El Sol Latino | December 2016 | 13.2

December 2016

Volume 13 No. 2

Un Periรณdico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper

Un Periรณdico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper

Un Periรณdico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper

Un Periรณdico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper

Clarisa Lรณpez presenta Cartas a Karina

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Editorial/Editorial

ACLU Statement on Donald Trump’s Election El Sol Latino is reproducing the following statement made by Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on November 9, 2016. Its content echoes our views and concerns regarding President-elect Trump and the new administration.

For nearly 100 years, the American Civil Liberties Union has been the nation’s premier defender of freedom and justice for all, no matter who is president. Our role is no different today.

President-elect Trump, as you assume the nation’s highest office, we urge you to reconsider and change course on certain campaign promises you have made. These include your plan to amass a deportation force to remove 11 million undocumented immigrants; ban the entry of Muslims into our country and aggressively surveil them; punish women for accessing abortion; reauthorize waterboarding and other forms of torture; and change our nation’s libel laws and restrict freedom of expression.

These proposals are not simply un-American and wrong-headed, they are unlawful and unconstitutional. They violate the First, Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments. If you do not reverse course and instead endeavor to make these campaign promises a reality, you will have to contend with the full firepower of the ACLU at every step. Our staff of litigators and activists in every state, thousands of volunteers, and millions of card-carrying supporters are ready to fight against any encroachment on our cherished freedoms and rights.

One thing is certain: we will be eternally vigilant every single day of your presidency and when you leave the Oval Office, we will do the same with your successor.

For more information, contact ACLU at 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor, New York NY 10004 or at 212549-2500 or visit www.aclu.org.

Cita del Mes/Quote of the Month

“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.”

-Voltaire (Francois Marie Arouet) (1694-1778)

contents

2 Editorial / Editorial ACLU Statement on Donald Trump’s Election 3 Portada / Front Page Clarisa López presenta el libro “Cartas a Karina” 4 Training about Sexuality, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity 5 Interview with Fernando Mendoza 6 CPN Launches Major Workforce Development Initiative 8 ¿Qué Pasa en...?

Top Public Universities Close Doors to Black and Latino Students 10 Opinión / Opinion Future Social Response to Disparities in Springfield, Massachusetts 11 ¡Oye. . . It’s Not Our Fault! The Latino Presidential Vote in Philadelphia 13 A Call to Action 14 Libros / Books Legends, Campeones del sóftbol 2016 15 Salud / Health Cómo Tratar los Piojos Resistentes a los Medicamentos

Foto del Mes/Photo of the Month

Khrystal Olan y el Poder de la Lectura La estudiante de tercer grado de la Escuela Elemental Lt. Clayre Sullivan, Khrystal Olan, tuvo la oportunidad de leer en voz alta una página del libro Tell Me a Scary Story … But Not TOO Scary a sus compañeros de clase.

Manuel Frau Ramos, Editor de El Sol Latino, observa a sus lado.

Founded in 2004 n Volume 13, No. 2 n December 2016 Editor Manuel Frau Ramos manuelfrau@gmail.com 413-320-3826 Assistant Editor Ingrid Estrany-Frau Managing Editor Diosdado López

Art Director Tennessee Media Design Business Address El Sol Latino P.O Box 572 Amherst, MA 01004-0572

Editorial Policy El Sol Latino acepta colaboraciones tanto en español como en inglés.

Nos comprometemos a examinarlas, pero no necesariamente a publicarlas. Nos reservamos el derecho de editar los textos y hacer correcciones por razones de espacio y/o estilo. Las colaboraciones pueden ser enviadas a nuestra dirección postal o a través de correo electrónico a: info@elsollatino.net.

El Sol Latino welcomes submissions in either English or Spanish.

We consider and review all submissions but reserve the right to not publish them. We reserve the right to edit texts and make corrections for reasons of space and/or style. Submissions may be sent to our postal address or via electronic mail to: info@elsollatino.net.

El Sol Latino is published monthly by Coquí Media Group.

El Sol Latino es publicado mensualmente por Coquí Media Group, P.O Box 572, Amherst, MA 01004-0572.

Portada / Front Page

El Sol Latino December 2016

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Clarisa López presenta el libro “Cartas a Karina” por MANUEL FRAU RAMOS El sábado 12 de noviembre se presentó por primera vez en el oeste de Massachusetts el libro Cartas a Karina de Oscar López Rivera. La presentación del libro estuvo a cargo de su hija Clarisa López, frente a un nutrido de personas en el reconocido espacio cultural y político de Holyoke, Salsarengue Restaurant.

Querida Karina, No ha sido fácil escoger un título para estas cartas que pienso enviarte periódicamente desde la cárcel.

La presentación del libro fue parte de la celebración del undécimo aniversario de Salsarengue Restaurant y del duodécimo aniversario del periódico El Sol Latino.

Soy un luchador de 70 años. Hace 32 que estoy encarcelado. No voy a abundar en las razones políticas que me condujeron a este encierro, porque otros ya lo han hecho. Sólo quiero reiterar que respeto la vida por encima de todas las cosas, y que no he lastimado ni lastimaré jamás a ningún ser humano.

Cartas a Karina - Letters from Oscar López Rivera es una colección bilingüe de 19 cartas que el preso político puertorriqueño de 73 años de edad le escribió a su nieta Karina desde la cárcel. Estas fueron escritas durante el 2013 y el 2014, cuando Karina tenía 22 años de edad. Estos años forman parte del período durante el cual Oscar estuvo en confinamiento solitario.

Originalmente, las cartas incluidas en este libro fueron publicadas bajo la sección Las Manos de Cristal (Cartas a Karina) en el periódico de Puerto Rico, El Nuevo Día, y en la Red Nacional Boricua Pro-Derechos Humanos.

Clarisa López, la única hija de Oscar, nació en Chicago en 1971 pero a los pocos meses de nacida sus padres se separaron y ella y su madre regresaron a Puerto Rico, donde se crió. Tiene una maestría en Administración de Empresas de la Universidad de Puerto Rico Río Piedras.

Actualmente trabaja como asesora para el municipio de San Juan.

Karina Valentín López, hija de Clarisa López, nació en el 1991. Posee una Maestría en Biología y un Bachillerato en Matemáticas y Ciencias. Está cursando estudios de Odontología en California.

El prólogo del libro fue escrito por Martín Espada, profesor de la Universidad de Massachusetts – Amherst y poeta internacionalmente reconocido. La edición del libro estuvo a cargo de un grupo compuesto por Mariana McDonald (Coordinadora del Proyecto Cartas A Karina), Fernando Cabanillas (Fundador y portavoz del grupo 32xOscar), Matt Meyer (Representante de War Resisters International y el International Peace Research Association), Ana M. López (Portavoz de la Coordinadora de Nueva York para la Liberación de Oscar) y L. Alejandro Molina (Coordinador de la Red Boricua Nacional Pro Derechos Humanos).

La colección de cartas abarcan un rico tapiz de historia, recuerdos, reflexiones, evaluaciones y exhortaciones. … que cubren una alta gama de temas, desde el llamado del mar a la tortuosa privación sensorial impuesta sistemáticamente a los prisioneros en las instalaciones de seguridad máxima. Describen desde la tranquila localidad de San Sebastián hasta los crudos bloques de apartamentos de Chicago, desde las traviesas aventuras de hermanos hasta los arrozales envenenados e inquietantes de Vietnam.

