La Gente Winter 2013 Rebirth Issue by LA GENTE NEWSMAGAZINE

REBIRTH Winter 2013 Vol. 43 Issue 2

De la cรกrcel a la clase No Contract, No Peace

UCLA Fails the Test

PAGE 6

PAGE 17

PAGE 15

Songbird Soars from the Eastside PAGE 21 Winter 2013 LA GENTE 1

LA GENTE Letter from the Editor VOL. 43 ISSUE 2

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Helen Alonzo

MANAGING EDITOR Jeanelle Horcasitas

EDITORS

Jacqueline Espinoza Aranzazu Medellin Guerrero

DESIGN EDITOR Melissa Merrill

WEB EDITOR Magaly Chavez

COPY EDITORS

Helen Alonzo Jeanelle Horcasitas Aranzazu Medellin Guerrero Savannah Smith

STAFF

Regem Corpuz Alma Huitron Maria Guerra Bernadett Leggis Rosa Linda Meza Madelinn Ornelas Erika Ramirez Michael Reyes Roberto Reyna Michelle Salinas Tracie Sánchez Savannah Smith Charlene Unzeuta Darwin Valentine Tlaloc Vasquez

DESIGN

Helen Alonzo Karlie Garcia Jeanelle Horcasitas Madelinn Ornelas Michelle Martinez Michael Reyes

ILLUSTRATIONS Jonathan Horcasitas

PHOTOGRAPHERS Melissa Merrill Erika Ramirez

TRANSLATIONS Haidee Pacheco

SOCIAL MEDIA Tawny Calvo

STUDENT MEDIA DIRECTOR

Saludos y Abrazos, Change can be a scary thing: the unknown and unexpected makes one fearful of what is to come. Yet, change is beautiful it allows one the opportunity to have a fresh start, a second chance, a new experience. Personally, I have learned to love change because out of it comes growth, and the ability to cement your identity. For this winter quarter our theme is Rebirth, which is appropriate as we change from one era of the Mayan calendar and begin anew. In this issue, each Gentista wrote stories that represent their own interpretation of Rebirth. A range of topics came forth starting from DACA and the rise of the Latino electorate vote to advocating for a new labor contract on behalf of our UC workers. Yet, the article written about the Transitions program at Santa Barbara City College demonstrates the emergence of a new era for the two young men featured. These men are former prisoners who are now students pursuing degrees in higher education. They must have been scared as they did not know what opportunities awaited them when they were released. Yet, embracing change and being reborn allowed them to have a fresh start and personal growth towards achieving their goals. You will find three articles in Spanish in this issue. I thought it was important to include these in order to be accessible to everyone. The two Spanish expressiones presented are excellent and thoughtful depictions. Finally, I am proud to write that artist Ramiro Gomez’s work is featured this quarter. All you devoted readers probably remember the article written about him in last spring’s issue. I am appreciative of his support of La Gente but also of his socially conscious work. His portrayal of laborers at their daily tasks allows their important yet usually unnoticed contributions be placed at the forefront. Viewer’s opinions on these workers become reborn once seen through a new light. It is a form of simple yet stirring enlightenment which allows us to appreciate all those around us. For now, let us embrace the new era as a unified and solid front seeking more opportunities. I hope you color in your new beginning onto our front cover, which represents the Mayan calendar. As our managing editor Jeanelle put it “instead of wondering when the world will end, make yours begin and carpe diem.” Thank you for picking up this issue, I hope you enjoy it!

Arvli Ward

STUDENT MEDIA ADVISER Amy Emmert

Community profiles, arts, culture and politics for the Latino college student

118 Kerckhoff Hall 308 Westwood Plaza Los Angeles, CA 90024 lagente@media.ucla.edu 310.825.9836 Facebook: La Gente Newsmagazine This magazine was made possible with the support of Campus Progress, a project of the Center for American Progress, online at CampusProgress.org.

P.S. We are always looking for designers, writers, contributors, and bloggers. You know you want to join! Contact me at halonzo@media.ucla.edu

Campus Progress works to help young people — advocates, activists, journalists, artists — make their voices heard on issues that matter. Learn more at CampusProgress.org.

2 LA GENTE Winter 2013

contents

ABOUT THE COVER

¡topen esto! 4 | Media Misses Murder 5 | ¿Estás Loco? The Stigma Continues

feature 12 | The Mayans, The Calendar, and Jell-O? 13 | Happy Hills: Artist Ramiro Gomez

universidad 14 | Who is an American?

This issue our cover was created by our design editor Melissa Merrill. She recreated the Tzolk’in Mayan calendar by taking the Mayan glyphs and placing them in the order of the 13 and 20 day cycle. In Mayan times the repetition of the 13 and 20 day cycles took 260 days so all symbol combinations were represented. A common theory is that the calendar is based on agriculture and the 260 days needed to go from planting to harvesting.

15 | No Contract, No Peace 16 | Latinas Empowered through Unity and Strength 17 | UCLA Fails the Test 18 | Identifying and Stopping Microaggressions

expresiones 19 | La Esmeralda Que Brilla En La Oscuridad 20 | La muerte en mi mente

OUR MISSION:

sigan luchando

La Gente Newsmagazine is for the UCLA student interested in Latino issues. We want to represent the diversity of our culture and cultivate pride in our community. We’re a forum for conversation hoping to inspire readers to get involved and make their voices heard.

19 | “I”

arte y cultura 21 | Songbird Soars from the Eastside 22 | Hope for a Brighter Future 23 | Poetry commemorates history and change in the U.S.

LA GENTE LINGO arte y cultura need we say more? comunidad local insights expresiones all things creative LaGENTEdotORG online preview

latinoamérica transnational vista

nuestra joteria LGBTQ sigan luchando for those inside ¡topen esto! all things opinionated universidad exclusively osito ¡viva la mujer! profiling la mujer

Start a conversation! La Gente accepts outside submissions of all sorts for review and possible publication. Email lagente@media.ucla.edu with “Submission” in the subject line. Join the conversation! Comment on our articles online, like us on facebook, and follow us on twitter. What should La Gente cover of the Latino student community? #estudiante Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the La Gente editorial board. All other columns, cartoons, and letters represent the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editorial board. The UCLA communications board has a media grievance procedure for resolving grievances against any of its media. For a copy of the complete procedure contact student media at 310.825.2787. Copyright 2011 ASUCLA Communications Board

Winter 2013 LA GENTE 3

topen esto!

Media Misses Murders Instilling a culture of fear Madelinn Ornelas mornelas@media.ucla.edu

MELISSA MERRILL

ne early spring morning as people were getting ready to leave for work or school, two college students were discovered dead in their car. In April 2012, Chinese international students Ying Wu and Ming Qu, were shot, killed and robbed near the USC campus. This tragic event is one of the many in the community of South Los Angeles, where security has been increased to accommodate the high crime rate in the area. However, this case was treated with high regard, and pushed aside crimes happening in the greater Los Angeles area. The city of Los Angeles offered $75,000 and USC offered $125,000 for the arrest of those guilty of committing the crime. But crimes committed in the low socioeconomic area around the campus were not treated with same importance. Two men opened fire in a South LA pizzeria, killing a 46-year-old man. This recent event did not gather media attention and the city did not offer money to find the killers. It was an event that affected our people and community, but hardly received any media attention. As our people are being massacred slowly, there are no waves of outcry for L.A.’s homicide rate of about 300 people a year. Television media concentrated on the USC shooting for a substantial amount of time. Yet in 2010, 297 people died in Los Angeles and many of those homicides did not receive any kind of media coverage. Alhough it is a huge drop from the high crime rate in 1992 of 1,092 people, there are still violent deaths with little concern or acknowledgment toward the deaths within our communities. Affluent neighborhoods receive plenty of attention during times of crisis due to the area’s status. But when misfortunes happen in low socioeconomic communities the mainstream media fails to report its importance or they simply portray our communities negatively through images that convey a violent, uneducated proletariat. For example, Hurricane Katrina garnered much needed media attention. However, the communities affected by the hurricane were regarded differently. According to “The Cultural Visualization of Hurricane Katrina,” written by Nicola Mann, 4 LA GENTE Winter 2013

who received a PhD and MA in Visual and Cultural Studies, and Victoria Pass, who has a PhD in Visual and Cultural studies from University of Rochester, there are obvious discrepancies between the diction used to describe actions of African Americans and Caucasian occupants. In one photo captured, the caption describes an African American man as “looting” food while he is wading chest deep in water, portraying him in a negative light during a moment of survival. Two Caucasian residents were described as “finding” food, implying that they happen to come across it, totally disregarding any possibility of them stealing to survive as well. When images and dictions negatively paint people from different classes or races, it is detrimental to society, and the ideas fester into society’s perception, creating hostility. This negative portrayal creates a culture of fear, where individuals are too afraid to even come into our neighborhoods. This cannot be the case any longer. These communities need to be regarded fairly in mainstream television and news outlets. Unfortunately, homicides and death are expected to occur in these communities because of their past. Death has become a norm in LA that citizens have become desensitized to their neighbors’ struggles. Changing the way we perceive these communities can assist in combating most of the struggles they experience. When these communities are not given attention, it is apparent there is discrimination and prejudices toward them. Not only does mainstream media portray low socioeconomic communities in harmful images that negatively represent them, but they also bring these communities’ fight for equality one step back. The people from these communities are important too and deserve the same attention as affluent people. We cannot be indifferent towards the number of homicides in South LA because they are our family and community members who share the same struggles. Los Angeles faces yearly massacres. There is no excuse that brothers and sisters are dying in our communities within our reach. We need accurate portrayals of minority communities and must value every life throughout the socioeconomic spectrum.

topen esto!

