HispanicNashville.com

Casa Azafran location, size, and even kitchen are gift to Nashville immigrants from city and Conexion Americas

2012-05-20T06:14:00.002-05:00

Design of Caza Azafrán facade. Source: Conexión Américas. Used with permission.

By Ralph Noyes

Nashville’s immigrant population is expanding, and so is Conexión Américas. The April 21 groundbreaking of its soon to be headquarters, Casa Azafrán, marked the 10th anniversary of its existence.

David Esquivel, board member of Conexión Américas, says that “it’s about time.” Conexión’s current headquarters sits off of Music Row, a location that doesn’t allow the visibility to the people that it aims to serve. “We needed more space and better facilities. We exceeded capacity three years ago. We had multiple offices sharing one room. There was no place to meet clients and no space for expanding the staff or growing the program,” says Esquivel, “The immigrant population has grown a lot in the past 10 years, and their need has grown with it.”

Casa Azafrán will be more than equipped to meet these needs. Language classes, afterschool programs, business services, legal consultation, counseling, and even a community kitchen are all advertised on the small blue signs hanging from the ceiling. According to Esquivel, “We’re doing a lot to broaden the scope of services, change the way we interact with the community, encourage people to work for themselves. Hispanics are huge food entrepreneurs. All this commercial grade equipment is to help start and grow businesses. We’re trying to integrate them into the social, political and economic situation in Nashville. Giving them the tools to get up on their own feet is a big step towards that.”

Conexión has also grown in its ability to attract major supporters, including HCA, the Frist Foundation, State Farm, and many others who were all present at the ceremony. The event also drew heavy television coverage, political celebrities, and a sizeable crowd, something that “probably couldn’t have happened a few years ago, all these people wouldn’t have fit under one roof.”

The new building is located on a main bus line, close to an area heavily populated with immigrants of all types. “I think it will be the link between downtown Nashville and Nolensville Road”, says Esquivel. “This building was actually built for retail, but we’re making it into so much more. It will make us accessible and prepared in a way that we’ve never been before. It’s close to the community.”

Executive Director Renata Soto and board member David Esquivel hold two of the bricks laid at the groundbreaking ceremony. Photo by Ralph Noyes.

For more information about Casa Azafrán, visit the Conexión Américas web site at conexionamericas.org or see other coverage of the event by Tracy López for FoxNews Latino, Andrea Cline-Thomas for NewsChannel5, and Rebecca Zanolini for HispanicNashville.com

Three of the Cinco de Mayo 2012 events in Nashville; wear those seat belts and designate a driver

2012-05-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

NASHVILLE SHORES OPENING DAY CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION

Sponsored by Activa 1240 AM. All waterpark tickets will be $19.99 plus tax -- a $12 savings.

Fun and entertainment includes:
- A day of waterpark admission
- A car giveaway courtesy of AutoMasters
- Live music
- DJ
- Authentic, ethnic food
- Dance performances
- Appearance by Miss Tennessee Latina 2012
- Giveaways
- Prizes
- Aztec dance troupe
- Loteria (Mexican Bingo)
- Much more
Time: Regular park hours (10 am - 6 pm)

Click here for more information.

I RUN FOR THE PARTY CINCO DE MAYO BLOCK PARTY benefiting Conexion Americas

Date: May 5th, 2012
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: Music Row & Demonbreun St
More information Here

From 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., next to the Tin Roof, there will be vendors selling tropical paletas, sweet Latin pastries, Mexican pottery and art and Conexion America's own Rumba Roast coffee blend.

Conexion America's popular house band, Rumba, will provide the sounds and energy starting at 6 p.m.

Gaylord Opryland Hotel Cinco De Mayo "Cerveza y Comida" Celebration Vacation Package

(Limited to only 50 couples, and is for ages 21 and older only)

Bring a sombrero and your fiesta spirit to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Solario inside Gaylord Opryland Resort's Conservatory atrium and enjoy a very special beer, tequila, and cooking seminar, plus a signature Mexican dinner. Come sample Cocoa Mole Beer by New Belgium Brewery, learn how tequila is made and see how Chef Paulina Suarez creates some of her award-winning salsas and entrees!

Availability: Saturday, May 5, 2012

Duration: 1 night (extra nights may be available at prevailing rates)

To Book: Call 1-866-972-6779

Package includes:

1 night accommodations at Gaylord Opryland Resort
Tequila seminar and sampling
Introduction to new Cocoa Mole Beer infused with Cocoa & Cayenne
Cooking seminar by Chef Paulina Suarez, showcasing how we make our award-winning salsas and Solario's signature Mexican Paella.
Dinner featuring Solario's signature Mexican Paella

Package price: $198* per room for double occupancy; extra adult $44.50* each

*Per room for double occupancy, plus tax, resort fee and parking. Extra adult $44.50 plus tax each. Rates include restaurant gratuity. Atrium upgrade may be available for an additional $40 plus tax. Not retroactive or valid with other offers or groups. Other restrictions may apply.

Schedule of Events

Saturday May 5, 2012

3:00 p.m. | Guests should check-in by 3:00 p.m. (event tickets will be distributed at check-in)
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Beer, Tequila, Salsa, & Mexican Paella Demonstration at Solario
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Dinner at Solario featuring the Mexican Paella dish as prepared in the demonstration

THP steps up enforcement for Cinco de Mayo

The Tennessee Highway Patrol will increase its highway traffic safety enforcement efforts on Saturday, May 5th, to coincide with Cinco de Mayo celebrations. During the 24-hour holiday period, Tennessee State Troopers will focus heavily on seat belt safety and DUI enforcement.

The 2012 Cinco de Mayo holiday period begins at 12:00am on Saturday, May 5th and ends that same day at 11:59pm. One person was killed on Tennessee roadways during last year’s Cinco de Mayo period. The only fatality was wearing a seatbelt and alcohol was not involved. In 2010, four people were killed on state roadways during the 24-hour Cinco de Mayo holiday.

“The Tennessee Highway Patrol will aggressively enforce our state’s seat belt and impaired driving laws to protect the public this Cinco de Mayo holiday,” Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons said. “Particularly, the number of seat belt related fatalities is on the rise this year. We want to remind everyone to wear your seat belt and act responsibly this weekend.”

“Sobriety checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols have remained an effective strategy for removing impaired drivers from the roadways,” THP Colonel Tracy Trott said. “We will utilize these measures and strictly enforce seat belt violations to ensure everyone arrives at their destinations safely this Cinco de Mayo weekend.”

A list of Cinco de Mayo safety tips are listed below:

Plan Ahead. If you plan to drink, arrange a safe way home before the festivities begin.
Before drinking, designate a sober driver and give that person your keys.
If you’re impaired, call a taxi, use public transportation, or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely.
Use the local Sober Ride program.
If you see a drunk driver on the road, promptly contact your local law enforcement agency (Dial *THP)
Remember, Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk. If you or someone you know is about to ride with one that is impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to their destination safely.

As part of the Cinco de Mayo public safety awareness and enforcement campaign, the THP has scheduled saturations and sobriety checkpoints in high volume and high crash corridors across the state to look for aggressive and impaired drivers as well as safety belt violators.

State Troopers will also conduct seat belt saturations, line patrols and bar checks this weekend.

Assembly and relocation centers

2012-05-03T03:48:00.000-05:00

From Wikipedia:

May 3, 1942: General DeWitt issued Civilian Exclusion Order No. 34, ordering all people of Japanese ancestry, whether citizens or non-citizens, who were still living in "Military Area No. 1" to report to assembly centers, where they would live until being moved to permanent "Relocation Centers."

Radio fundraiser for YMCA Latino Achievers this Thursday and Friday

2012-05-02T08:07:00.003-05:00

by Rebecca Zanolini

Thanks to committed organizations such as YMCA’s Latino Achievers (YLA) program, Latino youth across Middle Tennessee are being provided motivation and leadership development skills, after school club meetings, information and preparation for higher education, and scholarship opportunities. According to the program’s coordinators:

The YMCA Latino Achievers Program exists to “Illuminate the path to success, where students dream, discover their strengths, and plan for their future”. YLA was created to improve the lives of Middle Tennessee's Hispanic youth and families. The program is focused on mentoring Latino youth in order to help them realize their full potential. The YMCA Latino Achievers program is dedicated to helping this important and growing community achieve its fullest potential in spirit, mind and body.

Serving over 300 students every year, YLA focuses on the collective Latino profile by targeting Latino youth and young adults along with their families. Furthermore, the program points out:

YLA aims to strengthen character and leadership skills as well as students’ academic achievement, in order to increase the high school graduation rate among Hispanic youth, and move on to higher education and eventually, career success according to their personal strengths. In addition, the program provides Latino youth mentorship with a focus on developing personal and professional leadership skills such as interviewing, communication, and a cultural appreciation component to build self-esteem and an awareness of their culture.

Thus, the YMCA Latino Achievers will be partnering with La Sabrosita 810AM on Thursday, May 3 and Friday, May 4 to host their second annual fundraising Radiothon. This event aims to raise funds for the Latino Achievers Scholarship Fund. Since 2008, the YMCA Latino Achievers has awarded $84,720 to deserving youth in Davidson, Williamson, and Rutherford counties. This year, the program hopes to meet their milestone of $100,000. The program coordinators remind us:

Juntos Triunfaremos - Together, we will succeed! By giving to the YLA Scholarship Fund, you are building dreams and illuminating the path to success for our youth. Remember to tune into La Sabrosita this Thursday and Friday. Please pass this information along to friends, family, and community members, and encourage them to give by calling 615.743.6206 on those days or giving online at www.ymcamidtn.org/latinoachievers. YMCA Latino Achievers students and families are truly grateful for your support.