Clarisa comenzó la charla de la siguiente manera, describiendo el primer encuentro con su padre el 29 de mayo de 1981, “Recuerdo muy bien cuando vi a mi papá, trajeron a mi papá esposado de pies y manos con un mameluco anaranjado. Fue bien difícil abrazar al padre que estaba completamente esposado. Por eso nunca, nunca, nunca me podré olvidar de ese primer encuentro.” Clarisa, quien ya tenía 10 años, había viajado desde Puerto Rico hasta Chicago para ver a Oscar, quien el día antes había sido arrestado y acusado de sedición por sus vínculos con las Fuerzas Armadas de Liberación Nacional de Puerto Rico. En ese momento, Oscar tenía 38 años.

En la primera carta, ‘Las manos en el cristal’, Oscar describe su primer encuentro con su nieta Karina en el verano del 91, a los pocos meses de nacida. No pudo tocar a su nieta y el encuentro fue a través de un cristal, ya que en la prisión de Marion, Ohio, estaba prohibido todo contacto físico con las visitas.

Escribiéndote a ti, cuya niñez y adolescencia irremediablemente me he perdido ya, siento que les hablo a miles de jóvenes puertorriqueños, para quienes mi nombre apenas significa nada.

La primera vez que te vi, en el verano del 91, en la cárcel de Marion, Illinois, donde estaba recluido entonces, fue a través de un cristal. Tú estabas en brazos de tu madre, y movías los ojos con curiosidad. Sin embargo, poco había que ver allí. El cubículo donde se sentaban las visitas era muy estrecho, y había un teléfono a cada lado para que habláramos por él. Clarisa, tu madre, levantó el suyo y me pidió que te dijera algo. Fue la primera vez que escuchaste mi voz y pude ver tu reacción, la extrañeza que te causó comunicarte con ese hombre que empezaba a quererte, pero que no podía besarte, ni susurrarte al oído las promesas de abuelo que te quería cumplir.

A Clarisa le dejaban pasar en el bulto tres pañales y algunas botellas de leche. Había en el área de visitas, tanto del lado de los familiares como del lado de los confinados, cámaras con las que grababan todos nuestros movimientos, pero, irónicamente, nunca me pude tomar una fotografía con mi hija y mi nieta. Siempre me escoltaban tres o cuatro guardias, y estaba encadenado por los pies. Era el único preso que iba tan custodiado al área de visitas.

Se hacía difícil entretenerte mientras estabas en el cubículo de las visitas, así que para distraerte y ayudar a tu madre, que intentaba pasar el mayor tiempo posible conmigo, inventamos un juego peculiar: ponías tus pequeñas manos de bebé en el cristal, y yo también ponía las mías, de modo que coincidieran las cuatro y pudieran «tocarse». Las manos saltaban, se perseguían, se comportaban como arañas envueltas en los hilos invisibles del cariño. No nos tocábamos, el cristal lo impedía, pero surgió un lenguaje especial entre tú y yo; entre las tiernas manos tuyas, Karina, y mis viejas manos, pálidas de encierro, deseosas de poder volar, pero contentas y sumisas cuando tú las acariciabas.

Durante años utilizamos esa danza de las manos para comunicarnos. El tiempo pasaba y tú crecías. No me estaba permitido el contacto físico con mis familiares, por lo tanto en los años que estuve recluido en Marion, no pude besarte, abrazarte, o sentir el roce y el olor de tu pelo. Tampoco el de tu madre, que me despedía con lágrimas, aunque yo sabía contener las mías.

Un día, por fin, me trasladaron a la prisión de Terre Haute, en Indiana.

Allí me comunicaron que podría recibir visitas y tener contacto físico con mis seres queridos. Llegó tu madre contigo y con mi sobrina Wanda. Tú, Karina, tenías sólo siete años. Mi hija y mi sobrina me abrazaron. Tú, en cambio, te paraste frente a mí, levantaste tus manos y las pegaste contra un cristal imaginario, esperando que yo hiciera lo mismo. A tu corta edad, después de tantos años de soportar esa barrera, pensaste que debíamos continuar el juego. Tu madre te dijo: «Ahora puedes tocar a tu abuelo», y tú corriste a abrazarme, nos tocamos por primera vez.

Ese cristal, a pesar de todo, sigue siendo el cómplice entre tú y yo. A través de él, en estas páginas, te seguiré contando mis recuerdos, mis historias presentes, añorada nieta.

Con muchísimo amor, en resistencia y lucha…

Oscar López Rivera

continued on page 7

Portada / Front Page

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El Sol Latino December 2016

Training about Sexuality, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity by MANUEL FRAU RAMOS On November 18, River Valley Counseling Center held an interactive educational training at the Summit View Banquet and Meeting House in Holyoke entitled, “Addressing Human Sexuality, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the Psychotherapeutic Process.”

The main speaker was renowned Dr. Eunice Avilés. She is fully bilingual (English-Spanish), has a doctorate in Clinical Psychology, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a Gender Specialist, a certified Sex educator, and a Certified Sex Therapist. She is a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and is also certified as a Sex Educator by the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts.

More the 100 participants packed the Conference Room at the Summit View in Holyoke. Through this interactive training, attendees who work with the transgender community, and/or who address gender identity issues with their clients, had the opportunity to assess their attitudes and increase their knowledge and competencies about these topics.

Special attention was given to helping participants understand the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity. In addition, the diagnosis of gender dysphoria, as well as evaluation and treatment implications were discussed.

“Recently, there have been many social and legal changes that have resulted in modifications to our health care system. The transgender community has experienced an increase in visibility and has been successful in obtaining rights to receive health care services covered by health insurance plans.

Taking this into consideration, mental health providers are responsible for developing the competencies to support this community. It’s great that River Valley Counseling Center is providing this training to their staff and to other providers in the community,” said Dr. Avilés.

She is also the founder of Transcending Identities, an organization committed to improving the quality of life of the transgender and gender variant individuals through research, professional training and consultation.

This organization is born from the pain, cruelty, lack of attention, disrespect, injustice, and ignorance directed toward the transgender and gender variant community observed by Dr. Eunice Avilés in this last decade of her work.

Dr. Aviles addresses attendees

- Job Description - - Job Description - Latinx and Immigrant Outreach Worker (Part-time, Regular)

Latinx and Immigrant Outreach Worker (Part-time, Regular) Search extented to December 9, 2016.

Search extented to December 9, 2016.

Position Purpose Safe Passage’s Latinx and Immigrant Outreach Worker has primary Position Purpose Safe Passage’s Latinx and Immigrant Outreach Worker has primary responsibility for advancing the access and engagement of members of Latinx and

Immigrant communities by implementing an outreach strategy based in a community responsibility for advancing the access and engagement of members of Latinx and organizing approach.

Immigrant communities by implementing an outreach strategy based in a community

organizing approach.

Reports to: Latinx and Immigrant Advocacy Coordinator

Reports to: Latinx and Immigrant Advocacy Coordinator

Essential Responsibilities

Community Engagement & Outreach

Essential Responsibilities

Support the goal of building capacity within Latinx and Immigrant communities to

identify, support and build safety for survivors of domestic violence through a

Community Engagement & Outreach

comprehensive and strategic outreach plan.

Support the goal of building capacity within Latinx and Immigrant communities to

identify, support and build safety for survivors of domestic violence through a

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Salary commensurate with Safe Passage budget and applicant’s experience.

___________________________________________________ To apply: Send cover letter and resume to spjobs@safepass.org.

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Deadline for applications is December 9, 2016.

