Latino Perspectives Magazine by Latino Perspectives Magazine

www.latinopm.com www.latinopm.com

September August 2010 2010 ARIZONA ARIZONA EDITION EDITION

Celebrating

6 years in publication

Self-made with love Published journeys: local authors share their memoirs

www.latinopm.com

Prop 107 debate:

•

Preserve equal opportunity? Or end preferential treatment?

SEPTEMBER 2010

• ARIZONA EDITION

On civil discourse An attorney’s perspective on why we need to do better

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Journal of the American Latino Dream

Volume 7

{September 2010}

Writers of the heart Three local autores with roots in Chile, Puerto Rico and Arizona share excerpts from their published memoirs

Issue 1

In the balance

Proposition 107, if passed, will surely affect the higher education landscape for the ‘underclass’ – and make us all equal?

9 13

From the publisher

Happy anniversary to us - and muchísimas gracias to our readers

¡De veras!

Notable quotes and other fanciful items

14 LP journal Stephen Zack and the Hispanic Legal Rights

Commission; Prop. 107 and Constitution Day.

16 Vibe When Worlds Collide on PBS; the Resplendent

Quetzal; Valley celebrations of Hispanic heritage

21 Rincón del arte Poranguí Carvalho McGrew’s musical roots,

education and the desire to heal have shaped his performances

35 Business Movin’ Up: Flores is new KJZZ/KBAQ PR

coordinator; LULAC honors AZ leaders; Abril appointed Phoenix NAMI VP; Diaz chosen for Bar Leadership Institute

53 Those who serve Lt. Colonel Cosme F. Lopez: Ph.D. student, big

game hunter, proud father and honored veteran of the war in Afghanistan

71 39 Entrepreneur Danica Coral is in the Pink House in Glendale’s historic district, showing off jewelry, accessories and other fashions by local designers

41 Briefcase Public relations is mutual adaptation of sorts; it’s also the key to surviving a company crisis, natural or man-made

45 Career Deadlines, love ‘em or hate ‘em, we all need ‘em. What kind of deadline person are you?

Health

If you buy sippy cups, maybe you know about BPA, a chemical used in polycarbonate plastics. And if you don’t know about BPA, read this

74 Time out

Guadalupe’s Golden Glove campeona Cynthia Moreno has a goal: the 2012 Olympics

82 My perspective

Immigration attorney Nic Suriel on S.B. 1070 and the need for open dialogue, mutual respect and no shouting

Coming in October: RACE

6 66

Sixth year of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Celebrating our sixth anniversary

years

September 9, 2010 Phoenix Art Museum

5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Featuring Cox’s Outstanding Latino Leaders Award

CELEBRATING

HISPANIC HERITAGE

Join us !

Friends, music, hors d’oeuvres

and a no-host bar Sponsored by

¡! from the executive editor

September 2010 Publisher/CEO Ricardo Torres Executive Editor/COO Cecilia Rosales, Ph.D. Editor Rosa Cays Art Director Charles Sanderson Contributing Writers Catherine Anaya, Erica Cardenas, Dan Cortez, Ruben Hernandez, Gary Keller, Stella Pope Duarte, Marco Rodarte, Nic Suriel, Karina Ybarra Director of Sales and Marketing Carlos Jose Cuervo

Let’s celebrate By Cecilia Rosales, Ph.D.

This month, Latino Perspectives Magazine celebrates its sixth anniversary.

This important milestone would have not been possible without the continuous support of our readers, friends and supporters. Over the past 72 months, the pages of our magazine have chronicled a slice of the Latino experience in Arizona. We’ve shared the stories of entrepreneurs, artists and those who serve our community, and have presented diverse perspectivas on more than one thorny issue. And above all, we’ve striven to bring pride and dignity to our community. We still have a lot of work to do and look forward to many more learning opportunities and even more issues of LPM. Thank you to our readers, our contributing writers, our vendors and clients. We are all in this together. Gracias.

Advertising Account Executives: Grace Alvarez and Barry Farber Executive Assistant to CEO & COO Olivia Rojas Staff Writer Sam Naser Webmaster Jorge Quintero

www.latinopm.com 3877 N. 7th St., Ste. 200 Phoenix, Arizona 85014 602-277-0130 Advertising: sales@latinopm.com Editorial: editor@latinopm.com Design: art@latinopm.com

Subscriptions For home or office delivery, please send your name, address, phone number, and a check for $24 to Latino Perspectives Magazine at the address above. Subscriptions also available for credit-card purchase by calling 602-277-0130. Visit www.latinopm.com/digital for a free digital subscription. Latino Perspectives Magazine is published 12 times a year and is selectively distributed throughout Arizona. The entire contents of this publication are copyrighted by Latino Perspectives Media, LLC, all rights reserved, and may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher.

P.S. Join us for a community celebration on Thursday, September 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Phoenix Art Museum. Bring la familia and a friend or two – the more the merrier.

¡! Será posible? God (and Gmail) knows you want to go to Vegas Imagine that you, your computer

and your online activity together represent a single entity on the Internet in the form of some incomprehensible ID. Then, imagine that an archive of your online activity is inextricably matched to your ID, no matter how hard you try to delete cookies and your history. Gmail, for example, “scans” users’ e-mails looking for keywords in order to target ads to their interests. Sorry, amigo, if this bursts your bubble and you thought the constant ads with last-minute deals to Las Vegas were a sign from above. Duh – remember the 20 e-mails back and forth about going to Vegas for 16 de Septiembre with your compadres? And as your “record” continues to grow, various companies that have access to your online history use that information to categorize you the moment you arrive to their own websites. They then proceed to advertise the products they think would interest you. Irritating? Or disconcerting? Well, too bad. It’s already happening. The Wall Street Journal’s tech department reported on [x+1] Inc., the third-party firm that tracks people’s

Your thoughts? Tell us what you think. Send your thoughts to editor@latinopm.com

online activity and provides (sells) that information to companies trying to “personalize” their advertising. Visitor 2,864: Piss-poor male in 20s with some liberal arts college education. Awesome. Think of it as moving into a new neighborhood and your over-enthusiastic neighbor, who hired a private detective, already knows a little too much about you. “Since you love red velvet cake and Jack Daniels, I took the liberty of welcoming you with ...” Not all identifications performed by [x+1] are accurate. Many computers are used by more than one individual. A lot of people spend time online doing research for workrelated purposes. In these instances, the cyber offerings may not be spot-on. Maybe that explains why you keep getting offers for erectile dysfunction drugs. A more romantic take would be that serendipity (or the Universe?) places online retailers right in front of us, just a click away, because we truly need all those things they offer – we just don’t realize it until they materialize right before our eyes. Eureka!

Latino Perspectives welcomes feedback from readers regarding published stories or topics of interest. Please include your name and phone number. Mail letters to Editor, Latino Perspectives, 3877 N. 7th St., Ste. 200, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Or, e-mail letters to editor@latinopm.com.

Tweet for posterity On April 14 at 8:36 a.m., the Library

of Congress announced what will be a never-ending acquisition of the entire public Twitter archive. Like a cheeky, precocious preteen who just learned what “that’s so meta” means, it did so with a cute tweet. Known as the preserver of all things culturally meritorious and important, it’s easy to turn a twitchy evil eye toward the Library of Congress and ask, “Really, LOC? Really?” And though it is unclear who had the idea first, does it really matter? Regardless, one should never forget the humble, tear-jerking gesture made by Twitter itself when it presented this “gift for the benefit of the American people.” Along with national archivist David S. Ferriero, other academics and historians have been interviewed by the New York Times and cited in the library’s news releases on this matter, all strangely airing the same politico-polite sentiments. They see the acquisition as an invaluable resource that will help future generations understand the culture of the 21st century. This may be true, but all they’re going to find out is how obnoxiously self-indulgent everyone was “back then.” Twitter has spearheaded a networking trend of communications and information exchange that has only contributed to the increasingly megalomaniacal sense of self already begun by sites like Facebook, MySpace, Bebo, Blogger, YouTube and LiveJournal. Expect more of the same, but in the form of short quips and throwaway lines. The future utility of tweets is dubious at best. Prove us wrong, Twitter. And you better do it in 140 characters or less.

Editorial mission statement Latino Perspectives creates community, cultivates cultural pride and provokes, challenges and connects Latinos who are defining, pursuing, and achieving the American Latino Dream.

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Conversation starters from the world around us

14 LP Journal The ABA elects CubanAmerican president

16 Vibe

PBS to air documentary When Worlds Collide

21 Rincón del arte

A musical healer: Poranguí Carvalho McGrew

i say ... Not only is Tom Horne a confessed con artist ... he has hired a convicted felon ... to oversee sensitive information on students and teachers in Arizona. —Republican attorney general candidate Andrew Thomas

Arizonans cannot trust a prosecutor who ... cannot control his emotions and who does not use facts ... they cannot trust Andy Thomas. —Republican attorney general candidate Tom Horne

McCain’s strategy for reelection has become the “Lie & Buy” approach.

page

ASU’s Hispanic Research Center launches Transcendent Icon, Resplendent Quetzal

—Republican U.S. Senate hopeful J.D. Hayworth

¡!

LP journal

r o r ter s e i b ba Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tex., says they “could be raised and coddled as future terrorists” and “twenty, thirty years down the road, they can be sent in to help destroy our way of life.” Beware.

Legal Rights Commission It took an immigrant CubanAmerican abogado with impeccable credentials to pull the 400,000-member American Bar Association (ABA) into the debate over Latino legal rights. Miami attorney Stephen Zack, an administrative partner of the national law firm Boies, Schiller and Flexner, is the first Hispanic to become ABA president. One of his initial actions as president-elect was to engineer an unprecedented ABA Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities.

Stephen Zack

The new commission has music star Emilio Estefan, a fellow Cuban American, as honorary chair. This will bring worldwide visibility to the endeavor. Zack says he plans to send the commission to U.S. cities with major Hispanic populations to hold hearings. Because Arizona is ground zero for the debate on immigration reform and what some perceive as attacks on Latino civil rights, Zack says Phoenix will be one of the first cities in which hearings are held this year. The commission comes at an auspicious time, as polls say that Latin0 citizens feel their civil and legal rights are being challenged, and fears of racial profiling are escalating. The move also signals a shift in Cuban-American political thinking, normally in lockstep with far-right Republican Party politics. “Because of the growing numbers of Hispanics, and how the legal rights of one minority affects all minorities, we decided it was time to do it, and we are going to do it as

part of the ABA’s [diversity] effort,” Zack states in a video press release. “We are going to make sure that everyone in this country has equal justice under the law.” Zack says the work of the commission and its advisory committee will help foster an environment that welcomes and recognizes the contributions of Hispanics in our society and protects their human rights. Zack came to this country from Cuba in 1961 with his fleeing family at the age of 14. During his inaugural speech at the ABA annual conference in San Francisco in early August, he recalled being jailed and separated in his own cell while his migrant status was processed. “The last thing I could have imagined then was a day like today,” he told the ABA conference crowd. He’s come a long way since being a jailed joven. Among many other accomplishments, Zack represented former Vice President Al Gore in the election trial Bush v. Gore, and was legal counsel to

former Florida governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham.

Prop 107: Be aware. Be very aware The battle over discrimination in Arizona is back, and so is the influence of the californiano Ward Connerly, AKA the antiaffirmative action czar. Among the ballot initiatives in the Nov. 2 general election is Prop 107. The official title is the “Arizona Civil Rights Initiative.” Prop 107 would amend the state Constitution to prohibit preferential treatment in public contracts, public employment and public education on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Connerly, who happens to be black, has spent megabucks on pushing anti-affirmative action legislation across the country, including our state, back in 2008. He failed. But this time around the state’s Republican legislators saved Connerly mucho dinero. Prop 107 took a back-door entry onto the ballot. Rep. Steve Montenegro, a Republican legislator from Litchfield Park, and his mentor Sen. Russell

LP journal

American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board, Arizona Advocacy Network, Arizona AntiDefamation League, Arizona Education Association, Arizona League of Women Voters, Arizona Minority Bar Association, Arizona NAACP, Arizona National Organization for Women, Arizona Women’s Political Caucus, LIUNA – Laborers International Union of North America, and Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. Former

and rápido. You answer 11 multiple-option questions and then, ta-da. Based on your answers and the personality traits of the Founding Fathers, it tells you which one you are like (i.e., James Madison: diligent, scholarly and shy). You can also test your Constitutional I.Q. If you want to attend an actual event to commemorate the occasion, consider University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law’s 12th Annual Constitution Day Supreme Court Review. The William H. Rehnquist Center will present a review of important cases decided during the most recent term of the Supreme Court on September 16, 2 to 5 p.m. For more details about the event, visit www.law. arizona.edu. Hmm … perhaps next year or the year after that, the review will include a case or two with local ties.

Knocks out those pesky minority quotas!

Prop. 107 VANILLA SCENTED SU

NE P

U.S. Senator Dennis DeConcini, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and Daniel R. Ortega Jr. are among the coalition’s honorary co-chairs. PAF cites the fact that women continue to earn less than men for the same job; the disparity is even worse for women of color, and why Prop 107 matters and why voters should oppose it. “We’re all in this together. Equal opportunity gives communities a hand up, not a hand out,” states the coalition’s website (http:// protectarizonafreedom.com). Get educated. Read the text of Prop 107. Here’s a portion of

Constitution book is available for only $2.95 from www. constitutionfacts.com; buy it in bulk for your familia and coworkers and save. Buy 500 or more and pay only $1.00 per book—a bargain. The booklet includes the full text of the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, Articles of Confederation and much more. Make sure you read all the amendments. Order today. And if you are not among one of those lucky ones who can “channel” one of the Founding Fathers, do not fret. You can make yourself feel important by taking the quiz “Which Founding Father are You?” at www. constitutioncenter.org/ foundersquiz. It’s easy

DOES THE JOB JABON ZOTE

E R WON’T DO! CO RE NC PU EN BL TR I C A A TE A D W N FORMULA! ES ITH 15 % MORE (OF TH

University Women—Arizona Chapter,

it from the Secretary of State’s website: House Concurrent Resolution 2019 1. Article II, Constitution of Arizona, is proposed to be amended by adding section 36 as follows if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor: 36. Preferential treatment or discrimination prohibited; exceptions: definition Section 36. A. This state shall not grant preferential treatment to or discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education or public contracting. B. This section does not: 1. Prohibit bona fide qualifications based on sex that are reasonably necessary to the normal operation of public employment, public education or public contracting. 2. Prohibit action that must be taken to establish or maintain eligibility for any federal program, if ineligibility would result in a loss of federal monies to this state. 3. Invalidate any court order or consent decree that is in force as of the effective date of this section. C. The remedies available for a violation of this section are the same, regardless of the injured party’s race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin, as are otherwise available for a violation of the existing antidiscrimination laws of this state.