¿Estás Loca? The Stigma Continues Gentista recounts personal experience with her mental health Maria Guerra mguerra@media.ucla.edu

n fall quarter 2012, I began attending counseling through the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at UCLA. It was my first time ever receiving non-academic counseling. I struggle with “opening up” to other people, mainly because I come from a family who considers psychological counseling reserved for those with severe mental disorders. Family stories of “insane” relatives were often told by my mother and served as warnings of how we should not act. They demonstrated a binary influence of family and cultural values: you were either crazy, or you were sane. There was no in-between. I heeded these warnings in fear of becoming just another story about someone becoming insane. Then there was my older brother, Mario. He is the fourth eldest sibling and has always been “different” since I can remember. Mario suffers from an undiagnosed mental disorder that has negatively impacted his physical and psychologocal well-being. Growing up with Mario I witnessed the actions of someone I believed was “crazy.” My family never talked about “Mario’s problem” or how he might have needed to see a doctor for mental ailments that were all too obvious. My brother was a constant reminder of what I did not want to become. When I entered community college my concept of mental health changed slightly. I heard the term more often, but still did not see positive resources for students who were suffering from mental health issues. Despite three years at community college, I never sought counseling at school or anywhere else. My entire living situation changed significantly once I transferred to UCLA. I was 300 miles away from my hometown without the immediate support of close friends and family members. Adjusting to living in a new city and a drastically different school environment caused a lot of anxiety and depression. The advice family members gave me were phrases like “grin and bear it” or “never give up.” These words comforted me to a limited extent, but always gave me the impression that my depressed mentality was something I could not help. I was unable to express my emotional and psychological issues in detail to my loved ones, especially my mother, for fear of being labeled crazy or a failure in my new life. In the summer of 2012 I met my boyfriend, Stephen, who provided a different perspective on everything. As we continued dating into the beginning of the current school year he learned a lot about my family and the negative perspective on mental health I was raised with. Stephen was the one who suggested I see a counselor at CAPS for the stress and mental issues disabling me from being honest with him, or being happy with myself. He has been supportive and patient in my struggle to deal with my emotional well-being. Since I started counseling at CAPS, my perspective on mental health has changed, and has been one of the most significant experiences at UCLA. It’s still hard to approach the subject with my family, but it is something I am more open about with friends and fellow students. Unfortunately, I did not find the encouragement to seek counseling from any of my classes or academic-related groups. Even at the university level, there is an absence of mental health awareness. I decided to share my personal experience in hope that it will encourage other students to overcome any fears or negative perspectives instilled in them about mental health. I hope we can start having more conversations about emotional health issues within the Chicana/o and Latina/o populations on campus.

DID YOU KNOW?

One in four young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 have a diagnosable mental illness. More than 11 percent of college students have been diagnosed or treated for anxiety in the past year and more than 10 percent reported being diagnosed or treated for depression. Almost 73 percent of students living with a mental health condition experienced a mental health crisis on campus. Yet, 34.2 percent reported that their college did not know about their crisis. In an American College Health Association report released in 2011, students cited depressionandanxiety as among the top impediments to academic performance.

64 percent of young adults who are no longer in col-

lege are not attending college because of a mental health related reason. Depression, bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder are the primary diagnoses of these young adults. Overall, 40 percent of students with diagnosable mental health conditions did not seek help. 57 percent of them did not request accommodations from their school. Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness (www.nami.org) Winter 2013 LA GENTE 5

comunidad

De la cárcel a la clase Career & Life Transitions Program gives recently released prisoners a second chance Tracie Sanchez tsanchez@media.ucla.edu

ue to the Supreme Court ruling in May 2011, which seeks to alleviate overcrowding in prisons, more than 30,000 inmates are to be released in the next three years, generating concern about the education and job training California is providing previously incarcerated individuals in order to successfully transition into daily life. For the past five years, Santa Barbara Community College (SBCC) has been conducting a six-week long program named Transitions. Initially designed to be an informal support group for parolees attending SBCC, today it enrolls 25-30 parolees in a Personal Development course where students are equipped with the necessary tools to transfer into a four-year institution, or enter vocational programs. During the six-week summer program, Transition students meet Monday through Thursday and on Fridays participate in field trips to places like the UCSB ropes course, Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Students receive tutoring peer advising, food vouchers, and the opportunity to receive a $300 SBCC book grant. Students walk away from the program with basic, yet fundamental skills: how to operate a computer, how to affectively manage their time, how to take notes, and how to study for an exam. Throughout the academic year, students continue to receive support, through peer advising and counseling. Noel Gómez, a Transitions instructor and UCSB alumni with a Masters in Education from Harvard, said, that along with academic support, students receive the opportunity to “learn about themselves, and build community”. Originally from Boyle Heights, Gómez, emphasizes the ways in which an education disrupts the school to prison pipeline, and decreases recidivism rates. Gómez is invested in demonstrating how formerly imprisoned people can be rehabilitated through education and training, and eventually contribute constructively to society upon reentry. “Transitions offers them the opportunity to begin a new chapter in their lives,” said Gómez. When asked what keeps staff motivated in the midst of draconian policies and high recidivism rates Gómez said, “The small victories get us through the day”. Currently, two Transition alumni Elson Tapia Jr. and Isaac Hernandez are studying abroad in Rome, Italy. “From the cell block to Rome! It’s incredible!” Elson Tapia Jr. a 29-year-old self identified Chicano was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California. Double majoring in marketing and communications, he believes that Transitions not only provided him a space where he could become a role model, but also “planted the seed for his current positive attitude towards education”. Reflecting on his academic trajectory and the many obstacles throughout the way he said, “To many people, I am a statistic. To a few, I am a role model. For myself, I am following the necessary steps for personal success”. Similar to Tapia, Isaac Hernandez, a bioengineering major, said the Transitions Program played a crucial part in his academic success. According to Hernandez, returning to school at 24 has been a “real eye opener,” he said “I found out attributes about myself that I had never imagined: I discovered that I have a mind, and it is a good one.” 6 LA GENTE Winter 2013

Once a heroin user seeking to “escape” from solitude and bitterness, he now describes himself as a “highly motivated student” who is “hungry for any and all educational opportunities.” Transitions exposes its participants to new ideas. Hernandez said that initially his “objectives were to obtain a vocational auto-mechanic degree, however, after exposure to different disciplines I am sure he I am made for bigger things”. Since he enrolled at SBCC in 2011 Hernandez has maintained a 4.0 GPA, officer of the Society Advancing Chicanos and Native American in the Sciences (SACNAS), a member of Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), and numerous other honors societies. Hernandez is interested in transferring to a four-year institution in fall 2014 and pursuing research in diabetic health, a disease that has consistently been present in his family’s health history. Currently Transitions is the only program of its kind in the state of California, simultaneously “we are the worlds capital in terms of imprisonment,” said Gomez. As more inmates are released, the need for educational and vocational programs to train and reintegrate parolees increases. Gómez hopes that community colleges across the state and country will create programs like Transitions, where parolees can engage in positive outlets and pursue higher education. Gomez believes, “The comLeyva explains Transitions as a munity college is nurturing space where “we the number one could come together and help stop for inmate... so let’s meet them each other realize that we’re not half way.” alone in our struggle”.