For more information about Safe Passage and domestic violence, visit our website at To apply: Send cover letter and resume to spjobs@safepass.org. www.safepass.org. December 9, 2016.

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Marina Lozano, Celimer Dávila, Erika Tobias, Dana Delgado, Eunice Avilés, Angela Lozano Callahan, Dimarie Rodríguez and Millie Colón.

The training included a presentation by Erica Tobias, who shared her story.

Ms. Tobias is a public speaker, transgender advocate, transgender life coach, and a successful businesswoman. In 2015, Erica and her family were the focus of the acclaimed Boston Children’s Museum exhibit, “Mimi’s Family”, a story of a family head by a loving transgender grandmother. Eric played a large role on behalf of her community, advocating for the Massachusetts Transgender Civil Rights legislation which was signed by Governor Charlie Baker in July of 2016.

River Valley Counseling Center, Inc. provides a community-based behavioral health, support and healthcare service to individuals and families. Its culturally competent, skilled and compassionate staff is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people in our community through services delivered with respect and dignity.

Publish your bilingual ad in El Sol Latino!

Call us today at (413) 320-3826

Portada / Front Page Interview with Fernando Mendoza

by MANUEL FRAU RAMOS Fernando Mendoza Ramírez was born in Caracas, Venezuela from a Venezuelan father and a Puerto Rican mother. His mothers family is from the Mayaqüez, San Germán and Ponce area on the island. When Fernando was a week old, he and his mother moved to Mayagüez, Puerto Rico where he lived until he was 4 and a half years old. The family later moved back to Venezuela.

In 1980 Fernando came back to the United States, especifically the Pioneer Valley, looking for new horizons. This transition was made easier due to the fact that he had some family members already living in this area. Fernando’s uncle is Sargeant Rafael Ramírez (deceased), a well-known Puerto Rican Amherst resident that worked in the Continiung Education Program and in The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Program at the University of Massachussets Amherst. Fernando and his wife Moraima Orduno moved to Amherst.

Both Fernando and Moraima enrolled at Greenfield Community College where, at the time, they were the only Hispanics on campus. He got a Liberal Arts degree. In 1985 the family moved to Springfield and enrolled at Westfield State College where Fernando obtained a Bachelor’s Degree with a dual concentration in American and Latin American History.

He later graduated from Cambridge College with a Masters Degree in Education.

Fernando Mendoza

A year later he landed his first job with the Minority Employment Program sponsored by the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.

In 1987, Fernando was hired as the Community Liaison for the mayor’s office in the City of Holyoke under the Martin J. Dunn administration. This job made him one of the first Hispanics to hold a position at the Holyoke City Hall working directly for the mayor. When he occupied this position, Holyoke was in the middle of a significant demographic and political transformation as a result of the Latino population boom that had started in the 70s, especially Puerto Ricans.

El Sol Latino interviewed Fernando to know more about this position in the midst of a critical period in the city’s history: What was the official name of the position and its responsibilities?

In 1987 they offered me the job in the City of Holyoke. I was hired as the Community Liaison for the mayor’s office.

When and why was the position created?

The position was created to serve in the City Clerk office and the Mayor’s office translator, to attend meetings when the mayor was unable to attend, or to go with him to different meetings in the Community and serve as translator. This was made possible thanks to a federal grant known as Gateway City.

Who selected you and why were you selected to fill this position?

I was selected by a group of leaders in the Holyoke Community, all bilinguals… among them, Carlos Vega, Miguel Arce and Orlando Isaza.

El Sol Latino December 2016

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How long did you occupy the position?

The grant was allocated for 3 years and that was the time I served in that position.

Do you think that the Mayor and the City Council valued this position and what it represented for Hispanics?

In my opinion, the City Hall’s leaders never thought the Hispanic community was here to stay, but it took some time and a lot of education from people like James Shea (City Clerk), William Murphy (Administrator of the Community Development Block Grant Program), community organizer Carlos Vega and Tim Barrett (Assistant Superintendent for the Holyoke Public Schools), among others, to make the mayor aware of the new reality in the city of Holyoke.

Why was the position eliminated? In your opinion, what was the impact of not having this position at City Hall? After leaving this position at City Hall, what kind of work did you do?

The position ended after 3 years when the state stopped allocating the money for the position. I was told that there were no more funds for this position. After that I went to work for the Boy Scouts of America, where I was responsible for establishing troops and PACs for the kids in Holyoke. In 1995, I started working as a substitute teacher in the Springfield Public Schools and later worked as a teacher. After 21 years of service, I recently retired from the Springfield Public Schools. I currently work as a tutor at the William Dean Vocational Technical School in Holyoke.

Please tell me what you think were your most important achievements while holding this position. Also, what other things would you have liked to accomplish but were not able to?

I did help to establish and connect with business leaders in the Hispanic Community and the Chamber of Commerce of Holyoke, like Fernandez’s Restaurant and Cuba Supermarket as well as several Pentecostal leaders that were looking for the economic support.

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Portada / Front Page

El Sol Latino December 2016

CPN Launches Major Workforce Development Initiative Springfield, MA - The Community Partners Network (CPN) of Western Massachusetts officially launched a new workforce development initiative with a mission to increase access and opportunities for the employment of women, minorities, and veterans. Initially convened by MGM Springfield to increase diversity in the project’s construction workforce, the collaborative has grown to become a partnership of more than 20 community organizations and building trade partners.

“The CPN is committed to diversity and inclusion, and uses a collaborative approach to effectively enhance the conversation around diversity efforts in western Massachusetts. MGM’s leadership in convening the CPN and in conducting best practices around diversity has allowed us to come together and effectively work on solutions to put minorities, women and veterans to work,” said Wilfredo López, a member of the CPN Steering Committee and representative of CPN partner Neighbor to Neighbor.

The CPN envisions a workforce in western Massachusetts that is reflective of the area’s diversity. The CPN coordinates outreach programming and workforce development initiatives such as work readiness workshops, trainings and union construction information sessions for diverse individuals interested in joining the local building trades.

“The strength of the CPN is the wide array of programs our members offer and the diverse constituents we serve. For the first time, we all are talking with one another on an ongoing basis and utilizing each other’s services,” explained López.

The CPN and MGM are currently working with 208 people who were referred from partners in the network or through the MGM Springfield Construction website. Of those, 61 are union members, 31 new, who were accepted into trade unions with help from the CPN and 30 current union members who were on the bench and not working. 36 individuals have been identified as “ready/eligible for union” and are working with the CPN to be accepted into trade unions.

“The Community Partners Network is the best opportunity for people to connect to Construction Unions and the great wages and benefits they offer.

I am proud to be working with this group, as we partner with MGM Springfield and others to ensure that minorities, women, veterans, and other local residents are afforded opportunities to work at MGM Springfield,”

Desde Puerto Rico para el mundo— "la primera y única emisora de tv con licencia para la historia"

stated Jason Garand, Business Manager of Carpenters Local 108.

The remaining individuals are receiving case management and supportive services, training and education through the CPN partners. Approximately 185 individuals have participated in at least one of the CPN and MGM’s 14 work/union readiness trainings and workshops. The CPN and MGM have also provided free OSHA 10 training and certification to 30 individuals.

“MGM Resorts embraces equality and diversity as key pillars of our corporate philosophy. We are proud to have convened the Community Partners Network and look forward to continuing our work together so that women, minorities and veterans have ample opportunities to participate in the MGM Springfield project,” commented Michael Mathis, President of MGM Springfield.