Pearce spearheaded the legislation in their respective chambers. In a move that bypasses the signature-gathering process needed for most ballot referendums, the Legislature took advantage of a state law that permits that body politic to send propositions to the November general election ballot by a majority vote of lawmakers. No Democrat voted for the bill. Among opponents of Prop 107 are Protect Arizona’s Freedom (PAF), a coalition of Arizona business, community, faith, and education leaders concerned about the negative impact the proposition could have on our state. Member organizations include the American Association of

Sept 17 is Constitution Day Celebrate Constitution Day by reading the actual document. America’s best-selling pocket

¡!

vibe

El Quetzal

Dos mundos

ASU’s Hispanic Research Center (HRC) has launched

In When Worlds Collide, the story begins on the

photo by mitch wilson, courtesy of caramar publicity

streets of Los Angeles in 2010 and travels to Spain and Latin America to examine the results of La Conquista and the mestizaje or mixed culture that arose from it. El Nuevo Mundo radically transformed the Old World. It is an important part of the heritage of more than 30 million Latinos in the United States today. Premiering on PBS (KAET Channel 8) on September 27, the documentary explores milestone events of this 16th-century transformation. The companion website (www. pbs.org/when-worlds-collide) launches this month and includes educational materials and impressive graphics. The 90-minute film is directed by Carl Byker and hosted and co-written by Rubén Martínez, Emmy Award-winning journalist, author and performer. Visit www.azpbs.org for a list of other programs celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.

an interdisciplinary, educational website as part of an ambitious project entitled Transcendent Icon, Resplendent Quetzal. The project, dedicated to what some consider is the most beautiful bird in the Americas, is the result of academic research on the Resplendent Quetzal by students and faculty members in the United States, Honduras, Mexico and Costa Rica. The website http://quetzal.asu.edu/ Quetzal is rich with information on the significance of the Quetzal, from literary, artistic, anthropological and scientific perspectives. A companion DVD was released earlier this year: El Quetzal: Milagro de la naturaleza y símbolo cultural (The Quetzal: Miracle of Nature and Cultural Symbol). The 45minute DVD has already been screened in academic conferences in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panamá, Honduras and Oklahoma. Later this month, as part of the Arizona Quetzal Jubilee 2010, the HRC plans to screen the DVD in collaboration with the Honduran Consulate in Phoenix. The DVD is available for purchase at the HRC for $15. Visit www.asu.edu/clas/hrc for updates. The HRC is directed by Dr. Gary Keller, a regular LPM contributor. Felicidades.

Get more Vibe at www.latinopm.com

Celebrate con gusto Radio Campesina and the Mexican Consulate will

commemorate the bicentennial of Mexican independence with a family-friendly celebration at Barrios Unidos Park (16th Street and Mohave) in Phoenix. The free, two-day event takes place September 11, 3:00 p.m. to midnight, and September 12, noon to 10:00 p.m. Enjoy fireworks, ballet folklorico, and music by Los Rieleros del Norte, Larry Hernandez and Enigma Norteño. Brazilian Day Arizona, presented by Afro:Baile Records, will celebrate Brazil’s independence on September 18 at Club 910 Live, 910 N. McClintock Road in Tempe. Doors open at 8:00 p.m.; tickets are $10-$15. Enjoy live Brazilian music, art, food, drink and eclectic performances. Dance the night away to the sounds of Brasilidade, Som Brasil and DJ Seduce. Visit www.910liveaz. com for more details.

It’s also the bicentennial of Chile’s independence, which will be commemorated at Tumbleweed Park in Chandler (McQueen and Germann Roads) on September 18, noon to 9:30 p.m. Presented by Centro Cultural Chileno de Arizona, the event offers Chilean folklore, music, food and dance. Check out the cultural center’s Facebook page or contact chilenosaz@comcast.net for more information. Explore Tempe’s Hispanic roots, dating back to the mid-1800s, through music, dance, and art exhibits at the annual Tempe Tardeada. The free fiesta is scheduled for October 10 from noon to 8:00 p.m. at the Tempe Community Complex (Rural Road and Southern Avenue). The musical lineup includes mariachis, boleros, salsa and Latin jazz.

vibe

What part of illegal?

¡!

Lola's Voicemail:

Repeat after me, ex-Miss USA: “I shall not steal”

By Gary Francisco Keller

Hello, Shannon? The former Miss

“Illegal” is so

clear to the selfrighteous wielder of weapons. The Brits once accused their subjects of not paying taxes while enjoying the benefits of government, of burning the flag and raising another, and of issuing an incendiary manifesto claiming various rights as natural to their humanity. The impudent rebels became the founding fathers, their pollution of a harbor the Boston Tea Party, and their seditious manifesto, the Declaration of Independence. Laws are morally binding when they further justice. When they go against it, the virtuous thing to do is oppose them. St. Augustine, in Civitas Dei (City of God, 4.4), judged that “legality” without justice reflects the immoral will of the strong over the weak. “Take away justice, then, and what are governments but great bandit bands?” Why isolate S.B. 1070 and endow it with special significance? It is merely the latest instance of a long history of “legality” as the expedient of power. Focus on justice. An African proverb goes, “Until lions have their own historians, histories of the hunt will glorify the hunter.” The U.S.Mexican War ended in 1848 with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The United States acquired over 500,000 square miles of valuable territory. As injurious as this was to Mexico, the Treaty “at least” provided property, language, religious freedom, and citizenship rights to the Mexicans residing in the territory. Almost every one of those rights was dishonored. Might equaled right. continued on next page

USA … Shannon Marketic? I would have not become interested in your story had you been caught stealing, say, electronics. There are thieves aplenty in this world, and I don’t like thieves. But because you are accused of stealing an Oil of Olay Professional ProX Skin treatment, I became intrigued. Well, because of that, and because we are the same age, under 40. But the fact that you are a former beauty queen made me feel sad for you. A former beauty queen stealing Oil of Olay from Target? Have we women swallowed hook, line and sinker? What ever happened to Eat, Pray, Love? Rhetorical question. I’m tired of faux illuminati and the like. But really! Why do we allow the media to sell us images of what we “could look like.” How desperate does one have to be to steal beauty products? Ay, ay, ay. You see, I started using Oil of Olay a year ago, after a trip to Target with my kids. It had been a month since running out of my fancy departmentstore-bought lotions and potions, and I kept telling myself, I’ll go to the mall tomorrow. Tomorrow never came. So, after I literally squished the last bit of cream out of every travel-size sample of anti-wrinkle XYZ tube I had collected, and after being bombarded with TV and print ads and hearing about the quasimiraculous properties of the “all new” Oil of Olay, I bit – and got hooked.

To my surprise, I don’t look any worse or any better than I did when I was spending seven times as much on fancy anti-aging products. If my face could “downgrade” to Oil of Olay bought at Target or Walgreens, then everything else I put on my body (and that I buy for my household for that matter) could follow suit. Savvy shopper, stingy consumer, or simply realistic me. But I’m really calling to tell you that you don’t have to buy into the crazed, mean, deceiving and aggressive beauty industry marketing. If you did, in fact, steal the Oil of Olay, I don’t condone it. But I think I could mount a decent legal defense and claim temporary insanity. Last time I went shopping I came across lip-plumping lipstick, eyelashexpanding and volumizing mascara, color-enhancing shampoo, anti-frizz conditioner, cellulite-controlling body moisturizer, revitalizing body wash, poreminimizing face wash; tooth-whitening toothpaste, conditioning shaving cream, tone-enhancing face scrub, callousremoving foot lotion, sun-spot-eliminating and cuticle-softening hand lotion …. And then the apparel. Body-contouring camisole, butt-lifting panty girdle, push-up separating bra, leglengthening jeans, slimming dress, antimuffin-top tank top, muscle-toning shoes …. Ay, dios. This is enough to drive anyone permanently insane. Butt-lifting panty girdle, my a ....

What part of illegal? continued from previous page

In 1882, President Chester A. Arthur signed the Chinese Exclusion Act, creating a moratorium on Chinese labor immigration. It was the first time federal law denied entry into the U.S.A. based on ethnicity. The law was extended with the Geary Act, and restrictions on Chinese immigrants continued until the 1920s. Eventually and expediently, the situation changed and justice peered through a slightly open door. The Great Depression led to massive “repatriation” of both Mexicans and Mexican Americans. About 400,000 to 500,000 were deported. Federal deportation campaigns began in 1928 and intensified between 1929 and 1931, but really continued throughout the 1930s. With World War II, the situation changed and we needed Mexican agricultural labor. A new law judged as a splendid move in support of the war effort was passed allowing Mexican workers to migrate to the United States. Then the war was viewed as a victory. What was legal changed. From 1944 to 1954, the number of undocumented Mexicans coming to this country increased by 6,000 percent. It was concluded that workers were being exploited while newspapers were blaming immigrants for crime. Operation Wetback began in 1954, officially targeting “illegal aliens” but actually focusing on Mexicans in general. Police canvassed MexicanAmerican barrios across the southern part of the country. During 1954, one million immigrants were deported, including some U.S.-born children. It was “legal” until it became too embarrassing. By fall of the same year, funding ran out as the program came under increasing criticism. Because it was unjust, it became illegal. Our community has historians and we know the record. We also know that esto va para largo, and those laws, as harsh as they appear for the moment, are transitory, expedient, political commodities. For so many reasons – historical, demographic, cultural, spiritual, moral, and economic – we will be here forever and one day past that. As will justice, which must always win out.

Pocho keen

Like peachy keen, pero different

Los terror babies del norte If all this talk about “anchor” and

“terror” babies continues, I sure hope my baby boy and his future group of diverse little friends start a punk rock band called Los Terror Babies del Norte. They’ll wreak havoc all over the state playing their special brand of mariachi-tinged speed metal and indie-rock corridos about diaper changes gone bad, headless zombies and drug mules - all while taking swigs of spiked baby formula. OK, so that last bit was a play on the insanity being spewed by our unelected governor – the (ahem) honorable Jan Brewer. Leave it to Arizona and only Arizona to initiate a challenge to the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, specifically the first part that reads, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” And leave it to the GOP to not only jump on the anti-immigrant bandwagon set in motion by our local one-trickpony politicians, but to take it a step further and claim that babies are being “dropped,” just like foals in a barn somewhere, for the sole purpose of being able to return later to terrorize America. GOPers need to realize that, according to Democracia U.S.A. (www. democraciausa.org), half a million voting-eligible,

Do you have something pocho, peachy or keen to say? Send it to pochokeen@latinopm.com.

vibe

Contact Pocho Keen

¡!

Latinos will turn 18 every year for the next 20 years. When I think about how these youngsters will feel about attempts to strip future generations of kids just like them of their birthright citizenship, I’m reminded of an old McDonald’s commercial. In it, a nearly defeated boxer, on his last leg, is being cajoled back in the ring by his trainer. The trainer brings him back to his youth in an instant by reminding him of the time someone stole his fries at his 6th birthday party. He snaps him into action by looking him straight in the eye and saying, “It was him!” as he points to the unsuspecting opponent. Newly invigorated, the boxer rises to his feet, approaches his enemy and the lights go out. You get the picture. This sentiment is sure to emerge in years to come when these youngsters learn of the S.B. 1070 era and the challenges to birthright citizenship. They’re going to learn about the past and they’ll wonder what Arizona was like circa 2010. “How could they let that happen, Dad?” When they get to be 16 and 17 years old, a lot of these kids probably will start punk bands and questioning authority along the way. More importantly, and what is being missed by those who wish to vilify them, is that they will have become Americans by experience, not just by birth. And when they turn 18, they’re very likely going to vote because they’ve been given the greatest motivation of all. They may be tiny babies now, but they’ll have plenty of stories to listen to. And I’ve got a great ole’ rocking chair.

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Latino Perspectives Magazine

STATE FARM AGENT, GUNTHER PERDOMO 2040 E. Bell Road, Suite 110 Phoenix, AZ 85022 Phone: (602) 971-8488

YEARS AS A STATE FARM AGENT: Three

PREVIOUS CAREER:

State Farm Team Member

EDUCATION:

Arizona State University Bachelor’s Degree in Finance

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: Three, although I am currently looking to hire another team member.

MEMORABLE MOMENT:

I’ve been fortunate to have many memorable moments in my business. However, they’re all secondary to the day I married my wife, Kristy, and the day my son, Alejandro, was born. They are what drive me to make my business a successful one, one that focuses on being there for the families I serve.

Q&A

Q: Why did you become a State Farm agent? A: State Farm allows me to provide for my family and offer friends and customers a quality product and experience. It was also important for me to provide a meaningful service to my community. This business allows me to touch, change and improve people’s lives. Q: What are two qualities an agent should exhibit? A: An agent should have integrity and be dedicated to their clients. These two qualities make a business meaningful. Without them, you’re just going through the motions. Q: What makes being a State Farm agent the right opportunity for you? A: Being a State Farm agent is my dream job. It allows me to improve my customers’ lives by educating them in matters pertaining to insurance and financial services. Because it’s my business, I also have the flexibility to create my own work environment and earn unlimited income based on my efforts. Q: What advice would you give someone considering investing in a State Farm agency? A: Be prepared for a challenging, but extremely rewarding, career. If you work hard and have a genuine interest in helping people, the sky is the limit.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO BECOME A STATE FARM AGENT AND RECEIVE THE SUPPORT OF A FORTUNE 50 COMPANY, CONTACT CHRIS CRUZ AT (480) 293-8504 OR CHRIS.CRUZ.GUKV@STATEFARM.COM. YOU CAN ALSO VISIT THE STATE FARM WEBSITE AT WWW.STATEFARM.COM/CAREERS.

rincón del arte

Curandero musical Poranguí Carvalho McGrew, musician, teacher, healer

Born in Sao José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil,

and raised by his Brazilian mother and Chicano father, Poranguí Carvalho McGrew spent much of his childhood commuting from Brazil to Mexico to the United States. He was a mere toddler the first time he joined his parents on stage to play the maracas, his musical curiosity piqued. His instrumental repertoire now includes global percussion, guitar, didgeridoo, Native American flute and his voice. It was his abuelitos who valued education and convinced Poranguí to apply to Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix. He graduated at the top of his class and was accepted to Duke University as a pre-med student. At Duke, it didn’t take long for Poranguí to realize his values did not align with the bottom-line values of the medical institutions, so he designed his own program, “Healing through Music and Dance: Psychological and Cultural Perspectives,” pulling from the departments of music, dance, neuroscience, psychology and cultural anthropology to explore how music and dance, or movement and sound, play a part in the integration of mind, body and spirit within the context of community.

Describe your genre/style: My father was a DJ, so I would be listening to Santana one minute and then a deep Brazilian groove from Sergio Mendez and Brazil 66 the next, only to end with a funky harmonica solo from War. I describe my music as “world beat” or “world soul.” My style of playing and performance engages the audience by inviting them to not be mere spectators, but rather co-creators in the performance experience.

Do you perform to heal or to entertain? Both. Though it may not be obvious to most, intention is always behind my music, whether it’s playing percussion for a DJ or doing an intimate sound healing concert. My intention may be to take the audience up into a frenzy of energetic catharsis with the batucada, or bring them down into their center with the deep resonance of the didgeridoo.

Website: www.porangui.com

¡!

Join us for the

CALA Alliance Kick-Off Event Presenting:

ALLIANCE

Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band with Quetzal & the Warriors!

Celebración Artística de las Américas

When: Friday, September 24, 2010

Where: Phoenix Symphony Hall One North First Street Phoenix, AZ 85004 Tickets: For tickets call (602) 262-7272.

CALA Alliance is an Arizona community-based organization dedicated to celebrating arts and culture to educate and inspire all Arizonans about the richness of our Latino cultural heritage. Through festivals, performances, exhibits, in-school activities, food, music and events, we will all share in the joy and beauty of this inspiring way of life. The life we live throughout Arizona. For more information visit calaalliance.org.