The Radiothon will take place from 6:00am-6:00pm on Thursday, May 3 and from 7:00am-6:00pm on Friday, May 4. Please show your support to our area Latino families by donating to this valuable cause!

Gipsy Kings at Schermerhorn

2012-04-24T20:31:00.000-05:00

by Cindy McCain
The wonders of wanderlust, The Gipsy Kings, will perform their mix of South American rumba and Spanish flamenco at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center Thursday, April 26, 2012. Founder/vocalist Jose Reyes with guitarist Manitas de Plata wooed worldwide fans including Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Miles Davis, and John Steinbeck. Today their legacy continues as the group’s performances wow live audiences worldwide and fans of Toy Story 3 and Zorro the Musical which feature their music.

Today’s band consists of two families, the Reyes and the Bailiardos, descendants from Spanish gypsies who fled to France during the Spanish Civil War. They first played weddings and parties mixing flamenco with Western pop and Latin rhythms. In 1987 their first album launched their international career. Their rags- to- riches story is best recounted on their website:

Today the Gipsy Kings still live with their families in the south of France. Life may have changed for them – they no longer busk on streets or pick crops when times are hard or travel in caravans – but still, at heart, they remain Gypsies, the proud descendants of an ancient people who seduced the world with music and dance.

For tickets, call 615.687.6400 or go here.

Casa Azafran breaks ground with seeds of hospitality, integration, and saffron

2012-04-22T20:02:00.001-05:00

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean laid the first brick at Casa Azafran.
Photo by Conexion Americas. Used with permission.

By Rebecca Zanolini

April 21, 2012 marked the official groundbreaking ceremony for Nashville, Tennessee community center Casa Azafrán. Located at 2193 Nolensville Pike and set to officially open its doors later this year, Casa Azafrán will offer services for the state’s growing immigrant population.

Despite the rainy and unseasonably cool April weather, many community members came out to support Conexión Américas and its partners in this exciting venture. Upon my arrival to the event, I was immediately met with many friendly and familiar faces from the surrounding Nashville area. After an opportunity to meet and greet and drink delicious Rumba Roast coffee, the ceremony commenced with beautiful music from singer, Rachel Rodriguez. Rachel’s music left the audience with an inspiring message of unity between Nashville’s immigrant and resident communities. Rachel’s lyrics, “I’m coming home” are perhaps both symbolic for immigrant reconciliation of ethnic identity in a new country and for Casa Azafrán’s theme of “mi casa es tu casa” (my house is your house).

David Esquivel, member of the Conexión Américas’ board of directors and son of Cuban parents, provided the opening word. Other speakers during the ceremony included Mayor Karl Dean, Nashville Symphony Maestro Giancarlo Guerrero along with his wife, Shirley Guerrero, founders of Conexión Américas, José González and Renata Soto, and Ambassador of Costa Rica in Washington D.C., Muni Figueres.

The Guerrero Family with Muni Figueres, Ambassador of Costa Rica to the United States, who attended and spoke at the celebration.
Photo by Conexion Americas. Used with permission.

Ambassador Figueres reminded us of the parallels between her native Costa Rica and the United States. Much like the United States, Costa Rica has a history of housing and providing services to neighboring immigrants who flee their country in pursuit of a better life. Both politically and culturally, Costa Rica has always supported human rights for both their natives and visitors alike. Furthermore, Figueres believes that immigrant policy is a function of economic growth. She underscores this by pointing out that a slow economy reinforces xenophobia. The Costa Rican ambassador understands the divide many immigrants encounter upon arriving to the United States. An avid supporter of Conexión Américas, Figueres believes that services provided by this organization can help to dignify immigrants in our society. She concluded her speech with, “Immigration is pura vida!”

Casa Azafrán, exterior
Photo by Conexion Americas.
Used with permission.

José González, co-founder of Conexión Américas, pointed out the planning for community center, Casa Azafrán began in 2007. The five million dollar project has managed to raise half of their funds to date.

Renata Soto, co-founder of Conexión Américas, elaborates on the name “Casa Azafrán.” Azafrán - the Spanish word for saffron - is the world’s most expensive spice. This name is symbolic for the community center’s founders for several reasons. For one, the extraordinary amount of manual labor by many individuals required in the production of saffron is symbolic of the connection between the future community center’s employees, partners, volunteers, community supporters, and immigrant community members who work together to improve the quality of life for all. Furthermore, by choosing the name “Azafrán,” whose etymology echoes Persian and Arabic words, the community center both recognizes the Islamic and Arabic roots of the Spanish-speaking world and reinforces its mission to be an inclusive, welcoming place for immigrants of all backgrounds in Nashville.

Graphic courtesy of Conexion Americas. Used with permission.

Mayor Karl Dean began his speech with a well said, buenos días to his largely bilingual Nashville audience. Dean adamantly supports Casa Azafrán as he believes it will help to bridge downtown Nashville with its growing immigrant community. Furthermore, Mayor Dean stated, “Opening doors, not closing doors” is necessary for improving our city.” Finally the mayor added, “I know the community center will do great things for our city.” Mayor Dean concluded his speech by laying the first brick on the floor of Casa Azafrán. This symbolic gesture was followed by several others who each laid a brick on the floor of the community center, completing the circle around the Conexión Américas emblem, symbolizing both unity and community support. Other members who took part in this gesture were: the Guerrero family, Ambassador Figueres, the Esquivel family, José González, community members who have been recipients of services from Conexión Américas, and Renata Soto.

While the day’s ceremony focused on the groundbreaking of the future community center, also worth noting is that Conexión Américas is currently celebrating its tenth anniversary.

African drumming closed out the groundbreaking ceremony
Photo by Conexion Americas. Used with permission.

The energy in the atmosphere during this extremely well executed groundbreaking ceremony was contagious. As a former immigrant for a brief time in Costa Rica, I was overwhelmed with excitement and pride to be in the presence of such prominent and inspiring Costa Ricans as Ambassador Figueres, Renato Soto, and the Guerrero family. Their hospitality at the day’s event was outstanding and I humbly thank them and others for taking their time to talk to me. If the display of unity, acceptance, pride, and respect found during this ceremony for Casa Azafrán is any indication for the community center’s future success, it suffices to say that the positive prospects are indeed immeasurable. Let’s all continue to do our part in supporting Casa Azafrán!

Reviewer and HispanicNashville.com contributor Rebecca Zanolini teaches Spanish at Middle Tennessee State University. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and an Educational Specialist degree (Ed.S.) in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Culture, Cognition, and the Learning Process. She is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Curriculum and Instruction at Tennessee State University. Beyond her passion for teaching the Spanish language, she is passionate about achieving social and educational equality for Tennesseans of minority and immigrant backgrounds and improving the quality of life for all people in our community. Most recently, she has served on the Equity Task Force Committee with Franklin Special School District, volunteered with FUTURO of MTSU, and helped to lead and moderate an equality forum at MTSU known as, “We are Created E.Q.U.A.L.”

Book review: Everyday Ruptures: Children, Youth, and Migration in Global Perspective

2012-04-14T03:13:00.001-05:00

Review by Rebecca Zanolini

Immigration research - "considering people’s experiences on the ground" - is a missing ingredient in political debate, according to Deborah A. Boehm, co-editor and author of Everyday Ruptures: Children, Youth, and Migration in Global Perspective (Vanderbilt University Press 2011).

While there is a large body of research on adult migration, the role of children in this environment is relatively understudied. The authors of Everyday Ruptures point to the importance of researching migration in youth:

“Often seen as the linchpin of social regeneration, children enhance our understanding of the interconnected web of family relations, cultural life, and social change that inevitably accompany global migration.” (p. 13)

Everyday Ruptures highlights the process youth migrants go through upon reconciliation of their (or their parents’) country of origin, language, and socio-cultural norms with that of their new home country. While arguably all immigrants suffer emotional loss, pain, nostalgia and fragmentation upon rendering their country of origin, this book illuminates the additional disadvantage for migrant youth who must nurture and navigate the juxtaposition of two worlds with limited resources.

Throughout the text and within the title, the authors describe the role of migration in a child's personal displacement, also referred to as rupture. Furthermore, the word "everyday" in the title reminds the reader that the stories within the text are not isolated anomalies, but rather examples of quotidian immigrant life around the world.

In my interview with co-editor and author Deborah A. Boehm, I asked her to elaborate on her research on transnational Mexican children. The following are excerpts from our interview.

Zanolini: Throughout the book, the collaborating writers described youth migration through the lens of agency. How can agency be noted in transnational youth as described in your chapter?

Boehm: There is a wide range of what might be considered to be agency—or a lack of agency—among transnational Mexican children and youth. Expressions of agency are possible or difficult because of many factors, such as one’s age and gender. At one end of the continuum are adolescent boys who migrate autonomously, sometimes as young as 13 or 14. When they go north, they are considered adults and exercise a considerable amount of agency in their migrations. Teenage girls do not have the same freedoms that teenage boys do, and are not likely to migrate at all—if they do, usually to reunite with family, their migrations are closely orchestrated by adult family members. At the other end of the spectrum are very young children (infants and toddlers) whose movement is, understandably, closely controlled.

