COVER STORY | What is La Vida? 10 Years of Change and Evolution
La Vida
Rumba by Natalia Juncadella
PAID SUPPLEMENT OF THE DAILY PENNSYLVANIAN | Wednesday, February 29th, 2012
INSIDE LA VIDA Letter from the Editor .................................................................................................................... 2 Las Mujeres de Mi Vida .................................................................................................................... 3 The Evolution of Man via Twitter ................................................................................................... 4 My experience at Penn: La Evolucion de Mi Casa ........................................................................ 4
KARELI LIZARRAGA Editor-in-Chief Aida vega Acquisitions Editor Karla molina Business Manager cynthia ip Design Editor claudia henriquez Cipactli Liaison Staff Editors:
isamar ramirez yessenia gutierrez adan juarez carolina angel viviana vallin Special thanks to:
La casa latina THE latino Coalition STUDENT ACTIVITIES COUNCIL THE DAILY PENNSYLVANIAN A Special Thanks to all Our Alumni:
adriana Salinas ben henriquez juliette mullin Nancy Calderón Randy Quezada Sabrina Harvey Shaun Gonzalez Chris Padilla Jonathan Ludmir Enmanuel Martinez E.C. Santos Suhad Babaa Ricardo Parrondo Oscar Benitez Eduardo Orozco Maria Tellez Celia Castellanos Robert Medina Eric Carrion Robert Medina Angel Jacome Sheyla Medina Luis Gomez Sara Estela 2
Latinos & Twitter ............................................................................................................................. 5 Untitled: Establishing My Latino Identity .................................................................................... 6 Development ..................................................................................................................................... 7 What is La Vida Magazine? 10 Years of Change and Evolution .................................................... 8 Influencing Evolution ...................................................................................................................... 10 Admitted to the Ivies: A Closer Look at Affirmative Action ....................................................... 11 Smuggled, New Land ...................................................................................................................... 12 La Mujer:Del Nacimiento a la Vejez .............................................................................................. 13 Celebrating a Decade with Cipactli Latino Honor Society ......................................................... 14 Controversia y Solidaridad ............................................................................................................ 15
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
La Vida: A Constant Evolution I will admit that for some reason, I have been dreading writing this letter for the 10th Anniversary edition of La Vida. Since I have taken the position as editor-inchief, I have been avoiding this short and relatively easy task by riddling my to-do list with ever other possible activity. But now that every other page in the magazine has been finalized, and I’m afraid of having Cynthia, our design editor, impeach me, I guess it’s time to climb my own Everest. I am not a wistful individual. I readily prefer filling silences with jokes and rowdy chutzpah rather than with reflective observations of my life. Overtly public displays of emotions make my stomach knot in discomfort, making me realize that I have the emotional maturity of a 13-year-old boy. In search of some inspiration, I looked through archives of past “Letters from the Editor” that Isamar Ramirez had written. I hoped that these would be the jackhammer I needed to break through my writer’s block. Instead, I became even more terrified, but not because the letters were bad – al contrario; they were a perfect reflection of Isamar. These letters were filled with sophisticated and intuitive remarks on the state of the Latino/a community and the direction in which we were heading; they questioned the path that lay ahead and depicted a preparedness that I am afraid to say I currently do not possess. Much like the painting from our cover, Rumba by Natalia Juncadella, the thoughts in my head are often disorderly and even chaotic. Isamar’s letters reflected a coherent melody and I feared that mine would create a cacophony. How would I be able to produce a letter addressing this issue’s theme, “Evolution”, when just the thought of it left me completely stunted? In a rare moment of kindness towards myself (most likely a product of my caffeine high), I realized my main hurdle as I attempted to imitate Isamar’s letters. Much like what Adriana Lily Garcia mentions in
“Untitled: Finding my Latina Identity”, I was trying to fit a self-imposed mold rather than embracing all of my own qualities. Today, I find myself evolving in an unpredictable but exciting way. My passion for laughter makes me search for the silver lining in most situations. My inability to plan ahead makes me appreciate spontaneity and serendipity. I still do not know my ultimate path in life or the directions I should take, but I believe that is where the beauty of this process lies. As much of our magazine’s staff is about to graduate, I realize that the paths of La Vida and the Penn Latino/a community are now in fluctuation. These individuals, much like the other talented students whose contributions have brought La Vida into fruition for the past ten years have become the backbone of our student organizations. Throughout this issue, you will find memorable excerpts from our archives of many alumni who helped forged the path that has led us to where we stand today. Their presence did not merely impact but uplifted our existence at Penn. Much like the men and women who originally founded La Vida Magazine, the efforts of seniors such as Isamar, Claudia, Diana, Cynthia, Karen, and Karla have been essential in helping this magazine thrive and cannot be recreated. Commencement will celebrate their legacy and now we welcome a new set of leaders who have been moved by their work and inspired to take La Vida where destiny might lead her.
Kareli Lizarraga is currently a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Political Science. Contact her at lavidaupenn@gmail.com.
Karla Molina by carolina angel
Cynthia Ip by kareli lizarraga
I met Karla within weeks of my first semester at Penn. I was a shy freshmen studying in La Casa Latina but she did not hesitate in introducing herself with a smile. We agreed to grab lunch together sometime soon to continue chatting and I left that day feeling at ease and welcomed by the Latino community. Now her roommate, I have witnessed her hard work and amazing balancing skills. Making Dean’s List, holding a demanding internship, work study, board member of ACELA, being a member of the Cipactli Latino Honor Society, and writing for La Vida, Karla does it all. As a second semester senior, Karla continues to be just as involved in both clubs and her academics. She is my inspiration for the way she has made the best out of here time at Penn.
What you are holding in your hands would not be possible without the creativity, ingenuity and just plain boss skills of Cynthia Ip. In just a couple of hours, Cynthia is able to convert a series of rough sketches, post-it notes, and far-fetched ideas into the beautiful and colorful vision known as La Vida Magazine. As the magazine’s design editor, we knew we could expect nothing short of wonderful every semester. As the Speaker of the Undergraduate Assembly and member of the Cipactli Latino Honor Society, Cynthia is known for being an unyielding worker while also lightening everyone’s load with her contagious laughter. I will definitely miss your wit and hilarious jokes. Girl, go out there and keep on making yours and the vida of others as beautiful as you’ve made ours. Best of luck!
Las Mujeres de Mi Vida Isamar Ramirez by kareli lizarraga From a small and yellowed pamphlet to a renowned publication that has portrayed the boundless talents of the Latino Community at Penn, La Vida is the meticulously crafted vision of Isamar Ramirez. I can attest that sweat, tears, and now FDA-banned energy drinks have gone into the past three years that Izzy has made this magazine thrive. And yet this power woman makes it look effortless! She sashays - all while wearing gravity-defying heels- while the rest of us trudge, through Locust Walk. From a meeting with the Cipactli Latino Honor Society to a dance recital in Yalla or a practice in African Rhythms, Isamar gives her utmost dedication and commitment to all she does. But her beauty and grace are not limited to her physical presence. The humility, kindness, and joy that emanate from this extraordinary woman will be felt long after graduation. !Isamar, te deseamos lo mejor!