School of Theatre and Film

Latino Perspectives Magazine

¡ September 2010!

www.latinopm.com

Catherine Anaya

¡!

image courtesy of phoenix art museum

Anaya says

Bolero, Chado Ralph Rucci, 2007

Happenings at Phoenix Art Museum U.S. debut extends fashion runway to the Valley After a highly anticipated and

celebrated unveiling at the recent opening of the Russian Fashion Museum, Moscow, Extending the Runway: Tatiana Sorokko Style makes its U.S. debut on September 16, 2010, at Phoenix Art Museum. Curated by Phoenix Art Museum’s own fashion design curator Dennita Sewell, the exhibition features more than 60 elements from Sorokko’s extraordinary couture wardrobe. Sorokko was the first Russian model to achieve international success. She moved to Paris in 1990 and walked the runways for major designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Miuccia Prada, Alexander McQueen, among many others. The exhibit displays work from the early 20th century through today by designers and fashion houses such as Balenciaga, Ungaro, Hermès, Jean Paul Gaultier, Gianfranco Ferré, Vivienne Westwood, Chado Ralph Rucci, to name several. “Taiana’s timeless wardrobe reflects her individual point of view,” says Sewell. “She has assembled a contemporary, well-edited couture collection that reflects her dedication to quality, craftsmanship and originality.” Extending the Runway is presented in the Kelly Ellman Fashion Design Gallery and the Orme Lewis Gallery September 16, 2010 through January 2, 2011. For more details, visit www.phxart.org.

Friends are good for your health By Catherine Anaya

It’s that time of year. Kids are

back in school. The community event season is gearing up and Thanksgiving is a lot closer than we’d like to admit. We can get so bogged down with the responsibilities of life that it’s easy to forget to nurture the friendships we have in our lives. I’m certainly guilty of this. But here’s an incentive to kick your friendship gear into high speed: it’s good for your health. Really, there’s a “science” of friendship. Research shows close friendships – the kind where you share your deepest, darkest secrets, hopes and even doubts about yourself – are not only therapeutic, they can also improve your health. Really! In a recent article I read, it stated that growing scientific evidence indicates that friendships and a variety of social networks can lower blood pressure, cut the risk of diabetes and heart disease, and even stave off depression. Admittedly, I wasn’t exactly thinking about my health when I recently took a “girls getaway” to Napa Valley. Picture it: five women unleashed in wine country, one hotel room with one bathroom. It certainly had all the makings of disaster. But honestly, it was an even smoother finish than some of the fabulous Pinot Noir we savored. It was a fantastic weekend of bonding, laughing, crying, singing and dancing over some of California’s finest wine. Three of us work together; even sit within feet of each other. But we get so busy at the office we actually end up conversing through the computer! This was a magnificent way to connect in person away from the hustle and bustle of television news. And if it seems women are better at developing “deeper” friendships than

men, experts say they have a reason for that, too. Blame it on the hormones! That same article pointed to research from UCLA showing that when women get stressed out, the intense pressure can trigger the release of oxytocin, a calming hormone that compels us to reach out for companionship. Friendships can actually help us relieve stress, which leads to better health. Here’s the caveat though: Studies show that most friendships have a shelf-life of seven years, so your BFFs today may only be your BF for just the next seven years. I got a little bummed when I read that. The last thing anyone wants to invest in is a superficial friendship, right? But when I started thinking back to my own friendships now compared to seven years ago, it pretty much supported the theory. I’ve discovered in talking to other women about this that it might really have more to do with our constant need to evolve as people. The older we get, it seems we’re constantly looking for ways to improve our lives and expand our minds. Think about it. When our interests change, we tend to gravitate to people who share those interests, so our circle of friends gets wider and wider. It reminds me of a couple of quotes: “Friends are like stars. You don’t have to see them to know they’re there.” The other quote I heard from a friend, who passed away last year at much too young an age. “Friends are the family you get to choose. So choose wisely.” So here’s to reigniting old friendships, making new ones and remembering that a strong friendship does a body good!

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Latino Perspectives Magazine

ÂĄ September 2010!

www.latinopm.com

ispanic Heritage Month calls for many celebrations across our state and what I can almost guarantee: chips and salsa, piñatas and zarapes. This makes me cringe. I enjoy chips and salsa, but I find piñatas and zarapes innocuous yet dangerous, in as much as they By Cecilia Rosales are easy and reductionist attempts to evoke the nuanced and rich cultures of Latin America and its manifestations in the United States. To counter the chips-and-salsa approach to celebrating Hispanic heritage, we share excerpts of three poignant memoirs written by notable, active and dedicated members of our community. These authors are as diverse as the Latino community in our state and country, yet their autobiographical writings have something in common: the triumph of sheer determination, even plain stubbornness over life’s ups and downs; the pursuit of an evasive, confident and poised persona, and the nagging sense of “You don’t belong here” and its bicultural companion, “Ni soy de aquí, ni soy de allá.” Cecilia Esquer will release her book this month titled The Lie of My Inferiority: The Evolution of a Chicana Activist. In June, Guillermo Reyes released Madre & I: A Memoir of our Immigrant Lives, and in July, Marisel Herrera-Anderson released Puerto Rican Goldilocks: A Lyrical Journey Through El Barrio. I have known Cecilia and Guillermo for over 10 years; Marisel and I met years ago and just recently reconnected. One thing I know about these three individuals is that the success they have wanted for themselves they have also wanted para todos los demás. Perhaps this is why reading their memoirs feels like reading our collective history. I had an opportunity to catch up with Cecilia, Guillermo and Marisel and discuss their work. Visit www.latinopm.com to read a transcript of interviews with the authors. The following excerpts do little justice to their respective memoirs, but what follows will shed light on the writers’ relentless spirits. Adelante!

Self-made with love

Arizona autores share their journeys in tell-all memoirs

Guillermo Reyes

Guillermo Reyes is a nationally published playwright and theate r director. He earned an M.A. in pla ywriting from UC San Diego and is presen tly the interim director of the Schoo l of Theater and Film at ASU’s Herberge r Institute for Design and the Arts, where he is also an associate professor.

Reyes was born in Chile to María Cácares, who, single an d surrounded by poverty, immigrated to the United States in pursuit of a better life for her and her only son. Once in Califo rnia, María cleaned houses and later worke d as a nanny. Reyes started writing an autobiographical essay in the 1990s, which evolved into Mo ther & I, although initially he had tinkered with a different

Madre and I

“M

y saddest regret is that I won’t be leaving you money,” my mother wrote down on a piece of paper the day her cancer was diagnosed in Portland, Oregon, “like other mothers would have done.” She repeated this confession over the phone with a nervous laugh. “I’m just not a responsible mother,” she said. I couldn’t help but feel a wistful longing for times when a smile was better justified—although a smile broke out of me nonetheless, quite defiantly of the situation. What was I smiling at exactly? At my mother’s uncanny ability for making me slip into nervous laughter at the worst possible moments. Recall President Reagan’s reaction to being shot in a nearly successful assassination attempt: “I forgot to duck,” he tells Nancy as she runs to his side that spring day in 1981. My mother gasped in delight to hear the newsman quote the injured president precisely at a moment when she thought she might cry, and managed to like Mr. Reagan for the first time. As a Chilean immigrant, and a progressive-minded person, and mostly a low-wage earner, she had never empathized with a man

who “worked for the rich,” as she might have claimed once, but nonetheless, his sense of humor proved disarming. Mother voted for his re-election in 1984, the only time she voted for a Republican. In spite of my own battles with my mother, I became used to the same baffling energy of unlikely gaiety even in times of extreme sadness. The letter was one of regrets and apologies, and yet one of her most cherished examples of singing was Edith Piaf’s “No Regrets—Je ne regrette rien.” Always disarmed, always courted by her insane banter, I am an admirer of her esprit of alacrity, my one true form of “inheritance,” if such things truly matter. At times, they do, of course. I have despaired all my life over our humble background and our lowly immigrant status, and all those things that have ensured the marginality that one inherits in lieu of hard cash. But oftentimes, I forgot about them, even ignored them. I wanted to be a writer at the age of ten, but as it would turn out, writing as a career would prove elusive. I wrote plays: too marginal. Playwriting continues to evolve into the same status as poetry: lofty and out of touch with the masses, therefore inconsequential and, in some cases, elitist.

title: María’s Oscar, in reference to one of María’s favorite anecd otes. She was helping a friend clean the house of famous producer Charles Joffe (Annie Ha ll) when she came across his coveted Acade my Award. In an act of defiance, she eve n posed with the Oscar as her friend sna pped her photo. As a child born out of wedlock in a Catholic family, the young Reyes struggled negotiating his identity and the many labels that came his way. In his memoir he confronts his “many issues,” first as an illegitimate son, then as a teen immigrant who just wanted to be American, and later in life as a gay man with body-image issue s. Reyes’s plays have bee n produced throughout the countr y and he is the recipient of numerous awards.

But if I write screenplays that feature Latino immigrants, the Hollywood agents still complain. “You’re not writing for real Americans.” That’s an actual quote from a prominent agent in Los Angeles. That was America in the 1990s, and we immigrants were blamed for California’s ills, crowded freeways, riots, even the quakes. We consumed public resources, we were leading the state downhill, and we were mostly nonwhite. I have a few off-Broadway credits by now, and Arizona State University hired me to helm their playwriting program. I am on an academic track. Same goes for the rest of my life. I have gotten a private life of sorts, but I get the feeling my mother always wondered when I’d get a real one. I concluded early on in my pessimistic youth that life was something that happened to others. I would just sit by on the sidelines and inertly watch it pass me by like a parade. I have nonetheless aged well, reversed my youthful pessimism, and struggled against passivity, seeking to take the initiative and put my life in motion. Still, often I fear the cancer has moved in, made a home of our genes, first claiming my father, then my mother, and eventually settled somewhere in the recesses of my own body. I won’t get

out of this alive, I realize, but that’s also worth a laugh. It’s a riot. I hear a great poet in the back of my mind urging me to rage against the dawning of the light. I’m too quiet and unassuming to actually rage, but I am inclined to agree that that’s what I should do. I agree that one day I will find a way to rage, maybe just vent, and use anger to extricate some meaning out of this life, and yet I can’t bring myself to cry. The aesthetics of a quiet person is to find a smile. I forgot to duck. My mother understood all this. Don’t look back in anger, she might have said or thought, and sorry about the life insurance thing. I forgot to open the account.

nbeknownst to the paternal branch of the family, an offshoot of them has established roots in the United States, but does it matter to those folks at all? I could be one of many of such children, and who would know? The legitimate branch of the family does not owe me any favors, and I don’t owe them mine. I lived in the United States with my mother more than three decades. I sit here as a more or less welladjusted adult in the office that houses my Arizona State University professorship, writing in an adopted language that, for the most part, obeys my inclination toward rhetorical overkill. My native tongue appears to have exiled me along with my native country. I can express myself in Spanish to a certain extent, but it’s a childhood language, monosyllables and childhood rhymes, all innocence and no technique, no rhetorical flourishes, just the facts ma’am, and the bare sounds of the child, the moo-cow of a Joycean infanthood. I’ve no patience with Romance language accents, and I don’t buy the Latin American proclivity toward heavily formal diction that hides bureaucratic insincerity. I like the modern, journalistic clarity of the contemporary Yankee idiom. The grammar in all my rejection letters as a writer has been plain and dry, nothing fancy and overworked. I’ve known rejection, but at least I’ve gotten it straight. Perhaps I’ve attempted too hard to shed my background...

till, the legitimate Reyes family lives on in Chile, oblivious of our moves in the United States. We are separate entities, castaways, exiles, from the family life that our very existence once threatened when it was revealed, with my mother branded “the other woman,” and I the “bastard.” My father’s marriage was threatened, but not dissolved. We disappeared into that vast world of Immigrant America never to be heard from again. We went away; his family life thrived thereafter. Mother and I may have fit into the vast, anonymous landscape of the San Fernando Valley in California, and yet we lived on without the privileges of home. My looking back even betrays a cop-out in me as if I were yearning for belonging—as if in spite of a progressive public face that eschews patriarchal lifestyles, I would rather be inheriting land or getting appointed to the presidency through nepotism like other straight, privileged people do. Failing that, an invitation to my father’s funeral would have allayed my youthful fears that I didn’t really matter much in the scheme of things. That’s too much to ask of respectable people, however, and as Eva Peron discovered in her own bastardry, the only way to catch the

Madre and I: A Memoir of Our Immigrant Lives by Guillermo Reyes ISBN: 978-0-299-23624-3 288 pages Paperback, $18.95 University of Wisconsin Press Also available in e-book format

attention of legitimate folks is to rise above them, preferably by taking over a nation, and then eventually banishing them all. Very divalike, but I’d only wish. I lack the dictatorial instinct, let alone the diva-dom (except in my plays, perhaps, where any posture is possible). I’ve become a creative writer instead to compound my lowly standing in this world. I do carry, however, my father’s actual name, and this, I’ve discovered, sets me apart from the many bastards that came before me in my mother’s family.

y great-grandmother Natalia never spoke of illegitimacy, certainly not that of her own children. Natalia was more than reticent, more than just the discreet eightyplus-year-old matriarch with bobby pins in her glowing grey hair. She maintained the family secrets with the tenacity of a Chilean branch of the secret police. And what about all those missing branches in the family tree? One was supposed to act as if they stood, firmly and visibly, connecting us to the past, and if she were to die leaving behind nothing but a ransacked skeleton of a tree, at least the secrets would die with her. But not without a struggle. I was nine years old when I learned to make my great-grandmother suspect I was the enemy. The entire family had begun to make no sense to me, I told her in Mulchén, her hometown in southern Chile, and the town where I was born. I had reviewed her list of children, many of whom bore contrasting last names. It made no sense that one pair of daughters there should carry her surname, and these other daughters here yet another one. What exactly was going on? Natalia pulled down her pince-nez, reached for the Bible on the lamp table by her bed, and placed it in my hands as if she’d placed burning coal in them. “Ay, tantas preguntas! Read this,” she said, “and learn!” She went back to her knitting, feeling safe I was under the care of the right guardian, which would explain it all for me without having to get specific about us. Excerpted from Madre & I. A Memoir of our Immigrant Lives by Guillermo Reyes, used by permission of University of Wisconsin Press. Copyright 2010.

Cecilia Esquer

teachers that she For over four deca wasn’t college m aterial. des, Cecilia Esqu When she taught er has been known for he at M cC lin to ck r tireless work as High School and witn an essed how studen education advoca te and civil right ts from Guadalupe were s activist. discriminated ag In The Lie of My ai ns Inferiority: Evolu t by the administra tion of a Chicana Activist tion, she saw he , the lawyer and ed rs el f in those students. ucator recounts importa nt events that led “Negative reinforc to her political awakenin ement works,” sh g and eventual in e admits. “I took on vo lve m en t in the political pr so m e challenges, like ocess. law school, because so meone told me I Born in the minin co ul d g town of Superio not or should not do r, that.” Despite bo Arizona, she atte uts of selfnded a segregated doubt and carryin elementary scho g the giant albatro ol where she was ss for a while, Cecilia grad first taught about her uated with a B.A. “inferiority.” She , an M.A. and a J.D. from AS was punished for spea U. She worked as king Spanish and as sistant attorney general was under former Atto taught to negate her Mexican herit rn ey General Bruce Ba age and say, instead, bbitt and as chief that she was “Spa co un sel for the Public Ad nish.” vocacy Section un She was also aske de d to use an angli r Attorney General cized pronunciation of Terry Goddard. her name to soun Now retired, Esqu d m ore “American.” And er admits underta time and time ag king the writing of he ain, she r memoir, in part, was repeatedly to ld by her advisor as a m emory exercise, “b s and efore I forget.”

