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TABLE OF CONTENTS INTERPRETATION AND LANGUAGE................................................................................................................4 CHILDCARE...................................................................................................................................................................4 WELCOME BY MARISA FRANCO....................................................................................................................... 5 PROGRAM AT A GLANCE..................................................................................................................................6-7 FORUM AND WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS............................................................................................. 9-13 EVENING ENTERTAINMENT................................................................................................................................ 11 SOCIAL MEDIA.......................................................................................................................................................... 14 VENDORS & CATERER INFO ............................................................................................................................. 15 TRANSPORTATION.............................................................................................................................................16-18 PARKING AT THE CONFERENCE...................................................................................................................... 19 LÁNZATE ESSAYS............................................................................................................................................ 20-24 LÁNZATE
A NOTE ON PARTICIPANTS AND FOLKS IN THIS SPACE.
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Cover art by Eric J. Garcia of El Machete Illustrated. Inside cover by Javier Suárez Latinx comic by Vicko Alvarez Vega Program Layout by Marcos Perez
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A note on participants and folks in this space. We see Mijente as a space to bring together Latinx and Chicanx people, across the spectrum. As a community we come from different nations, different tribes, and we are multi-racial. We seek to be part of a multi-racial movement for justice, and we hope Mijente contributes to that. We will need lots of support to make that happen. Participation in this convening focused on bringing Latinx and Chicanx folks together. You will also notice that there are people here who are from other communities. These are people who have offered support or who we have invited to provide specific insights and in addition, who are part of our team. We have made these decisions based on need, based off of trust and relationship to one another and with a recognition and respect for the type of space we are trying to create.
INTERPRETATION AND LANGUAGE MIJENTE will arrange for interpretation and translation throughout the convening. Our goal is to make our space as bilingual as possible between English and Spanish. Anyone who does not speak both languages comfortably can request interpretation before any session.
CHILDCARE TO ENCOURAGE FULL PARTICIPATION,
childcare will be provided on-site at IPL in Room 302, next to the cafeteria/large meeting space. Parents/guardians please be sure to bring any necessary supplies (diapers, formula, preferred snacks, calming toy/object) and an extra change of clothes in case of emergency. Mijente will provide water, snacks, arts & crafts LĂ NZATE
supplies, games, and age appropriate activities during the full two days.
CHILDCARE WILL BE PROVIDED
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by the Chicago Childcare Collective (ChiChiCo). The Chicago Childcare Collective is a group of volunteers who support the participation of parents, especially mothers, in racial and economic justice work. The collective matches volunteers with community organizations across the city to have fun with kids while their parents participate in and lead organizing efforts to defend their rights and build a better Chicago.
PLEASE REGISTER YOUR CHILDREN in room 302.
Childcare will not be provided at off-site events (actions, cultural nights, etc). Also, children must be with parents during meals so that childcare providers can also take their breaks. Childcare Schedule: Saturday, December 12th: 8:30 am - 8:00 pm Sunday, December 13th: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
WELCOME WELCOME TO LÁNZATE! WELCOME TO CHICAGO.. IT’S BEEN A WINDY ROAD THAT’S LED US TO THE WINDY CITY. Thank you so much for coming. My hope is that these days offer discovery to us all; from meeting new people, learnings that makes us think about things differently; or simply finding at the end that you had a damn good time despite all this cold. In my gut and heart I feel this is a critical time for this gathering to happen, not only because of the challenges we face but because of the opportunities we have. There is abundance in our movement. There is an awakening in communities. They say that calm waters produce bad sailors, and we are living in tumultuous times, we are tested. And I trust if you are here, that you are ready.
- Marisa
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We’re here. No nos queda de otra más que lanzar. A lo que venga,
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I hope to talk with as many of you as possible. I want to know what you think. How you see things. May this gathering give us a sense of possibility of what a political home could be. My hope is that this can become a place of convergence, a place of refuge, to co-conspire, imagine and act.