163,000

prisoners in California (2010)

comunidad

De la cárcel a la clase Programa educative ayuda a exprisioneros Tracie Sanchez tsanchez@media.ucla.edu De modo parecido, Isaac Hernández un muchacho que se esta especializando en Bioingeniería dijo que el programa Transitions fue una parte crucial en su triunfo académico. Regresar a estudiar a la edad de 24 años, dice Hernández, le a “abierto los ojos.” “Encontré atributos que nunca había imaginado tener: descubrí que tengo una mente para pensar, y la verdad Isaac Hernández (izquierda) y Elson Tapia (derecha) me parece que visitan el campo italiano es una buena.” Hernández, usaba la heroína como manera de escapar de la soledad y el odio , pero ahora todo a cambiado, el mismo se describe como un “estudiante motivado” que “tiene las ganas de aprovechar cualquier oportunidad educativa.” De principio, Hernández dice que sus “objetivos eran de obtener un titulo vocacional de auto mecánica,” pero después de exponerse a disciplinas diferentes, supo que tiene la habilidad de hacer cosas mas grandes. Desde que se inscribió en SBCC en el 2011, Hernandez a mantenido un índice académico de 4.0 que es el promedio académico mas alto que un estudiante puede recibir. Hernandez es un oficial del programa Society Advancing Chicanos and Native Americans in the Sciences (SACNAS), y es miembro del programa Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), y varias otras sociedades. Hernandez esta interesado en transferirse a una institución de cuatro años en el otoño del 2014, y espera conducir investigaciones sobre la salud diabética, una enfermedad que a estado presente en su familia. En este momento, Transitions es el único programa de ese tipo en todo el estado de California. Aun simultáneamente “somos la capital mundial en términos de encarcelamiento,” dice Gomez. Mientras mas presos sean liberados, la necesidad de programas educativos y vocacionales para entrenar y reintegrar exprisioneros, aumenta. Gomez espera que los colegios comunitarios a través del estado y el país sigan creando programas como Transitions, donde expresos puedan ser parte de lugares positivos, y puedan considerar la posibilidad de una educación universitaria. “El colegio comunitario es la parada numero uno para los presos… así que hay que verlos a la mitad del camino.” ELSON TAPIA JR.

ebido a una decisión tomada por la Corte Suprema en Mayo del 2011, mas de 30,000 presos van a ser liberados en los próximos tres años. La decisión fue tomada en respuesta a la sobrepoblación de prisioneros en las penitenciarias de California. Esta decisión a generado un gran interés en las oportunidades de educación y empleo que el estado de California provee a los exprisioneros. En los últimos cinco años el Colegio Comunitario de Santa Barbara (SBCC), a conducido un programa de seis semanas llamado Transitions. El programa fue inicialmente diseñado como un grupo chico para apoyar a personas en libertad provisional. Hoy Transitions tiene de 25 a 30 personas matriculadas en el curso de desarrollo personal, llamado Personal Development. El curso le enseña a los estudiantes las habilidades necesarias para poder trasladarlos a una universidad, institución, o programa vocacional de posición mas alta. Los estudiantes atienden clases de Lunes a Jueves y los Viernes participan en paseos a lugares alrededor de la ciudad. Algunos de los lugares a los que han atendido son, la Universidad de California de Santa Bárbara (UCSB), Homeboy Industries en Los Angeles, y el Museo de Arte de Santa Bárbara. La clase les provee asistencia académica, tutores, cupones para la comida, y la oportunidad de recibir una beca de $300 dólares para comprar libros. Al salir del programa, los estudiantes aprenden habilidades básicas y fundamentales: saben operar una computadora, como administrar su tiempo eficazmente, como tomar notas, y como estudiar para sus exámenes. Durante el año académico, los estudiantes continúan recibiendo apoyo a través de tutores estudiantiles y consejeros. Noel Gómez, un instructor de Transitions y estudiante graduado con una maestría de Educación de la Universidad de Harvard, dijo que aparte del apoyo académico, los estudiantes también reciben la oportunidad de no nada más aprender de ellos mismos, pero también como construir una comunidad. Originalmente de la comunidad Boyle Heights, Gomez les hace ver a sus estudiantes que la educación tiene el poder de reducir reincidencias. Gómez invierte su tiempo en demostrar que las personas que fueron liberadas de prisión pueden rehabilitarse a través de la educación y algún día regresar a una vida normal, o hasta mejor. “Transitions les ofrece una oportunidad a empezar un nuevo capitulo en sus vidas,” dijo Gómez. Cuando les preguntamos a los instructores como Gomez, que los motiva en un lugar con tantas reglas severas y números altos de reincidencias, Gomez contesto, “Los triunfos pequeños son los que nos ayudan a terminar los días. En este momento, dos graduados de Transitions, Elson Tapia Jr. y Isaac Hernández, están estudiando en Roma, Italia. De la celda a Roma! Eso es increíble!” Elson Tapia Jr., un estudiante Chicano de 29 años, nació y creció en Santa Bárbara, California, y esta especializándose en Comunicaciones y Mercadotecnia. El cree que Transitions no solamente le proveyó un espacio donde pudo convertirse en una persona ejemplar, pero también, con la ayuda de los empleados, “plantaron la semilla de su actitud positiva hacia la educación.” Reflejando en su trayectoria académica, y todos los obstáculos a los que se a enfrentado, dijo, “Para muchos soy una estadística y para pocos una persona ejemplar. Pero hacia mi mismo, solamente estoy siguiendo los pasos necesarios para mi triunfo personal.”

Winter 2013 LA GENTE 7

comunidad

DACAmented and Determined Immigrant Youth that have been approved for Deferred Action begin to enter into the workforce in the United States.

GERMAN CRUZ

German Cruz shows off his workspace at La Curacao

8 LA GENTE Winter 2013

DACA Eligibility

magine yourself as a young adult witnessing your peers ability to drive, work, and obtain a state ID. As they receive these opportunities, you realize your inability to obtain the same opportunities because of your undocumented status. This status not only hinders your socio-economic mobility, but also places you at risk for deportation. Many undocumented youth have been struggling in this situation for years. “I don’t want to keep worrying or fearing the worst if I ever ran into any type of problems where my legal status would be in question”, states German Cruz, a Deferred Action applicant and student at Los Angeles Pierce college, who shares the fear many undocumented youth have. This changed for many undocumented youth on June 15, 2012. President Obama announced Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), if eligible, a policy which addresses the fear and problems many undocumented youth have and an opportunity that was not previously present. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is not a permanent legislation, as any applicant who is approved must reapply every two years. Furthermore, it does not provide undocumented youth a pathway to citizenship or lawful status. However, if approved, undocumented youth are deferred from the risk of deportation, are authorized to work, and obtain state identifications. Since August 2012, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have received 438,372 applications for DACA, only rejecting 14,738 of these applications. Most applicants reside in California, New York, Colorado, Arizona, and North Carolina. The countries of origin for a majority of applicants are: Mexico, South Korea, Brazil, and the Philippines. Most accepted applicants are currently under review, while 199,460 applicants have already been approved and are taking advantage of previously excluded opportunities. After being approved for DACA, “I applied everywhere, near and far, from the city I live. I informed my networks that I was ready to work,”said Ayamel Arce. Currently studying communication studies at College of the Canyons, Ayamel is working as a dispatcher for MV Transportation. “Now that I am able to work legally, I was able to find a well paying job compared to many others. Being able to finally even out my time between my family, school and work is definitely a great benefit provided by DACA.” “Being approved for DACA felt amazing, reviving this sense of hope and motivation, that my dreams were closer than ever”, said German Cruz, who is currently studying computer science. German is putting his education to use by

• • • •

AYAMEL ARCE

Regem Corpuz rcoorpuz@media.ucla.edu

College of the Canyons student, Ayamel Arce, is joyfully DACAmented

working as a computer technician for La Curacao. “My work has been helpful in paying for several courses to certify me in various technical fields, which in the long run build a strong record as I continue my pursuit of a career in computer science.” As many undocumented youth are becoming DACAmented and taking advantage of the opportunities now open to them, they acknowledge the remaining need to be documented. There is still a good portion of undocumented youth who are ineligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. German expresses the need for immigration reform that addresses a pathway to citizenship: “Our families are still struggling. Many parents still fear being deported. But if we can come together as we did for DACA, we can prove to our opposition that we are not a burden to this country and instead a great and invaluable people, for our community and this great country we call home.”

Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012 Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday Have continuously resided in the U.S. since June 15, 2007, up to present Were physically present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS • Entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or your lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012 • Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the U.S. • Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety

comunidad

Latino Voter Turnout Forces Immigration Reform Discussion Increase of Latino electoral vote is of importance to Congress Alma Huitron ahuitron@media.ucla.edu

sive’ reform, this label will detract from the various pressing immigration issues that did not make the cut,” agrees James FergCadima, regional counsel of the Washington, D.C. office of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF). He mentions the pressing questions that still remain on the role of private immigration prison systems, right to counsel for immigrants, treatment on same-sex bi-national couples, and the federal government’s predominate role over states and localities around enforcement of immigration law. In the recently leaked outline of President Obama’s immigration reform, many of the same issues missing in the Congressional talk were missing as well. No mention on the treatment of DREAMers, or agricultural workers. There also continues to be issues with those rounded by the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, recent articles report the ICE has not prioritized those with criminal records as it said it had. “I am not hopeful,” said Professor Rocco of the election leading to a needed immigration reform because there is no one left for the President to cater to. He believes that if any changes occur it will come from social movements because legislature capped the victory of movements. Reform will not happen “with this Congress” he goes on to state. None of the proposed reforms involve an understanding of how immigration comes down to economy. Recently the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the AFL-CIO have come to a labor understanding that hints at knowledge on how cheap labor demand aids immigration. Both groups have reached an agreement over a visa program for lesser skilled workers. PEW RESEARCH CENTER