Separate but Equal?

ate has offered me many unique opportunities, some of which I accepted, some I did not. Fate also has presented thorny challenges that affected my personal and political philosophy. The thorniest one was dealing with the reality that I grew up in a racist society. It took some time for me to realize that I was often treated differently because of the color of my skin, and the presumption by the dominant society that I was inferior, not their equal. To succeed, I had to learn how to react so that my spirit would not be broken or defeated. To this day I must say that I have suffered more due to the color of my skin than the fact that I am a woman. So, what lessons have I learned? I first had to find my own identity. Then I had to develop a tough skin and “never let them see me cry.” This made me overly cautious as I dealt with Anglo people through the years. Somehow, at some moment, like an albatross, the attitude that I was not equal would surface. Even some of my most liberal Anglo friends did not escape growing up with that presumption. As I grew, I learned to thrive on negative reinforcement. I took on some challenges, like law school, because someone told me I could not or should not

do that. Always, I fought for respect and equal treatment. Standing up for my beliefs was something that garnered respect and admiration from others. It also closed some opportunities because those in charge were afraid to have an individual who stood up for principle. Standing up for my beliefs led me to go to law school. Being a licensed attorney opened new horizons for me. Having three college degrees qualified me for a variety of positions; however, that albatross was always around, which sometimes made me question whether I could do it. [...] I was hired to teach Spanish at McClintock High School in Tempe in 1965. I taught there from 1965 to 1966, and again from 1968 to 1970. This experience turned me into a Chicana activist. I prefer to use the term Chicana because it is a political term which describes a Mexican American woman who believes in “La Causa.” [...] During this time my husband and I became volunteers for the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee, an experience that turned out to be life-changing. We became deputy registrars and spent many weekends going door to door with a team of party activists to register voters – often

as many as 300 in one weekend. We also attended the weekly rallies —our two kids in tow— at the Santa Rita Center, in Central Phoenix, where we were given updates on the various boycotts and the efforts towards forming a union. César Chávez would attend from time to time. [...] At one of the rallies, César cited the great need for more Mexican American lawyers, a prospect that sounded interesting to me. It appeared that most of the positive social changes were taking place through court challenges.[…] My husband and I were fortunate to become politically active during the late 1960s and early 1970s; I can’t recall a more exciting time for young people to become involved, those “wild and crazy” years. In 1970, Elías was the first Hispanic ever elected to the Tempe Union High School District board. In 1973, as a result of our involvement in Chicano political issues and in the Democratic Party, I was elected to be a memberat-large of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). In 1972 I had been elected as a precinct committeeperson. In a period of one year, I was catapulted from being a precinct committeeperson to

a member-at-large of the DNC – go figure! That fall of 1973 I also became a first-year law student at the ASU College of Law. Imagine the stress on a family with two young children, ages seven and three, and having to adjust from a two-income family to one income and no student loans! The story presented in this book is focused on our efforts to help change the unfair and inequitable treatment of minorities, and on the educational and political experiences that depict the life of a Chicana activist who tried to make a difference. While there has been much progress in regard to the plight of women and minorities, we still have some work to do. To this day, I still come across individuals who see me as inferior. However, these days, I find that I am accepted fairly readily in most places.

Negative Reinforcement Works!

representation, domestic relations, personal injury, and other civil matters. [...] One of the most challenging cases I handled was representing Rubén Hernández, the Mayor of the Town of Guadalupe, when there was an effort to recall him from office. They wanted to recall the Mayor because he used the “F” word in one Council meeting. They also added a litany of charges concerning financial mismanagement. [...] We worked many late hours and on weekends. We were confident we could prove that some of the signers were not registered voters and that some of the signatures could not be counted because they were illegible. Most importantly, entire petitions should be invalidated because they did not comply with State law. [...] Who could guess how Judge [Michael] Dann would rule? […] he declared that he would not invalidate the petitions,

uring law school orientation week, August 1973, I met Professor Jonathan Rose on the stairway by the rotunda in the law building. I had met him through the farm workers’ organizing movement and through the Arizona Democratic Party in the late 1960s early 1970s. “Hi Cecilia. I was so surprised when I learned you were coming to law school. By the way, I looked up your index. Did you know you are in that percentage of students who generally do not make it through law school?” Without waiting for an answer, he continued: “Besides, you are a Chicana, married with children. You should be home taking care of your family.”

What Was Not Anticipated in Retirement?

The Lie about My Inferiority: Evolution of a Chicana Activist by Cecilia Esquer ISBN 13:978-1-4507-1883-7

Ortega & Moreno, P.C.

joined the firm of Ortega & Moreno, PC, on August 1, 1988. It was a six-attorney law firm that provided legal representation in the areas of business [...] corporations (nonprofit and for profit), government agency

because he felt the individuals who signed as the petition circulators came from a community (Guadalupe) where they lacked the education to understand the significance of an affidavit. In addition, he said the circulators would not understand that there were criminal penalties for falsely stating in the affidavit that each person personally signed in front of the circulator. Judge Dann’s comments brought loud objections from the petitioners, who objected to the judge’s claim about the lack of education. One person yelled out she had a college degree; another yelled out she was a manager where she worked. Judge Dann called for order and declared that his ruling would be that all the petitions were invalid because they did not comply with the Arizona Constitution. Several days later he issued a detailed opinion. There would be no recall. Imagine the relief I felt at winning the case on the merits, but I also was perplexed and disappointed at Judge Dann’s stereotypical views about a minority community. How many other judges felt this way? How did this affect their rulings in other cases?

276 pages Paperback, $24.95 Latino Book Publisher | HISL

hadn’t thought about the fact that in retirement I would have time to reflect on the choices I made through the years and how they affected my family. I realized I have many regrets for the time away from the family ... The other thing I didn’t expect are the emotions I have felt while writing this memoir. I often cry when I think of the abuse I had to suffer simply because I am a woman with brown skin who stands up for herself. On the other hand, I am impressed with the courage with which I faced up to the many challenges that confronted me. Of course it was no small factor that I have such a supportive husband.

Cover design: Yolie Hernandez Book Signing: Thursday, September 16, 7:00 p.m. at Tempe History Museum The Lie will be available for purchase at the museum’s gift shop.

Marisel HerreraAnderson

Born in 1971 and raised in Spanish Harlem in New York City, Marisel moved to Arizona in 1997 to pursue a master’s in education at Arizona State University. For over 10 years, she has worked at ASU where she currently directs the Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars program. Marisel began writing what would eventually become Pu erto Rican Goldilocks when she firs t arrived in Arizona. She felt out of place, angst-ridden in the “desolate desert .” Though she never studied creative writin g, Marisel resorted to journaling as a mean s “to get through and fight invisibility” an d hold on to her

Papi Love

hat I miss most about not having had a father growing up is the protection they offer, and no I don’t mean the Papi-I’m-scared-and-you’remy-hero-kind-of-protection. I mean the kind of quiet security a father offers his daughter, that silent love – strong and stoic enough to permeate his daughter’s memory even as adult. The kind that slips into a day when the world has beat you up, when your womanhood has been reduced to a little girl’s muffled hiccup as you drive home. The Papi love I miss is one made up of countless images of worn, male hands, the protruding veins that are landmarks of his pain, borders between the virility of his youth, the reflective-ness of his old age. Those fingers filled with power, tenderness as they reach over, and rest on your shaking hands. That Papi love that becomes present when your passion, your hurt is too great for the one who bore you to bear, that sneaks into his lowered, darkened eyes and says to you what even a poem could not, moves you as you sit

Puerto Rican-ness. Sh e soon realized that the poverty and cha llenges she faced during her childhood (her mother raised Marisel and her seven siblings as a single parent in a New York barrio) resonated with others. In Puerto Rican Goldiloc ks, Marisel uses poetry and prose to share her universal story of resiliency and a strong belief in the transformational po wer of education, familia and culture. Sh e draws from these tropes in her work as a motivational speaker and leadership trainer. In recognition of her ser vice to the community, she wa s selected to participate in the 2005 National Hispana Leadership Institute. In 2009 she received the Phoenix Business Journal 40 Under 40 Award.

entranced by its nurturing. What I miss most about Papi love is not hearing a thick, hoarse voice sing songs of la tierra to you. A voice that carries your soul on the smooth curves of its melody, that embraces you in its warmth as it mouths “mi hija, mi cielo” so often you believe it is your name. I long for that Papi love reflected in his graying hair, in the ball of his wrinkled neck as it bends to read a book; reflected in the movement of his shoulders as he kneels to teach his nieta how to walk. What I miss most about Papi’s love is that it came too late, it came as he left this world to be with his Father, and now it is just a bittersweet memory that tugs like a needy child at my soul.

La Trapera/ Thrift Store

hate to admit it but even though I loved my Sunday rituals with my mother that took me to wherever her errands, her manda’os led her, I hated going to the trapera, the neighborhood thrift shop.

It’s not that I was ashamed to be there. I, along with my seven brothers and sisters, proudly sported the used name brand clothes Mami so painstakingly picked out for us; blouses, coats, and skirts adorned with the fancy IZODs, and Kleins, donated by rich White people who barely wore them and then tossed them aside. In fact, when Mami would describe the expensive fabrics, el chiffón o la tela de hilo o seda china (the chiffon, linen or Chinese silk), when she would excitedly explain the intricate embroidery on a lapel or “lo bien hecha que está esa falda” with her seamstress expertise, I could not wait to wear it to school the next day. In my mind, it was as if these high priced, high quality labels would unsuspectingly spring forth at my middle class teacher, proving to them that I was not as poor as I often felt. I was not ashamed of shopping at the trapera with Mami, it was more like I was overwhelmed by the potent scents of the clothes, the oldness of the building, the age, and the death that seemed to cling to everything and everyone in the store. I vividly remember piles of pastel colored slips mixed together on one of many wooden, makeshift counters. For me, the blend of sky

blues, baby pinks, and lemon yellow slips was inviting, their soft cotton and satiny textures pulled me. I wanted to bury my face in their silkiness, dive into their softness, but while it enticed me, this image also repelled me. I was afraid of the strong stench of the fabrics; it was forbidding and seemed to stick unto my flesh. I was afraid that by moving one slip out of its haphazard place, I would stir up and set free a whirlwind of dead people who must have once owned them. Dead people who were happily disguised in the slip’s softness, muertos, who preferred to stay lying undisturbed among old shoes, carteras, abrigos, and toys. I hated the trapera because back then I could not see that all things, even used clothes, recycle themselves. I could not see the life inherent in death.

If I Had Met You When I Was Five

wish I had met you when I was five, for then the magic would somehow make sense, there would be reason to this rhyme inside. And I wish even deeper that you would have recognized me then. I would have been the one seated in front, near your desk, with hands folded, and eyes shining at you. And I’d be the well-behaved pink girl with polished shoes and stringy curls, the one you could count on to do it right, or to try her best, to go to the office or erase the board. I would have known when to laugh and when to quiet down. I would have taken time to notice your new blouse, or the lack of spark in your eyes. Yes, I would be the one to save my nickels and dimes to buy you a big, redflowered valentine, the one to water the matitas when you were absent. I’d write you poems and make sure to say I love you in big, bold purple and turquoise letters. I would read quietly, sing loudly, do arithmetic carefully and I’d make sure to not let pencil shavings accumulate in my desk, not let eraser lint dirty the floor. I’d be the one to offer help to a slower learner, I’d escort my sick classmate to the nurse, I’d tell them not to cry, try to lull them like you. And I’d make sure to come right back with the pass in hand. I’d keep an eye on your car

during recesses, make sure rowdy kids didn’t sit on it too long or hard, I would carefully save you caramels and crumpled daisies in my pocket and give them to you at the end of the day. Yes, I would be the one to put back fallen wrinkled coats onto the closet hooks, the one to never dog-ear a page of your books. I would sit instead, touching them softly because you had, loving them because you did. I would be the one daydreaming among the rays of classroom sun, I’d be the one hoping of one day growing tall lik e you, feeling soft like you, shedding light like you. I’d be the one with my head resting on my hand, entranced as you told stories about your life. Yes, I wish I had met you teecha when I was five for I would have kissed you and honored you in every way my little hurried heart and limbs could contrive. Because then, my cupped hands would have been small, soft enough to carefully pour back into you the magic you offer me, the wonder that today fills so fully, so tenderly my insides.

Dirty Pigeons & Traffic Jams No one can seem to understand That thing that draws me back to you The push-pull of our seemingly different lives What they don’t know is that before my words were crisp, Or I sat upright in this uptight, White light of mobility I ran free In sun-soaked sticky New York summer days Through fire hydrants combusting like a lover lost control Drenched in the urban debris of bottle caps, kitchen scraps and Miss Mary Mack hand claps Close to the street, the musical pulse of Erik B. Rakim I was wild, I was free, my heart thumped err-a-tically among sistas and double-dutch beats Before this bourgeois straitjacket took a hold I was Bold, Fearless, Sassy, Teeth-sucking, Eye-rolling and yes, all that… Lo que no entienden es que ese fuego, all that fire smolders, smolders with nostalgia, undressed by your “ay Papi” Chulo eyes, your “pero Mami’s” until it ignites and I lie exposed, so wonderfully exposed,

Puerto Rican Goldilocks:

so barrio, so pulsating, so free.

A Lyrical Journey Through El Barrio by Marisel Herrera- Anderson ISBN13: 978-1-4520-2450-9

Excerpted from Puerto Rican Goldilocks by

97 pages

Marisel Herrera- Anderson, used by permission

Paperback, $14.99

AuthorHouse

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39Entrepreneur Danica Coral sells treasures at Pink House in Glendale’s historic district

41 Briefcase

PR 101: how to weather an unexpected storm, natural or not

45 Career

Deadlines, deadlines, love ‘em or hate ‘em– how do you handle deadlines?

Movin’ Up Flores is the new KJZZ/ KBAQ PR coordinator Annette Flores is the newly

Annette Flores, PR coordinator for KBAQ 89.5 and KJZZ 91.5

appointed public relations coordinator for Valley public radio stations KBAQ 89.5 and KJZZ 91.5. Flores transitioned to this new post in July, after serving as the stations’ grant writer and pledge drive coordinator since 2007. Flores has more than 20 years experience in marketing, public relations and broadcasting. Prior to her career with KJZZ and KBAQ, she served as marketing coordinator for sister station

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Sun Sounds of Arizona and as a television writer and producer for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s national headquarters, Eight/KAET and freelance clients such as SRP and the Travel Channel. Flores received a B.A. in broadcast journalism from ASU in 1994.