LÁNZATE
Over the next few days in different forms and ways, we intend to introduce you to Mijente. I want to be clear we don’t seek to create unanimity in this space, but we do want to be clear on how we plan to contribute and show up in this moment. I believe that we can’t afford nor can we permit as a community to stand aside, to play it down the middle in this time. That’s why we say we need more from us, not simply more of us. We want to make very clear that building the power of Latinx people cannot come at the expense of other communities, nor can it be realized if it involves the marginalization of parts of ourselves and our community in the process. We must say it loud. We must make it true.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE SATURDAY – DECEMBER 12 Bus 1 leaves Hostel
7:45am
Bus leaves Crowne Point
8:00am
Bus 2 leaves Hostel
8:00am
Registration
8:30am
Breakfast – Cafeteria
9:00am
Yo Soy: Introductions – Cafeteria
9:45am
The Jump Off: Opening Ceremony – Cafeteria
10:30am
Forums LGBTQ Liberation Rm 112
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7:30am
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Workers Rights & Labor Rm 113
Bus leaves Holiday Inn
Climate Justice Rm 114 End Criminalization & Mass Incarceration Rm 117
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2:00pm
Immigration Library
Latina Expression & Representation in Media Rm 113
Chupacabras: Myth of the Bad Immigrant Rm 117
Lunch
12:30pm 1:00pm
Education Rm 121 Health & Reproductive Justice Rm 112
Negritud: Movement for Black Lives (Closed Session for Blackidentified Latinxs) Rm 113
Direct Action 101 – Library To Expel, Exploit, Destroy, or Recruit Latinxs? Rm 112 Pens, Brushes, Mics Rm 120 Building Power from the Bottom Up Rm 122
3:30pm
Pro-Black Latinx & Chicanx Politics – Cafeteria
5:30pm
Dinner and Discussion: Introduction to Mijente – Cafeteria
7:00pm
Buses to Housing and Evening Entertainment See Page 11 for Evening Event Options
12:00am
Bus from Citlalin Gallery to Housing
How the Dreamer Narrative Turned into a Nightmare Rm 121
Health & Wellness Community Room (2nd Fl)
Art Workshop Rm 120
On-going programming
On-going programming
SUNDAY – DECEMBER 13 Bus 1 leaves Hostel
7:45am
Bus leaves Crowne Point
8:00am
Bus 2 leaves Hostel
8:00am
Registration
8:30am
Breakfast – Cafeteria
9:00am
Opening – Cafeteria
9:45am
Visions por mi Gente – Cafeteria
10:30am
Keynote: Jesus “Chuy” Garcia
10:45am
2016 Elections: Raising Standards, Disrupting Expectations – Cafeteria
12:15pm
Health & Wellness Community Room (2nd Fl)
Art Workshop Rm 120
On-going programming
On-going
Lunch: Summation and Next Steps Workshops
Radical Monarchs Rm 113
3:00pm
Keynote: Isa Noyola
3:30pm
Closing with Bomba con Buya
5:00pm
Buses to Housing and After-Party
5:30pm
The Sunday Send-Off: Chillax After-Party Efebinas
8:00pm
Buses to Housing
Reproductive Justice & Abortion in the Latinx Community Community Room Sin Papeles, Sin Miedo: No Papers, No Fear Library
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Confronting AntiBlackness Rm 112
Mi existir es resistir: Transgender-led Organizing Rm 114 Deportations & Prisons Rm 121 More than Freedom: Puerto Rican Political Prisoners Rm 122
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1:30pm
Bus leaves Holiday Inn
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SATURDAY SESSIONS Forums LGBTQ Liberation Forum
Room 112
LGBTQ liberation requires centering our lives, bodies and voices in the struggle to end the systems that kill, incarcerate and deport our communities of color. We too must be the organizers, strategists, and be the visionaries of what’s possible. LGBTQ liberation means liberation for ALL. This forum is happening to create a space where we can share, build and envision liberation with other LGBTQ and allied Latinx folks who are working to address the challenges our gente are experiencing.