April 28, 2009 Excerpts from “A Senior Reflection on Latinidad at Penn”- Oscar Benitez and Eduardo Orozco “Looking back at the last four years, our community has seen many changes. We have come a long way, and it has only been possible because of everyone’s hard work. We know that much remains to be done, but we could not be more optimistic about our community. For the seniors; you have all been a great part of this transformation. Best of luck in this ever changing world, and please come back from time to time to reconnect with the Latino family at Penn.”
Karen Aquino by adan juarez emerged a proud young lady from the mean streets of Inglewood, CA. This charismatic and talented individual immediately animated the campus with her sense of humor. From the getgo, she became involved with MEChA de Penn where she reigns supreme as the organization’s Empress. In addition to her royal title, Karen is an active member of Cipactli, works with children on the weekends, writes for The DP and makes incalculable contributions to La Vida. Edition after edition, she contributed thoughtful pieces which really amplified the Latino voice on campus. La Vida would like to say Gracias! Gracias for your passion and dedication to making each publication greater and grander; gracias for touching our lives. Real talk, La Vida has changed for the better, because we knew you.
Diana Olivos by kareli lizarraga
Claudia Henriquez by luis vargas
Because I do not own neither a Marauder’s Map nor was blessed with the gifts of Walter Mercado, I would play it safe and bet that at any given point of the day (or night) Diana Olivos is hard at work in a lab or on Pottruck’s infamous Stairmaster. She never shirks challenges or difficulties but meets them with an almost obstinate perseverance, managing to succeed anyone’s expectations. The time and dedication that she has employed in ACELA, the Latino Dialogue Institute, and of course La Vida have made these organizations flourish and provide so many services to Latinos. I never thought that the tiny loca I randomly met in a club meeting would become one of my best friends and a woman that I truly respect and admire. PB, graduation is only the beginning of a wonderful life. Go kick ass!
From the very first moment I met her, I could tell Claudia was a driven individual. Not only is she outspoken, but she also realizes the power of words. In the Fall 2010 issue of La Vida Magazine, she wrote an article about the difference between the terms “illegal alien” and “undocumented immigrant”. She argued that the use of the term “illegal” derails real conversation about immigration and human rights. This racially charged term is legally inaccurate and morally wrong. She fervently defended her arguments, represented the Latino community, and demanded respect for undocumented students at Penn. With this article, Claudia left a lasting impression on me. Claudia has been a valuable asset to La Vida Magazine, promoting Latino culture across campus. She will be dearly missed as she graduates this May, but she has indeed inspired future generations of contributors.
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TheEvolutionOfMenViaTwitter
@homo_erectus: I man. I make fire. I make rock roll. I strong. I right. @Caesar315: Indeed I am an honorable man, the bearer of the truth, the equal of Jupiter. All cower at my might; the Senate lies in my grasp. I utter law. @The_Tudor: I seek a male heir. These foolish wives of mine fail to please. My lovely daughters will simply not do for only a man can lead. @TommyJ: “I hold this truth to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” That in the birth of a nation, it is his strength that perseveres. @LeNapoleon : Oui, I am destined to become the Emperor of Europe. Louis proved nothing with L’état c’est moi. This complex idea is merde. @DrKing: I have a dream… Yet I too have done wrong. I committed a sin and sought forgiveness. For this reason I am truly human, worthy of the honor.
My Experience at Penn: La Evolución de Mi Casa
@El_Alcalde: I am un orgullo Latino. I value mi familia above all. I too failed to remain faithful, but I remain the hope for many for a better tomorrow. @ArgoDecathlete: For the brief period that man has occupied time, passion drives his every move. While he strives to cultivate virtues, he succumbs to vices. Man has always been an egocentrically pompous individual. Yet he is an innovator, a game changer, and a leader. He sits as the head of states, he raises his voice in the face of injustices, and he inspires all who emulate him. Nevertheless, beneath that honorable exterior resides the conquering savage. This beast seeks destruction, power, and pride which at times is almost deadly. It is amazing to see the evolution of man and how, with every passing generation, he comes closer to defining the lines between vice and virtue, closer to being worthy of the name “man;” a man who recognizes his faults but looks past them to assume his role in society. So, to all who say chivalry is dead, I respond… Nay. Chivalry is not dead; he has just been hanging out with his cousin, Chauvinism.
by Ollin Venegas Revisiting my experience at Penn as a second semester senior feels like rewinding and watching a vacant lot transformed into a manor over four years. Experiences are now reified, contoured, and amalgamated together into this alcove becoming a place where I can retire to during moments of despair and perturbation in the future. But like the fable of Los Tres Cochinitos, my first attempts at building a home were tested and crumbled by a metaphorical wolf, life’s hurdles. My first-year experiences were experimental, somewhat naïve, and grounded in nothing more than ideas. As a result, the wolf easily deracinated my house. I was in a heap of straw, not able to distinguish between what went where. My second-year was more concrete. However, I became too ambitious; I became too focused on the detailed woodwork and overlooked the foundation. Therefore, in the middle of my third-year, without much more effort, the wolf confronted me and brought my house crashing down again. This left me devastated. I had put so much effort into my second home, how could I have possibly overlooked the fundamentals? Accepting this second failure was a very difficult process. But like with all shortcomings, acceptance is a process of maturation and growth; it is an opportunity to rebuild as well as to learn from the past.
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Brickwork is a unique enterprise. The individual units, the bricks laying the foundation are laid in and bound together with mortar to build a structure. Uniformity is key in the project, but it takes many, many years for a craftsman to become a master in edification. I am still learning my craft. And as I have finished this third house and approaching the end of my senior year, I reflect upon what an incredible journey it has been. But the story is not over for the wolf has yet to huff and puff at my door again. Photograph submitted by Ollin Venegas
& Twitter
Latinos For many people, including Latinos, Twitter has become a social network of great interest. According to the 2010 Hispanic Cyberstudy done by AOL, the online Hispanic presence is growing at a rate faster than that of the entire United States.. It is important to note that Latinos who are spending their time on the Internet are spending most of that time on social networking sites like Twitter. The appeal of social networking sites to Latinos is obvious: these sites offer another avenue in which Latinos can connect and socialize. Latinos in the United States can use it to stay in touch with their family members who live in other countries. The Internet also enables them catch up on the latest noticias and chismes from the neighborhoods they left to come to America. Research data analyst Tamara Barber noted that “social media touches on entertainment, community and language – three important elements of Hispanic culture,” (as cited in Jacobson, 2010). The number of Latinos on Twitter is growing every day as more and more people begin to recognize its appeal. 17% of Twitter users are Latino (Jacobson, 2010), and the rest of the population has begun to notice. The Latino population is visibly an important consumer segment and Twitter has become one of the channels through which many businesses have begun to market to the Latino cohort. As recent as November 2011, McDonald’s, a multi-billion dollar company, launched a Twitter in Spanish, geared especially towards their Spanish-speaking audience. Cristina Alfaro, External Communications Manager of McDonald’s, admitted that “Hispanics are social by nature,” in reasoning why their presence on Twitter is an important one that deserves recognition (Hispanic PR Wire, 2011). The 160 character profile description on the page reads, , “¡Hola! Esta es la página oficial de McDonald’s USA para los que nos gusta tuitear en español,” which means “Hello! This is the official page of McDonalds’s USA for those of us who like to tweet in Spanish.” Their purpose is clear and with 2048 followers, they do a good job of communicating with their audience by tweeting about their
contests, surveys, and McDonald’s National Scholarships (Twitter.com/ MeEncanta).