Medina chosen for ALL IN program

Arellano moves to federal immigration court

The National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI) selected 22 Latina nonprofit professionals for their inaugural Advancing Latina Leaders in Nonprofits (ALL IN) Program. Joyce Medina, junior program officer for education with the Arizona Community Foundation, was among those selected. Medina works on the grant review and administration of a $20-million fund to support statewide systemic education reform. ALL IN seeks to address the under-representation of Latina professionals in the nonprofit sector.

Judge Silvia Arellano has been appointed to a federal judgeship in the Federal Immigration Court. She will go through training in Washington, D.C., with other newly hired judges from around the United States. Prior to this appointment she served as the public fiduciary, and was also a Superior Court judge for close to 20 years.

Frank Rivera

Medina joins 21st Century Vitamins

Diaz chosen for Arizona APS pays tribute to diverse businesses

Escamilla named to Suns Nite Hoops board

Joyce Medina

LULAC honors Arizona leaders The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) held their national convention in July, where Arizonans were honored at the presidential banquet. Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, Santa Cruz County Sheriff Antonio “Tony” Estrada and Tucson Councilman Richard Fimbres each received the Rosa Rosales Presidential Citation for their leadership and advocacy roles.

Sergio Escamilla, a personal injury attorney who heads up Escamilla Law Group, PLLC, was recently named to the Suns Nite Hoops (SNH) board of directors. SNH is dedicated to young adults in need of vocational development, educational advancement and life-skills enhancement. Services are gratis for young men 18 to 25 years of age.

Abril is new NAMI Phoenix VP Gloria Abril has been appointed vice president of the Phoenix chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Abril currently leads family support groups in English and Spanish, and has taught Family to Family classes.

Sergio Escamilla

Martha Medina has accepted a position as director of quality control with Phoenix-based 21st Century Vitamins, one of the largest international manufacturers of dietary supplements in the United States. Medina was previously director of quality, research and development with Innovative Brands. She has her master’s and doctorate degrees in chemistry from Arizona State University.

Bar Leadership Institute Suzanne Diaz, an associate in the Tucson office of Fennemore Craig, will participate in the 2010-2011 Arizona Bar Leadership Institute, a program for fostering professional growth and leadership skills among a diverse group of Arizona attorneys. Diaz practices in all areas of civil litigation. She represents corporate and individual clients in a variety of contract, tort, ERISA and general litigation matters.

Movin’ Up Know someone who has been promoted, elected or honored? Send us the news of their achievements! E-mail movinup@latinopm.com 36

Acknowledging the important role women and minorityowned businesses play in the company’s success, APS recently honored eight companies with its inaugural Key Business Partner Award. The companies were recognized at a luncheon celebrating business diversity in our community. Among the honorees were Jose L. Vargas, owner of Vargas General Engineering, LLC; president and CEO of ATL, Inc. Frank Rivera, and Teresa Ornelas, president and CEO of Great Impact!, Inc.

Cruz honored for 55 years of service The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors recently honored Olivia Cruz, a Phoenix resident who has worked for 55 years in the county assessor’s office. Cruz received a special award for her many years of service. Ms. Cruz started working part time with the county streets department as a teenager. She was offered a position with the assessor in 1955 and has served there ever since.

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op of affordable fashions catering to many different styles, including hard-to-find fashions for the indie or “pin-up” scene, new, used and vintage. We go out of our way to handpick fashions that are fashion forward, trendy, and priced right. We also house over 14 different local designers who create jewelry, accessories, quirky handmade crafts and embellished shoes and totes.

Your background: I’m a firstgeneration American; both of my parents are from Ecuador. I’m originally from New York City, and first moved to Arizona in 1999 to pursue a dual master’s degree at the Thunderbird School of Global Management and ASU West.

Most challenging aspect of being a business owner: Managing and motivating people!

Company you admire most: Zara, because they carry extremely fashionable clothing at a somewhat reasonable price. Everything is produced in-house, from design to manufacturing, and they are environmentally responsible as well.

What’s your take on fashion in Phoenix? It is casual and dressy

at the same time. The Phoenix customer is challenged with looking good year round in extreme heat and in mild winter, when temperatures can drastically fluctuate from morning to late afternoon. During the summer months, fashionistas are challenged with interpreting current trends, but always making sure they are comfortable in fabrics that wear well in 110 degrees or more!

Historical figure you would like to meet: Coco Chanel Best advice you have received: My father always stressed the importance of a good education: college

Suggest an entrepreneur

Send your information to editor@latinopm.com.

and graduate school. My mother always says, “Follow your dreams.”

Advice to others wanting to open their own business: You must understand the importance of building a brand, having a good team, investing in advertising, and listening to what your customers want in order to keep them happy.

Plans for the future/next step: To grow my business, open more stores in Arizona and out of state as well.

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PR 101: weathering the storm How to prepare for an unexpected crisis By Erica Cardenas

¡Cuidado! Potential disaster ahead. Are

you ready? It’s a plain and simple fact. No matter the size, every business encounters challenges and issues along the way. And though these issues can stem from a variety of sources, safeguarding brand and reputation requires a diligent and proactive approach. That is, begin the crisis planning before a “disaster” actually strikes. Case in point: Within the first 48 hours of the recent Tempe Town Lake dam breakage, the city’s community and media relations personnel handled a whopping 200 media calls. And as unforeseen as the situation was, the team was able to successfully kick into crisis management mode because they had both a short-term and long-term plan developed beforehand. A crisis can ensue at any moment, and companies or organizations in the nonprofit or small business sectors are certainly not immune to such moments. In Arizona, about two out of five businesses are a sole proprietorship and 67 percent are family owned. To identify and plan for as many possible emergency scenarios – and to be armed and ready so as not to be taken by surprise – will ensure a step ahead of the game and full preparedness to stay on track, no matter the size or goal of your organization.

Intro to PR According to the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the formal definition of public relations, or PR, is “helping an organization and its publics adapt mutually to each other.” So what does this mean and how does it cross over to different types of organizations? Think of PR as reputation management. PR leverages the power of the media to boost a company’s visibility and, above all, aims at creating and maintaining a positive

public image for the organization or business. A side note: PR is not to be confused with paid advertising. A third-person source comes with PR. For example, when a consumer reads an advertisement, he or she knows someone likely paid to have that particular message published. On the other hand, when a local business announces a charity fundraiser, or a company posts news of a 35-percent increase in revenue, the news generally comes from a third-party source, such as a media outlet. Which drives home the importance of effective communication: Whether it’s internally as a group or externally to the public, knowing who is handling a communiqué is essential to getting through a crisis. Max Gonzales, VP of strategic communications for

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Valley nonprofit Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC), understands firsthand what it means to be prepared and ready for a crisis scenario, recalling when sheriff’s deputies raided the CPLC offices last year. “In this particular situation, we executed our rapid-response process,” explained Gonzales. “This consisted of strategic communication points that are anchored in our value proposition, letting the media and public know who we are and what we stand for.” Gonzales points out that the nonprofit’s crisis and media policies are reviewed and approved by the organization’s CEO, and if for some reason he’s not available for an immediate response, the measures are then channeled to his direct reports for approval. “It really all depends on the magnitude of the issue,” says Gonzales. “We have a short-term and a long-term strategy for crisis communications. Sometimes you don’t know when a ‘crisis’ will begin, or [you] have no idea if a negative story is brewing out there.”

Scan, identify, prepare Joanne Fritz, a resident of Tucson who has worked in the nonprofit world for more than 30 years, shares tips on crisis planning in her About.com blog called “Nonprofit Charitable Orgs Guide.” Although her focus is on nonprofit organizations, her advice applies to all businesses:

Scan the environment

Subscribe to leading publications that cover your organization’s area of expertise and stay up on related news. Connect with peers to learn about what

issues they’re dealing with. Fritz notes, “Train yourself to ask, ‘Could that affect us?”’

Identify top issues

Brainstorm and imagine as many possible scenarios as you can relevant to your organization. This could include a protest or strike, a workplace accident or violence, or a natural disaster, which would all require slightly different responses. Narrowing down top trigger issues will help streamline your approach and strategy.

Prepare a communications plan

Figure out how to address and handle each issue. This plan could include electing your company’s spokesperson; preparing statements and “talking points” on your organization’s philosophy on specific issues; developing press releases and even setting up a media hotline. Again, depending on the issues identified, you can include several elements in your crisis plan. If and when a crisis should arise and you have to put a crisis plan into action, it is imperative to always speak the truth. You can be selective about the information shared with the media, but you should never lie. Your words are absolutely critical to the welfare of your organization, so stick to being as transparent as possible. This holds true for big and small businesses and nonprofits. Good reputations take time to build, but can easily be destroyed, so a crises affiliated with your organization needs to be administered with as much care as the day-to-day operations. If all is handled properly, a preferred outcome should no doubt be the result.

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‘Crisis’ communications: a quick checklist Be open and honest. Communicate the truth to media and customers alike – one single lie can jeopardize the integrity of every statement your organization makes.

React quickly. And make sure to give yourself enough time to plan the right thing to say. Utilize one spokesperson. Having several people talk to the media can confuse the public and could result in several versions of the truth scattered “out there.” Streamline your information.

Arm yourself with the facts. Companies can hurt themselves when they make public statements based on incomplete knowledge of events. Make sure to stay on message and don’t engage in speculation.

Provide media training. Make it a regular part of employee training – before disaster strikes. Use the media to your advantage. Speak early and often with reporters to ensure your audience is getting your version of the story – and to squash any rumors.

Take control of your own news. Appear proactive by holding a press conference. It’s OK if you don’t have all the details; be honest, and tell the public what you’re doing to address the situation.

Use social media. This is a great way to keep the public informed through real-time

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communication. Get your company socially networked through Twitter or Facebook.

Be accessible. And be seen on the scene; keeping communication flowing helps minimize speculation.

Assess and adjust. After the dust settles, get your team together and review every piece of your crisis response. Evaluate what worked and what didn’t, and what can be done next time to improve your process. Sources: www.enotes.com, www.comprehension.prsa.org, www.beaupre.com

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Erica Cardenas, CEO of Cardenas Marketing, is a native of Phoenix and a seasoned public relations and media professional. Her company specializes in multicultural marketing, advertising and public relations. She has been a regular contributor to LPM since 2007.

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Deadlines and discipline Do you need a time management makeover? By Sam Naser

Ah, deadlines. Both the lifeblood and the bane

of a journalist’s existence. If they didn’t exist, this article would never see the light of day. You see, we journalists are a procrastinating lot. We’re perpetually one lead, one phone call or one more hour’s work away from being ready to print. In fact, some of us are even brazen enough to boast that we work best on deadlines. Still, you can often find us huddled over the keyboard at some ungodly hour of the night, nursing a pot of coffee as we scuttle to put a story together and pray to the editing gods that it somehow makes sense. In the end, though, we tend to make our deadlines. But there have been times that put our hasta mañana convictions to the test. Like when the editor cranes her neck around your cubicle and just as you begin to ask yourself what you can owe this visit to, that “deer in headlights” expression overcomes your face. That’s because your memory just jolted back to this morning when you bumped into each other in the break room. You know, when you promised to have that long overdue column on her desk before lunch? There’s just one small problem. You haven’t finished it yet. It’s times like these where we take a step back and ask ourselves if we’re due for a time management makeover. Luckily, there are techniques that help you hone your reliability skills to perfection. And regardless of your industry, region or niche, if there’s one skill you should focus on to set yourself apart from the crowd, it’s your reliability. And the best way to prove you’re reliable is to meet any and every deadline thrown your way, whether it’s one set by your boss or one set by you – directly to your clients. But how do you go about delivering a finished product on time, every time? Here are a few tips for any obstacle that might get in the way of ensuring your reliability is sacrosanct.

Back to the basics Forgetting to complete a project or failing to deliver on all of the various components involved is a sure

bet for putting your reliability in doubt. That’s when a good old-fashioned to-do list comes in handy. Breaking down your to-do list into easy-to-digest pieces and approaching them step by step allows you to stay on top of all the project deliverables. It’s all about avoiding the temptation to revolve your entire project around a single deadline down the road. That’s way too far ahead and will likely result in a stressful cram session just before the due date. Instead, split your projects up into weekly or daily goals to knock them out one by one with these easy steps. Know what you’re getting into: Be sure you’re in sync with your client(s) or boss on their expectations for the project.

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Put it in writing: Draft a project plan that lists what steps will need to be completed for each part of the project. Bite-sized pieces: Now that you have a due date as well as a basic outline of what you’ll need to deliver, start to divide it into mini-milestones. Work backwards from the end and create mini-checkpoints to measure progress along the way. Consider keeping a dry erase board to itemize each mini-task. Or, consider investing in some taskmanagement software like Things (for Macintosh, $49.95) or Google Calendar (web-based, free). Expect surprises: Information you may need to go back and ask for from a client or added variables can throw a spoke in your progress and change your workload. Allow some extra padding time for each mini-deadline so you’ll have enough flexibility to accommodate changes. And if you fail to meet one of your mini-milestones, don’t just ignore it and move on. Instead, take a look at your calendar to redistribute your work to make up for it. One step at a time: If you’re taking on a large assignment, it can sometimes be difficult to get started when you’re overly focused on the finish line. This is one situation where tunnel vision can be a good thing. Forget about the big picture for a second and focus on methodically hammering out each individual task in the timeline you created. Fill them in: Keep the lines of communication with your employer or clients open and effective. Come to an agreement with your manager or client(s) as to the preferred frequency of status updates on your progress (weekly, monthly, et cetera) as well as the delivery method (e-mail, in-person). The weak link syndrome: Tied down because Joe in accounting still hasn’t given you those numbers you need? Silence may be golden, but not when your professional reputation hangs in the balance. If you’re not receiving the adequate support to complete the tasks assigned to you in a timely and efficient manner, you need

to speak up before it’s too late. That’s not to say you should rat Joe out to el jefe for not pulling his own weight. A better solution is to prevent the situation from happening in the first place by looking ahead to upcoming tasks well before they’re due. This will allow you to keep the co-workers you will depend on for your project in updated on your future needs and deadlines from the get-go.

Setting unrealistic deadlines Sometimes, either you or your management will agree to an overly ambitious undertaking and pluck a date out of thin air, and then cling onto that date as though it were gospel. Then you work like a frantic madman to meet the deadline, putting in hellacious hours, with the only constant being that the deadline doesn’t budge. All of this because a deadline was arbitrarily established without the foresight of how much effort required to complete it. To avoid this predicament, you’ll have to force yourself or your management to justify your deadlines from the onset. Poor deadlines beget poor work, and it’s better to speak up before committing to an unrealistic deadline.

Failure to prioritize Frustrated by a manager who keeps adding “urgent” project after urgent project onto your already bloated workplate? Then it’s time to meet with your manager to prioritize. This is where you should also discuss how much time you’ll require for each project. Once you’re on the same page, you’ll have a clear understanding of the priority and due date with which to treat each assignment based on your manager’s needs. This process will also help your manager ferret out the deadlines that need to be moved or projects that need to be de-prioritized to accommodate more pressing matters. And remember, if you find yourself over-committing to too many projects, it’s OK to say “no.” If you already have a pristine track record of delivering

career your deadlines, then youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re more than likely the first person management approaches regarding additional assignments. Flattering? Sure, it is, but

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it also makes it that much more critical for you to set realistic boundaries and meet with your manager to discuss priorities. And a raise.