The CPN’s mission has grown beyond just assisting MGM on the Springfield project, and now focuses on increasing diversity in the larger construction workforce in the region and working with other employers on diversity goals.

Moving forward, the CPN’s priorities include: 1) providing employers with the most qualified and prepared western Massachusetts candidates, 2) advocating for the commitment of employers to diversify their workforce, 3) assisting in diversifying the local construction workforce, 4) increasing the public awareness of the available opportunities and work of the CPN, and 5) expanding the impact of the CPN through increased membership.

“The CPN has been doing incredible work to help MGM Springfield meet and exceed its diversity commitments in the construction workforce and we look forward to continuing this progress with other projects and employers throughout the region,” said López.

The launch event took place in the Mahogany Room of the Sheraton Springfield. Representatives from the Governor’s Office, Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Springfield City Council and local building trades also participated.

“I represent a city where the minority is the majority. Diversifying the workforce means bringing back jobs to the City of Springfield. I commend the CPN and MGM for their commitment to the members of our community,” stated Springfield Ward One City Council, and CPN member Adam Gomez.

Jeroton Clown Music, Games, Balloons and Much More...

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Portada / Front Page

El Sol Latino December 2016

Clarisa López presenta el libro “Cartas a Karina”

continued from page 3

Las siguientes organizaciones cooperaron y trabajaron juntas para hacer posible este evento - El Sol Latino, Salsarengue Restaurant & Seafood, Puerto Rican Cultural Project, Hispanic American Library, Inc. - Grito de Lares, Springfield Puerto Rican Parade, La Familia Hispana, Inc., y New England Caucus of Puerto Rican Elected and Appointed Officials.

El libro fue publicado por el Proyecto Cartas A Karina, 2016. La pintura en la portada del libro es de Oscar López Rivera y el diseño de L. Alejandro Molina.

Pueden conseguir mas información para apoyar la liberación de Oscar en las siguientes organizaciones – 32xOscar (32xoscar@gmail.com), Comité Pro Derechos Humanos de Puerto Rico (ungritoporoscar@gmail.com), Free Oscar López Rivera Now Coalition (freedomforoscarlopeznow@gmail.com) y el National Boricua Human Rights Network (info@boricuahumanrights.org).

Ana López, Clarisa López, Nepher Rodríguez

Clarisa López y Manuel Frau Ramos

Clarisa López y José Bou

Lucila J. Santana, Clarisa López y Adam Gómez

Empieza Aquí DÍA.

7

NOCHE. EN LÍNEA.

LAS CLASES COMIENZAN EL 23 DE ENERO.

¡MATRICÚLATE AHORA! www.hcc.edu

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¿Qué Pasa en...?

El Sol Latino December 2016

Holyoke

El Poder de la Lectura en la Escuela Sullivan El grupo de maestros de tercer grado de la Escuela Elemental Lt. Clayre Sullivan organizó una actividad sobre lectura y escritura el pasado 21 de octubre.

En el evento participó, como invitado especial, el editor del periódico El Sol Latino, Manuel Frau Ramos, quien habló de su posición en nuestra comunidad y cómo su trabajo impacta la comunidad hispana. Manuel le habló a los estudiantes sobre la importancia de la lectura y el poder de las palabras en los medios de comunicación.

Como parte de este encuentro, algunos de los estudiantes del tercer grado tuvieron la oportunidad de ser seleccionados para leer en voz alta una o varias páginas del libro Tell Me a Scary Story … But Not TOO Scary escrito por Carl Reiner con ilustraciones de James Bennet.

Después de finalizada la lectura del libro, los estudiantes formaron pequeños grupos donde hicieron actividades de escritura acerca del libro.

Wistariahurst Museum: December Events

Los maestros participantes fueron Mrs. T. Lariviere. Ms. A. Enright, Mr. T. Fisher y Mrs. D. Cartagena.

Nutcracker and Sweets: Friday – December 16, 2016 • 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Friday – December 16, 2016 • 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Saturday – December 17, 2016 • 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Saturday – December 17, 2016 • 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Saturday – December 17, 2016 • 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Sunday – December 18, 2016 • 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Sunday – December 18, 2016 • 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Sunday – December 18, 2016 • 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Join us for one of Holyoke’s most beloved holiday traditions as the Massachusetts Academy of Ballet presents Nutcracker & Sweets at Wistariahurst!

This unique, historical interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet is presented through narration and dance, in the historic setting of Wistariahurst. Student dancers perform the magical story with a local historical twist and lively choreography.

Seating is limited and advanced ticket purchases are required.

Please note, credit cards cannot be processed over the phone. Online ordering is the best way to ensure your date and time preferences.

Seating at the event will be assigned based on arrival time. All members of a party must be present in order to be seated together. Saving seats will not be not permitted.

Tyler Delgado y Manuel Frau Ramos

Please note that tickets and seating have been updated for 2016 Contact Information: Wistariahurst Museum - 238 Cabot Street - Holyoke, MA 01040 Phone: (413) 322-5660 • info@wistariahurst.org

Veanos@www.issuu.com/elsollatino

Estudiantes de 3 grado Julián Orvieto - Fasoli y Eliana Robles

¿Qué Pasa en...?

El Sol Latino December 2016

Holyoke Reconocimiento a Magdaly Martínez

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La Familia Hispana Inc. reconoció a Magdaly Martínez, Trabajadora Social en el Centro de Edad Avanzada de Holyoke, por sus años de servicios a la comunidad.

El evento se llevó a cabo el 1ro de noviembre del 2016 durante el izamiento de la bandera de Puerto Rico frente a la alcaldía de Holyoke.

Alex, Morse, alcalde de Holyoke leyendo la Proclama de Reconocimiento a Magdaly Martínez. Al fondo, Diosdado López, presidente de La Familia Hispana, Inc.

El Sol Latino May 2014 9 1/8 x 5 3/8 Los cuatro representantes boricuas en el City Council de Holyoke – de izquierda a derecha - Gladys Lebrón Martínez, Nelson Román, Jossie Valentín y Diosdado López

Asistentes al izamiento de la bandera de Puerto Rico y reconocimiento a Magdaly Martínez.

Your community radio station, broadcasting 24/7 from the campus of Springfield Technical Community College

www.wtccfm.org WTCC is your source for music - from salsa to R&R oldies, gospel to jazz, R&B to bluegrass, Motown and more, as well as Ecos del Ritmo, Cantares Latino-Americanos, and Club House Dance Music plus local talk shows with local hosts discussing local issues.

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Portada / Front Page

El Sol Latino December 2016

Future Social Response to Disparities in Springfield, Massachusetts

by WALTER MULLIN, Ph.D. and MIGUEL ARCE

What will happen to individuals and families living in poverty in Springfield and Holyoke, Massachusetts, on January 20, 2017 when Donald J. Trump takes his inaugural oath to be the 45th President of the United States of America and the Republican Party controls both the Senate and the House of Representatives? In 2011, in Springfield, there were 12 census tracts.

Seven of these tracts and an additional four census tracts in Holyoke have been identified as having “concentrated poverty” where at least 40 percent of the residents live in poverty. (Goonan, The Republican, November 03, 2011). These tracts also have high concentrations of African Americans and Hispanics. For those 41,453 people in extreme poverty, poverty is not a “mere inconvenience”.