You mention an interesting story about an 18-year old named Javier who was “sent back home” to his birth country of Mexico due to his undocumented status even despite the fact that he has no socio-cultural ties with his country of origin (p. 171). From your experience, how common is this? Is there a limitation of age that can protect potential undocumented youth like Javier?

This is a scenario that is increasingly common. Following current immigration laws, an individual’s age at arrival is not considered in deportation cases. By providing a path to citizenship for young people who came to the United States without authorization, the DREAM Act would address this very issue, but to date it has not been signed into law.

Deborah A. Boehm

In your research you discuss how children are between two nations, between “here” and “there.” Is it also possible, to analyze transnational youth from the point of view of being “there, not here” as opposed to “here, not there”? Perhaps this would be the youth that already developed strong socio-cultural ties in Mexico and brought to the United States later on in life?

In the chapter, I describe transnational children and youth as “here, not here” (U.S. citizen children who may be excluded from the nation despite formal membership) and “not here, here” (unauthorized migrant children who may have strong ties to the United States). The case you describe is an interesting one, and perhaps most comparable to the experience of adult migrants because they maintain strong ties to Mexico in terms of identity and a sense of belonging. Still, even those who migrate as adults develop connections to the United States and may feel part of both countries and/or excluded from both nations.

What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in compiling your research for this project?

Although not a challenge directly related to conducting research, it is very difficult to learn about the struggles of individuals and families knowing that there are few options available to migrants—for example, for unauthorized migrants who would like to begin a path to citizenship or for deportees who have no way to legally return to the United States. I have conducted research with hundreds of people, but there are millions of people who are facing similar circumstances.

What research are you doing with transnational youth right now?

My current research focuses on deportation and the conditions in the United States that are resulting in a record number of deportations.

As a researcher, what is your ultimate goal for uncovering and sharing research of this sort both domestically and globally?

Ethnographic research—by considering people’s experiences on the ground—can provide a perspective that is not typically part of debates about immigration and has the potential to influence policy. I hope that my research contributes in some way to this endeavor.

Everyday Ruptures: Children, Youth, and Migration in Global Perspective (Vanderbilt University Press 2011) was edited by Cati Coe, Rachel R. Reynolds, Deborah A. Boehm, Julia Meredith Hess, and Heather Rae-Espinoza. The authors call on citizens, residents, immigrants, adults and youth around the globe to re-examine the world in which we live. The book successfully educates, informs, and challenges readers to make personal, professional and political changes towards an improved quality of life for all.

Soto in Germany, TSU hosts Nashville Int'l Cup, Noche Musical, Maestro at Casa Azafran groundbreaking, Winchester celebrates Mexico, Miss TN Latina 2012 named

2012-04-04T00:45:00.000-05:00

There's been a backlog of stories at HispanicNashville.com, and these are they. I apologize to those whose events were not announced here in advance. Let me know in the comments what announcement you think should have been made on its own.

Renata Soto, Executive Director of Nashville's Conexión Américas and board member of the National Council of La Raza ("NCLR"), will speak today in Germany at the Daimler shareholder meeting on behalf of American workers and families in Alabama. Soto's audience will be 8,000 strong and will include all the top Daimler executives; she will call on them to take a corporate stand for repeal of Alabama’s law targeting immigrants, HB56. Soto is the lone speaker of a broader American delegation, including Fred Redmond, International Vice President for the United Steelworkers and member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council, and Patty Kupfer, Managing Director for immigrant advocate America’s Voice. Daimler is headquartered in Germany and manufactures Mercedes-Benz cars in Alabama, and Daimler has billed itself as a leader on corporate social responsibility. The company is a founding signer of the United Nations Global Compact, has pledged to uphold universal human rights. Soto will call on Daimler not only to publicly oppose the Alabama law but also all laws that flow from the flawed model that is the basis of HB56. Daimler is familiar with the Alabama law; a German executive was arrested and jailed near its Tuscaloosa plant for not carrying the proper “papers,” even though he was in the United States legally and in the course of conducting business. Soto's visit has been covered in the German press, and she will be updating her Twitter feed throughout the day at @RenataConexion

Tennessee State University is hosting its annual Cultural Appreciation Week, starting with this Saturday's International Soccer Tournament and Community Family Day on Saturday, April 7 from 8am-5pm at the Indoor Practice Facility. The Nashville International Cup is inviting 12 teams to participate in the International Soccer Tournament taking place at the University. Teams invited to take part include Kurdistan, Iran, Iraq, Vanderbilt ISSS, Trevecca Bosnia, Lipscomb University Malagasy, Sudan, Bantu, Burundi, Mexico, Asia and Congo. There will also be activities for the family including face-painting, Easter egg hunt and photos with the Easter bunny, food and music.
For a full list of events, click here.

Join Catholic Charities Saturday, April 14 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Noah Liff Opera Center to celebrate Noche Musical -- a festive evening of Latin musxic featuring the San Rafael Band. Salsa dancing all night along with plenty of margaritas, cerveza and sangria with authentic Mexican cuisine provided by Karla Ruiz. Sister Mary Kay Tyrell D.C. will be honored with the Juan Diego Award for her years of service to the Hispanic community and Catholic Charities. A fabulous silent auction will feature exciting trips, artwork, jewelry and much more! All proceeds benefit Catholic Charities Hispanic Family Services Programs. Tickets $100 Tables $1,000 Sponsorship opportunities from $1,500 to $10,000. For more information, RSVP here, or contact Laura Jumonville at 760-1014 or ljumonville@cctenn.org

The Nashville Spanish Language Meetup conversation group is still going strong. Their next meeting is next Tuesday, April 10, near the Tennessee Titans football stadium.

Conexión Américas announced a Groundbreaking Event and Open House at the site of Casa Azafrán Community Center, its future headquarters, to be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 21, at 2195 Nolensville Pike (RSVP to cara@conamericas.com). The event will be a festive community gathering, with music and food trucks and special remarks from Nashville Symphony Maestro Giancarlo Guerrero & Shirley Guerrero, Honorary Capital Campaign Co-Chairs. Conexión Américas purchased the 28,800-square-foot building, at 2195 Nolensville Pike, in December and will share the space with other Nashville-area nonprofits and partners with long histories of good works - United Neighborhood Health Services, Family and Children’s Services, YWCA, and Justice for Our Neighbors ("JFON"). Standing at the gateway to Nashville’s most international and socially diverse district, near I-440 and the state fairgrounds, Casa Azafrán will serve all area residents. It will be a place for education, health services, entrepreneurship training, culinary and artistic expression, volunteerism, community building, events. It also is a smart way for nonprofits to share resources, meeting and training spaces and opportunities. Of the $4.7 million estimated cost, 72% will be funded through the support of private donors and institutions.

On May 3, Javier Palomarez, President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, will speak at a networking lunch of the Tennessee Latin American Chamber of Commerce. Networking and Registration at 11am; Program and Lunch from 11:30am-1pm.
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Location TBA. RSVP by May 1 (TLACC members admitted free and RSVP here; non-members pay $35/person and RSVP here).

The City of Winchester, Tennessee will host its eighth annual International Dogwood Festival from May 4-6. Each year we take the Dogwoods to a different Country and feature that Country in our decorations, food, entertainment, etc. Since Cinco de Mayo falls on the Saturday of this year's event, we are featuring Mexico in 2012. The festival runs three days and features live entertainment (FREE to the public) all three days. Festival organizers are still receiving applications for vendors, crafters & street performers. We dedicate an entire street to the Festival Theme each year. Vendors on the theme street are not charged to set-up or sell their wares, if they fit the theme. If you have any interest, please visit our website: winchesterdogwoodfestival.com. We are an award-winning festival and would like to get the word out to the Hispanic members of the Nashville community.

Jessica Paola Abtahi
Miss TN Latina 2012
TSU Senior

Jessica Paola Abtahi of Nashville has been named Miss Tennessee Latina 2012. She is a 22-year-old senior at TSU, majoring in Mass Communications. She speaks English, Spanish, and some Farsi. Her mother is from Colombia. Follow her on Twitter - PersianColombiana at @JessicaPa0la ("It is impossible to love and be wise. Ambitious mind- Entrepreneurial spirit - Mi ♡ esta en Colombia")

Vanderbilt University Press published two new books in its Hispanic Issues Series: Poiesis and Modernity in the Old and New Worlds, Edited by Anthony J Cascardi and Leah Middlebrook; and Spectacle and Topophilia,
Reading Early Modern and Postmodern Hispanic Cultures, Edited by David R. Castillo and Bradley J. Nelson.

In February, Diana Holland played grandmother Maria Josefa in the play "The House of Bernarda Alba" by Spaniard playwright Federico Garcia Lorca. This version of the play was in English, a collaboration between Actors Bridge Ensemble and Belmont University.

Scarritt-Bennett's Diversity in Dialogue (DID) groups on racism and on immigration are starting up this week. Dialogue Groups are made up of 8-12 diverse individuals. Led by trained facilitators, they provide a forum for people to share their feelings, opinions and thoughts in a non-defensive, non-critical environment. The objective is to help participants understand their own and other's views on racism, diversity and faith to create long-term change. To date, more than 2,500 people have participated in DID, including groups associated with private businesses, government agencies and universities.

Raul Regalado, President and CEO of the Metro Nashville Airport Authority, announced his retirement effective June 30. Read more about Regalado here in the archives of HispanicNashville.com

The U.S. national men's soccer team played three Olympic-qualifying matches in Nashville in March - against Canada, Cuba, and El Salvador. The Americans fell short and failed to qualify for the quadrennial international games due to a last-minute goal in a 3-3 tie to El Salvador. A Cuban player defected in Music City.