“I

support Comprehensive Immigration Reform.” Five simple words tweeted by Arizona Senator John McCain days after the 2012 Presidential Election. He joined a chorus of his fellow Congressmen calling for action on an issue many before had wished to avoid. What changed were the early data releases of the demographic of the election. On November 6, 2012, exit polls approximate 12.5 million Latinos cast their vote in the Presidential election. Making up 10 percent of the total electorate, 71 percent of Latinos aided President Obama to a victory, while only bestowing Republican nominee Mitt Romney with 27 percent. At the end of the week Latino voters became a topic of discussion as media, political pundits and Congressmen began to speculate about the Latino demographics and the possible future presence in elections. Today, nearly four months after the results, immigration is a hot topic of discussion within Congress and by President Obama. At the end of January eight senators released their framework of what they call comprehensive immigration reform, a day before the President spoke of the issue in Nevada. The “Senate Gang of 8” is a bipartisan group consisting of four Senators from each party pushing for immigration reform. Those involved include Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). The proposition include key provisions involve a process that would create a probationary status for the 11 million current undocumented immigrants within the United States. The process would be slow, ideally first allowing an immigration visa, followed by a green card, and finally naturalization while at the same time implementing a new system of border patrol. The outline of the proposed bill , however, leaves many holes that call into question how “comprehensive” the talks currently in Washington really are. According to UCLA Political Science Professor Raymond Rocco, the proposed reforms are not true structural changes. They don’t take into account issues such as economy, labor and work forces. “To be a successful reformation one must have structural change,” something that is not being proposed by either Congress or the President he said. “While many will use the shorthand that the bills to come will be a ‘comprehen-

Although the talk and action moving toward a “narrow” political window on immigration reform, it appears the demographic results of the November Presidential election may not have led to the reconstruction of the immigration system many had expected. At the moment, the electoral turnout is not enough to create change seen in the state of California in recent years, where a high Latino population helped propel the California Dream Act. According to a recent publication by the PEW Hispanic Research Center, it is estimated that in 2030 approximately 40 million Latinos would be eligible to vote. This is in part to a high birth rate among Latinos, and the 17.6 million under age of 18 today. Even then, the most important issues of the Latino population are those of the general population; economy, health care and education among others. What an immigration reform proposal may look like given the political climate, rules, and process of Congress, James Ferg-Cadima believes “To the immigrant individual living in the shadows of American society, the true measure of success will be whether what lands on the President’s desk allows his or her family a tough but fair path forward.” Winter 2013 LA GENTE 9

comunidad

Voices Reactivated Los De Abajo Printmaking Collective, “Behind Bars”

he antique and former Venice Police Station opens its jail cell doors for the public to exhibit artistic messages otherwise silenced and imprisoned within the margins of our failing society. Worn by passing years and the toil of topics examined artistically since 1976, it has been the home of non-profit Social and Public Arts Resource Center (SPARC). “Behind Bars,” a collective art exhibition involving five distinct artists, Kay Brown, Nguyen Ly, Poli Marchal, Don Newton, and Marianne Sadowski, also known as Los de Abajo Printmaking Collective, looks to emerge collective perceptions on today’s dissatisfying prison complex. Los de Abajo look to generate social consciousness and the idea of implementing change. The topic of providing an aesthetic voice for prisoners is controversial. “The concept may effect a negative feeling for some,” says SPARC intern and fourth year applied linguistics major, Elizabeth Hernandez. “[But] we are all human! Marked by our environments.” The reality that the artists stand up against is that we live in a society that manufactures criminals. Criminalization is a societal failure, a lack of fully incorporating the public in matters of education, immigration, equality. This is an idea that wounds the prisoners that Los de Abajo look to include in their mission of social recognition and resistance towards the silencing of prisoner’s voices. Prisoners are stigmatized as unable to contribute to society, seen as an undeserving population, but prisoners’ reactions to systems of power need to be evaluated from various perspectives before coming to conclusions. Los De Abajo Printmaking Collective looks to challenge those perceptions and question how the prison system operates and how prisoners operate within the prison framework. Positioned at the entrance of the gallery room is an eyegrabbing piece shaped like a human that begins inside an original cell within the gallery room. It emerges from the cell and out of the room towards the lobby looking like a cloud. It represents a long kite, which relates to the way that convicts exchange messages among each other in hopes to one-day exit. The piece promotes a sense of liberation, a reactivation of being human, in the sense that one is able to shape one’s own body. In other art pieces some portions of a work are designed by different artists, ultimately coming together to form one unrecognizable subject—for instance, the prisoner, whose name is only a dehumanizing arrangement of numbers. “Que [LA Gente] sigue,” said artist Don Newton, a message that relates to the difficult pursuit of social and political incorporation. It implies that prisoners and that similarly marginalized people continue to scream out messages and emotions, reactivating the voices silenced by the social systems of domination. 10 LA GENTE Winter 2013

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CESAR PENA

Michael Reyes mreyes@media.ucla.edu

“ While there is a soul in prison, I am not free.” - Eugene V. Debs

Top: Los de Abajo Printmaking Collective behind collaborative piece, “Exquisite Corpses.” Bottom left: Nguyen Ly, “Untitled,” drypoint technique. Bottom right: Former Venice Police Station, now SPARC.

comunidad

Angels in the City of Angels Free legal advice ensures community receives needed assistance Natalie Herrera nherrera@media.ucla.edu

NATALIE HERRERA

ocated on Third Street in the city of Van Nuys, California, the Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLS-LA) has built a network of attorneys, consultants, and volunteers that are passionate about relieving low-income Angelinos whom are on the borderline of losing their homes. Founded in 1965, the NLS-LA began to offer consultations and services to Los Angeles County residents to offer a helping hand to its struggling neighbors. However, the NLS-LA in Van Nuys is not the only branch of its kind in LA. There is the Pomona Courthouse, which is a self-help center focused on domestic abuse. Also, in El Monte, a workers rights clinic educates workers about their rights and how to prevent employer abuse. NLS-LA attorneys work as a part of the award winning Shriver Housing Project, which deals with eviction defense cases at the Stanley Mosk Court in Downtown Los Angeles. The target population are residents of South Los Angeles whose landlords have filed to terminate their contracts. At the self-help office most of the litigants are of Latino descent. Here there is also eviction assistance, including interpreters to ensure language access to the court and mediation to settle disputes outside the courtroom. Attorneys, along with volunteers, consult families on the necessary paperwork. They sit with each family to review their case and to help with the process. A volunteer of the self-help legal service office, Claudia Mendez, shares her experience helping the Latino families, describing them as “being lost when they come in.” Most litigants do not know what paperwork needs to be filed or how to fill it out. Staff and volunteers help the litigants, making the process a little easier. Mendez recalls seeing men in the families “crying with gratitude and others leaving the office feeling less stressed out.” The NLS-LA offers most families a second chance. It gives families an opportunity to remain in their homes. The NLS-LA shows that many legal services advocate for issues that concern the Los Angeles county population, specifically those of low-income status. Mendez believes she has the responsibility to spread the word in order to help someone living in poverty. “The work we do at the Van Nuys Self Help Legal Access Center and all other NLSLA offices is extremely important to the people of Los Angeles County. . . Everyday we have people tell us how grateful they are for our services”

SHRIVER HOUSING PROJECT A pilot program that legally represents impoverished litigants in cases involving human rights. Four non-profits--including NLS-LA, Inner City Law Center, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, and Public Counsel--have joined this “war on poverty” by providing staff attorneys for many of the cases. NLS-LA, in particular, through their legal assistance serve more than 80,000 people in Los Angeles County each year. For more information visit shriverhousingla.org or nlsla.org Winter 2013 LA GENTE 11

feature

The Mayans, the Calendar, and Jell-O? The editors reflect on “the end of the world” Helen Alonzo, Jacqueline Espinoza, Jeanelle Horcasitas

hether you believed it was the end of the world or the beginning of a new one, by now everyone has stabilized into a new era. One should take a little time learning about the Mayan people. Mayan people excelled in writing and mathematics, and were the only ancient culture to have a symbol for zero, while also having a fully functioning writing system where pictures represent sound. The Mayans utilized these skills to create their now infamous calendar. Its form takes after a long count calendar in which the calendar is based on the number of days passed since the starting date of that calendar. Scholars believe that this date approximately occurred in August or September 3114 BC with a speculated end date of the 5,125-year long cycle to fall around December 20-23, 2012. Since not much else is known about the Mayan people, there is no understanding for the abrupt end of the calendar. Individuals chose what to interpret that day either fear of the apocalyptic unknown or joyous celebration ur predicted Apocalypse was 12/21/12, or so we thought. The common misconception was: the end of the Mayan calendar also meant the end of the world. However, what the Mayan calendar predicted was the end of an era—not the world. Of course, that didn’t stop the Facebook posts, tweets, and sarcastic memes from populating the social media world about “surviving” the apocalypse. While many people savored in their victorious mortality on 12/21/12’s doomsday, present day Mayans gathered together around the majestic ancient ruins throughout the world to celebrate the beginning of a new era. In fact, Mayan traditions emerged powerfully on this day through the clothing, chanting, rituals and dances that were fully resurrected to reflect the pride of such enduring people. When the Mayans themselves reacted to their predicted “doomsday” compassionately, it made everyone else look like fools, specifically those who took the prediction seriously and gathered supplies, secured underground bunkers, and prepared for the worst. Obviously, these people were relieved when they learned that the world was still spinning. And then those who used this day as an excuse to be satirical and critical—were most likely fulfilled in their narcissism. But this date wasn’t about the whole world was it? No, it was about the Mayans, their calendar, and their prediction. It was a prediction that signified the rebirth of a new era and a symbol for new beginnings. Although there are many conspiracies about when the world will end, one thing is clear today—we are still living and breathing today. So now what? Waiting around for the Mayan’s new doomsday prediction shouldn’t be on your to-do list. Instead, we should take a lesson away from the Mayans: the end of something doesn’t immediately mean complete