Workers Rights & Labor Forum
Room 113
In 2014, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 16% of the labor force is Hispanic/Latino. 58% have a high school diploma or less. The majority work in the agriculture, construction and service industries; and are mostly low wage workers. Now pause and think about all the workers that are not being included in these studies because they are invisible to the system and disposable to their bosses. Latinx workers are a big part of the new labor workforce in U.S. and the labor movement. Join us in a conversation about worker rights, the future of the labor movement, immigrant worker organizing and all the intersections with immigration, gender, sexual orientation and much more. ! Aquí estamos y no nos vamos y nos seguimos organizando!
Room 114
Room 117
Here is the reality: Two million people locked up in cages across this country, millions more face structural exclusion post-release, an elaborate array of policies and practices set up to sustain a system. From the War on Drugs to the War on Terror, the criminalization of communities color, in particular of Black people, is a crisis in this country. We are focusing on criminalization because our communities’ fate lies in how we react to this crisis, and whether or not we fall for the ways in which we are divided between who is deserving and who is undeserving.
Education
Room 121
A forum to discuss pressing and critical issues facing our schools and education systems today. From the perspective of students, workers, parents and educators we will examine the current situation, emerging strategies and our vision for the future.
Health & Reproductive Justice
Room 122
Our communities well-being is of the most importance, access to quality health care should be a right afforded to all. Here from experts and practitioners in the fight for reproductive justice and access to health care.
Immigration
Library
Movement Cuentos / Stories from the Fight Against Immigration Enforcement: A multi-media session where immigrant organizers who have been at the forefront of fighting immigration enforcement in their communities will tell stories from key moments in the movement in the last year. Stories will be told using audio, video, photos, and oral story-telling that will help attendees identify what the priorities have been for immigrant communities, and where we are looking to go in the future.
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End Criminalization and Mass Incarceration
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As the Conference of Parties convenes in Paris, France, we will convene a discussion about the critical plight of Mother Earth. Climate change both impacts our lives today and threatens the existence of future generations. Recent victories such as the blocking of the Keystone XL pipeline give a glimpse and hope that something can be done. This discussion is happening to strategize how to expand consciousness and action for the well being of our planet, and to envision what environmental justice looks like.
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Climate Justice
Workshops
Direct Action 101 Workshop on the basic practice of direct action. Session will include an introduction to uses of direct action in the current moment, discussion of direct action as a tactic and when and how it can be used effectively, introduction to basic techniques for holding space.
Presenter:
Room
Eva Cardenas/Garrick Ruiz
Library
To Expel, Exploit, Destroy, or Recruit Latinxs?: Understanding the Right Wing’s Plans for Us It seems that everyone has a plan for Latinxs. Donald Trump calls for deporting all unauthorized immigrants and creating a registry for Muslims. Leading anti-immigrant groups fight to keep the U.S. majority-white. The Koch brothers’ LIBRE program wants a right-wing Latino voting bloc and a growing network of conservative Hispanic evangelical churches aligns itself with the Christian Right. As we build a just future in the U.S. and beyond, Latinx organizers must not only challenge the state, but also deal with different rightwing forces that are both attacking and co-opting our communities. We’ll look at the key sectors of the Right, their different programs for Latinxs, and how the concept of a Three-Way-Fight can sharpen our analysis and our strategies.
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Presenter:
Room
Tarso Ramos, Political Research Associates
112
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Negritud: A Strategy Session Amongst Afro-Latinx Organizers in the Movement for Black Lives
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(closed session for Black-identified Latinxs)
***NOTE THIS SESSION STARTS AT 1:00
Presenter:
Room
Movement for Black Lives
113
Latina Expression & Representation in Media Latinas are represented a certain way in the media, if they should up at all. But Latina media-makers are changing that through reporting and self-representation. Raquel Reichard, Vicko Alvarez Vega and others will discuss Latina self-image, expression and representation in the media, its impacts and possibilities.
Presenter:
Room
Raquel Reichard and Vicko Alvarez Vega
114
Chupacabras: The Myth of the Bad Immigrant Undocumented immigrants in California talk about their first encounters with dehumanization or discrimination and how they have experienced it in their daily lives. Satirically using the metaphor of the “Chupacabras” as a threatening and dangerous depiction of undocumented immigrants coming into the U.S., we want to expose the “good/bad” immigrant binary and shed light on the often forgotten stories of people left out of the immigrant right’s agenda and often the main targets of punitive legal measures.