District 31 Councilman Fabian Bedne added a Spanish-language newsletter to his constituent communication toolbox, which complements his English-language newsletter and frequent use of social media. He also had a nice write-up in the Nashville Scene and penned a guest article about uniformity, with some Argentina perspective, here at HispanicNashville.com

The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) held a citizenship workshop this past Sunday to help eligible permanent residents navigate the difficult process of naturalization as part of a broader citizenship campaign by immigrant rights advocacy organizations across the nation. This collaboration of 12 prominent organizations, known collectively as the National Partnership for New Americans, provides outreach into new immigrant communities across the country in an effort to promote a more welcoming democracy in which New Americans achieve equal opportunity and become a powerful and organized constituency. The workshop was the campaign's first of many in Tennessee and driven by the goal of assisting thousands of eligible permanent residents throughout the United States to become citizens. More than 60 New Americans received assistance regarding the naturalization process on Sunday with the help of dozens of allies and volunteers. The workshop was made up of New Americans, law students, faith allies, and various other members of the Nashville community. With more than 8 million permanent residents in the United States eligible for naturalization, it was no surprise that turnout was so high. “We reached our capacity early in the day and had to ask over 40 people to come to the next workshop for assistance,” said Anahi Gutierrez, the Citizenship Coordinator at TIRRC. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of eligible permanent residents interested in applying for citizenship.” As a member of the partnership, TIRRC will organize many citizenship workshops this year and provide information and support for hundreds of New Americans. Prospective volunteers can find TIRRC at tnimmigrant.org

Officer Gilbert Ramirez of the Nashville Police's El Protector program held a seminar for Hispanic members of the Nashville community about gang prevention, at the South Precinct at 5101 Harding Place. DCS and Youth Service were also present to discuss parents' rights.

Over 100 Middle Tennessee clergy attended the premier screening in January of a documentary on faith and immigration and engaged in dialogue with a panel of bishops about the issue. “Gospel Without Borders,” produced by EthicsDaily.com, made its Nashville debut at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel to more than 125 faith leaders. The event was organized by Clergy for Tolerance.

Vicente Fox, former president of Mexico, and Bill Richardson, a former governor of New Mexico who has served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and as secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, delivered public lectures at Vanderbilt University in March as part of the university’s annual Impact Symposium. The theme of this year’s lectures was “Rise of the Rest: What is the Future of American Foreign Policy?” The discussion between Fox and Richardson was moderated by Vanderbilt sociologist Katharine Donato.

"Latin Heat and other ballets" were performed by the Dance Theatre of Tennessee at Father Ryan High School in March.

Glencliff High School held an International Celebration of Cultures in March, with booths from over 30 different countries, a fashion show, international dancing, and international foods. The celebration was sponsored by the United Nations Leadership Organization of Glencliff High School. Attendees brought canned food or non-perishable food items for Second Harvest.

The United Methodist Church announced that it had pulled its investments in two private prison companies, including Nashville-based Corrections Corporation of America. The Rev. V. H. “Sonnye” Dixon, lead pastor of Hobson United Methodist Church in Nashville, applauded the decision. Dixon was cited for the position that incarceration is necessary at times, as opposed to pursuing a profit over possible rehabilitation and reentry. “You want your investment in the pension fund to be placed with companies that are doing well,” Dixon said, “but you don’t want them putting money in companies that are doing well at the expense of the dignity of other people.”

Conexión Américas announced that its free tax preparation services through the IRS-sponsored VITA program will prepare approximately 200 tax forms on behalf of Latino families and individuals in Middle Tennessee in 2012. In 2010, Tennessee received $157.4 million in personal income, property and sales tax paid by families whose heads of household are unauthorized immigrants, according to the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy. According to a 2007 Congressional Budget Office report, 50 to 75 percent of undocumented immigrants pay federal, state and local taxes.

An anonymous disciplinary case review officer for Corrections Corporation of America was quoted in the New York Times as saying, "I'm the Supreme Court," in an article about lack of accountability of private prison facilities.

The Tennessee Latin American Chamber of Commerce announced its incoming board President, Nelson Remus, President of Remar, Inc. Also announced were incoming Vice President Mayra Zimmer, vice president at AGLA; and board members Jesus Cachaya, Imperial Services; Tracee Carpenter, Fifth Third Bank; Trudy Carson, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority; Jessie Garcia Van De Griek, Lipscomb University; Ann Gillespie, ProLingua, Inc.; Marcela Gómez, Hispanic Marketing Group; Shane Merrill-Facio, SunTrust Bank; Raul Miranda, MetLife Southern Financial Group; Alfonso Nieto, Hola TN Newspaper; Adriana Nuñez, Mi Banco; James Threalkill, Skanska; Tera Vazquez, Guy Brown Products; and Peter Woolfolk, Communication Strategies.

Vol State hosted its annual Hispanic Family Night for adults interested in English classes or returning to school, and teenagers just getting ready for college.

New angle in six surprise immigration bills - the Volunteer Rally

2012-04-01T07:22:00.000-05:00

Photo of Tennessee Capitol by Casey Fleser. Licensed via Creative Commons.

Two Tennessee state legislators have surprised Legislative Plaza this weekend with half a dozen new bills that are already making waves at the Governor's office because they comprise a completely new, state-level immigration platform.

Veteran State Representative Jason Iris (D) and freshman State Senator Mary Jean Crockett (R) joined together on Saturday morning to tape a single page of newly filed, one-line laws to the office door of each one of their colleagues, calling it the "2012 Volunteer Rally." The proposed legislation is as follows:

The 2012 Volunteer Rally

Anyone who during their stay in Tennessee has contributed to the building of a a home or other permanent structure, started a business, completed an academic degree, harvested an agricultural crop, or parented a child who has done any of the above, and who has not been held in violation of any local law, shall be considered a friend of Tennessee and is hereby thanked for their work. ("This is ingrate avoidance," said Crockett.)
Anyone who is joined by a Tennessean in making a petition to the United States government for lawful immigration status shall be considered a friend of Tennessee. ("When my neighbor stands up for you, that's a good start," according to both sponsors.)
During any statewide sales tax holiday, no-questions-asked gun buyback, or similar event, immigration status or lack of a social security number shall not be the basis for denying a Tennessee resident a Tennessee drivers' license. ("Closes the double standard on new beginnings," said Crockett.)
No child shall be simultaneously charged with truancy (absence from school) and trespass (presence in school) ("If you chase a child in the front door and then out the back and then in again - you'll look awful ridiculous - and just plain awful," said Iris.)
All privileges enjoyed by newly arrived Cubans to Tennessee shall be enjoyed by all men, women, and children in Tennessee. ("We seem to handle the Cubans just fine, even though they can show up without a visa," Iris told HispanicNashville.com.)
Every commercial product or service in Tennessee - from food packaging to office buildings - shall bear an e-Verify seal indicating the portion of the contributing labor whose credentials were checked by the federal government. (Iris and Crockett said, "This has the dual benefit of shining the light on the federal government's presence in the workplace and also on how much of our lives depends on people who aren't being checked.")

The two issued a press release that commemorated the Appalachian Ellis Island bills introduced in the legislature in 2009, and called for immediate passage of the Volunteer Rally.

"It's in our blood as Tennesseans and as people of faith to speak up - and to clean house," the sponsors said. "If there were ever a need for Volunteers to rally, this is it."

If you have read this far, let me remind you it's April Fools' Day. These bills aren't real.

The good news - in real life - is that the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, Conexion Americas, Clergy for Tolerance, and others have been meeting with legislators in 2012, in their own ways as proud Volunteers. Click on the links in these paragraphs to see what they have been doing.

Yvette Martinez, Governor Haslam's press secretary, talks about Mexican-American family, military, hard work, faith, and taking risk

2012-03-20T00:20:00.000-05:00

Yvette Martinez, next to Governor Bill Haslam as he talked to the media about incoming Department of Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman in 2011

Yvette Martinez has led quite a life leading up to her most recent job as press secretary to Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. In this exclusive interview about her road to that job and where she's going from here, Martinez's biography spans the military, the church, family illnesses, famous Knoxville tragedies, hard-working parents Amos and Edna, and an anecdote showcasing one of Governor Haslam's hidden talents.

"I am one of 4 children, 3 girls and 1 boy," says Martinez, who lives in Middle Tennessee and was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. Both of her parents had been born in New Mexico - "My parents were both born in Roswell, NM and are Mexican-Americans," Martinez tells HispanicNashville.com. Her mother's parents never left the Land of Enchantment, living in Roswell for most of Yvette's childhood before becoming ranchers an hour's drive east in Hondo. Her paternal grandparents, however, moved to El Paso from New Mexico before Yvette was born. They became leaders (he a preacher and she a teacher of theology) at the Latin American Bible Institute, which was at the time located in El Paso and has since relocated to San Antonio.


Left photo: Yvette’s maternal grandmother Eleanor “Nora” Salcido. Her grandchildren in the photo (L-R) are Yvette, brother Joe Villarreal Jr., little sister Denise Mercado (who like Yvette went into the Marines) and older sister Eleanor Rios. Right photo: Yvette at 7 years old

In these excerpts from our interview, Martinez describes her family in terms of work, health, perseverance, and faith:

We grew up poor but each of us inherited our parents' great work ethic.