and utter destruction. Instead, the end means the opportunity to do new things, meet new people and gain new perspectives on life. So instead of wondering when the world will end, make yours begin and carpe diem. ne in ten people around the world believed that world might end on 12/21/2012, according to a May 2012 poll conducted by Reuters. Different information outlets such as Facebook, ABC News, and companies such as Jell-O, are a few that contributed to the “December 21st, 2012 Apocalypse” talk. ABC News had live updates in which they called people around the world at midnight 12/22/2012 to ask if they were still alive. It seemed as if everyone on Facebook was inviting guests to their “The-World-is-Going-to-End “and “YOLO” parties. Lindsay Fernandez, a Palomar Community College student who works at Party City, said that the requests for Mayan-themed party supplies were high, though the store didn’t carry any such supplies. Because the Mayan “apocalypse” was receiving so much attention, it was strategic from a business perspective that JellO created a commercial, which went along with the December 21st, 2012, talk. The Jell-O Company advertised their product as a way to “fun things up.” The voice over in the commercial said that beans, corn and potatoes are “Boring!” and therefore “the Gods decided to end the world” because those food items are “lame gifts”. On the science perspective, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) was receiving about 200-300 calls per week asking if the world was going to end, which led it to become a “Frequently Asked Question”. In response, NASA also created a video that explained that the world would not come to an end. I don’t blame people for being worried or curious about the world ending on this date, especially with cultural influences such as the 2012 movie, the countless books published on the topic, and the History Channel analysis of 2012 theories. Cultural and social influence can have its positivity in terms of promoting products or traveling, but I’m sure there was psychological and emotional impact that was not covered. It’s unbelievable how a theory that had not been proven could have such a great effect on society, for better and worse.

JONATHAN HORCASITAS

12 LA GENTE Winter 2013

feature In La Gente’s spring 2012 issue, artist Ramiro Gomez said that he uses his work to “reach an audience that has been desensitized in so many ways.” He presents the daily lives of laborers and migrants in a recognizable light, capturing the viewer’s attention and allowing the acknowledgment of the laborer’s underappreciated contributions. The piece to the right was contributed by Gomez to coincide with the theme of Rebirth. As the migrant mother and her child look across the Arizona desert towards the US, she imagines the awaiting opportunities that will become their new lives, in essence being born again.

Ramiro Gomez’s “Luxury, Interrupted “exhibit will be on display until April 8th in the Chicano Studies Research Center located in 144 Haines Hall. To learn more about his work go to ramirogomezjr.blogspot.com Winter 2013 LA GENTE 13

universidad

Who is an American? After many years of living in the U.S., UCLA student finally gains citizenship Michelle Salinas msalinas@media.ucla.edu hat does it mean to be undocumented in the United States? What does it mean to not be recognized as a “legal resident” in a land where you have lived for so long? For undocumented college students, it means: go to school without receiving a complete financial aid package. For laborers, it means to contribute to the economy without receiving the benefits from social services. It means to be born elsewhere, and not exist where you currently live. However, what happens when one does attain citizenship? It is as if one is reborn, to finally be recognized as a living individual in the United States. Harvey Peralta is a 20-year-old sophomore studying Chicana/o Studies and International Developmental Studies at UCLA. Last year, Harvey attained his citizenship status after 12 years of growing up in East Los Angeles. Harvey crossed into the United States for the first time at age seven, with someone else’s passport and accompanied by a coyote who transfers individuals across the border for a fee. As soon as Harvey started school, so did his struggles. He didn’t speak English so the schools placed him in remedial classes since elementary, which kept him from advancing. Harvey remembers, “The system tried to push me back a lot…it was hard for me to digest information. I had to translate in Spanish and then translate back in English.” Harvey learned to advocate for himself in order to demand the education that would lead him to a university, by forcing his way into more challenging classes, without academic guidance, and without support. Harvey’s challenges with English played a huge part in the formation of his identity. He remarks, “I was uncomfortable on how to speak… I never told anyone that I was undocumented…that I came here illegally. I would deny that I speak Spanish.” During middle school, Harvey finally gained residency with the help of his stepfather and at age 18, he applied voluntarily to attain citizenship. A year later, Harvey was sworn in as a new citizen of the United States, and he happily waved his tiny American flag.

HOW DO YOU GAIN

CITIZENSHIP? • • • • •

Be at least 18 years or older Be a permanent resident for a certain amount of time Be a person of “good moral character” Have a basic knowledge of U.S. history and government Have a period of continuous residence and physical presence in the United States • Be able to read, write, and speak basic English For more details, visit: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis 14 LA GENTE Winter 2013

However, Harvey argues, “But why does a paper have to show if you’re an American or not? I was educated here and I grew up here. But just because of those papers… My mom has been here for 17 years and she’s not an “American”. Harvey knows that he has gained a privilege that many people strive for. He affirms, “Now that I have that title, nobody is able to stop me from saying that this is where I am from.” Now that he is a citizen, Harvey is glad to be able to vote and have a voice, to receive financial aid and pursue an education. But he is also glad to be able to go back home to Mexico and then return back home to Los Angeles. Harvey wasn’t physically reborn in the United States, but his identity certainly was. Now instead of denying that he speaks Spanish Harvey states, “I’ve embraced it. I have this accent because of what I went through.” HARVEY PERALTA

universidad

No Contract, No Peace UC service workers unite to keep current benefits Tlaloc Vasquez tvasquez@media.ucla.edu

workers. He says, “… when we retire we want a dignified life. We want to continue to live to the age 70 or 80 but we don’t want to be any problem to the state.” Martha Torres, also a member of AFSCME, is a single mother of three who has worked at Hedrick Hall and Bruin Café. “I’ve been here 14 years and I can barely make it. I live in a one bedroom apartment with my kids and I cannot afford anything bigger—I wish I could,” says Torres. When looking at the numbers, it would seem that there is money to give service and patient care technical workers decent benefits. In the 2011-2012 fiscal year, the UC reported a net increase in assets of $414 million while UC hospitals made $900 million in profits. The university seeks to impose a new two-tier pension, which workers claim will negatively affect new employees. The new employees would be earning less money and they would probably be paying more for health and welfare when they retire. This would leave them with less money to lead their elderly life. As Mendez says, “That is not acceptable to us. Everybody has to have the same pension that we have now.” This is not simply a worker issue. “Every year the tuition goes up and up and up and that’s sad for parents that have students coming into college. It hurts me,” said Torres. “It hurts me because I’m here at this job because all the students remind me of my kids.” For many students, la lucha obrera is as much a reminder of home as it is a call to action. When asked about why the current UC worker struggle is important, Eliana Buenrostro a first year transfer majoring in gender studies and Chicana/o studies said, “…as a Chicana I try to think about how where I come from helped me get where I am. I wouldn’t be at this university if it weren’t for the hard work of my parents...Being a privileged student at this university with very few students of color, the least I could do is stand in solidarity with the people who keep this university in the beautiful condition that it is in.”