Time management tips Identify the problem: Track your daily activities to figure out your time wasters. Is too

much time spent checking your e-mail, chatting with coworkers or browsing the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Net interfering with your work?

Set goals: So, you tracked it and it turns out that you spend an hour a day reading

personal e-mails. Now, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to think about an endgame so you can start to change your behavior. Think about what you really want to accomplish.

Split up the day: Do you spend too much time even with business e-mail correspondence? Then schedule your day so that the first hour and last hour of the work day is for e-mailing, and work on projects and schedule meetings in between.

Give yourself a time limit: Most time-sinks would take up your entire workday if

you allowed them to. Instead, set aside a fixed time of the day for each task and stick to the routine as much as possible.

How to eliminate distractions Turn your e-mail notifications off: Some people say they just canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t live without

their Blackberry, but if your phone beeps every time you get a new e-mail, you may have to learn to live without it for a while. Turn off notifications while youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re at work. If this is impossible, resist personal messages and reply later.

Restrict your Internet: This one is only for the weak-willed. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an abundance of free web-based scripts out there like Time to Go (for Firefox browser, free). It sends you away from time-wasting websites (you know which ones they are) after a specified time so you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get too carried away. When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re close to finishing the allotted time, the countdown starts.

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Do not disturb: When you need to be in the zone, consider placing a â&#x20AC;&#x153;do not disturbâ&#x20AC;?

sign on your office door. This will let your co-workers know that you really need to focus during the times you do have it up. But use only as necessary and try not to be the guy who leave it on all day, every day.

Visual clutter: For some, workspace clutter can cloud your ability to focus. If this

describes you, take some time to clear your workspace. Take unnecessary documents down from your walls, shelve the scattered papers on your desk and clear up the icon clutter on your computerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desktop. Turn off all notifications that might pop up on your computer and only leave open the program you need for the task at hand.

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Tony Redendo, MBA Agent/Owner 52

Latino Perspectives Magazine

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Tenemos representantes que hablan español www.latinopm.com

Honored leader stands tall Cosme F. Lopez, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army/AZ National Guard Years of service: Recently completed 25 years of service. My first assignment was as an enlisted Marine (USMC). I completed nine years of enlisted service, and the rest has been as a commissioned officer.

College career: I have two masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degrees, an M.B.A. and an M.A. Currently I am enrolled in a Ph.D. program with a concentration in international government relations.

Professional honors/personal triumphs: I am a very successful big game hunter. My wife Rosalina and I have traveled to several countries in Africa, including Canada, Mexico and Spain. From the military perspective, I am proud that my country recognizes my service by having honored me with several major awards after my deployment to Afghanistan: Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal with a Valor Device.

Duties: I am the commander for the Arizona Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Command. I supervise and manage all aspects in the recruiting of men and women to join the Arizona Army National Guard. During my deployment, I was the commander of a small unit (embedded) living with the Afghans, training, mentoring and teaching them basic combatant skills.

Who inspired you to pursue this career? As a young man, I was raised in a small town in Nogales, Arizona. I was strongly influenced by the leadership I saw within our community to include Army National Guard service members. I noticed most of the leaders within the Arizona National Guard were also leaders within the community. I then realized that being a full-time military service member was my calling.

Inherent dangers you face: Being a soldier in the army is inherently dangerous. The most challenging

time for me was during my deployment to Afghanistan, where I had to command a small unit of 16 men as an embedded training team with our Afghan counterparts for eight straight months.

Proudest moment: The birth of my daughter Abrielle and of my son Cosme Jr. They are angels now, but I am waiting for them to become teenagers â&#x20AC;Ś

Who is your hero? My father. He was the one that gave us the opportunity to live the American dream by raising my family in the United States. This afforded us the opportunity to develop and triumph in this great country.

Next professional goal: I hope to attain the rank of colonel within the Arizona Army National Guard. This would challenge my skills and afford me the opportunity to learn from others at this rank.

Nominate a candidate

Help us acknowledge those who serve. Men and women currently in the military or first responders. Send your info to editor@latinopm.com. www.latinopm.com

ÂĄ September 2010!

Latino Perspectives Magazine

The slash and burn of Proposition 107

Will ending equal-opportunity programs in Arizona make everyone equal?

By Sam Naser

Come November 2, Arizonans will wade through

another collection of ballot initiatives, deciding the fate of 10 items that would do everything from legalize medical marijuana to make hunting a constitutionally protected right. But none of the lot promises to have as far-reaching consequences as Proposition 107, which is poised to put the the fate of our state’s equal-opportunity programs to the Arizona voter. If passed, it would make them the latest casualty of the Arizona legislature’s spate of political reforms, adding an amendment to the state constitution banning all race and gender-based programs administered by state and local governments. If this all sounds eerily familiar, it should. Two years ago, California-based anti-affirmative action lobbyist Ward Connerly spearheaded a statewide effort in Arizona to gather enough petition signatures to qualify an identical initiative for the 2008 ballot. But while his campaign’s grassroots approach to outlawing what he describes as “preferential policies” was perfectly legitimate, their practices were anything but. Then Secretary of State Janet Brewer ultimately axed the initiative from appearing on the ballot after 140,000 of the submitted signatures were deemed invalid. But Connerly is a man whose persistence is not to be underestimated. In fact, his anti-affirmative action crusade is a nationwide one that’s led him to successes in California and Michigan, where he helped get similar legislation passed. Connerly is also the man behind an anti-affirmative action campaign currently under way in Utah and one recently defeated in Missouri. So it was to no one’s surprise when Connerly teamed up with Arizona Sen. Russell Pearce and Rep. Steve Montenegro in 2009 to green-light Senate Concurrent Resolution 1031, effectively bypassing the need for any petition signatures by having the Arizona Senate instead force the initiative

straight onto to the 2010 ballot. The exact language of the amendment it proposes to add to the state constitution reads, “The state shall not grant preferential treatment to or discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education or public contracting.” Seems like the right stance, doesn’t it? And with a ballot title like the American Civil Rights Initiative, it appears even more disarming. But while Prop 107’s “no preferential treatment” clause may seem innocuous, critics say it’s a Trojan horse whose passage would drastically reduce opportunities for minorities and

women, especially in public education. Here’s how.

Prop 107 and education Last election cycle, Connerly’s antiaffirmative action campaign was poohpoohed in certain quarters as a solution in search of a problem. That prompted

a decade, HMDP has recruited 7th grade Hispanic girls who have no prior college graduates in their families. The girls and their moms attend a class once a month at ASU throughout their eighth grade and high school years. During the classes, they participate in workshops where counselors and teachers help

Educational programs Prop 107 could threaten: Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program (ASU)

Arizona Hispanic Center of Excellence (UA)

Multicultural Student Services Center (ASU)

Minority Access to Research Careers (UA)

American Indian Support Services (ASU)

Minority Student Development Program (NAU)

African-American Student Affairs (UA)

Multicultural Student Center (NAU)

the conservative think tank Goldwater Institute to publish research on the extent to which race and gender “preference policies” currently exist at various levels of state government, particularly in public education. So what “preferential” policies in the public education sector did the Goldwater Institute conclude Prop 107 could jeopardize? For one, they found no indication of any such “preference” policies regarding student admissions policies. That’s because outside of the federal mandates, Arizona’s state universities don’t have any affirmative-action programs in terms of student admissions. But that isn’t to say Prop 107’s passage would not have a profound impact on enrollment of women and minorities and their access to higher education. In fact, there are a number of student programs aimed at recruiting and retaining minority and female students to Arizona’s state universities that Prop 107’s passage could place on the chopping block. Take for instance Arizona State University’s Hispanic Mother-Daughter program (HMDP), which nearly every East Valley Arizona school district participates in. For almost

with their self-esteem, encourage them to get involved in their communities and monitor their academic progress to ensure they’re on track to graduate high school and gain admission to college. They also receive assistance in how to apply for financial aid. Or taket ASU’s multicultural student center, which, while available to students of all races, explicitly tailors its services to the university’s Hispanic, Asian-American and African-American students. Or the American Indian Student Support Services program, which helps American-Indian students stay in school through various retention and coordinated transition efforts. Northern Arizona University’s Successful Transition and Academic Readiness (STAR) program helps incoming freshmen, who must be either a firstgeneration college student, in financial need or a member of an ethnic minority, make the transition to college life. All of these programs’ continued existence could be in dire straits in a post-Prop 107 Arizona. That’s right, recruitment, retention and mentoring programs targeted to women or minority groups could soon become a relic of

8-5_Ad-EMA_LatPers_Chrs_1-3pg.qxd:Layout 1

the past if Prop 107 passes. These are programs that encourage women interested in math and science to pursue careers in those fields. Programs that encourage people of color to enter medical careers, and programs that encourage minorities from underserved communities to become K-12 teachers. All would be legitimate targets of Prop 107’s funds-slashing knife. And it’s precisely the potential of Prop 107 to terminate these programs, and programs like them, that is causing many to forecast devastating consequences on female and minority student college enrollment if Prop 107 passes. As it stands, Hispanics and African Americans are severely underrepresented at all three of Arizona’s universities when compared with statewide demographics, even with equal-opportunity programs already in place. Despite the fact that Hispanics constitute approximately 39 percent of our state’s total population,

attending college having increased 375 percent from 1982 to 2005, access to higher education continues to decline more than ever for minorities. And with unemployment at an all-time high, maintaining the access to higher education for these groups is essential if they are to compete on equal footing in the labor market. “It’s not good for our communities and it’s not good for our economy,” says Delores Grayam, chair of WE CAN! The Equality and Opportunity Committee Opposing Prop 107. Neither Sen. Pearce nor Rep. Montenegro returned repeated calls seeking their comments on Prop 107 as of press time. However, Pearce has in the past argued in support of Prop 107, saying he believes that preferential programs send minorities a message that they are inferior and require special treatment to succeed. Rep. Montenegro has largely touted the same opinion, telling

I’m appalled that my government thinks of me as a subclass. –Rep. Steve Montenegro they represent a mere 15 percent of the student population at the University of Arizona, 12 percent at Arizona State University and 11.5 percent at Northern Arizona University. That is why terminating the few programs that do exist to help recruit ethnic minorities, and help retain them once they’re in college, would be like unplugging one of their community’s last lifelines to higher education. And there’s little dispute that the question of access to higher education is a critical one. With the cost of

reporters in 2009, “I’m appalled that my government thinks of me as a subclass.” So, will Prop 107 mark the end of the public treatment of women and ethnic minorities as “subclasses,” as Sen. Pearce and Rep. Montenegro might say? Or will it simply mark the end of the various programs facilitating their access to higher education? That’ll be up to Arizona’s voting population to decide.

Your thoughts? Tell us what you think about Proposition 107. Please go to our poll at www.latinopm.com.

“A more challenging education better prepares students like me to succeed.” CHRISTINE Student,Tucson

Awaiting every Arizona student today is an increasingly competitive world.The higher our academic standards at every stage of the education experience, the better prepared our students will be. And, with their success, comes a thriving economy for all of us. By investing in education, voting for leaders who are education advocates and getting involved in our schools, we will create a culture that places education ﬁrst. In the end, we will not only have a stronger workforce, but greater opportunities. Education is everyone’s business. Make it your priority. Visit ExpectMoreArizona.org.

20TH ANNUAL PROFILES OF SUCCESS PAYS HOMAGE TO CATALYSTS OF LATINO PROGRESS

Valle del Sol

has hosted the Profiles of Success Hispanic Leadership Awards Celebration for the past twenty years to recognize and celebrate the leadership achievements of more than 140 individuals. Held on September 10, 2010 at the Phoenix Convention Center, the event’s theme, “Style & Grace,” kicks off with a fashion show featuring attire from White House Black Market and a special dress designed by Kathy Cano-Murillo, Emily Costello and Anita Mabante-Leach with model Annalisa Ríos. SRP is the premier sponsor for this special 20th Anniversary Profiles of Success. “This year, models take the runway — but not the kind of models who have stern looks on their faces and seem to be in desperate need of a good meal,” says Mark Bonsall, SRP Chief Financial Executive and Associate General Manager and Event Chair. “We celebrate models who look just like us — models of motivation, leadership and empowerment.” The determination and passion demonstrated by the honorees have benefited both the Hispanic and greater community. The luncheon launches National Hispanic Heritage Month in Arizona. The funds raised from this event give new hope to the thousands of men, women, children, families and the elderly who continue to need Valle del Sol’s help. Eleven awards are presented at this year’s event. A music industry producer, a Tucson school board member, and a Yuma County Supervisor are a few of the honorees who were selected for the 20th Annual Profiles of Success Hispanic Leadership Awards Celebration. “The individuals selected as honorees are the embodiment of style, grace, and dignity,” said Luz Sarmina, President & CEO, Valle del Sol. Adding, “Truthfully, their drive and passion inspire all of us.”

HALL OF FAME AWARD Dr. Manuel T. Pacheco

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD Honorable Adelita S. Grijalva

RAÚL YZAGUIRRE COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD Robert A. Espíritu

LORRAINE LEE LATINO ADVOCACY CHAMPION AWARD Honorable Lisa Navarro Fitzgibbons

The individuals selected as honorees are the embodiment of style, grace, and dignity. — LUZ SARMINA, PRESIDENT & CEO, VALLE DEL SOL The honoree for the Hall of Fame Award is Dr. Manuel T. Pacheco, former University of Arizona president. Tucson Unified School District Board Member, Adelita S. Grijalva, is awarded with the Special Recognition Award. For the Raúl Yzaguirre Community Leadership Award, former Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman and American Express employee, Robert A. Espíritu, is the honoree. In the category of Exemplary Leadership, four individuals are named: Alex Juárez, Qwest Multicultural Marketing/Spanish Spokesman; Michael Nowakowski, Phoenix Vice Mayor; Yuma County Supervisor Lenore Loroña Stuart; and Delia de la Vara, National Council of La Raza Vice President Affiliate Member Services. Sergio R. Peñaloza, an employee with Cox Communications, receives the Rosa Carrillo Torres Humanitarian Award. Lisa Navarro Fitzgibbons, Casa Grande City Council Member and Vice President of the Latino Familia Initiative, is the honoree for the Lorraine Lee Latino Advocacy Champion Award. For the Latino Excellence in Arts and Literature, Juan Elías, co-owner of Elias Entertainment, is the recipient. The honoree for the Adam Díaz Latino Legacy Award, a posthumous recognition, is Alice Eckstrom.

EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP AWARD Delia de la Vara

EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP AWARD Alex Juárez

EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP AWARD Honorable Michael Nowakowski

EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP AWARD Honorable Lenore Loroña Stuart

ROSA CARRILLO TORRES HUMANITARIAN AWARD Sergio R. Peñaloza

ADAM DÍAZ LATINO LEGACY AWARD

In honor of Adam Díaz, the Latino Legacy Award has been renamed as the Adam Díaz Latino Legacy Award. Adam Díaz passed away on March 5, 2010 at the age of 100. He was honored in 1994 with the Profiles of Success Hall of Fame award. “Valle del Sol cherishes and values the immeasurable contributions made by Adam,” says Luz Sarmina, Valle del Sol President and CEO. “He was a gift and blessing to our community. His memory will forever serve as an inspiration for hope and good will.”

www.valledelsol.com • www.facebook.com/valledelsolaz

LATINO EXCELLENCE IN ARTS & LITERATURE AWARD Juan Elías

ADAM DÍAZ LATINO LEGACY AWARD Alice Eckstrom (Deceased)

SEPTEMBER / 2010

VALLE DEL SOL

Celebrating 40 Years

Embracing The Community Valle del Sol Youth and Family Services Meet Erick Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program Meet Cynthia Support for the 14th Amendment VALLE DEL SOL / SPECIAL SECTION

602.258.6797 • www.valledelsol.com • www.facebook.com/valledelsolaz

celebrating 40 years Since 1970, Valle del Sol has grown to be one of Arizona’s largest non-profit, community-based organizations assisting thousands of men, women, children, families and the elderly each year through counseling, substance abuse treatment, support services and leadership development programs.