While it is impossible to know how the new federal administration will address poverty, the statements by Mr. Trump and other Republicans give clues to their beliefs and plans. For people living in poverty, it appears there will be changes in health care benefits, education, food assistance, energy assistance, early childhood education and unemployment benefits.

In considering the future for those 41,453 in Springfield and Holyoke struggling financially, it is worthwhile to ask the questions: “When the politicians talk about people in poverty, do they know who these people are?

Do they know that the majority of people in poverty in the United States are children, elders, and disabled? Do they know that even poor adults have jobs, some of which do not provide a living wage? Do they also know that the vast majority of unemployed people are desperately trying to find a way to work? Recent political statements by Mr. Trump and other Republican politicians have been full of innuendo that supports an opinion that people in poverty are dependent and unwilling to work or care for themselves while cheating the government. Holding this belief is a way of invalidating the lives of the millions in our nation who live in poverty.

The Atlantic magazine recently ran an article with the title “Things are about to get much worse for poor Americans”. They drew their analysis from Donald Trump’s rhetoric but suggested that he will most likely follow the proposed agenda of Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House. Based on all this, what might unfold? Healthcare is an example of how this seems to be leaning.

Changes in insuring that all people have access to healthcare Living in poverty is stressful and this stress can contribute to major medical issues. It appears certain that people in poverty will loose some access to healthcare. Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick? is a four-hour documentary series, that was broadcast nationally on PBS in spring 2008.

It explored how class and racism impact one’s health in a major way. The series demonstrated how lack of access to power and resources can get under the skin and disrupt human biology as surely as germs and viruses.

Those at the top of the class pyramid average longer, healthier lives, while those at the bottom are the most disempowered, get sicker more often and die sooner.

Several major public health challenges confront people in poverty. Large disparities in infant mortality rates persist in Springfield as well in the United States as a whole. Infants born to black women are 1.5 to 3 times more likely to die. (Frieden, 2011, CDC Health Disparities and inequalities report—United States, 2011, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the number of babies who died in the Springfield area went from 25 in 2010 to 44 in 2011.Springfield currently ranks fourth highest in HIV/AIDS cases in Massachusetts. In Western Massachusetts, the number of Latinos living with the disease is 23 times that of white individuals. Twenty five percent (25%) of the people living with HIV/ HIV/AIDS in the state are Hispanic even though Hispanics only make up 6% of the population (www.wwlp.com/ news/local/hampden/raising-latino-awareness-of-hiv-aids).

The health needs of those living in poverty and the seriousness of the medical conditions demonstrate the need for increased, weighty, sustained action. In spite of this, it is almost certain that Obamacare benefits will be cut, and the entire plan may be dismantled. Paul Ryan’s plan, “A Better Way”, calls for reducing some Medicaid benefits. People who may have been unable to afford health insurance before, and now, have at least some benefits may find themselves again without coverage.

What else do we know?

On June 17, 2015, Donald Trump was stumped when Conservative commentator Sean Hannity asked “So you become President, you talked about new trade deals; you talk about the importance of balancing a budget, not cutting Social Security entitlements. How quickly can you get 46 million Americans off food stamps and 50 million Americans off poverty?” Give me the four things that you would do immediately to jump start the economy”.

Trump responded “No, it’s not a question of things. It’s a question of incentives. We have to create incentives. We have to restructure our tax system so that people create incentives. You can do zones. You can do lots of different things to get people to work. We have to change – I mean, we have a very massive change coming up because this country cannot sustain itself. It just can’t.”

The building blocks to an apparent plan are hidden in the vagueness of this response but clearly the changes in tax law are apparent. The theory, here again, is that by cutting taxes, businesses make more profits and they may or may not use that money to grow their profits and then hire new employees if they want. This allegedly might leads to more employment opportunities and maybe some people in poverty will be hired.

Who are the poor and who are the rich? Who is in the middle? We are all in this together but we do not benefit when we work to make one part of our population suffer as we demean them. On the Hannity program, Trump was not able to specify his administration’s response to 50 million Americans basic human needs. If this is true, Trump fails to see our common humanity.

Trump and the Republicans do not understand our collective realities.

There is nothing inevitable about poverty. Trump and the Republican controlled government need to enact the policies that will increase economic security for those who have been left out.

Walter Mullin and Miguel Arce

Walter Mullin, PhD (wmullin@springfieldcollege.edu) is a Professor at the School of Social Work at Springfield College. Miguel Arce MSW (marce@ springfieldcollege.edu) is an Associate Professor at the School of Social work at Springfield College.

Opinión / Opinion

El Sol Latino December 2016

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¡Oye. . . It’s Not Our Fault! The Latino Presidential Vote in Philadelphia

by ISRAEL “IZZY” COLÓN • The NiLP Report (November 18, 2016) Las Quejas . . . I won’t tell you my age but let’s just say I’ve been around long enough to survive the atrocious Republican policies of the Nixon administration, the so-called Reagan revolution, and the administrations of the Bush family. In that time, I don’t recall ever witnessing the type of confusing post-election disarray we are experiencing after the recent November 8th Presidential. Given a Trump presidency, I understand the panic and hysteria generated by the dangerous threats his victory and policies pose to the livelihood of Americans and to Latinos, people of color and those on the economic fringes of our society.

What I have difficulty digesting is the reaction by some Democrats, political pundits, and others as they try to explain to us (particularly those of us who voted for her) WHY Hillary Clinton and the Democrats lost. Unfortunately, it’s become a virtual BLAME-GAME. Since November 8th, critics, major media outlets and party surrogates have been busy presenting their rationale(s) for her loss. Nadie se escape . . . They blame: • White women for not giving Clinton the anticipated edge the campaign counted on. (She lost the women’s vote 52% to 48%).

• FBI Director Comey for suppressing the vote with his letters to Congress...

Philadelphia (PA) is a city of 1.567 million, considered the bastion of the Democratic party. Democrats outnumber Republicans by a ratio of 7 to 1.

The Philadelphia Latino community comprises 14% in a city where 45% are African American, 44% are White, and 7% are of Asian ancestry. As in other cities in the northeast, Latinos face serious challenges.

More than two-thirds of Latinos in Philadelphia are Puerto Ricans. While they’ve made much progress, they still face high unemployment rates and experience the highest rate of concentrated poverty of any racial/ethnic group in the city. Over the last three decades, we’ve witnessed a community that has been resilient, fighting discriminatory policies, social and economic injustices, while building grassroots coalitions and viable educational and community-based institutions.

Politically, the overwhelming majority of Latinos are registered Democrats, and the geographic concentration of a core sector of the community has enabled greater political representation. Currently, the community is represented by two state House representatives and one district councilperson. All three are Latino, and two of the three elected officials are women.

• Bernie Sander supporters despite polls in September indicating 3 in 4 supporters had pledged their vote to Clinton.

• The millennial coalition Obama created (that just didn’t translate to Clinton.)

• The White working class • African Americans for not turning out in the numbers they did for Obama.

• A Low share of the Latino vote • The Media.

• The DNC and the candidacy of Hillary Clinton • El Chupacabra (only kidding!)

The exhaustive list of complaints goes on ad infinitum. Somehow my gut tells me that her loss can be attributed to elements touching on all the above mentioned (a conversation for another day.) But for now, I am more concerned with correcting the misguided assumptions and conclusions about the Latino vote that are circulating the mainstream and social media.