Sears Holdings, the fourth largest broadline retailer, also took initiative in the summer of 2011 to reposition its internet marketing mix to appeal to the Latino community.
However, it seems that they take a more Spanglish approach than McDonald’s, as demonstrated by their profile description, which reads, “La página oficial de Sears para Latinos en twitter! Únase para ofertas especiales y las últimas noticias sobre Sears. Preguntas, comentarios, quejas? Let’s talk!”(“The official page of Sears for Latinos on Twitter! Join for special offers and the latest news about Sears. Questions? Comments? Complaints? Let’s talk!”) which includes both English and Spanish (Twitter.com/SearsLatino). The fact that companies like McDonald’s and Sears Holdings are launching Twitters dedicated to their Latino consumers is proof of the importance of the Latin presence on the model of advertising through social networking. Twitter appeals to Latinos because it enables a sense of community and support, similar to what is found in Philadelphia’s Taller Puertorriqueño. One third of Latinos see the internet as a “key component in building a better life” (AOL, 2010). Building a better life is the goal and purpose of Latino community centers. Taller Puertorriqueño is defined as a “vital resource” and “nationally recognized as a model organization that uses the arts as a vehicle for social change” according
to the home page on their website. In many ways, Twitter is doing the same thing. It provides an outlet through which Latinos can communicate with each other about their specific interests and issues. Twitter, by nature, provides an environment that encourages discourse. Online cohorts catering to the Latino community
have organized themselves into organizations that mirror the structures of the community centers like Taller Puertorriqueño. #LATISM, which stands for Latinos in Social Media, is one of these virtual centers. They strive to enlighten their Latino followers on issues ranging from “Latino Parents Involvement in Education” to “A Look at Corporate Diversity.” They educate their followers in these topics by hosting open discussions over Twitter. Virtual forums called #LATISM Twitter Parties are regularly held and to join the discussion, all a user needs to do is use the hashtag #LATISM in their tweets. Through Twitter, the Latino community has found a new, innovative way to strengthen their community. Sometimes, uniting for a common belief inspires new dialogue and stronger ties. This is exactly what happened when CNN premiered a special titled “Latino in America” in the fall of 2009. An article published by Guanabee.com, a blog dedicated to Latino issues, browsed through the hashtag #LatinoinAmerica in order to detect the public’s response to the TV documentary. Most Tweets showed Latino’s reactions as negative. One tweet by @HappyFeminist said, “For those looking for Latino
by Carolina Angel success stories, look at yourselves. #LatinoInAmerica CNN’s piece is just informational, WE’RE inspirational” (Alvarez, 2009). This tweet represents a reaction that many had about the documentary. They believed it concentrated on the negative while forgetting about all the success stories and achievements that Latinos have actually accomplished. Twitter enabled its users to voice their opinions and engage in discussion with others who were also watching.; Twitter helped remind them that they were not alone and this discourse fortified the Latino online community. Twitter has become a significant medium contributing to the empowerment of the Latino community. Its appeal lies in the way it allows for a convenient and efficient mode of mass communication. Latinos have taken advantage of Twitter’s benefits for the benefit of their own community. This is happening at a time when the Hispanic online population is growing faster than the rate at which the US online population is growing. Twitter appeals to the Latino because it fosters a sense of community, one that is supportive and reaches throughout the country. With Latinos’ online presence growing every day, Twitter has proven to be an important tool for the advancement of the Latino people in our society. References: http://advertising.aol.com/ sites/default/files/content/ download/attachment/ HispanicCyberStudy-2010.pdf http://www.slideshare.net/ dkwebconsulting/whymarketing-to-hispanics-throughsocial-media-works http://www.hispanicad.com/ banners2/downloads/2010-USHispanic-SocMediaReport.pdf http://guanabee.com/2009/10/ twitter-cnn-latino-in-america/
CAROLINA ANGEL is a writer for La Vida Magazine. You can find her on Twitter at @theCaroAngel.
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UNTITLED:
by Adriana Lily Garcia
Establishing my Latina Identity
“Why are you always trying to act white?” Yesenia jeered as I walked past her lunch table. It was sixth grade, and it was the first time anyone had ever associated my behavior with a singular race, and the most shocking part was that it was not my race. I stopped for a moment, confused, and then stumbled over to my usual table to sit with my videogame-and-book-loving, glasses-wearing friends. Her voice replayed in my head for the rest of the lunch period as my slightly awkward companions animatedly made plans for another exciting Friday night of Monopoly. Yes, it was safe to say that is where I belonged. At home, I became even more convinced that Yesenia was right. I kept replaying her words in my mind, unable to understand the anger and hatred in her voice. We used to be friends back in the second grade, when looks, clothing and the grades on your spelling tests were irrelevant. But as social groups began to cement themselves, I found myself spending more and more time with children who regularly got a hundred on their spelling tests, were in the most advanced reading groups, and always did their homework. Yesenia’s group was very different from mine; while mine was full of prospective National Junior Honor Society members, hers was full of future dropouts. I realized I was an anomaly: a high-achieving Latino student. Looking around my lunch table, I noticed that there was not a single other person with my background. The next day at lunch, I took the long route around the cafeteria to avoid Yesenia’s table. I considered the idea of sitting at her table for a change, with the most popular Latino kids. Would sitting at her table suddenly mean that I had stopped “acting white?” In her mind, I was turning my back on my fellow Mexicans by sitting at the other table, but I doubted that they would even accept me with open arms; I would have to change more than my lunch table to fit in with that crowd. Back at my usual table, as I unwrapped my tuna
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sandwich, our conversations ranged from pending book reports to Christmas break plans. A couple of Jewish friends mentioned that they celebrated Hanukkah and others mentioned visiting grandparents and skiing. I debated talking about my family’s elaborate posada rituals, and then decided that it wouldn’t hurt to add a little bit about my own culture to the conversation. -“I celebrate Las Posadas,” I mentioned. -“What?” was the general response around the table. -“Las Posadas” I repeated. -“What’s that?” -“It’s a celebration that starts eight days before Christmas.” -“Is that some Mexican thing?” Thomas asked. I nodded, ignoring his slightly condescending tone. “We sing, pray, drink ponche, and eat really good food.” “Weird.” He shrugged, and then began to talk about what he wanted for Christmas. The rejection hurt. I couldn’t decide if it was racial or personal. But if it was simply racial, why did I feel like someone had just punched me? This racial disrespect felt personal. For the next two years, I didn’t mention anything about being Mexican or Colombian to my friends. I didn’t feel comfortable mentioning my family or anything about my life outside of the classroom. I was doing my best to be everything Yesenia and her friends were not, and “act white.” Acting this way at school eventually became second nature; I learned to leave behind certain aspects of my personality and culture. At school I rarely made jokes; laughing detracted from the studious image I wanted to convey. I ignored racist comments directed towards Latinos; arguing against the comment would draw attention to my own Colombian and Mexican background. I stopped wearing my Virgen de Guadalupe pendant because I couldn’t avoid bringing up Mexico when explaining what it was. I pretended I didn’t speak