Inspiring positive change by investing in human services, s t re n g t h e n i n g s e l f - s u ff i c i e n c y

“When you hear the consumer’s stories, you see the impact Valle del Sol has made on individual people and their families.” — María Morales Spelleri, Chairwoman of Valle del Sol’s Board of Directors

for families, and building the next generation of

DIVERSITY & DEMOGRAPHICS OF PEOPLE SERVED BY VALLE DEL SOL

Latino leaders.

Each year, Valle del Sol empowers thousands of men, women, children, families, • Acting with integrity and honesty • P re s e r v i n g dignity for all • Respecting d i ff e re n c e s • Being inclusive of the community a t l a rg e • Empowering our community

VALLE DEL SOL / SPECIAL SECTION

and the elderly with the tools, experiences and skills they need to improve their lives. When these individuals get better so do their families and friends.

602.258.6797 • www.valledelsol.com • www.facebook.com/valledelsolaz

Eleven-year-

remembers. “I didn’t know what to do.”

old Erick is

Despite his young age, Erick

not the least bit shy with visitors as he

recognized he needed help, too. “I was

shows off his many Lego creations,

having lots of problems, sometimes

plays the few notes he has learned so

I just broke down in lots of feelings,”

far on his trumpet and excitedly tells the

he remembers, adding that often led to

story of winning 2nd place in a school

kids at school making fun of him.

vocabulary bee. His mother, Eva, smiles

Erick was diagnosed with ADHD and

as Erick eagerly shares all the good

found he could concentrate much

things happening in his young life. She

better with medication. Their family

has reason to be happy – she has seen

support manager from Valle del Sol

with. “Everyone working together tried

amazing changes in Erick over the last

visited them often, and focused on the

to help Erick,” she says. “They gave me a

year with the help they received from

whole family, including helping Eva find

lot of emotional support.”

Valle del Sol.

classes to learn English and get her GED.

Erick says he now feels better able to

Eva also attended parenting classes to

control his feelings and is doing much

failing school, took hours to finish a page

learn techniques that she could use with

better in school. Anyone who meets Erick

or two of homework, had behavior

Erick and her 5-year-old daughter. The

can see how proud his mother is of him.

problems and was being bullied at school.

comprehensive help Eva found at Valle

“He is a very responsible kid,” she says.

“I was very, very desperate because my

del Sol came with a personal touch and

“He is helping a lot here at home, too.

child had a lot of problems in school,” Eva

real concern from the people she worked

It’s amazing. I’m very proud of my son.”

Before they found help, Erick was

YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES

adolescents identify resources

their children learn in their

within themselves, their

groups.

In 2009, 125,520 services

family and the community,

substance abuse program

happy childhood and every

to help them achieve their

helps teens and young adults

parent has the right to see

goals. Some of the program’s

learn skills needed to work

their child develop to their full

services included: the

and advance towards personal

potential. Life throws many

Incredible Years curriculum,

goals of sobriety. To help

stumbling blocks in the path

which is designed to help

teens, who are suffering from

of today’s families. While Valle

parents improve their

chronic and severe depression

del Sol staff cannot always

parenting skills, positive

and suicidal ideations,

remove the barriers, they can

discipline and communication;

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

help youth and families learn

the Girl Power program, which

(DBT) is utilized.

to manage the stressors, find

helps teenage girls face and

Consumer satisfaction

new ways to cope, celebrate

cope with the challenges of

remains a high priority for

their individual and collective

growing up as a female in

Valle del Sol. The results of a

strengths, and regain

today’s society; the ARISE

consumer survey revealed that

confidence in the family bond.

curriculum, which helps

the services provided through

This past year the number of

teens learn alternative

the Youth Services program

consumers enrolled in Valle

communication styles and

received an overall consumer

del Sol’s Youth Services grew

coping mechanisms to

satisfaction rating of 95

by twelve percent.

manage their anger issues.

percent. Families are treated

The parents have the

with dignity and respect by

“a problem,” staff use a

option of participating in a

courteous and extremely

strength-based approach

parallel group, which teaches

helpful staff who listen

to assist children and

the same skills and techniques

carefully to their input.

Every child deserves a

youth and their families.

“My son was very impulsive, aggressive and acting out. Valle del Sol taught him ways to control his emotions. Now Manny is doing well and his behavior has improved so much.” — Angelica

The intensive outpatient

and evidence-based practices

were provided to 1,880

Rather than focusing on

VALLE DEL SOL / SPECIAL SECTION

602.258.6797 • www.valledelsol.com • www.facebook.com/valledelsolaz

Valle del Sol

HOMELESS PREVENTION AND RAPID RE-HOUSING PROGRAM Many hardworking households

applicants must meet income

Services are available to renters only who are residents of Maricopa County, except for Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler or any other

in the West Valley of Maricopa

eligibility criteria and demonstrate

County find themselves facing

the ability to maintain stable long

homelessness due to economic

term housing. This program is a partnership

downturn, job change, health,

Who can receive these services?

city with its own HPRP program already in existence. The household must document a temporary economic crisis beyond their control and must be able

family hardships, or behavioral

with Maricopa County and the

health issues. These are contributing

Community Action Program

members of our community who

(CAP) offices of the West Valley,

prospective rental/utility obligations

need temporary assistance to

including Tolleson, Avondale

after the assistance has been granted

prevent the loss of their current

and Buckeye.

based on current or anticipated income.

HPRP is a grant funded by the

rental home or apartment, or secure a place to rent. Valle del Sol’s

U.S. Department of Housing and

Homeless Prevention and Rapid

Urban Development through

Re-Housing Program (HPRP) is

the American Recovery and

designed to help.

Reinvestment Act of 2009.

to demonstrate an ability to meet the

Proof of US citizenship or legal status is required.

What services are provided? • Rental Assistance

Financial assistance is available for those who are experiencing

• Utility Assistance

homelessness or are in imminent risk

• Deposit for Rent or Utilities

of becoming homeless. Financial

• Moving Costs

assistance may include rental

• Move-In Costs

assistance, utility assistance and

• Hotel/ Motel vouchers

rental and utility deposits. Eligible

B;;H 9LCH >?8 money to pay my electric (bill). My electricity was turned off so my children and I went two months without electricity.” “We had little push lights,” she says. “We went to the library to do their homework. We bought ice and kept our food in a little ice container. That’s how we did it.” “This program helped me and my family by giving us the For Cynthia and her four children, the Homeless Prevention

assistance we desperately needed,” Cynthia says. HPRP paid

and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) served as a lifeline

her rent and late fees for one month, which allowed her to pay

during a particularly tough period after losing her job. “I was

off her debt to the utility company and get the electricity

having financial difficulties,” Cynthia says. “I didn’t have the

turned back on.

VALLE DEL SOL / SPECIAL SECTION

602.258.6797 • www.valledelsol.com • www.facebook.com/valledelsolaz

EMBRACING THE COMMUNITY While helping build healthy families in

Luz Sarmina, who has led the agency

their day-to-day work, Valle del Sol’s staff

since 1995, has served on several boards

members are also busy building a healthy

over the years as well as serving on

community as they give hours of their

various commissions, councils and

personal time to volunteer for dozens of

committees. She says by volunteering,

community organizations. That spirit of

staff members have an opportunity to

helping others melds perfectly with Valle

learn something new while positively

del Sol’s mission as a nonprofit behavioral

impacting the community. “I believe

health and social service agency. Just as

that people who have been given

staff members’ work spans the entire

opportunities should make the most of

community from infants to adults to the

those opportunities. Part of that includes

elderly, so too does their volunteer service.

being able to help other people who have

One of the many examples is Odell Joshua, a program supervisor of Youth

not been given as good an opportunity.” With a list of nearly forty different

and Family Services at Valle del Sol. His

organizations that receive help from any

everyday work with children opens his eyes

number of the more than 100 Valle del

to the needs of children in the community.

Sol staff members, their impact is evident,

Because of this, on his own time, Odell

says Carlos Galindo-Elvira, Vice President

volunteers as a mentor for teenage boys

of Philanthropic & Community Relations.

through his church. Also, for the past two

“Truly, it’s a point of pride for all of us at

years he has raised money for gifts to

Valle del Sol to be involved in extending

children from families in need. “This is a

our agency’s mission by way of serving

little something I can do to brighten the

others and impacting many in our

season for some kids,” Odell says.

community.”

That community-wide focus extends throughout Valle del Sol. President & CEO

“Truly, it’s a point of pride for all of us at Valle del Sol to be involved in extending our agency’s mission by way of serving others and impacting many in our community.” — Carlos Galindo-Elvira, Vice President of Philanthropic & Community Relations, Valle del Sol

GIVE BY CELL *A one-time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Standard messaging and data rates may apply. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on most carriers. Donations are collected for the benefit of Valle del Sol by the Mobile Giving Foundation and subject to terms found on www.hmgf.org/t. You can unsubscribe at any time by texting STOP to 20222.

VALLE DEL SOL / SPECIAL SECTION

Text PROFILES to 20222 to make a $10 gift*

You may text to donate up to 5 times. Your support will help the men, women, children, families, and the elderly who receive services from Valle del Sol.

602.258.6797 • www.valledelsol.com • www.facebook.com/valledelsolaz

14th AMENDMENT PRESS CONFERENCE On July 28, 2010, Valle del Sol held a press conference, at the Sandra Day O’Connor Federal Courthouse, in support of the Fourteenth Amendment as the next proposed action in the immigration debate will be the introduction of legislation aimed at denying birth certificates to children born of undocumented immigrants. “Valle del Sol is taking a lead in expressing its support for the 14th Amendment,” says Luz Sarmina, President & CEO of Valle del Sol. Adding, “We want to bring attention to the potential for another misguided piece of legislation that will intentionally impact the youngest members of our society, babies.” Jennifer Twitchell, Assistant Director, for the ADL Arizona Region said, “ADL stands in support of the Fourteenth Amendment, and is outraged by the talks of proposed legislation that would strip citizenship rights away from those born on our soil.” Twitchell added, “We are incensed by the violence against and demonization of immigrants that has lead to an increased sense of fear in our communities and created a toxic environment in which hate rhetoric targeting immigrants has become all too routine.” Joining Valle del Sol in the press conference were over 100 community members and representatives from the Anti-Defamation League, Arizona OIC, and National Council of La Raza.

VA L L E DEL D E L SOL S O L / /SPECIAL S P E C I SECTION A L S E C T I O602.258.6797 N VALLE • www.valledelsol.com • www.facebook.com/valledelsolaz 602.258.6797 • www.valledelsol.com

Aviso Legal

Si compró una tarjeta telefónica prepagada o recargable antes del 13 de julio de 2010, usted podría recibir beneficios de un acuerdo de demanda colectiva Un acuerdo de demanda colectiva podría afectarle en el caso de que haya comprado tarjetas telefónicas vendidas o distribuidas por STI Phonecard, Inc., Telco Group, Inc., VOIP Enterprises, Inc., y STI Prepaid, LLC (“los Demandados”). En la demanda se sostuvo que los Demandados no divulgaron debidamente las tasas y los cargos asociados con el uso de las tarjetas. ¿De qué se trata la causa? En la demanda se sostuvo que los Demandados no informaron completamente a los consumidores acerca de los cargos y las tarifas correspondientes a las tarjetas telefónicas recargables y prepagadas, lo que puede constituir una violación de las leyes estatales. Los Demandados niegan haber actuado en contra de la ley. ¿Me incluye? Usted está incluido dentro del Acuerdo si ha comprado una tarjeta telefónica de STI elegible en los EE. UU. vendida o distribuida por los Demandados antes del 13 de julio de 2010. El Acuerdo incluye algunas tarjetas en las que no figura el nombre STI. La lista completa de tarjetas telefónicas elegibles se encuentra disponible en los sitios web que se enumeran a continuación.

¿Qué es lo que se establece en el Acuerdo? ¿Cuáles son mis otros derechos legales? Los Demandados reembolsarán un monto de hasta s Permanecer en el Acuerdo: Quedará legalmente $7,400,000. Los montos se reembolsarán a través obligado por los términos del Acuerdo y cederá del uso de los números de identificación personal su derecho de demandar a los Demandados. Para de reembolso de las tarjetas telefónicas (“PIN de recibir cualquier reembolso, debe presentar una reembolso”). Estos PIN de reembolso pueden usarse reclamación. para realizar llamadas nacionales e internacionales s No permanecer en el Acuerdo: Si desea conservar a ciertos lugares. La lista completa de los lugares su derecho de demandar a los Demandados, deberá se encuentra disponible en el sitio web. El monto excluirse antes del 15 de octubre de 2010. al que tiene derecho de recibir depende del número s Permanecer en el Acuerdo y objetar: Si permanece total de reclamaciones válidas presentadas. Además, en el Acuerdo, puede objetarlo antes del 15 de los Demandados deberán proporcionar hasta octubre del 2010. Cederá su derecho de demandar $1,000,000 en minutos futuros con tarifa reducida y estará obligado por todos los dictámenes del o gratis. Tribunal, aún si se rechaza su objeción. El Tribunal de Primera Instancia de los Estados ¿Cómo puedo obtener un reembolso? Unidos del Distrito de Nueva Jersey llevará a cabo Deberá presentar un formulario de reclamación para una audiencia para tratar el caso Torres-Hernandez obtener un reembolso del Acuerdo. Puede presentar y Ramirez contra STI Prepaid LLC, et al., demanda una reclamación dentro de los próximos 6 meses. civil N.º 08-1089, el 16 de noviembre de 2010 para La fecha exacta depende del Tribunal, pero podría considerar si se aprueba el Acuerdo y una solicitud comenzar tan pronto como el 1 de noviembre de por gastos y honorarios de abogado por un monto 2010. Para obtener información acerca de la fecha de hasta $2,050,000. Puede solicitar comparecer y en que comenzará el proceso de las reclamaciones, declarar en la audiencia o contratar un abogado para llame al número de teléfono o visite los sitios web que lo solicite por usted. En este último caso, usted que se enumeran a continuación. deberá correr con los gastos.