MELISSA MERRILL

he University of California service workers’ contract with the University of California (UC) system expired on January 31, 2013. That same day, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) service workers and students held a rally on campus calling for UC officials to meet workers’ demands at the negotiation table. This marks the second worker contract which has been allowed to expire in the past five months, joining UC patient care (hospital) workers whose contract expired back in September of 2012. For over 22,000 campus service and patient care workers in the UC system, this contract expiration signals the very real danger of losing benefits, seniority, and the guarantee of safe staffing. A February 2005 study by the National Economic Development and Law Center, “High Ideals; Low Pay,” found that many UC service workers earned wages too low to pay for basic necessities such as food, rent, health care and child care. It also found UC workers were income eligible for public assistance programs, and that UC workers earned less than comparable employees at California State Universities and California community colleges. With an average annual pay of $33,000, existing service workers can expect to retire on an average benefit of $18,000 annually after a 20-year career at UC. Jose Mendez has been an employee with UCLA Vending Services for the past 28 years. Mendez immigrated to the United States in 1970, with the aspiration of bettering his life. Mendez said, “I came here for the purpose of changing the life that I had. I came to work at UCLA and I saw that all the workers making $8.75 an hour were screaming for help.” Mendez is a member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3299, the labor union that represents UC service and patient care

Winter 2013 LA GENTE 15

universidad

Latinas Empowered through Unity and Strength Student organization seeks to empower young women

he mission of Latinas Guiding Latinas is not only to get Latina girls into college, but also to help them with their self-esteem. “They’ve taught me how to value myself as a woman. They are practically my big sisters,” said Laura Ramirez, a first year Physiological Science major. Latinas Guiding Latinas was started in 1987 at the UCLA campus by a group of women who wanted to create a community outreach program in order to address the lack of Latinas who were pursuing higher education. Their goal was to close the gap between those Latinas who graduate from high school and those who obtain a college degree. Latinas Guiding Latinas is student-run organization that reaches out to high school and middle school students. It targets the underserved communities of East Los Angles and Boyle Heights, which have the highest Latino/a dropout rates in Los Angeles Unified School District. While this may seem like a challenge, LGL has been successful in mentoring students attending four different sites including Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School, Theodore Roosevelt High School, James A. Garfield High School, and Belvedere Middle School. The organization discusses several topics such as the steps needed to pursue higher education to health and wellness topics. One of the greatest things for LGL is to witness the transition of one of their mentees becoming a mentor and this is the exact case for Laura Ramirez. Laura joined Latinas Guiding Latinas during her last year at Garfield High School. She was nervous when she went to her first meeting because she didn’t know what the organization would be able to help her with or how it would work. Once the mentors introduced themselves, Laura realized that it was an open space where she was able to talk and interact with the mentees and mentors about topics relating to academics and personal issues. Through Latinas Guiding Latinas Laura was able to discuss serious issues, be exposed to new experiences, and be introduced to new opportunities. Laura remembers one discussion that she and the other mentees had with the Garfield mentors about how women need to protect themselves when they go out. “There was a case with one of the mentors where she was assaulted. She was able to open up and be personal with us,” said Laura. Laura thought it was amazing how the mentor was able to talk about such a sensitive issue in her life in order to help out the

GET IN TOUCH Contact: lgldeucla@gmail.com Donate: https://secure.piryx.com/

donate/qQE60YXR/Latinas -Guiding-Latinas/generalfund

Meetings on Mondays from 7PM-8PM in Conference Room 4 in the Student Activities Center 16 LA GENTE Winter 2013

MELISSA MERRILL & LATINAS GUIDING LATINAS (LGL)

Charlene Unzuta cunzuta@media.ucla.edu

other girls who were at the meeting. Through Latinas Guiding Latinas, Laura had the experience to come to UCLA and experience life as a college student. Laura said, “When they brought us over here I got to see how and what college was all about because I had never gone to a university campus and stayed over night. It was really cool being around people who want to study.” Jocelyn Pacheco, former site director for Garfield High School and Gates Millennium Scholar, gave Laura additional moral support and informed Laura about the Gates Millennium Scholarship. Now, Laura is attending UCLA as a Gate Millennium Scholar and is enjoying all the new experiences she is having. While Laura is currently not available to mentor at a site, she still helps with other events that are put on by Latinas Guiding Latinas. She hopes to be able to go back to Garfield High School and let the students know the steps they should take to go onto higher education. Laura says, “A lot of students get intimidated by the college application, they think they have to have the best GPA, but it’s not all about that.” The friendliness and bonds that Laura was able to create as a mentee, is one of the reasons why she chose to come to UCLA. “Coming from my school, the area East Los Angeles, and being here at UCLA and not seeing so many Hispanics has motivated me to give back to my community. They helped me and now I have to pay it forward.”

universidad

UCLA Fails the Test Diversity requirement stalled by faculty Darwin Valentine dvalentine@media.ucla.edu

the administration to draw up a plan of action. At the start of the academic year, Chancellor Gene Block addressed these concerns. He implemented a set of alternative initiatives. A few included an integration of student-dialogues regarding campus climate, an expansion of Fiat Lux’s to address issues about community conflict, and expanding diversity training for staff and student staff.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

or the past 25 years there have been unsuccessful attempts to adequately pass a diversity General Education (GE) proposition . This past year a faculty-wide vote blocked the diversity-related requirement. The shortfalls of past proposals have been the unclear and incomprehensive measures to fulfill the requirement. Proponents of the issue have considered alternative avenues to tackle the problem. Faculty turnout and student advocacy have played an extensive role in supporting the numerous attempts to pass a GE requirement, although faculty voter turnout continues to be minimal. Last year’s proposal only had about 30% of the faculty vote. Student disagreements between community organizations have also affected mobilization efforts. “There was a lack of communication between students to mobilize and draw faculty support,” said second year Business Economics major, Jonathan Sison. Last year’s measure, “Community and Conflict in the Modern World,” mobilized student organizations to inform the student population of the proposed GE requirement. With a fraction of student support and students lobbying for faculty support, it disheartened proponents when the proposal was voted down by a faculty-wide vote. The faculty argued that the GE requirement would burden students even more with another requirement. Supporters, however, felt that the faculty misinterpreted the details about the proposal. “I feel the faculty were reluctant because they thought it was adding an extra requirement,” said Vietnamese Student Union President, Roman Nguyen. “That wasn’t the case though, it only adjusted an existing one.” The failure of the proposal has increasingly brought a sense of solidarity to campus organizations. “With the failure of the diversity requirement, we have worked to strengthen our coalition,” said American Indian Student Association President Kenneth Ramos. “There is a considerable effort to get along and have each others’ back.” The coalition has experienced some success thus far. With the failed proposal, students took their concerns to

However, during fall quarter, insensitive acts toward different communities re-emerged. The most recent act of vandalism against the Vietnamese community initiated an outcry of frustration. “I didn’t think it was real,” said Vietnamese Student Union Retention Coordinator, Caresse Vuong. “I couldn’t believe that someone would have the audacity to post such offensive slander.” Its insensitive remarks resurfaced student support to raise awareness for the lingering campus climate issue.“Lots of folks do not see the value in diversity,” said Nguyen. “These types of incidents are going to be addressed and aren’t going to be pushed under the rug.” Within days, student leaders took their frustrations directly to the school administration. In a meeting with Chancellor Block, student leaders shed light on the neces-

sity for a diverse GE requirement and their mounting frustration for the prevalence of insensitive acts. Chancellor Block again responded with his plan of action to appease several requests by student leaders. The plausible alternatives included a Diversity Summit, a creation of a Diversity Committee, a series of faculty dinners, and a continuation to support cultural nights. The administration’s plan of action has provided a good start to expand additional options for new initiatives that address diversity. “I thought it was important that the Chancellor helped address our frustration and helped fund our events that raise awareness for diversity,” said Nguyen. “He saw the importance of events like cultural nights.” With the support Chancellor Block’s initiatives, student leaders are optimistic about the campus climate. “I think as we [all] continue to have cultural events, they will help celebrate and educate our traditions,” said Ramos. “Our efforts help highlight the diversity and help educate those unaware of our diverse community.” With the potential for another GE requirement proposal in the near future, student leaders share the importance of developing effective and collaborative leaders. “We will just continue to educate and develop leadership that reflects our communities core values,” said Ramos. “We must also recognize the importance of our coalition with other campus entities who help us support beneficial initiatives.” As the most applied to university in the United States, UCLA will continue to represent a microcosm of the world population. With student advocacy and administration support, there is progress to continue raising awareness for diversity. Perhaps, the next diversity GE proposal will address new grounds. “Although the diversity requirement is not a solution, it is a step in the right direction to bring awareness to student body,” said Nguyen. “It can help put an end to insensitive occurrences.” Winter 2013 LA GENTE 17

universidad

Identifying and Stopping Microaggressions Student teaches peers how to address hostile or negative racial insights. Bernadett Leggis bleggis@media.ucla.edu