My dad (Amos) served in the Army and was stationed in Korea when he was called to come home to help take care of his family when his father became terminally ill. He went into the grocery business and eventually owned his own grocery store in South El Paso. He lost the store when I was a teenager and he started a new career as an over the road truck driver which he loved until he lost his vocal cords and larynx to throat cancer. Doctors believed his cancer was caused by second hand smoke from riding with another truck driver who smoked for five years.

My mom (Edna) was only 16 when she married my father. Shortly before my parents divorced she went into the work force as a certified nurse’s aide. She worked in nursing homes in El Paso and Mescalero, New Mexico which took a heavy physical toll on her body. I asked her repeatedly why she put her body through so much for so little money and she said because no one will take care of her patients like she does. She can’t physically do that job anymore and she really misses taking care of the elderly.

My father’s parents were heavily rooted in ministry and their faith. Neither one of my grandparents lived to see their sons embrace that lifestyle, but my father is beginning that journey now. My mother is also at the beginning of her faith journey.

I asked Martinez how her parents' roots affected and/or influenced her own childhood and youth, and how those roots are relevant to her life now. We also covered the fact that she has both German and Mexican heritage, and that her father once told her that her "grandfather (five greats ago) came across the U.S. Mexico border, paid five dollars for his citizenship and changed his name." But Martinez considers that story more legend than fact. She's more confident of the family history she's experienced herself:

Both of my parents started with Spanish as their first language. My mother remembers being slapped on the hand with a ruler for speaking Spanish at school, so she eventually stopped speaking it all together. The only time we ever heard our parents speak Spanish was around Christmas time when they didn’t want us to know what they were saying.

When I told my mom I was moving to Tennessee, she asked me “Do they like Mexicans there?” I told her, “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” I am not afraid to be different or to be the only Hispanic in the room. I have taught my children that it’s ok to be different and if people say things that may sound insensitive or ignorant, that is a perfect opportunity to patiently educate others about who we are and how much we actually have in common. I have also repeatedly said to my children and to classrooms full of students, don’t be afraid to live and work outside of your comfort zone. Familiar isn’t always what is best for us especially when God is trying to grow us past the limits we set for ourselves.

As for Martinez's own faith, she tells HispanicNashville.com, "I started my journey to deepen my faith when I was 14 years old and I strongly believe that God has guided my entire career."

Navy Achievement Medal

That career started when Martinez enlisted with the Marines when she was 17, "went to boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina then went to Camp Pendleton" in California. At Camp Pendleton, she was subsequently put to work in communications and training:

While I was stationed there, Desert Shield, Desert Storm erupted and I handled casualty reporting, classified messages, discharges, awards, and training incoming troops to handle these types of administrative duties in Saudi Arabia (overseas).

Martinez spent four years in active duty before returning to El Paso with an Honorable Discharge and also a Navy Achievement Medal.

Her communications experience soon dovetailed well with journalism. She started her private sector career as a radio sales assistant for KTSM AM, FM, TV, "making $5.75 an hour," recalls Martinez. Moving up the ranks to account executive, she appeared on camera for the first time as a KTSM weather anchor. Landing in the public eye suited her. Her next four jobs were on camera, at KDBC-TV and KFOX-TV in El Paso, at KPTM-TV in Omaha, and WATE in Knoxville. Along the way, she traveled to Bosnia for KFOX, "did 13 to 17 live shots a day" for the Omaha station, and won an Edward R. Murrow award at WATE, for a story about her daughter, who is now 17 and "doing great," according to Martinez, despite the scare she describes below:

Bailey's Bravery was one of the toughest stories I ever covered. Bailey is my daughter and when she was 5 she was burned by boiling water while trying to help my husband cook dinner. The Shriner's Burns Hospital in Cincinnati took care of Bailey and our family while they treated her for first, second and third degree burns. They didn't charge us for her treatment, and they do this for every child they care for, so I did a series on the whole journey and Shriners.

Left photo: Yvette and husband John, who is a high school athletic director and head basketball coach
Right photo: Yvette Martinez with daughter Bailey, who is in high school, and son Brandon, a UT-Knoxville undergrad, in Martinez's office at the Capitol.

Martinez then took a temporary detour from journalism and followed her grandparents' example of working in the church, but with a focus on media. At Grace Baptist Church in Knox County, Martinez says she "learned to shoot video, edit, increased our television ministry," and launched a magazine and website.

When Martinez went back to working in TV journalism, she ended up covering some of the most sensational stories ever to hit East Tennessee. She tells HispanicNashville.com that after joining WBIR-TV in 2006, she covered

the murders of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom;
the deadly love triangle of Eric McLean, his teacher Erin McLean and her student 18 year old Sean Powell; and
the 'black widow' case of Raynella Dossett-Leath.

The stark contrasts of the work of a TV journalist
Left photo: Yvette Martinez describes the circumstances of her conversation with Deena Christian (in red): "Deena’s daughter was Channon Christian who was carjacked, raped and murdered in January 2007. The men around us were investigators in the case and this was outside the courtroom during one of the trials against one of the five defendants."
Right photo: Martinez and Knoxville WBIR anchor legend Bill Williams narrated a Christmas production at Salem Baptist Church in Knoxville.

She was hired away from the Knoxville station to communicate messages from the outgoing mayor/incoming state governor, Bill Haslam. In addition to being the printed and spoken voice of the Governor's office on a variety of issues, Martinez also amplified the outgoing channels of communication:

I also worked on Governor Haslam's video outreach to keep Tennesseans informed. If you go to his Youtube channel you will see some videos I shot, produced, edited and posted on behalf of the Governor. ... I believe all of my different jobs offered a variety of training that brought me to this point. I hope when people look back on my life they will see there are so many advantages to taking chances and getting out of those familiar comfort zones.

The one anecdote from her tenure with Governor Haslam that she believes sums up the former Knoxville mayor is this tale of hospitality:

I do remember a time in East Tennessee, the Governor was attending a breakfast event at a small restaurant when he decided to pick up a pitcher of water and he went around serving people who were enjoying their breakfast. The waitress took the pitcher from the Governor and he then picked up a pot of coffee and continued to serve customers. He is down to earth and continues to have a heart to serve.

As of this month, Martinez has transitioned from the Governor's office into another state communications job, as Assistant Commissioner of Outreach and Communications at Veterans Affairs. As the Assistant "Commish," Martinez will be getting the word out about veterans' rights and benefits. To pull that off, she'll bring a wide variety of past skills that have enabled her to "write, assist the media, shoot and edit video, shoot and edit photographs, organize events, emcee events and tweet all about what's happening right now," as Martinez describes her previous on-the-job experience.

"I am a passionate communicator with a Marine history so the new role is a perfect fit," Martinez said. "Now I'm off to my next adventure!"

Follow Yvette Martinez on Twitter at @yvettem_tdva

Yvette Martinez

Uniformity, by Fabian Bedne

2012-03-19T01:16:00.000-05:00

Councilman Fabian Bedne

Immediately after declaring our American independence, the struggle began regarding the proper balance of power between the states and the federal government. This struggle also happened in Latin America. In Argentina there were many wars fought over this very issue and, over time, the federal government became very strong. This resulted in the federal government having the most power to collect and decide how to spend the tax revenues.

Unfortunately, the subsequent (and huge) accumulation of power and wealth in the capitol city of Buenos Aires occurred at the expense of Argentina’s various provinces and cities. This ultimately created a situation where approximately 50% of Argentina’s 40 million inhabitants now live in or around the federal capital of the country. Though Buenos Aires itself enjoys most benefits and comforts of a modern city, if you drive 100 miles out you will find many little towns with open sewage and unpaved roads. Recently Argentina has realized the negative impact of this and has been working at making adjustments.

The preferred pastime of the Argentines is to try and figure out why a country like Argentina, which was the 8th wealthiest country 100 years ago, is now so far behind. They like to compare their country to the USA and ponder the stark differences. They just can’t figure out the why the differences are so dramatic.

Photo by ::: M @ X :::. Licensed via Creative Commons.

It took me a year after moving to the USA to get it. I used to live in Columbus, Ohio and the program with which I was associated wanted to show us the real USA. So, I was invited to Appalachia, spent the night with an Amish Family, visited many small towns and always would get in trouble for asking if the water out of the faucet was good to drink. You see, in Latin America that is an important question. In the USA however, that is almost an insult as local communities have the means to make sure their water is safe. We created a system here in America that is in equilibrium; federal issues are handled at the federal government level and state issues are dealt at the state government level. Just as important, local issues are managed by local governments. This is possible because each of these respective levels of government has its own source of tax revenues, which truly empowers the various levels of government to deal with issues as they see fit.

I understand why some of our State Legislators say that the conversation about the proper balance of power is only between the states and the federal government. But by limiting the conversation to only those two levels of government however, they take a huge risk. Our system works because somehow we have managed to spread out power. To try and concentrate power in this way, all in the name of uniformity, is a very dangerous path that, as I described above, will have a very negative impact on our local communities. Cities across Tennessee have declared concern for legislations that will limit the ability of local officials to do what they were voted into office to accomplish.

Uniformity, when taken to extremes, is what you will find in countries like Cuba or Iran. We benefit every day by empowering local communities to make local decisions. Let’s remember that the water across America is safe to drink and there is a reason for that. Local government makes this and other things possible which should never be taken for granted.

Fabian Bedne represents District 31 on the Metro Council.

Rebecca Zanolini: my Costa Rican rebirth

2012-03-10T05:04:00.002-06:00

Rebecca Zanolini
Photo by Leslie Rodriguez Photography
for HispanicNashville.com

By Rebecca H. Zanolini, Ed.S.