Spanish, even when others asked me for help; I thought it would be very American to speak only English. I was completely aware of my behavior, but I didn’t feel as if anything was wrong with it. Acting “white” was all part of fitting in, and in middle school, there is absolutely nothing more important than fitting in. When I learned that I would be spending the next five years of my life at Hackley School, I knew that I would again have to face the challenge of fitting in. But the kids at Hackley were even more different from me than the kids in my public school. I was stumped. How could I possibly pretend to be one of them? They would immediately see through my fake identity. I couldn’t pretend that my parents were doctors or lawyers or magically conjure up a BMW them to drive. I had no idea how I could even try to pretend to be one of them. So I decided to take a risk, embrace the many aspects of my personality, and just try to be myself. My first day at school was absolutely terrifying and I wasn’t sure if I could follow through with my plan to be myself. It was difficult to ignore the impulse to revert to my “white” behavior at school. The first few days, I spoke very little but I soon found a group of friends that helped me feel comfortable. They were welcoming in a way that I had never experienced before; they held true to the Hackley motto of “Enter here to be and find a friend.” I felt no pressure from them to speak at the lunch table, but when I did, they actually listened to what I had to say. Somehow, I felt more included with these new friends who were so vastly different from me than with my previous friends. Slowly but surely, I began to open up and let out the pieces of myself that I normally kept confined to home: my loud laugh, my sense of humor, and my love for religion. My new friends didn’t laugh at my religious involvement – they laughed at my jokes. There were other things to talk about besides what our parents did. Regardless of where I came from, I could always jump into a discussion about how awesome Chris Brown’s new song was, how long the math homework took me, or what new movie was coming out this weekend. Once I began to feel comfortable enough with my new friends, I began to talk about my family and our background. When I eventually mentioned it, they never made a big deal that my parents were immigrants and had been undocumented at one point. They had never encountered anything like my story before and it was so different from their own that they couldn’t help but find what I had to share interesting and exciting. They even participated in the Posada celebration that my old friends had deemed “weird.” My friends enjoyed my mother’s food and became devout fans of her pambasos and gorditas. They admired my second language and often asked for my help with their Spanish homework. With time, I stopped trying to ignore the differences between my friends and myself and instead learned to embrace them. I stopped being ashamed of who I was and where I came from. I took pride in my multifaceted identity: I am a Harry Potter-loving vegetarian, a Chinese-andSpanish speaking bibliophile, a Colombian who can’t cook, and a Mexican Christian with a passion for children. It was okay for me to be a Latina, but most importantly, it was okay for me to be myself.
DEVELOPMENT
by Aida Vega
(weird thing to discover in Spain), that I’ll eat anything here (partly because I don’t know what a lot of food names translate to in English and partly because everything is delicious) whereas a few months ago a plate of fried sardines would have probably made me scream, and that I now love things that used to scare me—like teaching children and climbing a mountain.
“Do you think we’ll be different when we go back? Will our friends think we have changed?” I remember asking my roommate in Sevilla these exact questions at the beginning of our time abroad. Sure, it will be nice to go back to Penn refreshed, enlightened, and having gained a completely different perspective from all of my experiences abroad, but do I really want to be a transformed into a different version of myself? Unfortunately, I still have no idea how to answer any of these questions. As I sit in what has become my new home—a gorgeous apartment in what I have learned is considered a ritzy neighborhood in Seville— I can’t help but marvel at the last few months of my life. It has been less than three months, yet I feel as if I have been walking these winding streets, ordering “una copa de vino tinto” with each meal, and spending all of my time with this new group of friends—previously unbeknownst strangers—for what seems like a lifetime. It is remarkable how well humans adapt to change, despite resisting and fearing it at times. During my first few weeks here, I couldn’t fathom that I would ever stop considering my camera an extension of my hand, desperately trying to capture everything beautiful. I wondered whether or not I would ever be able to incorporate“vale,” the Spaniards’ version of “okay” (as well as the response to virtually any question, remark, or statement imaginable), into my vocabulary without it feeling forced. Now, I remind myself to slow down, look around, and really take in what has become my reality. I don’t think that studying abroad has necessarily changed who I am as much as it has helped me become conscious of parts of who I already was, parts that had previously gone unnoticed at home, in Philadelphia, and at Penn. Here, I have discovered that I pray in Spanish (my first language), look down when I walk, and never look behind me because I’m always too busy trying to get somewhere. Being among Spaniards who, as I like to put it, saunter everywhere they walk without worrying about what time it is, has forced me to slow down. I have realized how much I was missing when I rushed everywhere, aloof of my surroundings. I’ve realized that I love sweaters
These small bits of me have been discovered by accident. In an environment where everything is new and exciting, where it’s obvious to everyone that I’m from somewhere else, I have inevitably started to analyze my own actions. I think my time in Spain has shed light on new interests and helped me define what I want out of life a little more. If nothing else, being here has certainly taught me a lot about gratitude. I find myself counting my blessings every single day – blessed to be here, to have the opportunity to live abroad, to travel to five new countries, and to have found a few people who will continue to be my best friends long after I leave Seville. This love for Spain, however, has not come without a newfound appreciation for everything I have waiting for me back at Penn and that I used to take for granted – a house full of my best friends, libraries that stay open past 9 pm (getting real work done here is a rare occurrence, mostly because it’s Spain but also because there is nowhere to study comfortably for an extended period of time), stores that don’t close on Sundays, oatmeal, and Penn inTouch (try registering for classes here… impossible).
March 28, 2008 Excerpt from “Explorations of Latino Identity” “Latinos are a work in progress; they are a people in the process of becoming as they settle, in unprecedented numbers, in the United States.” – Marcelo M. Suarez Orozco and Marcela M. Paez “As a Cuban-American, my identity is hyphenated and filled with meaning. I am Cuban, I am American, and I am also a citizen of the Latin American Diaspora in the United States. With my identity now firmly established, I feel that it is my duty to crusade, in Latin America and in the United States, for the establishment of the freedoms and inalienable rights that I enjoy as an American.”- Ricardo Parrondo
When I arrived in Spain, I was sure that most of my learning would take place outside of the classroom, and while for the most part that still holds true, there is one lesson that I will never forget because it summarizes my time here perfectly. I went out on a limb and registered for a History of Economics class at the University of Seville. On one of the first days of lecture, my professor spent a few minutes of class explaining the difference between growth and development. Growth describes a quantifiable increase but does not necessarily imply a qualitative change the way that development does. At times, my faith has been shaken and my beliefs questioned, but after these last few months, I know that something inside of me is different, and definitely better. I’ve learned to appreciate the little things, like Sevici, the Andalusian accent, and fruit for dessert. I’ve learned to stop for a second, look behind me, and see things from a different perspective. I have been able to find real beauty in these details that I often disregarded. I have found pleasure in doing something new every day and taking risks, and I know that I am coming out of this an improved and more developed version of myself. AIDA VEGA wrote this article while traveling and studying abroad in Spain from August to December 2011.
