2009-06-02T06:35:00.000-07:00

Dreams Built in the Projects

This excellent article on today's online version of the Washington Post tells it like it is. We all love success stories but when they are true, it seems that we are all caught by surprise. If anything, the Obama's administration has brought up some examples -starting with himself- that with effort and perseverance anything is possible.

I also believe that the surprise factor comes from too many years of "same old, same old" nominations. Wow, there still are people in this country that are hard-working, engaged and passioned about what they do, and their only goal is NOT greed. What a concept!

Please enjoy the article and do not forget to click on our Public Service Announcements. Help me help these organizations!

2009-05-18T11:50:00.000-07:00

Mario Benedetti dies at 88

Mario Benedetti, a prolific Uruguayan writer whose novels and poems reflect the idiosyncrasies of Montevideo's middle class and a social commitment forged by years in exile from a military dictatorship, died Sunday, his secretary said. He was 88.

My favorite "Antologia Poetica" with introduction by Pedro Orgambide, is among the books I keep next to my bed. Great activist, great talent, great loss!

You can listen to some of his poems at:
http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/graficos/00coberturas/benedetti/

2009-05-13T07:15:00.000-07:00

Through Boom and Bust:
Minorities, Immigrants and Homeownership

The Pew Hispanic Center released a report that analyzes trends in homeownership from 1995 to 2008; higher-priced lending to Hispanics and blacks in 2006 and 2007; and factors related to differences in foreclosure rates across the nation's 3,141 counties. The condition of the local economy, house prices and higher priced lending to minorities are among other key factors related with county foreclosure rates.

The report,authored by Rakesh Kochhar, Associate Director for Research, Pew Hispanic Center, Ana Gonzalez-Barrera, Research Analyst, Pew Hispanic Center, and Daniel Dockterman, Research Assistant, Pew Hispanic Center, is available at the Pew Hispanic Center's website, www.pewhispanic.org. Just follow the headline's link.

2009-05-04T10:36:00.000-07:00

Ask the Experts
Five Forums where experts in healthcare cultural competency answer questions about Race, Genetics, Healthy Communities, Myths in Health Inequities and more.

2009-05-04T09:11:00.000-07:00

Rights, Not Raids

By Bill Ong Hing & David Bacon
This article with original date on April 29, 2009, appeared in the May 18, 2009 edition of The Nation.

For more than two decades, the authors say, undocumented workers have been accused and hunted like criminals, just for the simple reason of trying to hold a job in the United States.

Would President Obama carry on the campaign promises of Immigration Reform? Read on how these "enforcement" policies have destroyed the lives of many workers and their families, and how international leaders see the situation from another perspective.

2009-04-09T08:52:00.000-07:00

Obama to Push Immigration Bill as One Priority

Finally the national debate about immigration will start, according to this article published today on the online version of the New York Times.

Latino immigrants supported President Obama with over 60% of their vote, which in time meant high pressure for the promises made during the campaign about discussing immigration.

Is Obama going to come forward with his promises? And if so, what are the conditions that his proposal will include to legalize 12 million undocumented immigrants? Will he follow the "Bush road" of "pay to play"?

2009-04-08T13:03:00.000-07:00

State’s Crackdown on Immigrants Fuels Hispanic Media Growth

http://news.newamericamedia.org/news

Do you think the media should be the government agencies' watchdog? Read this article about North Carolina ethnic media. When the nation's immigrants are getting ready to march next May 1st, what is the role of media in this national debate?

"Most Spanish-language publications in the area have a specific section dedicated to immigration coverage. Radio stations such as La Tremenda La Raza in Charlotte broadcast daily talk shows that cover the latest developments on the immigration debate."

2009-04-08T08:28:00.000-07:00

Hispanics and the Criminal Justice System

This new report by Mark Hugo Lopez, Associate Director, and Gretchen Livingston, Senior Researcher, Pew Hispanic Center is based on two different studies the Center conducted nationwide.

Not surprinsingly, Hispanics show less confidence in police effectiveness than whites and close to what Blacks believe. I say it does not come as a surprise when the "correctional" system is mainly crowded with Blacks and Hispanics.

Also read the interesting study about prisons in the US on the same page:
Pew Center on the States, "One in 31: The Long Reach of American Corrections," March 2, 2009.

2009-04-01T12:07:00.000-07:00

MIDEAST: Building New Bridges to Latin America
By Baher Kamal

This article published by IPSNews is dated in Madrid at March 29th, and it reports the convergence of an Arab-South American summit in the Qatari capital on March 31st to discuss key political and economic cooperation between the participating regions.

Although the final declaration drafted by both parties talks about increasing trade agreements in the areas of commerce, energy and technology, there is also a political aspect to it: the support of Latin American countries to an independent Palestinian State.

Trade between the two regions increased from 8 billion dollars in 2005 to 21 billion dollars last year, according to the director of the League of Arab States’ Two Americas Department.

According to the Agencia Bolivariana de Noticias, based in Caracas, Venezuela, this is “the first time the Union of South American Countries (Unasur) will participate as a representative organ, formed as a bloc of Latin American countries proposing the integration of the south with the Arab countries.” The agency reports that 34 Arab and Latin American presidents are meeting on the same date to discuss and undersign bilateral agreements.

How is this summit going to affect foreign relationships between Latin America and Israel and also, is this an indirectly forceful position against the US?

2009-03-31T14:05:00.000-07:00

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT TO COMMEMORATE CESAR CHAVEZ'S BIRTHDAY

President Barack Obama today made the following statement to commemorate Cesar Chavez's birthday:

"Today, on what would have been his 82nd birthday, Cesar Chavez's legacy as an educator, environmentalist, and as a civil rights leader who struggled for fair treatment and fair wages for America's workers is important for every American to remember.

Having begun as a farmworker, Cesar Chavez eventually co- founded the United Farm Workers and struggled to provide hundreds of thousands of people with better working conditions and the chance to live a better life. The cause of fair treatment and fair wages for America?s workers lives on today through the work of countless others.

Chavez's rallying cry, "Si Se Puede" -- "Yes We Can," was more than a slogan, it was an expression of hope and a rejection of those who said farmworkers could not organize, and could not take on the growers. Through his courage, Cesar Chavez taught us that a single voice could change our country, and that together, we could make America a stronger, more just, and more prosperous nation."

2009-03-27T07:51:00.000-07:00

Obama Flinches on Immigration

This editorial published on the New York Times on March 24th reports the withdrawal of the Obama's administration offer to Thomas Saenz, "a highly regarded civil-rights lawyer and counsel to the mayor of Los Angeles, to run the Justice Department’s civil rights division."

Although it might have been a missed opportunity to set some record about the Obama's administration intentions regarding immigration, it seems that a more moderate route was preferred by nominating Thomas Perez, Labor Secretary from Maryland. The decision, according to the article, was caused by pressure from the right-wing anti-immigrant groups. However, I wonder how much the decision was influenced by the Mexican border situation and Thomas relationship with controversial Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. And the main question: Does Obama need to start yet another fire?

2009-03-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

A Slippery Place in the U.S. Work Force

This article by Julia Preston published by the New York Times on March 21st describes the unsettling situation of undocumented immigrants due to the economic crisis and the continuing immigration raids in different parts of the country. Read how they are coping with the difficulties and how people react to the situation.