It was in Costa Rica where I experienced a rebirth of self. I had been born in California with a cleft lip and palate and faced many difficulties in overcoming both a speech impediment and social stigma as a child and young adult. But when I first went to Costa Rica 13 years ago, the experience brought me out of my cave and exposed me to realities I never knew existed.

I strongly believe when an individual is on the right path in life, he or she is compensated with a certain sense of ease and continued opportunities. For me, ease came in the form of an innate ability to learn the language and adapt to the Tico culture; opportunities came in the form of life long relationships, education, and ultimately a career path. I felt a strong connection to the land and its people. Even after I left, this connection intensified.

Returning to the United States the first time, I was blindsided by reverse culture shock. While I was away, cell phone use had evolved, the Clinton controversy had subsided, and Christina Aguilera had just released her first hit. I remember a sense of confusion as I tried to reconcile my life in my hometown in Tennessee with what I had just witnessed and experienced in Costa Rica. Coming home, I remember thinking it was almost like my Costa Rican experience was nothing but a dream. For months I continued to trip over my words in an attempt to articulate what I saw, felt, and loved for the first time. All of these new experiences were now stratified in my new language and culture. I remember the frustration of trying to transfer all of this to my native modes of communication. As many who are bicultural and bilingual might agree, not all experiences, feelings and words lend themselves easily to another culture or language.

Furthermore, I also realized that it wasn’t until I left my country that I developed a clear sense of patriotism for my homeland. Leaving the United States for the first time helped me to better appreciate and understand my own ethnic roots and culture. Thus, two things became clear to me: I wanted to continue to pursue Spanish and to educate others locally on global issues.

Fortunately, I continue to do both of these things. I went on to graduate high school, obtain a Bachelors of Science in Spanish with a minor in Latin American Studies from Middle Tennessee State University, a Master’s of Arts in Teaching from Middle Tennessee State University and most recently an Educational Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Culture, Cognition and the Learning Process, also from Middle Tennessee State University. Currently, I am pursuing doctoral studies at Tennessee State University in Curriculum and Instruction. Since 2008 I have had the opportunity to teach full-time as a Spanish Instructor for Middle Tennessee State University. I have also had the opportunity to educate students at Lipscomb University and Nashville State Community College during the summer semesters.

My passion for the Spanish language coupled with my compassion and understanding of people from around the world has helped me to become a better instructor and a better person. Knowing what it is like to be different has helped me to better relate to my students and to immigrants in my community. Despite my birth defect, I stand up in front of my students daily in an effort to teach and inspire them that they too can overcome life’s obstacles. At the end of the day, when the facts are forgotten, I want my students to walk away from my class with a better understanding of who the Spanish speaking individual is, what he or she looks like, and the experiences he or she has had. While teaching the Spanish language is my primary objective in my profession, I am determined for my students to gain the cultural knowledge needed to insure they are better prepared for a diverse 21^st century

Personally, my Costa Rican husband and I are committed to raising our daughter in a home environment that celebrates both of our native cultures and languages. We refuse to forfeit one culture or language for the other. While we have decided to make Tennessee our home, we make frequent visits to Costa Rica in an effort to strengthen family and cultural ties. Costa Rica always welcomes us back and offers us to the opportunity to refresh and recharge so that we may return to Tennessee and continue to pursue our passions.

Beyond my love for teaching the Spanish language, I am committed to achieving social and educational equality for Tennesseans of minority and immigrant backgrounds and improving the quality of life for all people in our community. Most recently, I have served on the Equity Task Force Committee with Franklin Special School District, volunteered with the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Guatemala as a translator/interpreter through the Shalom Foundation, volunteered with the FUTURO organization of Middle Tennessee State University, and helped to lead and moderate an equality forum at Middle Tennessee State University known as, “We are Created E.Q.U.A.L.”

In the end, I believe we all must use our talents and circumstances to better our communities and the lives of those around us. Therefore, I am determined to continue my efforts to better my own education, improve my community, and help educate those around me.

Rebecca Zanolini lives in Nashville and is a contributor to HispanicNashville.com

Ricardo Sanchez's self-taught guitar-making process, behind the scenes

2012-03-05T01:27:00.000-06:00

Ricardo Sanchez, with an in-progress, three-toned guitar body. Photo by HispanicNashville.com

Ricardo Sanchez of Nashville taught himself how to make guitars. Let me repeat: he makes guitars. Self-taught. Wow.

Ricardo is a friend of ours, so we placed an order with Ricardo Sanchez Guitars. It's an electric guitar with a custom Tennessee/Chile design (scroll down for photos). When we went to pick up the brand-new instrument, I asked him a few questions about the whole process. This is what he told me.

Nearly half of the vinyl covers on Sanchez's wall at home are by the classic Christian rock band Petra. Sanchez and I are both fanboys of Petra, actually; the first music I ever owned was their "Not of This World" cassette tape from the Logos bookstore in Green Hills. (Did I mention that some of the original members are touring under the name "Classic Petra" and are playing the Hard Rock Cafe this May?) Photo by HispanicNashville.com

What sparked Sanchez's love affair with custom-made guitars was finding out that former Petra lead singer Bob Hartman has a side business in Nashville making guitars. Sanchez bought his first Bob Hartman Guitar from the man himself about five years ago; they met in the parking lot of an Outback Steakhouse in Franklin to seal the deal. Sanchez hung the above Hartman creation on his wall after having it signed by many of the classic Petra band members at a reunion gig in Nashville. Photo by HispanicNashville.com

Three years ago, Sanchez started making his own guitars with kits ordered off of eBay. Six months ago, he started making the bodies, so all he buys now are the electronics and the necks. Everything else, he makes himself. Each body starts as four pieces of wood glued together. The wood comes from everyday local sources. Photo by HispanicNashville.com

The Ryobi machine cuts the shape of the wood. Sanchez's uncle picked up this machine for his guitar-making nephew. Photo by HispanicNashville.com

They bought a sander (on the left) to smooth the edges. Photo by HispanicNashville.com

Glued, cut, and sanded. Next comes either staining, or priming and paint. Photo by HispanicNashville.com

Car paint is more resistant, so that's what Sanchez uses. For smaller quantities, spray cans are called for. Photo by HispanicNashville.com

This is the guitar my family will own. Only the red and white coats of paint have been applied. Photo by Ricardo Sanchez.

Our guitar after the blue paint has been added. The neck is the only part of the guitar that Sanchez still buys partially preassembled. The design is something my wife came up with - a combination of the flags of Chile and Tennessee. Photo by Ricardo Sanchez.

The luthier himself, testing out the final product next to an array of effects pedals. Photo by HispanicNashville.com

We asked him to sign it; we have an original! Photo by HispanicNashville.com

In the hands of its proud owner. Photo by HispanicNashville.com

Ricardo Sanchez Guitars can be found on Facebook here.

Nashville Symphony Presents The Spanish Harlem Orchestra

2012-03-01T05:00:00.001-06:00

By Cindy McCain
The Big SHO at the Schermerhorn is March 18 when Nashville Symphony presents The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, performing for the first time in Music City. Since the band’s first release a decade ago, all four albums were nominated and two won Grammys, including “Viva La Tradición” named Best Tropical Latin Album in 2011.

The Spanish Harlem Orchestra emerged from the New-York-City-Community-of-a-Camelot where King Tito Puente and Queen Celia Cruz ruled Latin music. Many crown Oscar Hernandez, a Bronx boy who played with them both, as today’s Prince. As a musician, composer, producer, and leader he has worked with greats such as Tito Rodriguez, Jr., Willie Colon, Eddie Torres, Ruben Blades, Julio Iglesias and Paul Simon.

Likewise, the other twelve members of SHO have distinguished themselves in other groups and ventures.   Many have won Grammys and Doug Beavers, trombonist, founded the Harlem School of Urban Music and Recording Arts. Most were born in the Bronx of Puerto Rican descent; others moved to New York over twenty years from California or Michigan, Ecuador, Venezuela or Costa Rica. Together they have conquered the world.

I asked Hernandez to name his favorite or most surprising cities where SHO has played on world tours. He recalled: “The most surprising was St. Petersburg, Russia. We felt the audience’s energy. They were knowledgeable fans.” Hernandez says he “likes to dance but doesn’t love to dance,” but in a big club in Russia, he enjoyed dancing salsa. “I was surrounded by people who get it.” Of other gigs and the upcoming stop in Nashville, he said:

“Everywhere we have had great experiences. Israel, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia. France, Spain, Italy.   The Czech Republic was really great. Prague and Munich. We played for 100,000 in Montreal. We’ve been blessed for sure. We’re excited about Nashville because of its incredible music history.”

The Schermerhorn is making space for cha cha cha and salsa dura dancers. Local Latin dance companies such as Music City Salsa, Music City Rueda, and Sentir el Ritmo will be on the floor inviting all to join.

You can buy tickets here. Hernandez enthusiastically beckons, “Be there! SHO is a great musical ensemble.   Don’t miss it!”
Full interview with Oscar Hernandez is here.

Minority businesses improve financial savvy at Regions workshop; scholarships and internships complement outreach

2012-02-25T05:10:00.000-06:00

By Gabriela Lira

On Friday, February 3rd, as part of Black History Month, a group of small business owners gathered at the Regions Center on Deaderick Street to kick off the first in a series of workshops put on by Regions Bank and The Nashville PRIDE. These workshops are specifically designed to offer sound financial advice to help area minority-owned small businesses navigate today’s turbulent economic times.