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Different by Natalia Juncadella
What is La Vida? 10 Years of Change and Evolution W
hat is La Vida Magazine? While I was a board member for La Vida, I answered this question an infinite number of times. Yet, despite the generic elevator speech I have developed and refined over the years, I found that my knowledge of the publication was incredibly limited. Though I could present a detailed description of La Vida over the past three and a half years, as well as an overview of our hopes for the future as this publication continues to evolve, my knowledge did not extend towards the past. As I prepared to exit this university and end my final semester as an undergraduate student during such a monumental period in La Vida’s history, an overwhelming sense of nostalgia encouraged me to reflect on my experiences over the past four years. Because my personal growth while at Penn has been interlaced with my involvement with La Vida, this self-imposed period of reflection inherently encouraged me to look back even further and reflect on La Vida’s life over the past 10 years.
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by Isamar Ramirez In order to gain an understanding of La Vida’s history, the staff members at La Casa Latina encouraged me to contact Maria Tellez, Celia Castellanos, and Robert Medina. Their accounts of their experiences with the publication have allowed me to accumulate the puzzle pieces of La Vida’s history, assembling the following narrative of the past 10 years. As emphasized by Tellez, La Vida Magazine was founded by members of the Cipactli Latino Honor Society in the Fall of 2001 to “showcase current events in the Latino community, interview prominent Latino figureheads, [and discuss] controversial issues in the Latino community”, among other goals. Adriana Salinas, a member of the Cipactli Latino Honor Society’s first class, spearheaded her vision of creating a “newsletter to give Latino students a voice”, as stated by Castellanos. With support from Cipactli, the publication not only continued to flourish the following semester while Salinas studied
abroad, but also transformed into an organization of its own. Building upon its humble beginnings as a newsletter, Cipactli recruited the following staff members to lead this initiative: Maria Tellez (Editorin-Chief), Celia Castellanos (Layout Editor), Eric Carrion (Events and Sports Editor), and Chis Padilla (Events and Sports Editor). With the help of additional staff writers, this team developed the second edition of La Vida Magazine, which was published in the spring and focused primarily on highlighting Festival Latino, a week-long celebration of Latino/a culture at Penn that is organized by the Latino Coalition. By publishing this issue in The Daily Pennsylvanian—a tradition that continues to this day—La Vida gained a wider audience and was read by many members of the Penn community who would not normally review a Latino/a interest publication.
As a Black Latina with family members who span the color spectrum, I’ve shared your struggle with molding my identity as a “Latino/a” During their time at Penn, Tellez and Castellanos continued to lead La Vida’s staff. Through their leadership, they were able to act upon their vision of making La Vida more of a magazine for the entire Penn community than a newsletter targeted only towards Latino/a students. After gaining SAC recognition, this funding source made it possible for La Vida Magazine to be published in the DP each spring semester. During the spring of 2005, Castellanos recruited Robert Medina to work on La Vida. A freshman at the time, Medina accepted the challenge, focusing much of his attention during his time as Editor-in-Chief on “the spring DP insert in time for Festival Latino”. Although, according to Medina, there was not necessarily an editorial team at the time, he worked closely with Angel Jacome and his sister, Sheyla Medina, to put the publication together. Despite their small staff, Medina ensured that an issue of La Vida highlighting the importance of Festival Latino was published each spring in the DP, promoting Cipactli’s initial goal of providing a voice for Penn’s Latino/a community. After Medina graduated, La Vida faced the ramifications of losing an incredibly strong leader. During this weak point in La Vida’s history, Luis Gomez—a senior at the time—noticed the void and spent his last semester at Penn recruiting new staff members to revive the publication, including Sara Estela and myself. Building upon the foundation of former leaders, Gomez restored and restructured the publication, training future staff members to continue publishing after his graduation. When Luis asked me to join La Vida’s staff, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. As a second semester freshman, I was still discovering the role I would play within the Penn community during
my undergraduate experience. Coupled with my inability to “fit in” with the Latino/a community on campus, I was initially hesitant to commit to the daunting task of providing a voice for this community. Yet now, as I am preparing to end my second semester as a senior, I now value what a pivotal role La Vida has played in my evolution as an undergraduate student and a leader on campus. During my time as Editor-in-Chief, I have worked with wonderful staff members who have supported my vision of restructuring the publication—particularly in regards to petitioning for funds to publish an issue in the DP both in the fall and spring semesters, as well as selecting a general theme for each issue. By selecting a general theme for each issue, we have succeeded in encouraging the Penn community to submit work that not only brings to light issues within the Latino/a community, but also results in cohesive and memorable publications, such as our issue on Virtues and Vices. As such, I hope that La Vida continues to grow and change for the better, finding new ways to encourage those interested in Latino/a culture to submit work that reflects an accurate depiction of Latino/as while simultaneously encouraging the use of this public platform as a venue of self-exploration and personal growth. Only then can our voices be used to accurately represent Penn’s multifaceted and constantly evolving Latino/a community. Although I developed innumerable leadership skills while working on La Vida, my greatest transformation in conjunction to working on this publication is evident through my evolution as a member of Penn’s Latino/a community. As an editor for this magazine, I have been presented with the opportunity to help empower others to share their experiences with Latino/a culture to our wider Penn community. Within this position, our contributors have trusted me with their personal stories. I have snapped and praised your work as you poetically described someone who enchanted you. I have stood in solidarity as you promoted the DREAM Act. As a Black Latina with family members who span the color spectrum, I’ve shared your struggle with molding my identity as a “Latino/a”. As you opened up to our staff and encouraged the greater Penn community to hear your voice, you simultaneously provided me with an opportunity to find my place within Penn’s Latino/a community. Thus, my involvement with La Vida has allowed me to abandon my position on the outskirts of this community and find a space where I truly belong. So, what is La Vida Magazine? Personally, it has been a journey of progression—one that has allowed me to grow as a leader and find comfort within my own identity. It has allowed me to gain the privilege of reviewing the thoughts and emotions of members within a community I now call my own—a community filled with others who felt just as lost and uninvited as me as they were finding their way. By trusting me with your stories and depictions of your experiences with this multifaceted culture I love, you have allowed me to evolve throughout my experience at Penn. And for that, I thank you. What does this publication mean to you? Please feel free to email lavidaupenn@gmail.com and share how you define La Vida Magazine. We would love to incorporate your feedback into our 10th anniversary event!
ISAMAR RAMIREZ is graduating with a major in English and Gender Studies. For the past three years, she has been the Editor-in-Chief of La Vida Magazine.