A recent exit poll showing Clinton garnering 65% of the Latino vote to Trump’ s 29% is implicitly shaping a narrative about “poor” Latino performance that should be challenged and discredited. Latino Decisions recently did a decent job through their own comprehensive poll showing Clinton received 79% of the Latino vote compared to Trump’s 18%. The results of the third survey are more consistent with our local Latino experience in Philadelphia. Allow me to illustrate The Political Backdrop To some, except for the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has been characterized as the “Alabama of the North” (hope you get the get my drift).

Politically, though, the state has a Democrat as Governor who must wage battles with both houses of a Republican-controlled legislature, although Pennsylvania Democrats have a 27% edge in voters over Republicans.

Forty-eight percent (48%) of all registered voters are Democrats, 38% are Republican, and 13% represent other parties. For Democrats Pennsylvania, has been a pivotal state (not necessarily a battle-ground state as its often described) with a winner-take-all 20 electoral votes up for grabs. Democratic Presidential candidates have succeeded in winning the state since 1996. In effect, Hillary’s loss in Pennsylvania is the first time a Democratic Presidential candidate loses Pennsylvania in 20 years!

Results: Philadelphia Latino Voter Performance in the 2016 Election We can project how Latinos voted by focusing on political subdivisions (wards) with significant majority Latino residents. For purposes of this sample this analysis reviewed four (4) wards that combined had a majority Latino population of 67% of its residents. Additionally, these wards geographically cover the highest concentration of Puerto Ricans in the city.

The population includes close to 52,000 registered voters - 84% were Democrats, 5% were Republicans, and 8% were either registered unaffiliated independents or members of other political parties. Latinos are extremely loyal Democrats outnumbering Republicans by a ratio of over 10 to 1, which is significantly higher than that of registered voters citywide.

Surprisingly, the turnout rates for this sampling could signal a historic new precedent. In past presidential elections, voter performance in these wards has historically ranged between 40 and 48%. But this year, in these wards, about 32,000 voters out of a potential electorate of 52000 showed up at the polls. That’s an astounding 62% turnout. This means Latino turnout closely mirrored the 65% city wide turnout. More revealing, Clinton captured an average of 92% of the Latino vote to Trump’s 7%. This contrasts with Clinton’s citywide performance where she garnered 82% of the vote to Trump’s 15%.

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Opinión / Opinion

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El Sol Latino December 2016

¡Oye. . . It’s Not Our Fault! The Latino Presidential Vote in Philadelphia

continued from page 11

Don’t know yet, but what is certain is that of all the possible reasons for the failure of the Hillary campaign and the DNC to recapture the White House, the Latino vote was not one of them. At least not in our Philadelphia community. The truth is, their failure is NOT OUR FAULT! Like they use to say when I was a child growing up in the Lower East Side Barrio of New York: “No me incluyan en su revolú -- Alla, Uds que son blancos, que se entiendan.”

Tabla 2 It’s too early to come to accurate and informed conclusions as to what drove a dramatic increase in Latino voter participation in this year’s Presidential election. Was it fear of a Trump administration? Was it the mysticism of the Clinton dynasty? Did Latina women outperform beyond traditional expectations? Or is this sample of voter behavior an outlier defying traditional Latino voting patterns?

Israel “Izzy”Colon is a longtime activist in Philadelphia who has served as the city Director of Multicultural Affairs and was the chief of staff to the first Puerto Rican City Councilmen, Angel Ortiz. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP). He can be reached at colon.izzy@gmail.com. _______________________________________________________________ The NiLP Report on Latino Policy & Politics is an online information service provided by the National Institute for Latino Policy. For further information, visit www.latinopolicy. org. Send comments to editor@ latinopolicy.org.

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Opinión / Opinion A Call to Action by J’ANTHONY SMITH After months of campaigning, hours of advertisement, and the last minutes of anticipation, the votes have finally been set in stone. Donald J. Trump has taken his place on the thrown. The “Silent Majority” has spoken.

Xenophobia, Nationalism, Racism, Islamophobia, and Hatred are now the face of the country.

His campaign was built upon nothing but hate. Targeting minoritized groups that exist in the U.S. Latino’s, Muslims, Blacks, and the poor have all become nothing more than punching bags for Trump’s verbal beatings. So what will his presidency have in store for the minoritized communities of the United States of America? What exactly will be his first action to “Make America Great Again”? Is it a wall? A band on Muslims? A cut on welfare? Or is it going to be greater than that? When the signs come down, the confetti is swept up, and the curtains closed what will truly change for the people, the true people - the people who are homeless on the streets, the mothers who struggle on welfare, the kids who wear the same clothes to school, the teens forced to sell drugs to provide income, the countless faces falling victim to police violence, the prisoners stripped of rights, the people who struggle with drug addiction, and the people at the bottom of America’s race, class, religion, and gender hierarchy.

We have chosen our newest oppressor and will now have to face the music over the next four years. With a slot open in the Supreme Court, a republican controlled senate, and a billionaire in the white house. America will be seeing major changes. Now, more than ever, is the consciousness of our youth needed. A wave of social consciousness needs to take place among the youth. A coup is taking place on our democracy, and we must safeguard it. We are the ones who will be growing up under their policy, living under their policy, and our lives will be shaped by their policy. We need to speak up and fight for our own interests not the interests of those who don’t relate to our living standards, our culture, our identities, and our struggles. The faces of the politicians don’t reflect the faces that I see on an everyday basis. These politicians aren’t with me when I see the everyday faces of the people, the true people, the ones who truly keep America going.

In reality, these politicians are nothing like you and I. They live much different lives from us. They live a life untouched by the everyday problems of everyday people.

As American citizens we need to think back to a different day that faced similar problems. In the late 19th century, Americans found themselves encased in an era known as the “Gilded Age”. Gilded means thinly covered with gold. This was the case with the U.S at that point in time. From the outside. America seemed the land of opportunity yet the inside was festering

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with corruption due to the increasing control of big business on politics. The government had taken a laissez-faire approach, which was an approach in which the government was strictly hands off from economical affairs. This approach, of course, only responded to the needs of the wealthy. Today our politicians are the wealthy. A billionaire was running against a millionaire; and the billionaire won. Trump compromised an entire political party without killing a single person. He did it by using his resources. He has become the president virtually overnight.

Before the election Trump held no public service office. He has no political experience and yet in January he’ll be the 45th president. In a way, it’s disgusting to say that we’ve let things come this far. The Trump name is now forever bleached into the history of the U.S government. There is no going back from tonight. Now we need to organize. The fight has officially begun.

We the people need to stand up for ourselves and push for initiatives, referendums, and recall of political officials. We need to expand and exercise our rights as voters. We need to organize and fight against decisions made by politicians that don’t reflect our interests. We need to dismantle the corrupt ties between the three branches of government, political parties, the media, and big business. We need to truly fight to represent the interest of our future. The children of the 90’s, the minoritized of the U.S, and the nation’s poor need to organize. We need to organize for our children, for our grandchildren, for our brothers, our sisters, our friends, our loved ones, but most importantly we need to do it for our well-being.

Individually, our votes don’t count. They never will. But in the numbers, which potentially could reach millions, we could change a lot. We could decide local elections, decide state elections, and if concentrated and organized enough we can decide federal elections. We need to take what is rightfully ours.

It is our time to instate a government for the people by the people. We are the people and we are whom the government is supposed to represent so we must battle everyday to make sure that this happens. The moment we choose to throw away our right to vote is the day we throw away our only safeguard from the grip of a plutocracy, oligarchies, and tyranny. We cannot allow the repression of the system bring fear to our hearts. As Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.“ If we allow fear to control our actions we will have already lost the fight for a democracy that reflects the interests of everyone. We cannot allow ourselves to be subdued by fear brought to us by the ruling class. We must work tirelessly to make sure that our government reflects our interests. We must do this for the sake of our future, our well-being, our democracy, and for the sake of our survival.