One of the minority-owned businesses in attendance was A to Z Transportation Inc., which provides general freight services interstate and in Canada. Bruce Little (owner/CEO) and Derrick Vinson (head of sales) were there to network with other small businesses and learn more about banking services for their growing business. Mr. Little’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to recognize a need in today’s economy for freight services and, coming from a family of truck drivers, he was familiar enough with the industry to purchase and run a fleet of his own. When he started his business, he found it very difficult to obtain bank financing so he used savings and seed money from relatives. Today, his company goals are to stay strong through the recovering economy, raise more capital, and build credit. He is well on his way to meeting his goal as his company has experienced continued growth for the last year and a half. When asked what advice he would give to other minorities thinking of starting their own business he stated “create your own opportunities.” His head of sales added, “Follow your passion. Stay focused, disciplined, and diligent.” A to Z was a company built out of the recession and they want to serve as a testimony for other small businesses.

Jim Schmitz, Middle Tennessee Area President for Regions, explained that the percentage of small businesses that fail is too high because owners have a great idea but no experience or understanding of the financial side of business ownership. Regions Bank’s role in these workshops is to empower people so they are not afraid to start a business due to lack of financial education.

The small business seminar in Nashville was part of Regions' 2012 Black History Month campaign, Riding Forward, which celebrates "the contributions of African Americans past and present that move us forward today."

For information on other free small business seminars to be held in 2012, call 615-728-2030.

Editor's note: High school seniors could win a $5,000 college scholarship by entering Regions' Riding Forward Scholarship essay contest. The essay submission deadline is right around the corner - February 29 - but all you need to write is 500 words about an African-American who has inspired you. See complete rules here. Also, high school seniors and college students should also consider applying for an internship with Regions or another local business through INROADS; the priority consideration deadline is March 31. The internship application page is here; Regions' explanation of its role in INROADS is here.

HispanicNashville.com contibutor Gabriela Lira is a realtor at Village Real Estate. Lira was born and raised in Los Angeles and is a graduate of Yale University and Pepperdine's Graziadio School of Business and Management. Read more of Lira's bio here.

70th anniversary of Executive Order 9066

2012-02-19T03:24:00.003-06:00

The predecessor to internment camps on American soil

Ballet Folklórico de Antioquia, Colombia at Nashville Symphony

2012-02-14T05:00:00.010-06:00

by Cindy McCain
Nashville Symphony presents Ballet Folklórico de Antioquia, Colombia February 15, 2012 at the Schermerhorn. On its first US tour, the pageant of lights, music, and dance celebrates Colombia’s rich cultural traditions.

The acclaimed company has lit up stages in Canada, Italy and China. In 1998 the show won a Gold Medal in the World Olympics for Stylized Folklore in Dijon, France and in 2008 participated in the Olympic Games in Beijing. Sweeping Central and South America, the global group was founded in 1991.

To buy tickets, go here.

Lisa Torres plays 12th & Porter next Monday, February 20

2012-02-13T04:31:00.001-06:00

Nashville country singer/songwriter Lisa Torres will play 12th & Porter next Monday, February 20. She will start the show a little after 7pm, so don't be late. Entrance and parking are free.

Torres performance style is "interactive," she says:

I love being on stage and love to interact with the band and with the fans. And, since dancing is another passion of mine, I've been known to jump down off the stage to line dance with the girls or do a quick twirl around the floor with one of the guys. When you come to my live show, you are definitely going to feel something! I hope you love my songs and of course it would be great if you bought a couple of them. See you at the show!

Lisa Torres' performance of the song "Alive," co-written with Arlis Albritton, won her the SingerUniverse "Best Vocalist Of The Month" award a while back. The song was also a finalist in the 18th annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, hosted by the MerleFest music festival.

Torres grew up in Castaic, California, about 40 miles north of Los Angeles. Torres' dad grew up in California, as well, and his family is from New Mexico, with roots going back to Mexico.

Torres' music career started with her attraction to the music of Garth Brooks, Martina McBride and Trisha Yearwood. After performing herself for a few years based out of California, Torres moved to Nashville in 2005.

Torres' web site is lisatorres.com.

The war on… whose religion?

2012-02-12T04:41:00.001-06:00

Photos by WeNews and Andre Mouraux. Licensed via Creative Commons. Composite by HispanicNashville.com

The war on… whose religion?
By Humberto Casanova

Employer health insurance plans must start covering contraception with no co-payment, according to a new rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. News of the rule quickly became a political football because of its intersection with religion - while insured employees of churches will still have to pay for their contraceptives, women who work at religious institutions such as hospitals and universities should be getting contraception coverage from now on.

The Curia of the Roman Church is up in arms, portraying the coverage requirement as a frontal attack on religious freedom. This is odd, given the opinions of the people who make up the body of the church. 58% of Catholics believe that employers should be required to provide their employees with health care plans that cover contraception. And 55% of all Americans who agree that employers should be required to provide their employees with health care plans that cover contraception and birth control at no cost, according to the Public Religion Research Institute.

Furthermore, 98% of women at some time in their lives use contraceptives, including Catholic women. A study of the Guttmacher Institute shows that “The overwhelming majority of sexually active women of all denominations who do not want to become pregnant are using a contraceptive method.” This means that “the overwhelming majority of sexually active women of all denominations” do not think that the government is attacking their faith with so-called “secular values” of contraception.

The opposition of the Curia to this coverage is not in line with American belief or behavior, whether inside or outside the Catholic church.

So why do church representatives like Bishop David A. Zubik paint the rule as a personal attack, saying, “the Obama administration has just told the Catholics of the United States, ‘To Hell with you,’" and why does GOP candidate Rick Santorum use the rule to paint the President as "secular"?

When we talk about a so-called war on religion, we should ask: whose religion? It seems it is only the religion of the Roman Curia, and not the faith of the great majority of Catholics in the pew. In this battle, the Curia is not fighting for the church but against the church. The problem is the Roman Curia trying to control the life of women.

The war, if there is one, is only a war on women.

Each American person, not the leaders of the church or of the government, should have the power and freedom to decide whether we are prepared to bring a child into this world. Whatever the reason may be, it must be a personal decision. The federal mandate that every employer offer contraception coverage is much less government control than the control being exercised by the church over women when it lobbies against insuring female employees.

If someone insists that we should protect the religious freedom of the Roman Curia, and by that I mean the archaic-out-of-touch-with-reality-and-modern-times-minority gang of Bishops that rule the Catholic Church, then the Government could surely find other ways to give away the pill to women who work for religious institutions and who cannot afford contraception. However, one thing is clear: with this rule, the Government is not persecuting the majority of Catholics or Protestants or Americans or Women. The problem exposed by the rule is an out of touch with reality Curia who sets a doctrine most Catholics do not believe in.

Resources:
So Religious Liberty Now Means the Freedom to Endanger Women's Health

War on Religion? President Obama, Catholics, and Everybody Else

Humberto Casanova lives in Nashville and likes to dig into the world of the Ancient Near East and the Bible. He’s also interested in promoting the separation of church & state, or a secular society. His passion for social justice takes the form of stopping religion when it tramples on the rights of others. His religious reflection comes from a historical and scientific perspective.

Where "American" means "Super Bowl"

2012-02-08T21:53:00.000-06:00

A Joint Color Guard practices next to Kelly Clarkson while she sings the national anthem, Feb. 3rd. The Color Guard displayed America’s Colors during the national anthem at Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Ind. Photo by Sgt. Felicya L. Adams. Source: ourmilitary.mil

American Football, by Rebecca Zanolini

I am not a football fan. Nevertheless, after days of Super Bowl hype from the media coupled with a promise of entertaining commercials and a chance to see Madonna at half time, I thought I’d give it a try. Thus, at 5:00 pm sharp this past Sunday, I sat down on my couch with snacks in hand and turned on my TV to bear witness to our country’s most important annual sporting event.

As I watched country music artists Miranda Lambert and husband Blake Shelton sing America the Beautiful, I found myself instantly moved. By the time the military march and national anthem had concluded, I was in tears. Perhaps never before had I recognized a link between football and patriotism.

As Americans, we are faced with a unique circumstance that our vernacular does not include a word other than "American" to identify our unified nationality in the United States. While other languages have gone to the extent of creating a label that specifies those from the U.S. (such as with the Spanish term, estadounidense) our native tongue provides us with a term that encompasses not just a nation, but also an entire continent.

As a result, this semantic difference leaves many Americans with a potential identity crisis. By recognizing our nationality as American, we are opening ourselves up to global criticism; yet, if we denied ourselves the right to self identify with this term, we would in part reject our national heritage and culture.

Watching our country’s favorite sport on its biggest Sunday night has inspired me to revisit my own internalization of national identity. While in comparison to greater matters of our nation, I fully recognize that a sporting event is far from grandiose, watching this game I couldn’t help but feel a sense of connection and unity with my fellow compatriots. Even despite the increasing difficulty in defining the term American, this event felt just that: American.

Although I still may not understand the rules of the game, nor have the patience to watch another event of this sort in its entirety, I have come to the conclusion that the Super Bowl may in fact be embedded somewhere in our nation’s identity and culture. Although a win from the Patriots might have underscored this commentary on national identity and led to a more poetic ending, perhaps there is a greater lesson to be learned. After all, both sports and the United States of America provide a unique venue in which anything can happen. February 5, 2012 is just one of many such examples.