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Influencing Evolution:
by Yessenia Gutierrez Penn for Immigrant Rights
Affecting United States Immigration Policy Towards Latin America Recent news stories point out again and again the need for immigration reform, but of course the difficulty is in actually creating this reform. We are experiencing far-reaching changes in this country’s immigration policy, some of which have been highly publicized while others do not even register in our national consciousness. Just as we are unwittingly living through the evolution of species, we are currently living through the evolution of immigration policy in the United States. These (not always so) gradual changes may seem too large-scale, complex, and entrenched in international politics to be brought about by anyone who isn’t a politician, but like artificial selection in the evolution of species, we can affect the direction immigration policy in the United States is heading. In fact, Latin Americans and Latinos in the United States are in a unique position as we are able to affect U.S. policy as well as influence policy in our family’s country of birth. More Latin American countries are acknowledging and extending rights to their citizens living abroad. For example, nine countries in Latin America currently allow some form of external voting for elections, meaning that citizens living abroad – temporarily or permanently, depending on the country – can cast their votes. This is a testament to the strength of Latin American and Latino communities, as well as to their abilities to sustain a campaign for political change. Another more indirect form of influence is through remittances, which is money sent aboard. Remittances from the U.S. to Latin American countries totaled over $38 billion in 2003 and account for significant percentages of individual countries’ GDPs. For example, in Colombia, the Dominican
Republic, and El Salvador remittances total more than foreign investments. This gives these Latin Americans and Latinos in the U.S. sending money back home not only the obvious familial investment in the country receiving funds, but also a monetary investment. This is because remittances are disproportionately spent on consumer goods and services, thus contributing to and injecting new funds into the economy. Furthermore, as in the United States, there is often a multiplier effect to the money being spent, which some calculations indicate can be as high as 300%, meaning that for every $1 in remittances, as much as $4 can be generated in the consumer goods and services sector. This investment can and should be harvested for political influence. It puts Latin Americans and Latinos in a powerful position: imagine being able to steer evolution. Maybe we wouldn’t have given humans appendices or wisdom teeth. Maybe we wouldn’t ignore the political power of over 50 million people in the United States. If changing immigration policy seems like an impossible feat, think about man’s best friend. We started out with a single species: the grey wolf. Now we have great Danes and Chihuahuas, Golden Retrievers and Dalmatians. If humans can manage to drastically alter a species, we can manage to create a comprehensive, fair, and multifaceted immigration policy for the sake of lives, human rights, and livelihoods. Evolution is gradual, but powerful and intractable. Latin American and Latino influence can become like this, both in the U.S. and in Latin America itself. It all starts with passion, self-education, discussion, and mobilization.
RECAP// Fall 2010 “The DREAM Act: Why It’s Important to Me” by Ollin Venegas “Why should I support these criminals? How can you show sympathy to someone who has deliberately broken the law? If you support those wet-backs, you must be a criminal yourself! Go back to where you came from and quit TAINTING our country!!!” I received this reaction after I tried to explain the DREAM Act to a couple in my hometown, _________... But does my hometown even matter?
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Fall 2010 Excerpt from “Illegal vs. Undocumented: Is there a Difference?” by Claudia Henriquez Whereas illegal can be attached to objects such as illegal drugs, illegal cannot rightfully be attached to a human being. In doing so, it reduces the human condition to objects as if people were goods or products.
They were a typical couple of about _____ years old. They were both of ____________ ethnicity, and I could tell they came from the ______ side of town… But does their age, ethnicity, or what part of town they come from matter? How about what they said? I was born and raised in the United States. In response to their statement, how could I be tainting the country by exercising my political right to pursue legislation to help my neighbors? Is one a criminal if s/he is brought to this country by his/her parents as an infant? Because of this logic, I don’t understand why people contest the DREAM Act. The DREAM Act is a piece of legislation that will allow undocumented students who have graduated from a United States high school and arrived
in the U.S. as minors with a path to legal status. Contrary to popular thought, this path is not easy. Those who wish to gain legal stats must first apply for Conditional Permanent Residence. If approved, they then have six years to either complete two years of college or service in the military. Only then can they apply to become Permanent Residents. In addition, this act will allow driven, young people to receive much-needed federal financial aid. Why is that a problem? These ambitious students have obeyed every law since arriving in this country, worked hard to graduate high school, and gained acceptance into an institute of higher education or the military. They are our neighbors, our classmates, and our friends. They deserve the same rights we sometimes take for granted.
Affirmative action is a topic of much contention in the United States. The program was originally implemented as a way to make reparations to the African Americans who had been systematically oppressed. The beginnings of affirmative action can be traced to the end of the Civil War during the Reconstruction Era as efforts arose to equalize life for blacks and whites in the South (West Encyclopedia). Today, it is meant to combat against the remaining effects of past discrimination and to create a system that will prevent against future discrimination. Yet contention arises as many currently perceive it as “reverse discrimination”. A study found that a fourth of the surveyed Americans believe that opportunities to higher education are more available to minorities than to middle-class Americans. However minorities report that they still face barriers in access to higher education. This study clearly shows the sentiments of the American people as critical of the opportunities presented to minorities (Schmidt). Although Latinos are the fastest growing minority in the U.S., they continue to be underrepresented in higher education. Despite perceptions that affirmative action may incite reverse racism in higher education, the eradication of this program would be especially hurtful to underrepresented minorities. Because of the increasing numbers of Latinos in the lowest sections of society, affirmative action is a necessary and highly beneficial program to this group (Brest and Oshige). Much of the growth of the Latino population can be attributed to the way that this group is classified by the United States government. Attitudes towards affirmative action vary across the general population. According to Elizondo and Crosby, one’s position in US society plays a role in how positively or negatively affirmative action is viewed, likely due to selfinterest. Some may have first-hand experience with discrimination and perceive affirmative action as a positive thing, while others may view affirmative action as a disfavor and lowering of standards, because it does not benefit them. Approval for system goes up when it is understood that it is not a quota system. According to a report done by the Stanford Law Review, affirmative action is a tool necessary to remedy the significant underrepresentation of racial, ethnic, or other groups by considering their group membership in admissions. It
Admitted to the Ivies:
A CLOser look at Affirmative action by Catalina Ramos must be emphasized however, that schools may not admit individuals of a minority background in order to fulfill a quota as this practice is illegal. Rather, an institution has the responsibility to ensure that a diverse group of qualified, competent people attend their institution. Affirmative action has positive effects for both the institution and the groups targeted. These include a diverse student body, promoting a cycle of success among minority communities, and fomenting intercultural learning amongst students. However, the Stanford Law Review also found some negative consequences of affirmative action for the people it is intended to benefit. There has been a rise of increased tensions amongst minority groups because of affirmative action (Brest and Oshige). An article in the New York Times addressing the issue of multiethnic identification in college applications raised the question that checking boxes may be “gamesmanship or a reflection of reality” (Saulny and Steinberg). The article attributed this to students’ desire to have all of the aspects of their heritage recognized. However, I am highly dubious many students readily admit to the New York Times that they checked a box in hopes that it would raise their chances of college admissions (Saulny and Steinberg). Students become more and more conscious of any factors that may help them in the admissions process especially as higher education institutions report greater competition in the pool of applicants. Although many people are very attached to their ethnicity, this does not blind them to affirmative action. In my investigation of affirmative action I have realized there are many