Presenter:
Room
Silvia Rodriguez Vega
117
How the DREAMer narrative turned into a Nightmare The messaging we use while fighting for our rights carries a lot of weight. The purpose of this workshop is to highlight how elitist/ conformative narratives (such as the DREAMer narrative or phrases such as “we are not criminals” are damaging to a movement and how these narratives lead to the exclusion of whole communities. We also want to highlight examples of successful movements/ campaigns that do not use divisive language and have in fact been inclusive of many marginalized communities and to talk about the work that goes into developing this kind of unifying messaging.
Presenter:
Room
Erika Guadalupe Nuñez/Miguel Andrade
121
Building Power from Below: With The State, Without The State, and From the State Leaders of MPL will share their experiences, political strategies, and organizing methods in the struggle for a decent life in the country that was the laboratory for neoliberal policies: Chile. The Pobladores in Struggle Movement (Movimiento Pobladores en Lucha) is an important point of reference in the urban anticapitalist struggle in Chile and in Latin America. Through struggle, popular education, and autogestión, they have achieved the grassroots construction of social housing, and won local office, created a political party from social movements, daycares, and schools. Online and in-person panel with leaders of the Movimiento de Pobladores en Lucha (MPL) Chile
Presenter:
Room
Representatives from MPL Chile
122
Pens, Brushes, Mics: STITCHin’ our Black & Brown Comunidades
Jeanette Martín/Alida Cardós Whaley
120
3:30 Sessions Pro-Black Latinx Politics - Cafeteria Social movements amongst Latinx and Chicanx people, at least ones with liberatory aspirations, must be unequivocally pro-Black. Period. The goal of this session is to explore the realities as well as the possibilities of building authentic, bottom up unity between communities. We will look at historic as well as current examples, and hear from those working and living at this intersection.
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Room
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Presenter:
Dinner Discussion
Dinner Discussion
Introduction to Mijente - Cafeteria During dinner at Lánzate we are gonna break bread and talk shop. We will hear more about why Mijente was formed, how this relates to our understanding of the current context and what the vision is for the organization. The bulk of the session will involve small group discussions for direct feedback, ideas and elaboration of what’s needed at this time and how to work together.
Evening Entertainment Options Semillas Rebeldes: Hip-Hop and Son Jarocho - Charge at the Door Citlalin Gallery 2005 S Blue Island Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60608 ¿Qué Hora Son? - Free Resident DJ’s spinning Afro-Funk, Latin and Global Bass Harbee Liquors & Tavern Est.1878 1345 W 18th St, Chicago, Illinois 60608
La Cueva Drag Show - $7 Cover The oldest Latinx drag bar in the country. It is located in Little Village, and has drag shows at midnight and 2am. 4153 W 26th St, Chicago, IL 60623
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En este espacio we will share about the grassroots work que comenzó en el verano del 2009 in Milwaukee. This seed was planted by three young people who wanted to grow life in the voids of creative spaces and oportunidades for youth of color and address Milwaukee’s title of most racially segregated city in the country. What began as a humble weekly open mic series has grown into community driven mural projects, hosting tianguis spaces (community markets), y un two-day arts and music festival. All spaces are intergenerational, bilingüe, and held on both the North and South Sides de la ciudad.
mijente.net/lanzate
SUNDAY SESSIONS Morning Visions por mi gente
Cafeteria
This will be our take on Ted talks, more like Teo talks, with snapshots of vision and ideas from on-point movers and shakers in the social justice movement.
2016 Elections
Cafeteria
National elections are often-times the high point for some community members’ political activity. It’s an opportunity to raise issues, train up and hold candidates and electeds accountable. Most importantly, there’s room to build power outside of the electoral process. This session will touch on experiments, both inside and outside the system, and center on tactics that go beyond simply voting and voter mobilization.