ublic events such as Penn State’s Chi Omega Sorority’s recent Mexican themed Party, UCLA’s “Asians in the library” YouTube rant in 2011, UCSD’s Compton Cookout in 2010 and yearly celebrations like “Cinco de Drinko,” are more rooted in racist beliefs and practices than some may believe. Although some people may argue that events like these are in good spirit, these events reveal the microaggressions that the dominant Anglo society practice toward members of Latino, Asian American and African American communities. According to a Derald Sue article, “Racial Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Implications for Clinical Practice” (2007), microaggressions are “brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative racial slights and insults toward people of color.” On February 6th, 2013, Sabrina Jimenez, a second year Global Studies and Chicana/o Studies student, organized a “How to Respond to Microaggressions Workshop.” Office of Residential Life and Hermanas Unidas hosted the event, which greeted about 20 students. Jimenez said, “I put on this workshop because in my own experiences I noticed that I never knew how to respond to people when they would speak to me with certain judgments.” However, the Chicano/Education course “Mexican Americans in Schools” helped her identify and name this experience as microaggressions while providing her with tools to address them. She wanted to share her knowledge with others. Jimenez emphasizes that microaggressions are not limited to race or ethnicity but may also consist of derogatory judgments based on sexuality, class and/or gender that indirectly belittle certain communities. Such judgements include: “bitch,” “slut,” “that’s gay,” or “that’s so ghetto.” One of the biggest issues with microaggressions is identifying them. The workshop fostered a discussion in which various participants expressed their own experiences with microaggressions within and outside of the UCLA community. Venus Esquivel, a fourth year Biochemistry major and Residential Advisor, expressed how she felt out of place as the only Latina in lab courses. Esquivel was always the “last one to get a partner because no one thinks [she’s] ‘smart enough.’ ” This sentiment was also expressed by another attendee of the workshop. Maite Medina, a first year undergraduate Nursing student, shared her experience of an interview she had for a local scholarship outside of the UCLA campus. She explained how two female interviewers asked Medina to describe her background in which she responded that both her parents and herself were born in Mexico, but that she had lived in the United States most of her life. One of the interviewers made a comment that it was “good” she did not have an accent. At the time of the interview Medina did not know how to respond but when she arrived home she processed the experience and realized that she was offended by the comment. She called the scholarship board and reported that she did not feel comfortable being placed in a situation like that. The interviewers apologized and told Medina they admired the way she stood up for herself. Medina’s initiative to voice how she felt helped the ladies from the scholarship board realize they were wrong in assuming that she would have a Spanish accent solely because she was born in Mexico. Medina rec18 LA GENTE Winter 2013

EXAMPLES OF MICROAGGRESSIONS • • • • • • • • •

“What are you?” “Where were you born?” “You don’t act like other Mexicans.” “It’s great that you don’t have an accent.” “You throw like a girl!” “That’s so gay.” “You’re retarded.” “Don’t be a pussy!” When a White man or woman clutches his or her purse or wallet as a Black or Latino man approaches or passes them.

For more information read Dr. Derald Su’s article in Psychology Today http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/microaggressionsin-everyday-life/201011/microaggressions-more-just-race ognized that she was indirectly discriminated and was able to educate the Anglo ladies who may not usually be victims of microaggressions because of their race. Her actions exemplify what Jimenez encourages all students to do: “a big way to reduce microaggressions is for people to start recognizing them and addressing them, every time you hear one [microaggression] make sure that you say or do something about it and inform others to not stay quiet.”

expresiones

La Esmeralda Que Brilla En La Oscuridad El 19 de Noviembre en 1994 fue encontrado el cuerpo de una mujer en Lote Bravo. La causa de su muerte fue una serie de golpes y estrangulamiento. Engruñado en su mano fue encontrado un papel que contiene lo seguido. Aranzazu Medellin Guerrero aguerrero@media.ucla.edu

MELISSA MERRILL

e han tenido aquí un mes. No tengo idea de donde estoy. Ni he visto a nadie desde que me secuestraron. La oscuridad de mis ojos se ha convertido la única imagen que conozco. Ya ni siquiera me acuerdo cual fue la última cosa que vi el día que me secuestraron. Hoy me quitaron el pañuelo de mi cara y el lazo de mis manos y pies. Pero sigo en la oscuridad. No puedo ver casi nada. Encontré este pedazo de papel en las escombras del piso. Quizá cuando te este contando esta historia no me creas o como dice la policía, me fui por ‘ay con mi supuesto novio.’ Si supiera la policía que me voy a morir nomas porque se me olvido mi suéter en la máquila. Me regrese para agarrarlo ‘pos tenía frío y me lo había regalado mi mamá.’ Me lo rompieron. Tenía el olor de mi casa y el perfume que tanto me gusta. Ahora siempre que hace frio por las noches trato de recordar el olor de ternura y amor. Mi mami Catalina es un amor. Todavía me acuerdo de su sonrisa y sus chistes. Eso es lo que me da esperanza. De seguro me van a matar y nunca más vuelva a verla. Sé que para ella nunca estaré muerta. Ojalá cuando llegue al cielo la vuelva a ver sonreír otra vez. Mientras esté vida te voy a contar mis sueños y anécdotas. Estudio computación. Lucia es mi mejor amiga, también estudia conmigo, nos divertimos mucho platicando de nuestros sueños. El mío es tener un buen trabajo para que mi mama ya no tenga que trabajar tanto. Me quiero comprar ropa como la que se pone Selena. Me en-

“I”

cantan sus canciones son tan bonitas. Canta como un angel, “Como la flor, como la flor con tanto amor…” Nací en Teotlalco, Puebla, México. Oh como dicen en mi pueblo en la tierra de dios. Me crié con las ranas y el agua dulce del río. Si vieras que bonitas flores ay allá. Me gustaba mucho olerlas. Siempre que me acuerdo de Puebla me acuerdo de las flores. Cuando era chica mi tata Manuel sembraba maíz. Que rico huele cuando lo muelen en el remolino. Listo para hacer unas tortillas calientitas. De niña me gustaba correr por la milpa descalza. Sentía la ternura de la tierra en mis piecitos y el aire fluía por mi pelo. Me sentía libre. Serraba mis ojos imaginando que volaba. De pronto llegaba a las afueras de la milpa y la magia se acababa. Entonces volvía a la milpa. ‘Pa correr y volar otra vez sin miedo.’ Que no daría por volver a mi pueblo. Quiero que sepas que alguna vez mis ojos brillaron como las esmeraldas. Mi mami siempre me decía que yo era la esmeralda de sus ojos. Dice que cuando nací mis ojos tenían un brillo incomparable. Ahora, no más estoy esperando ‘pa ver cuando se termina esta pesadilla.’ Ya no me quedan lágrimas. Pero el brillo del amor y la esperanza que existen en mi alma y mis recuerdos, si me queda. Quiero despertar y volar y volar. Quiero que sepas que existí. Que sé lo que es el amor. Sé lo que se siente disfrutar la vida. Si, tal vez soy pobre e insignificante para algunos. Pero eso no me importa. Cuando ya no esté aquí, recuérdame con una sonrisa, con paz en tu alma. Hoy no sé qué día es, mañana tampoco, pero en el tiempo que me queda antes de volar al cielo, quiero que sepas que viví. Que nunca se te olvide, me llamo Esmeralda Urias Sáenz, tengo veintitrés anos. ¡Y Soy Mujer!

sigan luchando

Jesus Alberto Fonseca, CSP. Corcoran (SHU) I am Lenin, still born and hurled into a warped society. I engage in battle with those who diametrically oppose my ideology. I survive under an extreme situation called occupation, but I have managed to successfully reverse my indoctrination. I am civilized and refined beyond the dreams of the white man, and now I wage war with the parasitic cowards who raped our women and stole our land. I look around only to discover that my kin has fled and forsaken me, and as a result

I am eschewed and scorned because I’ve elected to march to the beat of a different drum.

I touch and I can feel the scars seared on my psyche. I have witnessed my forefathers war with racism, but now I see I must do the same against psychological facism. I am reflected in the eyes of those who lost their children on the razorwire of social strife.

I have long been labled a recalcitrant by the establishment, yet I will always conduct myself to the detriment of all governments. I am drowling in a religious vortex which I declare my number one enemy. I see that it has only served to anaesthesize and confound my family. I have sat and chewed on the philosophy of dialectics, and for this I am hunted by the stake to be reunited w. the other heretics. I hear those on the moral high ground have cursed me to their hell, therefore I have been excoriated and escorted to my “condemned cell.” I now await to meet my execution so decreed by the likes of ancient rome, yet I see they’ve forgotten that I’ve always been a resident of the catacombs! Winter 2013 LA GENTE 19

I march in the phalanx of the pillars who though sacrifice guaranteed me life. I am repulsed to see my people bemused with a severe psychosis , but at least I no longer have to endure society’s hypnosis or social neurosis. I refuse to conform to society’s norms, so subsequently

I value the methodology of the “ecclectic dissect or of doctrines.” I seek to reduce to ashes those turncoats who’ve succumbed to capitulation. I had no choice, but to excommunicate him who was once me, for I possess an arsenal of ideological purity.