layers to the issue. I interviewed several individuals of mixed heritage in order to understand the relationship between affirmative action and self-classification while applying to institutions of higher education. These interviews are especially relevant since affirmative action is something most people are aware of during a time of increased competitiveness among college admissions. The questions asked of the participants were meant to get insight into the role affirmative action played in their college experience. I wanted to understand how flexible their identities became to gain admission. All those I interviewed said that affirmative action plays a large role in college admissions as well as the perception of minorities in the university setting. However, they all had different perspectives as to the extent to which this influenced their college experience. Many of the students interviewed claimed that their own merit got them in, others admitted to playing their ethnicity to their advantage in certain situations. To an extent, all of these students were most likely helped by affirmative action policies and certain aspects of the heritage with which they identify. A particular interviewee, Ramonita, decided to check “Puerto Rican” over “Mexican” on her form, in an effort she believed would increase her likelihood of admissions. Most other participants marked multiple ethnicities. Even though students marked multiple ethnicities, the university designated one over the other in the cases of Marco and Natalie. It is not really clear how the university is applying affirmative action policies because
the controversy surrounding the issue lets it go un-discussed. As a Latina it Penn, affirmative action makes me uncomfortable. I understood when my interviewee, Ramonita said that she felt affirmative action took away some of the sense of pride she gained from being accepted early decision to a top university. While my paper was focused on the experiences of Latinos, affirmative action has evolved past the point of looking only at race. Universities are looking for all types of diversity, religious, socioeconomic, sexual orientation, and even intended major. With this expanded definition, I imagine more people would find themselves affected. We’d all like to live in a world in which affirmative action was no longer necessary, but that is not yet the case. For now, I think people should become educated on the issue, so the stigma attached to being in a minority group fades. Its important to remember that we all made it to the Ivy League and what we do with our time here is separate from the considerations of our admission. Works Cited Brest, Paul, and Miranda Oshige. “Affirmative Action for Whom?” Stanford Law Review 47.5 (1995): 855-900. Elizondo, Evellyn, and Faye Crosby. “Attitudes Toward Affirmative Action as a Function of the Strength of Ethnic Identity Among Latino College Students1.” Journal of Applied Social Psychology 34.9 (2004): 1773-796. Morse, Robert “Methodology: Campus Ethnic Diversity” US News September 12, 2011 Rosenfeld, Michael J, “The Salience of Pen-National Hispanic and Asian Identities in US Marriage Markets” Population Association of America, Demography Vol. 38 No. 2 p161-175. May 2001 Schmidt, Peter. “Views of Who Can Attend College Are Deeply Divided by Race, With Some Seeing Middle Class as Worst Off” The Chronicle of higher education. April 4, 2011 Saulny, Susan and Steinberg, Jacques. “Mixed-Race Students Wonder How Many Boxes to Check” New York Times. June 13, 2011 http://www.jstor.org/stable/4122907
NEW LAND
SMUGGLED by Anonymous
I was born in Country X and smuggled into the United States when I was five years old. My entire life I’ve been conditioned never to talk about this story for fear of la migra. Growing up, la migra was not a mythical enforcement agency but a real live monster waiting to snatch me up and tear me away from my life when I least expected it. I was conditioned so thoroughly that I never told anyone my story until I came to college. For the first three years of my life my name was as it is today but on my third birthday my grandmother told me that my name from now on was to be Maria Lucia Santos. As a three-year-old this was really confusing. I remember asking the reason for the change and never getting an answer. I was Maria Lucia Santos until further notice. My parents also received a name change and became Patricia and Jose. Again, until further notice. Our new identities were to be a secret. My grandmother told me that everyone else would call me Maria Lucia but only we would know my original name. I lived with the name Maria Lucia Santos for two years. I flew into the United States as Maria Lucia Santos and when the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent asked me for my name I gave them the answer I had been taught. I had become this girl on a passport that wasn’t me but I always thought about it as a game. Once I left the airport, the game was over and once I was with my parents I was myself again. I didn’t realize until much later that I was smuggled into this country, secretly forced to evolve and adapt into this other person for three years and then fitted back into my original mold.
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Darkness Tormented clouds Blackening The sky Lonely Wolf Howls A mourning song Terrified A broken soul Shivers From the cold Little Boy runs Long Night screams Thundering Rain pours Down Dripping, dribbling Falling Slipping, sliding, stinging Mud On face River Sinking in all around Water Currents pulling, dragging Desperately Gasping for air Standing Fence enclosing Climbing Headlights flashing Panic Wheels and legs Dashing Scratched and aching New Land Old Cross Clutching Sweat dripping Face Held high Gringo Green Go
by Amy Lopez
March 23, 2005 Excerpt from “Day Without An Immigrant” written by A Concerned Immigrant The movement to stop the SensenbrennerKing Bill (H.R. 4437) kicked off on Tuesday, February 14 with 1,500+ people in attendance with a rally in front of the Liberty Bell at 5th and Market Streets in Philadelphia supported by an additional 3000+ immigrants and allies located in Georgetown, DE. This 24 hour period was marked by immigrants and friends not working and notifying their employer or affected person that the absence was due to the pending immigration reform. Supporters displayed white and red armbands, clothing, and ribbons. The action was directed towards employers. They are the ones with the most influence in Washington, Day Without An Immigrant seeks to awaken employers to their voting power and influence with legislators. By making a call, signing a petition, or voting for a particular candidate, their voices will be heard.
La Mujer: Del Nacimiento a la Vejez Woman From birth to old age Spring 2011 Fall 2005
“Genesis” by Enmanuel Martinez In the beginning Man kissed Man; Their saliva upon mixing gave rise to Woman.
An Excerpt of “Vaginal Delivery of Cesarean Section: What are the Preferences of Peruvian pregnant Women towards Type of Delivery?” submitted by Jonathan Ludmir, C’06 The majority of Peruvian pregnant women (92.4%) preferred vaginal delivery; 6.3% preferred c-section and 1.3% did not have a preference. There was no significant difference in the preference for c-section between Minister of Health Hospital patients (5.7%) versus ESSALUD patients (7.4%) with p=0.6. 82% of patients with prior history of c-section preferred trial of labor and vaginal delivery instead of repeat cesarean. Reasons given for vaginal preference included natural process, quick recovery, better for the baby, and less pain.
Nuevas Tierras
by Viviana Vallin
Mi abuelita Carmen was a strong, wise Oak tree With roots strong and thick, embedded in la tierra Mexicana Con valor y determinación, she replanted in new soils, with rich promises And she began to establish a foundation for future generations. My seed was planted under my grandmother’s protective shade and cariño Among many primos, tias, y tios, I thrived and continued to reach new heights Fueled by the rich culture, Spanish language and encouraging environment, my roots stretched deeper and deeper into the land of El Valle As I grew in the safety of familiar grounds I dreamt of opportunities to learn and reach higher than anyone ever predicted. I made the decision to pursue the best environment for learning and knowledge Growing further and further from the reach of my abuelita Still, mis raices were strong, thick and readily sought the nutrients I needed to grow in new soils, Each time taking longer and feeling more resistance from the land as I tried to set mi fundación.
April 28, 2009 “Biological Misconceptions” by Claudia Henriquez Let’s talk about double standards Based off biological misconceptions Like if he can’t conceive, there’s no reason to protect him And if you can, you should practice abstinence To the point where your objective becomes reproduction Machines to a racial obstruction The human race Carbon copies to be erased (Like there aren’t enough of us already) Let’s talk about America’s “fallacy” Teenage pregnancies Spoken like a disease She was a slut I could’ve predicted it Tight clothes and hoop earrings On the daily, make-up smearing A walking shame She never had any standards. And he? Boy couldn’t help himself She was asking for it Because statistics demonstrate Biological misrepresentations to make us believe that sex is constantly on a man’s mind. But sex drives Are without discrepancy Fast-paced hearts aligned like two Cars speeding, driving Ninety miles an hour into indebted desires Tarred with sin Burned by the tire of our skins Carbon copies to be erased As if we were not normal Humans
With branches that were still forming, I reached for new heights I moved farther from El Valle, until I could no longer recognize where I was La tierra beneath me was unfamiliar and difficult to penetrate with my weakened roots Without a bearing, I was swept from side to side with the unpredictable winds that took no notice of my struggle.