Rebecca Zanolini teaches Spanish at Middle Tennessee State University. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and an Educational Specialist degree (Ed.S.) in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Culture, Cognition, and the Learning Process. She is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Curriculum and Instruction at Tennessee State University. Beyond her passion for teaching the Spanish language, she is passionate about achieving social and educational equality for Tennesseans of minority and immigrant backgrounds and improving the quality of life for all people in our community. Most recently, she has served on the Equity Task Force Committee with Franklin Special School District, volunteered with FUTURO of MTSU, and helped to lead and moderate an equality forum at MTSU known as, “We are Created E.Q.U.A.L.”

Nashville Ballet Presents Salsa Dreams

2012-02-06T05:00:00.003-06:00

by Cindy McCain

Like many-a-little-girl growing up around Nashville, I wore a size 3T tutu for my dancing debut. As a teen, I traded in the toe shoes for some Fryes and boot scootin’ boogie. Then came salsa.

Some of my friends did the same dances… in reverse order.

Celebrating the diversity that is Music City, Nashville Ballet presents Salsa Dreams at TPAC’s Polk Theater February 10-12. The performance includes three pieces-- Salsa Dreams, Billy the Kid and Cryin’ Out.

In Paul Vasterling’s Salsa Dreams, a ballerina attempts to jump genres when salseros free her to take- a- spin with some new moves. Revving her with Latin rhythms is live music played by local legend, Lalo Davila. His band promises to not only propel the company onstage but also to reprise the reeling offstage. The 2005 performance had the audience mamboing in the aisles.

Likewise, in Cryin’ Out, choreographed by Gina Patterson, the company will dance as Nashville icon Gary Nicholson croons his country hits recorded by stars such as Vince Gill and the Dixie Chicks. Also in the roundup that spans decades and blends genres is the American masterpiece, Billy the Kid, choreographed by Eugene Loring, in 1938.

In Salsa Dreams north- meets- south. Paul Vasterling, CEO and Artistic Director of Nashville Ballet, received a Fulbright Scholarship in 2004 to study Latin music and work with dance groups in Argentina. The result was Nashville Ballet touring South America and his bringing home Latin dance for Salsa Dreams. Last Friday I took a sneak peek at a rehearsal fueled by hard work and high energy. Under Vasterling’s direction, the dancers embodied his continued commitment to the art of dance, storytelling, and community.

The production’s natural is Augusto Cezar. A native of Campinas, Brazil, he moved to Sao Paulo to continue his study of ballet. From there he came to the US to compete, which resulted in joining Nashville Ballet in September 2011. He explained: "I was offered a contract from Paul Vasterling during my participation in the international Ballet competition in Jackson, Mississippi. That was a great achievement for me."

I asked if salsa translates into ballet. He responded: "I actually didn't know that was possible, but Paul had a good idea to join these two techniques. Salsa and ballet are so different but together make a beautiful couple, a movement incredible!"

When I asked his favorite dance number and if he grew up dancing salsa or tango, he answered:

Not exactly! Tango and salsa are most popular in Argentina, especially the Tango. But as Brazil is a country of many rhythms, we have the influences of salsa. I never had salsa class, but I grew up seeing my family dance at parties so I was exposed to dance and rhythm at an early age. But ballet -- yes! I started my study of ballet at seven years of age, which is not common in Brazil because all the boys play football at that age. Football is very important in Brazil.

My favorite dance number in Salsa Dreams is called ''Loco de la Salsa.'' It’s about a guy who cannot dance, and the girls mock him. But he starts to dance without worrying about winning the girls. They end up liking him and dancing together. The music makes me very excited!

I asked what advice/instruction he has given company members on Latin dancing for Salsa Dreams:

 This is a very good question. When they ask me how to move their hips, coordinate their arms or move their legs, I always say, 'Don't think about it too much. Think about feeling the music and let your body do whatever you want. That’s what I do!'

Nashville, an American mecca of music, is a town touting not only line dances at the Wildhorse but also salsa circles spreading from east (Mad Donna’s) to west (Global Education Center). From Hard Rock to Mai to the Schermerhorn, salseros who’ve long danced at South Nashville’s Ibiza also spin on floors in the heart of town. Nashville Ballet is hoping that Salsa Dreams’ cowboys and claves have ballet lovers clamoring for “one more last dance.” A ballerina swept away by salsa dancers is as sweet as Claire’s fantasy escape in The Nutcracker. But with a dash of more spice, this production is a melting pot of home cookin’.

Salsa Dreams dates:
Friday, February 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 11 at 7:30 p. m.
Sunday, February 12 at 2 p. m.

For tickets, go here.

Book recommendation: The Heart of Christianity

2012-02-04T06:22:00.001-06:00

by Humberto Casanova

For a nice modern way of looking at Christianity, you should definitively read this book by Marcus Borg, The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith.

At the beginning of the book, Borg supplies the following chart that gives an idea of the differences between the conservative-fundamentalist-right-wing Christianity (Earlier Paradigm) and the modern-liberal-left-wing Christianity (Emerging Paradigm):

	Earlier Paradigm	Emerging Paradigm
The Bible’s origin	A divine product with divine authority	A human response to God
Biblical interpretation	Literal-factual	Historical and metaphorical
The Bible’s function	Revelation of doctrine and morals	Metaphorical and sacramental
Christian life emphasis	An afterlife and what to believe or do to be saved	Transformation in this life through relationship with God

These topics may look difficult in the chart but the book explains it all in very simple terms. It is not a book for scholars.

Borg is on the left side of the emerging church movement.

Humberto Casanova lives in Nashville and likes to dig into the world of the Ancient Near East and the Bible. He’s also interested in promoting the separation of church & state, or a secular society. His passion for social justice takes the form of stopping religion when it tramples on the rights of others. His religious reflection comes from a historical and scientific perspective.

Tennessee Latin American Chamber looks forward with new leadership, celebrates "mission accomplished"

2012-01-31T05:28:00.001-06:00

The Tennessee Latin American Chamber of Commerce is one of two Nashville-based Hispanic business chambers. The TLACC recently released a testimonial video (below) as well as a "mission accomplished" video (above) looking back on the tenure of outgoing board president Tera Vazquez. It also announced new leadership, listed at the end of this article.

Ten years ago, when this group was known as the Tennessee Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, I and many others visited the Chamber's networking events and got to know the proactive crowd of Hispanic businesses as well as "Hispanic curious" businesses and individuals.

The Chamber went through a radical transformation after co-founder Greg Rodriguez passed away in 2005 and co-founder Robert Chavez left the organization in 2007. It was the first time in eight years that the founders were not at the reins, and the Chamber started looking and acting more like an independent group of professionals. Ramon Cisneros was chair of the board at the time.

In 2008, Tera Vazquez was tapped to lead the organization. In the past three years, the group has returned to its roots by hosting regular networking luncheons while at the same time boosting its internal and external credibility with education and outreach.

Just a few months ago, they changed their name from the Tennessee Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to the Tennessee Latin American Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber's first 2012 announcement is of Tera Vazquez's replacement. Nelson Remus of Remar, Inc. is the incoming Board President, and Mayra Zimmer, vice president at AGLA, is the Vice President.

Board members for 2012 include the following:

Jesus Cachaya, Imperial Services
Tracee Carpenter, Fifth Third Bank
Trudy Carson, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority
Jessie Garcia Van De Griek, Lipscomb University
Ann Gillespie, ProLingua, Inc.
Marcela Gómez, Hispanic Marketing Group
Shane Merrill-Facio, SunTrust Bank
Raul Miranda, MetLife Southern Financial Group
Alfonso Nieto, Hola TN Newspaper
Adriana Nuñez, Mi Banco
James Threalkill, Skanska
Tera Vazquez, Guy Brown Products
Peter Woolfolk, Communication Strategies

Hate crime prevention forum all day at TSU; police, FBI, U.S. attorneys to attend

2012-01-26T05:13:00.001-06:00

Poplar Grove diversity gap prompts zoning change; 18% of FSSD students are Hispanic

2012-01-25T07:16:00.004-06:00

The Franklin Special School District Board voted this month to zone Poplar Grove School, which had previously been open-zoned. The first guiding principle behind the zoning decision was "a reasonable balance related to socio-economic demographics," according to the district's web site.

Poplar Grove is and has been the least diverse school in the district since at least 2004. Diversity goals were set back that were intended to keep Poplar Grove open-zoned. One of the early goals was 50 minority student admissions in the kindergarten class over two years.

In the intervening years, the entire district has probably changed on a number of levels; I noticed from the paper that it has certainly seen an increase in its Hispanic population. The Tennessean reported that in the 2011-2012 school year, 18% of Franklin Special School District students are Hispanic. The number was 9% in 2004.

Poplar Grove, however, has not met diversity goals in the years since then.

Moving away from race due to a Supreme Court decision, according to the Tennessean (the case was Meredith v. Jefferson County, I think), the Board started focusing on low-income student distribution. On that measure, Julie Hubbard reports that Poplar Grove is still the least diverse school in the district, with Poplar Grove's Elementary School being 14% low-income, while Franklin Elementary totals 65%.

The Board saw that gap and called it an "imbalance":

As of September 2011, there were over 50 percentage points between the school with highest number of students on free and reduced lunch and the school with the lowest number. In an effort to correct the impact that an imbalance of socio-economic students brings to schools, the Board turned its focus to developing rezoning scenarios...

The plan ("Scenario 10") will be adopted in stages, to ease the transition. For the 2012-2013 school year, only 7% of the students in the district will be rezoned.

A summary of the plan is available in both English and Spanish.