expresiones

La muerte en mi mente Subhead Roberto Reyna rreyna@media.ucla.edu

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

l humo del cigarro le quema sus ojos, no quiere recordar como llegó a ese cuarto obscuro y frío así que borra esa imagen de su frente. Levanta la mirada y se le hace curioso como la Virgen de Guadalupe lo observa con su triste mirada. Se levanta de esa cama dura, colchón incomodo, cobijas pesadas. Estira las piernas, se sienta y cierra los ojos. Sus ojos, viejos, arrugados y cansados, sin vida. Sin espíritu. Le tiemblan las manos arrugadas, quizá por el tabaco, o el nuevo pensamiento que le empezaba a provocar un dolor de cabeza como si poco a poco le estuvieran cortando su cerebro. Tal cortaduras le abren su mente, le abren su pensamiento. Siente como el recuerdo lo empuja con nausea. Se quiere vomitar, pero no levanta, ya se orina. No se raja, no hace el mínimo esfuerzo para complacer su vejiga cansada. Parpadeó; el recuerdo de su amor hechiza al viejo. Sigue ese pensamiento que lo vuele loco, locamente feliz. Su alegría crecía por la memoria que conquistaba su cuerpo. Se retornan los años como si entrara a la puerta de ese sueño. Su sonrisa sin esfuerzos empieza poco a curvear. Abre los ojos y ahí la tiene enfrente de él. Ella: encantadora, extraordinaria, la mujer más hermosa del mundo. Él levanta las manos rejuvenecidas. —¿Por qué me miras así?, pregunta la joven muchacha. —Perdón, por un momento me sentí viejón, hasta se me hizo la piel chinita... mira como se me levantaron los pelos del brazo —Ya estás loco. —¿Loco yo? Jamás. —Sí, ya te me hiciste loquito amor. Él observa sus labios, observa como crean las palabras, las lineas del labio superior están secas. Se le antoja darles frescura con un beso pero no puede. Por el momento no, pero llegará el tiempo cuando ella será su mujer hasta su último suspiro. Llegará el tiempo. Se arrugará, se morirá su color, su pasión, el sexo, pero jamás el amor. —Olvídalo, mejor acércate. Pégate a mí ya que te me vas quedado. Se da cuenta de que ya van juntos agarrados de la mano. Por fin levantó la espalda, pisa el cemento frío y siente como le quema las plantas de sus pies tiesos llenos de callos. Más de mil pasos que han dado sus pies velludos. Toca las venas que resaltan, las sigue con su dedo hasta llegar a su uña amarilla con algunas manchas negras en la esquina. Empieza la búsqueda por su cartera de piel pero ni puede mover ningún hueso. Cada pestaña pegada no quieren separase, mantiene los ojos cerrados. El olor del viento caliente camina adentro del cuarto, le acaricia las canas que le caen separadas de sus cejas gruesas. Abre los ojos y ahí la tiene enfrente de él. Mirando su espalda desnuda, le fascina cada centímetro de ella. El olor de su piel. El olor de ella. Su aroma tentativa. Mojada de sudor causado de la pasión terrenal. Él no sabe que es lo que tanto lo contagia. Es simplemente ella. Ese ser viviente que lo ama tanto como él a ella. Ella lo infesta, inyectado su amor doloroso, y él le da todo su permiso para ser contagiado. “Te amo”, lo dice y dice, pero siempre le quedará corto a lo que él siente por ella. Sigue distraído por admirar su cuerpo desnudo. El murmuro silencioso de la noche le quiere decir algo pero nunca lo descifra, la blancura luz chismosa emitida a causa de la luna le manda señales desde el reino del más allá pero los ignora. Ambos cuerpos enredados como el listón que sale de sus pechos, enredados en el nudo descompuesto por la fantasía e imaginación que él crea. Ya no puede abrir los ojos. Abierto sigue el sueño de la mujer más hermosa del mundo. Abierto sigue un amor que nunca pudo tener porque ella nunca existió. Un joven viejo, o viejo joven que jamas cosecho su corazón por falta del agua de la vida. Seca su vida, muerta como él. Solo queda contarle sus memorias creadas dentro de la tumba a su nueva compañía. Su nuevo amor, amarte y amiga, es ella la Muerte que lo escucha y lo enamora. Enamorado, solo él sin compañía. Solo, con la Muerte en su mente. 20 LA GENTE Winter 2013

arte y cultura

Songbird Soars from the Eastside Profile of Martha Gonazalez, lead singer of Grammy award winning Quetzal Savannah Smith ssmith@media.ucla.edu

the media right now, where it is just about entertaining, people having fun, and people don’t want to talk about certain things in their songs. Right now, the pattern that I see is the spectacle. To me that’s like bells and whistles distracting from all the things they aren’t saying rather than what they’re really saying. There is a different art form to that too. I think that’s important but if it’s just that, not the other part, (the message), then you’re just wasting time, talent, breath and valuable space.” Gonzalez sealed the interview with advice for the next generation of artists. She stated, “Stay true to what you want to say, don’t fold to try to be super in line with what’s happening right now or with what’s on the airways. Stay as far away as you can from those sounds because in that sense they’re not real. They’re not coming from a sense of experience. You’re not the only one living this reality there are other people that will identify with you and support you because you’re speaking what they’re feeling in real time. It’s like you’re bound to get people who are in sync with what you’re saying because it’s a human experience.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOWARD HUMBERTO

ot too long ago Martha Gonzalez was like a lot of students at UCLA. Studying for her degree in Ethnomusicology, taking part in performance groups, and other musical activities on campus. Recently, she and her Quetzal bandmates accomplished a feat that not many Bruins have the honor of achieving: she is a Grammy winner. Music has always been a part of Gonzalez’s life, even when she didn’t necessarily want it to be. As a child her father pressured her into pursuing music. “For a long time I hated it. You know? I hated music because of the way he valued it. Early on I didn’t like it, so I stayed away for a long time” she said. However, she admits that music had always been a part of her life, “I think that music actually pursued me a lot. It was something that always kept coming up again. I think that music always found me. I was drawn to it and it kind of always pulled me in all the time.” Gonzalez said once she reached 22 to 24 years old, she decided that she was ready to fully embrace music and felt that she could finally define music for herself. She is not only the singer of the Grammy award-winning band Quetzal, she is also a songwriter. She admits that when writing or creating new material she has no specific procedure. “For me, every song was born in a different way. Sometimes I will come up with a melody, or lyrics myself, and I will bring it to the band. Or, they will have a sonic idea like a melody, some chords, and things like that. I think that every song was born in a different way. I don’t think I’ve ever noticed a real pattern to me necessarily.” When asked her feelings about music, Gonzalez revealed that not only does she have a lot to say about her music, but more about the music industry as a whole. She holds very strong beliefs for the power of music. When asked what she wants people to feel when listening to Quetzal’s music she said, “I think for me music brings on feelings. I can’t control what people feel. More than anything I want to have people think. I want to get them talking, I want to get them thinking about a certain subject and I don’t think we as artists can control that part of it.” When talking about the music industry she commented, “There is so much in

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arte y cultura

Hope for a Brighter Future BruinCorps helps host a college fair for families at the Hope Street Family Center Erika Ramirez eramirez@media.ucla.edu

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arte y cultura

Poetry commemorates history and change in the U.S. Cuban poet Richard Blanco makes history at Presidential inauguration Rosa Meza rmeza@media.ucla.edu y being the first openly gay Latino man and immigrant to be selected as the inaugural poet, Richard Blanco made his mark at the 57th Presidential Inauguration ceremony on January 21, 2013. In his biography Blanco comments on his origin saying: [he] was made in Cuba, assembled in Spain, and imported to the United States. “It is pretty historical, he is the fifth poet that’s been asked to speak before the inauguration of the president,” said Juan Espinoza, a third year Political Science major and Spanish minor, and member of the LGBT community on campus. Blanco’s presence at the inauguration ceremony gave new meaning to the definition “minority.” His poem “One Today” not only embodies his own life struggles, but the struggles of those who have fought and continue to fight for justice. President Obama’s decision to choose Blanco as the inaugural poet shows that it is time for minority communities to be recognized. The LGBT community, immigrants, and poets have been ostracized, misunderstood and ridiculed for centuries. But, the magnitude of the situation emerged and found itself lying it the midst of the

words in the poem “ One Day.” “Just like a rainbow is multicolored, this nation is multiracial, multicultural, multilingual [and] we need to stop trying to ignore whatever doesn’t fit the majority” said Espinoza. Blanco’s achievement emerges from his own life struggles to get to where he is now. As the son of Cuban exiles and an immigrant to the United States, Blanco has demonstrated that any individual from a minority group does not have to feel confined. Opportunities in life replace these unfavorable grievances that seem to plunge the individual into a state of anguish and fear for what lies ahead in life. “[Cubans] came to this country--it gave us a haven from Castro’s tyranny. [We] wanted to put [our] best foot forward to show that [we] were people that could contribute to this country,” said Luis L. Rego, a Cuban immigrant and Director and owner of Future-Net Vocational School. The nation was exposed to the importance of Blanco’s words, a gay immigrant who also happens to be a poet who demonstrates that persistence and dedication toward one’s dreams and ambitions will produce new beginnings.

HTTP://WWW.RICHARD-BLANCO.COM

“We head home: through the gloss of rain or weight of snow, or the plum blush of dusk, but always—home, always under one sky, our sky. And always one moon like a silent drum tapping on every rooftop and every window, of one country— all of us— facing the stars hope— a new constellation waiting for us to map it, waiting for us to name it— together.” Richard Blanco’s “One Day” Winter 2013 LA GENTE 23

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