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Coming October

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Student Discovery Day

October 6: 5 – 8 p.m. October 9: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. www.scnm.edu/discovery-day

he new Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine Medical Center features state-of-the-art exam rooms, hydrotherapy, IV suites, saunas, steam rooms and relaxation gardens. We will continue to provide comprehensive medical care for patients suffering from: UÊ Allergies and Asthma UÊ Children’s Illnesses including ADHD and Autism

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Much ado about BPA Bisphenol A is found in many everyday products - is it ‘good’ for us or not? By Rosa Cays

“No good deed goes unpunished.” “Damned if

you do, damned if you don’t.” These clichés come to mind lately as I make personal choices to do the right thing. For example, I use those curlicue fluorescent light bulbs. Sure, they’re more energy efficient and can last years, but they’re loaded with mercury. Break one and you have to fumigate your house and dispose of exposed carpet. Dare I throw one away? It’s like a little diablito in my head saying, “How dare you attempt a good deed – poof! Take that!” With the recent hullabaloo about bisphenol A (BPA), the chemical used in many plastics, I wonder if it’s punishment for drinking water out of a reusable sports bottle rather than adding to landfills. (I can hear el diablito cackling now.) BPA is the latest poster child of the ongoing war among lobbyists and chemical manufacturers versus environmentalists, concerned mothers and some scientists. But is it all much ado about nothing – at least for now?

BPA - what is it good for? BPA is a chemical used mostly to produce polycarbonates, super-hard plastic found in water and infant bottles, compact discs and other shatter-resistant products like eyeglass lenses and sports safety equipment. It’s also used in epoxy resins that line bottle caps, dental sealants and food cans. It was more recently discovered in thermal cash register receipts. The use of BPA seems to be a smart thing: to protect us from our own clumsiness and keep our food from contamination. It’s been around for decades. According to Steven Hentges, senior director of Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group, part of the American Chemistry Council, BPA has also been thoroughly tested for decades and in commercial use for 50 years. But who’s been paying for all this testing? The American Chemistry Council, according to Meg

Kissinger, a reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel who has been following the BPA controversy. It’s this potential bias that has naysayers concerned. In response to public outcry, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) will use $30 million in funds from The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to conduct further research, with the goal “to produce both the animal and human data necessary to allow for a comprehensive assessment of the human health effects of BPA.” Their hope is to “chip away” at doubts surrounding the effect of BPA on public health. “Consumers don’t need to be alarmed,” said Hentges during a recent interview on The Diane Rehm Show on NPR. “The CDC [Centers for Disease Control] has done large-scale studies and have found extraordinarily low exposure to BPA in everyday contact.” Kissinger and Ken Cook, president of the Environmental Working Group (EWG), were also guests

Serving the Phoenix Valley since 1953 on the show and had their own perspectives on the controversy.

What’s the threat? The biggest worry is the impact of BPA on human reproductive development and its cumulative effect. In response to Hentges’s claim that consumers need not be alarmed, Cook responded by saying, “we’re in the dark” about the long-term effects of BPA; no studies can prove its safety at this point. Because of this window of skepticism, consumers and retailers are taking matters into their own hands.

The cause for alarm has come about because of the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted by the CDC, in which detectable levels of BPA were found in 93 percent of over 2500 urine samples from people ages six and older. This is a strong indication that BPA is virtually everywhere. More than 6.4 billion pounds of BPA is manufactured every year by 15 corporations. But what’s really getting people riled up is that some animal studies have reported adverse effects in fetuses and newborns exposed to BPA. Dr. Frederick vom Saal, professor of biological sciences at University of Missouri-

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Plastics have certainly made aspects of everyday life more convenient, but they’ve also introduced new toxins and health concerns. If you recycle, you’re likely familiar with the numbered triangular symbols on the bottom of plastic containers. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of plastic:

1 PETE

2 3

V or PVC: Polyvinyl chloride, used for cling wrap, some plastic squeeze bottles, cooking oil and peanut butter jars, detergent, and window cleaner bottles.

PVC

4 LDPE

Scottsdale 7245 E. Osborn Rd, Suite 4 480-994-5012 (includes optical shop)

Gilbert 4915 E. Baseline Rd, Suite 114 480-830-0120

Goodyear 13555 W. McDowell Rd., Suite 102 623-209-0020

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HDPE: High-density polyethylene, used in opaque plastic milk and water jugs, bleach, detergent and shampoo bottles, and some plastic bags.

HDPE

Phoenix 300 E. Osborn Rd, Suite 100 602-254-7255 (includes optical shop)

Glendale 5620 W. Thunderbird Rd, Suite H-3 602-547-2002

PETE: Polyethylene terephthalate ethylene, used for soft drink, juice, water, detergent, cleaner, and peanut butter containers.

LDPE: Low-density polyethylene, used in grocery store bags, most plastic wraps, and some bottles. PP: Polypropylene, used in most Rubbermaid, deli soup, syrup and yogurt containers, straws and other clouded plastic containers, including baby bottles. PS: Polystyrene, used in Styrofoam food trays, egg cartons, disposable cups and bowls, carryout containers, and opaque plastic cutlery.

OTHER

Other: Usually polycarbonate, used in most plastic baby bottles, 5-gallon water bottles, sport water bottles, metal food can liners, clear plastic sippy cups and some clear plastic cutlery. New bio-based plastics may also be labeled #7.

The No. 7 recycling symbol is the main one to avoid if you’re concerned about BPA. Plastics marked with the Nos. 3 and 6 symbols contain phthalates, another chemical that allegedly has hormone-disrupting abilities. Items with the 1, 2, 4 and 5 symbols are generally considered safe plastics, if there is such a thing. Source: www.thedailygreen.com

Columbia, has done extensive research on BPA, and says that it is “extremely harmful” in very low doses. The chemical acts like the female hormone estrogen and interferes with the body’s natural processes. The professor, who published his findings in 1997, claims BPA has been linked to adverse effects on male and female reproduction, altered immune system function, behavioral changes, learning disabilities, brain damage and an increased chance for certain cancers. Before vom Saal came out with his report, 11 studies had been done with positive outcome; since then, independent scientists have found adverse health effects from low doses of BPA. In response to public concern and the amount of BPA produced and found in the environment, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Production (CERHR) conducted their own evaluation. On their five-level scale of concern, with “serious” at the top and “negligible” at the bottom, the NTP expressed “some concern” for its effects on the brain, behavior and prostate gland in fetuses, infants and children; “minimal concern” for BPA’s effects on the mammary gland and in fetuses, infants and children, and advancing puberty in females, and “negligible concern” that pregnant women exposed to BPA would result in harmful effects to fetal or neonatal

development. For those who work and are exposed to higher levels of BPA, the NTP has “minimal concern” that it would affect their reproductive abilities. In January, the FDA shared the NTP’s perspective, but has since taken a harder stance and is conducting more in-depth studies and is taking steps to reduce human exposure to BPA. The threat, really, is what we don’t know about the effects of BPA. It’s widely used, so human exposure to it is pervasive, mostly through food and drink. BPA can leach into food from the supposedly protective layer of epoxy resin that lines food cans, and from polycarbonate food storage containers, some plastic ware, water bottles and baby bottles. You know those reusable sports water bottles? The ones with the No. 7 recycle symbol etched in the bottom? If they get heated up or scratched, BPA can leach into your water or Gatorade. In six states so far, consumers have pushed for the ban of sippy cups and baby bottles containing bisphenol A. Retailers are hopping on the anti-BPA wagon, too, including Walmart, Toys-R-Us and Target, and taking those products off their shelves. Nalgene now has a line of sports bottles that don’t contain BPA, and Camelbak is following suit with their products. And no surprise, the latest marketing tool used by manufacturers is to profess “BPA free!” although the claim is not regulated by any government entity at this time.

Better safe than sorry You can wait and see what the NIEHS finds out or you can be proactive and make a few personal choices to reduce your exposure to BPA. Here are a few actions you can take now: • Don’t microwave plastic containers – they break down at higher temperatures. You can take a chance on those marked “microwave safe.” • Don’t wash plastics in harsh detergents, especially not in the dishwasher. Throw them away if they’re scratched up and you’ve been recycling them for a while. • Avoid plastic containers with the No. 7 recycle symbol on the bottom. Not all, but most, contain BPA. • Eat less canned foods and more fresh or frozen foods. • Glass, porcelain and stainless steel containers don’t leach chemicals. Use them for hot foods and liquids. Get rid of that plastic coffee travel mug and use stainless steel instead. • Use infant formula bottles that are BPA-free. Buy toys that are BPA-free. (Further reading: Slow Death by Rubber Duck by Dr. Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie.)

Think outside the mailbox.

LPM, sent to your Inbox. For six years, LPM has been the only Arizona magazine focused on the local Latino community. Sign up for the free digital edition: www.latinopm.com/digital

Golden Glove of Guadalupe

RE O M S I

N U F THAN A

Cynthia Moreno means business By Karina Ybarra

BARREL YS! MONKE oF

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Join us on Sunday, September 24th and lead a team to promote higher education! Registration for the 2010 Taking Steps Towards College Success Walk-A-Thon is now open! Help promote the importance of a college education by starting your walk team TODAY! Visit our website and register today! (Click here for the registration website)

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Stella Pope Duarte

Alley turns into symbol of love By Stella Pope Duarte

The alley, el callejón, next to my

mother’s house played an important role in the Sonorita Barrio in South Phoenix. It was more than just an alley for garbage cans, broken wine bottles and discarded furniture and appliances. It was a mini highway, a path through our barrio, leading to other callejones, which formed an intricate maze of dusty, foot-worn paths that led to places important to barrio residents. Places like Wong’s Market, Fay’s, Chico’s Bar, Gray’s Service Station, the brickyard, the bus stop, St. Anthony’s Church, Memorial Hospital and Harmon Park. You could walk down los callejones all day long and wave to neighbors tending flowers in their backyards or sitting outside under patios. Men tinkered with their cars, women hung out their wash, kids played on makeshift seesaws, and once in a while you would retrieve a baseball for a would-be Little Leaguer who had just scored a homerun. Walking down los callejones was like taking the scenic path through a world owned and operated by residents who shared three things in common: a hard life, the will to survive and faith to get them through each day. You had to have all three to live in a place that mainstream America counted as worthless, and where property values were nil.

The Sonorita Barrio was described as one of the worst slum areas in Phoenix, according to a news story that ran in the 1960s. After watching a film clip of the barrio on television and even picking out various homes she knew, “la casa de la changa,” and others, my mother asked me “What is a slum?” I told her, “Ma, that’s where poor people live.” “Pobrecitos,” she sighed.” “Let’s go help them.” “Ma, it’s us!” I replied, and watched a look of shock come over her face. In her mind, we had all we needed as a family; my dad worked at the lumberyard and we were NOT on welfare. So what was the problem? Lesson No. 1 from a mom who only went through third grade: DO NOT ever let anyone tell you who you are! You tell them who you are by the way you live, by your love, and by your actions. Poverty, like beauty and love, is in the eye of the beholder. El callejón played another mysterious and miraculous role in my personal life, as it became the place where my mother, Rosanna Pope, had a vision. One dark night, as she walked out into el callejón to throw out trash, she saw a most wondrous thing. On the telephone pole, right before her eyes, hung Christ on the cross, outlined in a bright, unearthly light. Unwilling to take her eyes off the vision, my mother walked backwards all the way to the kitchen door of our house. My mother repeated the

story numerous times to family members, and each time with the same passion. Some may ask, did she truly see Christ on the cross in that dark alley? And the answer will remain unknown. However, the memory of the vision and the amazing light remained with my mother until her death. Many years later, as she lay dying, she again related seeing a light – a bright light that did not hurt her eyes. Then, in a spark of revelation, she identified it as the same light she had seen in el callejón so many years ago, and described the light as pure love, and as possessing “love for each and every person.” With this memory, shared by my mother, el callejón became for me more than just a place for trash, discards, and a site for local winos to gather under the tamarisk trees. It was a symbol, poor and unsung, dark and lonely, that defied the world of power and money with a simple tale of love.

Stella Pope Duarte was born and raised in South Phoenix. She began her writing career in 1995 after she had a dream in which her deceased father told her that her destiny was to become a writer. Her work has won awards and honors nationwide.

¡!

my perspective on: Civil Discourse

Viva Bolton or Latinos: Why we have to do better

For other views on diverse topics, visit our website at www.latinopm.com.

More perspectives

By Nic Suriel Every day, I see why S.B. 1070 has its supporters. Many immigrants, those who came to this country “legally,” and those who are here without legal status, do not speak English. Some of these immigrants even believe that the rich U.S.A. owes them something. In my opinion, this is wrong and it is why so many U.S. citizens have turned “anti-immigration.” I say this as someone who passionately believes in advocating for the rights of immigrants in U.S. courts and who fights every day for immigrants in their plight to obtain legal status in this country. I say this as an immigrant who knows the trepidation of la migra as I, too, was undocumented. I have many friends who march and protest against Arpaio and his ilk, but I think they miss the mark in this respect: It is not through marching and shouting but through civil discourse, that we persuade the majority of Arizonans that immigrants and immigration reform, are and can continue to be an asset to our state. I truly believe that we have to look at ourselves, at our community, and ask, “How can we show the worthiness of our cause without having to shout in somebody’s face?” We need to explain to supporters of S.B. 1070 that we understand their frustration, sometimes even share their frustration. We win this fight by agreeing that an immigrant with multiple DUIs deserves to be deported, as do other repeat violators of the law. We win by stressing to our hardworking immigrant community that they must learn English, and use it; by underscoring that they must obey the law to the letter; and by emphasizing the importance of educating their children and participating in their children’s education. We also win by showing real-world examples of how those who try to come “legally” cannot do so because of the way the laws are written. For example, in Phoenix, there are hundreds, if not thousands of individuals who applied to receive lawful, permanent resident status in accordance with the law. However, the local office of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service disagreed with the law as it had been interpreted by the courts and chose to hold those applications for years until the law could be

changed and they could deny those individuals legal status. I am not speaking of criminals, where some technicality would allow them to obtain legal status. I am speaking of business owners, students and hard-working immigrants who tried to “come the right way,” but were still denied because of the unfair manner in which the law is written and, sometimes, the unfair way in which it is applied. We must listen to those who support S.B. 1070 and show them the other side of this debate, but we must show them without rhetoric, without extreme examples of why this law will not solve Arizona’s problems. Instead we need to show them real-life examples of why their preconceived notions about immigration and those here without status are often inaccurate. How will this nation benefit by deporting young adults who were brought to the United States as infants and small children, who have been raised in this country, acculturated to our way of life, educated by our schools? Why should these young adults be punished for the transgressions of their parents? Instead of throwing this country’s investment in these individuals away, we should nurture it and allow these young adults to help us build a better and stronger country. Most importantly, we must convince those that support S.B. 1070, and those who are opposed to immigration reform, that we need to work together to develop a workable solution. Poll after poll shows that, even among supporters of S.B. 1070, the majority favor a fix to our broken immigration “system” or lack thereof. The common solution is a system that most can agree is guided by justice for the majority of those whose lives are dependent upon a fair immigration policy. There must be an open dialogue, free from shouting, free from insults and personal attacks, free from stereotypes. As Franklin Roosevelt once said, “All of us … are descended from immigrants …” Indeed, we are a nation of immigrants and our nation needs to step up and fix our immigration laws and procedures so that we can control immigration while safeguarding our great country. Nic Suriel received his J.D. from the University of Arizona. He graduated with a B.S. from ASU and a B.A. from Rutgers University. He’s a practicing immigration attorney and has served as president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and as President of the Immigration Section of the State Bar of Arizona.

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¡ September 2010!

Latino Perspectives Magazine

Join us for the 2nd Annual

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