J’ANTHONY SMITH lives in Holyoke- (smithh251@gmail.com).

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Libros / Books

El Sol Latino December 2016

Pecado por LAURA RESTREPO • Alfaguara, (Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial, USA), 2016. 396 páginas. ¿Cuál es la diferencia entre lo bueno y lo malo? y ¿cuándo se traspasa la frontera entre los dos? y si se traspasa, ¿lo bueno puede convertirse en lo malo o lo malo puede convertirse en lo bueno?

Este es el tema que explora la autora colombiana Laura Restrepo en su recién publicado Pecado que, según dice, no es ni novela ni colección de cuentos cortos. En una entrevista* con Carmiña Navia Velasco. Restrepo dice que con este libro ha ensayado “una nueva estructura, más suelta de escribir una novela. Tomé un argumento central y lo hice recorrer todo el libro: la peculiar relación que cada uno de los protagonistas tiene con el mal...”.

La obra empieza con un prefacio titulado Pecata mundi (1) en que se refiere a la famosa pintura de El jardín de las delicias del pintor neerlandés Hieronymus Bosch, tríptico que muestra el Paraíso a la izquierda, la Tierra en el centro, y el Infierno a la derecha. La pintura es la inspiración del rey Felipe Segundo que cree que “su propia misión es hacer eco de la voluntad de Dios, encabezando la cruzada contra el peccatum y defendiendo a sangre y fuego la causa de la vera religión.” Pero la autora plantea la pregunta: ¿todo lo que hizo la Inquisición era bueno simplemente porque lo hizo con el propósito de defender la religión verdadera? A los lectores, se les plantea la tesis: “El castigo es la otra cara del pecado; su reproducción exacta pero invertida. Por otro lado, placer y pecado son equivalentes. Ergo, ¿placer y castigo son intercambiables?” En el corazón del libro hay siete cuentos que exploran esta tesis.

Como en todos los cuentos, nos los narra una “yo” a otros que están presentes y aquéllos escuchan y comentan lo que oyen. Casi siempre el narrador no es el protagonista. Por ejemplo, en el primer cuento “Las Susanas en su paraíso,” la “yo” es indígena de San Tarsicio, un paraíso al que las Susanas, madre e hijas Alma, Diana e Irina, llegan cada año de vacaciones. En el momento del cuento, las hijas ya han madurado, se han casado y tienen sus propias familias, pero siguen yendo al paraíso cada año sólo la madre Susana con sus tres hijas. El Nenito, indígena del paraíso, es pescador y “trabaja además como casero para las Susanas.” Diana se fija en que “De la noche a la mañana, el Nenito se había convertido en un varejón de hombre” y dentro de poco ella cede a la tentación. A los dos los encuentran desnudos haciendo el amor, la madre Susana y sus dos otras hijas. Entonces...

En “La promesa,” la yo narradora es la protagonista Ana. Su padre Perucho abandonó a la familia cuando ella tenía sólo tres años. Odia a su madre y fantasea con reunirse con su papá. Al graduarse del colegio, se va a vivir con él: “Empecé a vivir con mi padre una especie de rutina de días apacibles y noches de mucho sexo...” Dice que, “Yo no me sentía incómoda con lo que estaba pasando. Yo era básicamente una muchacha enamorada, enamorada perdida de ese hombre...” Hasta que un día...

El próximo cuento trata de Arcángel, nombre que “adoptó para hacer maldades” el protagonista de “Lindo y malo, ese muñeco.” Vive en un arrabal pobre y violento en donde “La autoridad no metía la nariz...ni que hablar de un médico.” Siempre llevaba la mano derecha vendada “de tanto hacer daño”. Sin embargo, cuida de su madre y de sus hermanos menores, diciendo: “un televisor a color bien vale una vida...si aquél tiene, por qué mi madre no: es mi derecho robarlo para dárselo a ella, y si el precio que pago es morirme, me sale barato.” Vive atormentado. Duerme de día, con

las luces puestas, “Si no es así, las pesadillas se lo tragan vivo.” Un día, a las tres de la madrugada, le llega noticia increíble: que su madre se encuentra en su bata “en la olla más podrida, el último rincón del infierno...”.

Escandalizado y atolondrado, el Arcángel acude para allá y lo que ve y lo que oye es...

En “Olor a rosas invisibles”, el yo narrador cuenta que el protagonista Luis, ahora ya con edad, felizmente casado y exitoso hombre de negocios, recibe una llamada telefónica de Eloísa, la novia desde ya hace cuarenta años cuando los dos, estudiantes entonces, se encontraban en Italia. Se les trastornan la mente y las emociones al recordar aquel noviazgo. Eloísa ahora propone que se reúnan en Nueva York. Luis se da cuenta “de su propio deterioro: de la creciente falibilidad de sus erecciones, de la catástrofe de sus muelas, de sus debilidades de carácter, de su hipocondría cada vez más consolidada.” Sin embargo acepta la invitación, se reúnen y....

Marcos, mejor conocido por el seudónimo “La Viuda,” es el protagonista de Pelo de elefante.” Lo emplean para asesinar con su hacha a “enemigos de prestancia” y después “les hacen llegar la cabeza a los familiares, empacada en papel de seda y con moño de cinta roja.” Para hacer su oficio, La Viuda dice que “yo pienso en nada el instante de la descarga.” No conoce a la víctima y no quiere conocerla. Hasta que un día, “Una muchacha hermosa detiene su auto en un semáforo en rojo, y a partir de ahí, soy yo [Marcos] el que pierde la cabeza.” La joven está enferma y le pide que le maneje el carro a su casa.

Lo hace y después se entera de que quieren que mate a su padre, El Pez Gordo. Descubre que la joven tiene una enfermedad y necesita que su padre la cuide. ¿Lo asesina o no?

En la historia El Siríaco Nemérodes, o sea Olibrios el Influyente, el dueño de todo, teme que aparezca el tercer presagio porque después viene la destrucción. Ya han tenido dos presagios. Busca a Siríaco Estilista que “vive en lo alto de una columna a las afueras del pueblo.” Tiene “el tufo de santidad.” Si baja de su columna, peca. Lo van a tentar con una mujer.

Si peca, vendría el tercer presagio y empezará el reino de Gebrayel, El Temible. Entonces...

La yo narradora de “Amor sin Pies ni Cabeza es una periodista que va a entrevistarse con Emma, una prisionera que mató a su esposo abusador.

El público se escandalizó porque después de matarlo, lo descuartizó “con pasmosa sangre fría.” Por esto recibió una condena bien severa. Pero cuando la periodista le preguntó por qué lo hizo descubre que el verdadero motivo fue...

Se cierra el libro volviendo a la pintura en el museo donde ahora el tríptico se encuentra cerrado “como las páginas de un libro prohibido:” “El jardín de las delicias guarda silencio: oculta sus secretos. No hay llave ni clave, sólo la Tierra suspendida en su propia incógnita, moto de polvo en un rayo de sol.”

La autora ha rescatado la obra maestra de Hieronymus Bosch para explorar en diversas situaciones lo que es lo bueno y cuando esto llega a ser lo malo; y también al revés, cuando lo malo llega a ser lo bueno. A veces se borra la diferencia entre lo bueno y lo malo. En El Siríaco, escribe que “El Bien y el Mal conviven indistintamente” y “al no tener bordes, las cosas se tornan en sus opuestos.”