Yet young virgins marry in white A mask of purity to hide the scarlet Letters Branded since birth because of the Color of our skin And even as virgins, We’ll never win We’ll never win
Until finally, I felt the weight of myself as a full grown Oak, body firm and strong A product of El Valle and its people, where my grandmother first penetrated new soils With convicción y valor, I drew from my core to grow my roots Slowly and cautiously, they pushed through the foreign land.
It’s time to break the myth that women Don’t desire flesh Romance is nothing but an additive Sex is neither a sin nor a mental condition
Until I too stood firm and tall Spreading my branches creating a small circumference of shade beneath me.
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Celebrating a Decade with Cipactli Latino Honor Society by Claudia Henriquez The Cipactli Latino Honor Society is proud to celebrate ten successful years of academic achievement, community service, and leadership. Nancy Calderón, Randy Quezada, Sabrina Harvey, and Shaun Gonzalez founded Cipactli with the purpose of both honoring and promoting the success of the Latino community at Penn. Since 2001, Cipactli has adopted more than 100 members, of which 95 are alumni and 28 are current members. Cipactli members exemplify all three pillars of the Society and work together to complete projects that serve the Latino community both at Penn and in the Greater Philadelphia community. Just this past month, Cipactli hosted a Meet n’Greet where members and potential applicants created “Happy Mail” for Hugs and Hope, a non-profit organization that stands by the motto of “making a difference for sick kids, one smile at a time.” Apart from community service events, Cipactli also promotes the academic achievement of underclassmen. Two years ago, Cipactli set a new tradition named Freshman Recognition Night, honoring freshmen that have achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Cipactli members hail from all extracurricular clubs, academic disciplines, and nationalities. As the only Latino honor society in the Ivy League, members are conscious of the diverse voices they represent and support and remain committed to Cipactli’s goals through their endeavors both on and off campus.
As a member of Cipactli for the past two years, I can confidently say that my love for the Society grows each day. Since the beginning, I was welcomed with open arms into a family. As Vice-Chair, I have the pleasure of acting as the correspondent for alumni and I am delighted to discover that years and miles do not separate the unconditional love and loyalty that Cipactli members have for each other and the desire to see each other succeed. In a place as competitive as Penn, it is difficult to find friends or colleagues that will take time out of their own life in order to help you strive and accomplish your goals. Ten years later, the vision of community that the founders planted is thriving. Through community service, recognition of academic achievement, and valued leadership, Cipactli strives to be an example of how selflessness and a sense of community can make students succeed. It is no coincidence that the same founders of Cipactli founded La Vida Magazine, a publication that exists to celebrate the Latino community of Penn, recognizing that it is both a multifaceted and growing community. Cipactli and La Vida have much to celebrate in their 10th anniversary as a community that has evolved and united in the face of adversities.
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Melting by Natalia Juncadella
Controversia
Solidaridad RECAP// Fall 2001 The “N-Word” by Chris Padilla On Tuesday, November 6th, 2001, La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. and Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. hosted a forum to discuss the word “Nigger.” The discussion was held in the multi-purpose room in Dubois College House, and roughly 25 students and guests attended the forum. Many opinions were presented on the use of the N-word in Hip-hop culture and its informal conversational use between races. “If she [a White student] were to say, ‘That’s my nigga,’ I’d raise an eyebrow. If her friend [a Black student] didn’t get upset, I’d be cool with it,” remarked Weldon McMillan, a junior in Wharton. Other comments explained how the N-word is used when referring to an inferior or ignorant person. Participants felt that this was a common use amongst African-American students because of their comfort with the word.
Photograph provided by Tyler Ernst
RECAP// MARCH 23, 2007
The final tone of the forum was that ideally no one, including African-Americans, should use the word because of its negativity and the unpleasant emotions it can evoke. In order to stop the word from being used in negative connotations, people must not use the word in any illustration.
“Dragging it Out: Battling Stereotypes of Sexuality within Latino Community” by Suhad Babaa Currently the LGBT community at Penn has taken steps towards expanding its advocacy agenda in hopes of combating both social and political discrimination in regards to sexuality and gender. As the LGBT community moves forward with this revitalization of political and social advocacy, ALLIED support will be crucial to creating tolerance and awareness. While Drag it Out is a charity that aims at funding education and research for HIV/AIDS, a virus that targets all people regardless of sexuality, age, race, and sex, the show directly addresses issues regarding misconceptions of sex and gender. Through the drag performances and emcee narrative, the performances will be raising awareness regarding these misconceptions and ill-understandings of the terms “sex” and “gender” and begin laying the framework for understanding transgender issues. Within the Latino community, the concept of machismo has been recognized as a perpetuating force of discrimination. This culturally specific attitude towards gender accentuates gender norms that enforce hyper-masculinity in men and hyper-femininity in women. Often times, gay Latino males who defy these norms are discriminated against within the wider Latino community. Although some of us may not be LGBT, the themes of tolerance and nondiscrimination are relevant to all regardless of our cultural and sexual identities. Recognizing that LGBT issues and their motivations of non-discrimination, tolerance, and equality are relevant to us all is extremely important in making progress. We ask all of our ALLIES to support these issues, to make their voices heard, and to continue on in this fight. And today we thank the support of the Latino community for standing by us and acknowledging our need for unification. *The Drag it Out benefit drag show took place on Thursday March 22 in Harrison College House. The event was part of QPENN.
Title Page by Kiri N.
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Bilingual and Being Mute by Claudia Henriquez “Toes! I said toes! How do you not know what toes are?” We were at the nail salon, in the middle of the 4000 block of Market St. I sat stupefied at the woman sitting next to me She barked orders at the Vietnamese woman giving her a pedicure We all glanced through our peripherals No reason to spoil such a beautiful, relaxing day It was the day before Easter I silently seethed with the urge to say something Something But I kept Silent I will always regret that day I imagine my own mother in that woman I could see the same strength The same bite-my-lip, I need this job subtle glance The same struggle that translates over the lips of any human being Survival Knows no tongue – we are all native speakers And I will never forget what my mother said to me one day Creo que te doy verguenza I think you are ashamed of me To this day, it hurts To think that my mother could think that I would turn against her As if my mother country could make me betray my blood mother The only who would bleed for me Who has bled for me Skinned knuckles and broken her back to scrub floors I remember how insensitive I felt just to watch Wanted to rip off my red, white, and blue As I exchanged polite small talk with her bosses And as much as I love the English language As much as I have learned to manipulate the intricacies of such an exquisitely broken language No tongue will compare to the beautiful cadence of Spanish Because of my mother I can feel bilingually Those emotions that cannot be expressed in English It’s why the language remains broken Like a diamond ring not cut the right way Waiting for another pair of hands to smooth over the jagged cuts America, you are struggling as much as we are Let us just smooth over the differences We know pain: we are refugees, lovers, mourners and aspirers Like you say, don’t bite the hand that feeds you Or loves you – if we are here, we want to be here We will fight to stay, stop pushing us back Silently Loudly Actively Passively We are all luchadores here We are all fighters here
Blood Oranges by Elsa Treffeisen