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Salud / Health

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Cómo Tratar los Piojos Resistentes a los Medicamentos Según la Academia Americana de Pediatría (AAP), millones de niños en edad escolar se infestan con piojos en la cabeza cada año. Los piojos son insectos que invaden el cabello y se alimentan con pequeñas cantidades de sangre del cuero cabelludo. En general se depositan en la cabeza y el cuello, y adhieren sus huevos a la base del tallo del cabello. Si bien es un problema principalmente en los niños, puede afectar a cualquiera.

Consejos para la prevención Los piojos se mantienen cerca del cuello cabelludo porque para sobrevivir necesitan estar a una cierta temperatura corporal. Como no pueden saltar, en general se transmiten por contacto directo de cabeza a cabeza.

Si bien es poco común que se pasen de la ropa de una persona a otra, hay maneras para reducir la posibilidad de que su hijo se contagie:

En 2015 se recibieron informes de piojos “mutantes” que se han hecho resistentes a los productos de venta libre utilizados normalmente, e incluso a algunos medicamentos bajo receta. Massachusetts es uno de los 25 estados donde se han observado estos piojos mutantes.

• Dígale a su hijo que no comparta sus gorros, bufandas o abrigos con nadie.

• Mantenga su cabello relativamente corto o atado, para prevenir el contacto de cabello a cabello.

• No comparta prendas como gorros, bufandas, abrigos, uniformes deportivos, cintas para el cabello.

• No comparta peines, cepillos o toallas.

A continuación, el Dr. Michael Klatte, especialista de enfermedades infecciosas en Baystate Children’s Hospital, describe cómo proteger a su hijo de los piojos y explica una manera segura y efectiva de eliminar todo tipo de piojos sin productos químicos agresivos. ¿Cómo se contagian?

A medida que empezamos a usar gorras y bufandas en la estación fría, los niños comienzan a jugar más tiempo adentro. Este es el momento en que se pueden observar piojos en la cabeza. No obstante, si bien es más común que se diseminen en los meses del otoño y el invierno, pueden aparecer en cualquier momento del año.

Los piojos no tienen nada que ver con falta de higiene o una casa sucia.

La manera de contagio principal es por contacto de cabeza a cabeza.

Además, los piojos solo se pueden contagiar por contacto entre seres humanos. No se pueden transmitir de animales a seres humanos o viceversa.

El síntoma más común de los piojos es comezón en el cuero cabelludo, sobre todo detrás de las orejas y en la base del cuello. La mejor manera de ver si hay piojos es separando el cabello de su hijo y examinando el cuero cabelludo. Fíjese si hay pequeños puntos blancos o amarillentos firmemente adheridos a los tallos del cabello. Estos son liendres, o huevos de los piojos. Puede ser más difícil ver los piojos adultos, porque son pequeños y se alejan rápidamente cuando se les expone a la luz. Es importante que examine al resto de la familia.

No se recomienda tomar medidas de higiene excesivas, como aplicar plaguicidas domésticos. No obstante, puede tomar otras medidas razonables, como lavar las fundas de las almohadas y tratar los peines y cepillos de cerdas naturales que puedan haberse puesto en contacto con el cabello de cualquier persona infestada. ¿Cómo se pueden eliminar los piojos mutantes?

Se ha demostrado que el método del Cetaphil elimina estos piojos resistentes. Cetaphil es un limpiador suave de venta libre para la piel. Un estudio realizado en 2004 demostró que elimina estos piojos mutantes con una tasa de éxito del 96 al 97 por ciento. Este tratamiento funciona porque sofoca a los piojos. Para obtener mejores resultados, siga los siguientes pasos para hacerse tres tratamientos con una semana de separación: • Primero aplique una cantidad abundante de limpiador Cetaphil al cuero cabelludo seco, hasta que esté completamente saturado con el limpiador.

• Séquese el pelo con una secadora hasta que esté completamente seco.

• Deje el limpiador en el cabello por 8 horas o más.

• Repita tres veces, dejando pasar una semana entre cada tratamiento.

Los piojos pueden aguantar hasta 8 horas sin respirar, así que para que este método sofoque los piojos de forma efectiva es importante que se deje en el cabello por más de 8 horas.

Fuente: Baystate Medical Center

Pecado continued from previous page Restrepo recurre a la historia del pasado a buscar ejemplos y a la vez relaciona aquéllos con unos más bien contemporáneos. Por ejemplo, cita alusiones desde la época de “los gladiadores romanos” hasta lo contemporáneo, mencionando alusiones a Médicos sin Fronteras, Red Bull, y “que los Brangelinos están por divorciarse.” Así demuestra que la discusión sobre el tema de lo que es lo bueno y lo malo está tan vigente hoy en día como en el pasado remoto.

El libro es ricamente temático, y aun toca un tema de hoy en día: el papel de las mujeres y el de los hombres. Critica tradicionales actitudes machistas, burlándose de éstas al decir irónicamente que “éstos no son tiempos ni lugares que tengan a las mujeres en cuenta” y “las mujeres detrás, donde corresponde.” En Amor sin pies ni cabeza, Emma afirma que “Pegarle a una mujer no es juego ni es seducción, es una bellaquería y una maldad.”

Critica también a los hombres que no cumplen con sus responsabilidades: “Por estas comunas no se estilan padres, todos se largan para no volver.”

Apunta también a la hipocresía de aquéllos que supuestamente son modelos de la santidad cuando dice que Siríaco curó “de sífilis al obispo.”

Bien hecho es el uso de punto de vista. Muchas veces el narrador está

contando y casi siempre alguien interrumpe para preguntar algo más bien irrelevante a la historia, produciendo así toques de humor. En Olor a rosas invisibles, el narrador cuenta que allá en visita de las pirámides de El Cairo, él besó a su novia y uno de sus oyentes le dice “--Sé preciso ...¿Frente a cuál de las pirámides la besaste...?”

Y en Las Susanas en su paraíso, cuando la Susana Media le pide a El Nenito que la lleve a la abandonada Isla Narakas también conocid como “la propia boca del infierno,” a él se le ponen los pelos de punta. Le interrumpe a la narradora comentando que, “Eso es un decir. Nada pone de punta unos pelos tan ensortijados” como los de El Nenito.

En una entrevista con la autora publicada en La Jornada (mayo de 2016), Mónica Mateos-Vega explica que en esta obra Restrepo “no pretende dar respuestas sino inquietar al lector, sumirlo en la perplejidad al enfrentarlo con su propia moral.” www.elpais.com.co/elpais/cultura/noticias/laura-restrepo-habla-sobre-sunueva-novela-pecado. Reseña de Cathleen C. Robinson, profesora jubilada de español y de la historia de América Latina.

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Portada / Front Page

El Sol Latino December 2016

THE PUERTO RICAN CULTURAL PROJECT AND THE HOLYOKE PUBLIC LIBRARY PRESENT:

on Main St. December 10, 2016 7:00 p.m.

Holyoke War Memorial 310 Appleton St, Holyoke

Tickets at the door and at Holyoke Public Library

Adults $10.00

18 and under FREE more info: (413) 420-8101 library@holyoke.org

Los Cantores del Coquí - Shanira “La Reinita que Canta” Pedro Álvarez - tenor Charlie Berrios - Axel Cabrera “La Voz Kids”