Workshops LÁNZATE
Confronting Anti-Blackness in our Families and Cultures
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Anti-Blackness in mainstream latinx media and culture denies and shames our African roots. We should celebrate and acknowledge our Afrxlatinx cultures. Much work is to be done to reverse the harmful homogenization of brown in this society and eradicating the minstrelization of Black caricatures. The racist system that oppresses Black and brown communities is also dividing and conquering us. Our freedom depends on Black liberation and decolonizing anti-Blackness is way to heal from racism.
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Presenter:
Room
Brown People for Black Power
112
Radical Monarchs Come and learn about the Radical Monarchs! The Radical Monarchs (Formerly known as the Radical Brownies) is an Oakland based group of young girls of color ages 8-12yrs old. The Radical Monarchs create opportunities for young girls of color to form fierce sisterhood, celebrate their identities and contribute radically to their communities. In this workshop you’ll meet the two Co-founders and two of the Radical Monarchs who inspired the #RadicalMonarchMovement!
Presenter:
Room
Marilyn Hollinquest, Anayvette, Coatlupe “Lupita” Martinez, De’Yani Dillard
113
Mi Existir es Resistir: A session on the history and current context of organizing led by transgender people Presenter:
Room
FAMILIA TQLM
114
Our Legacy is Alive: The Gran Varones The Gran Varones is a legacy project that uses video and photography to document the stories of latino gay and queer* men. “Our Legacy is Alive” is a 50 minute documentary of stories of Latino gay and queer* men in Philadelphia. While Philadelphia has a thriving queer community, Latino queer* who do not easily “fit into” mainstream gay culture, remain invisible. this film shines light on our experiences and keeps our legacy alive. A Q & A will take place after the screening.
Presenter:
Room
Louie A. Ortiz-Fonseca/Miguel Esteban Andrade
112
Deportations and Prisons Conversation about the intersection between prison industrial system, the deportation machine, and the abolition of both.
Presenter:
Room
Northwest Detention Center Resistance
121
Room
Erika G Abad
122
Reproductive Justice 101 and Abortion in the Latinx Community The immigrant rights movement has been transformed by undocumented people coming out, facing down fear and unleashing power. This session will be for and by undocumented and formerly undocumented people, in order to share stories and strategize on how to create more space for participation of those directly affected by the mass deportation system.
Presenter:
Room
OCAD & Juntos
Library
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Presenter:
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In an era where hashtags, and social media posts engage and sustain young people to join a movement, the question of what we can learn from longer standing campaigns emerges. In that vein, how does the campaign like the ones to free Puerto Rican political prisoners evolve and, more specifically, with the National Boricua Human Rights Network, what does it mean to have one selfidentified Puerto Rican political prisoner left? What is the message he promotes regarding the work; what is his relationship to the efforts of his excarceration? During this discussion, a representative from the network will discuss current efforts to bring attention to Lopez Rivera’s incarceration and to the greater efforts to mobilize for his release. In so doing, she will frame current efforts with the evolving needs of Chicago residents as well as with the political struggles Puerto Ricans here and there face
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More than freedom: Decades’ long efforts to release Puerto Rican political prisoners
SOCIAL MEDIA SHARING TO YOUR SOCIAL NETWORKS: You’re highly encouraged to tweet and share your experience on your social networks like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Participants are using the hashtag #LANZATE and tagging Mijente in their posts. To tag Mijente in your social media posts: Facebook: @Mijente Twitter: @conmijente Instagram: @conmijente Sharing Multi-Media: You’re also encouraged to take photos and videos during our time together. We will compile and post the photos to our website and social media accounts. LÁNZATE 14
You can upload your photos here: http://bit.ly/lanzatefotos You can upload your videos here: http://bit.ly/lanzatevideo
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Join the Conversation! on Facebook tag @Mijente & #LANZATE on Twitter #LANZATE via @conmijente on Instagram tag @conmijente & #LANZATE on YouTube and Flickr Tag your photos and videos #LANZATE
Follow Mijente on our channels: http://twitter.com/conmijente http://facebook.com/mijente2015 http://instagram.com/conmijente http://bit.ly/mijenteyoutube
VENDORS AND CATERERS BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE VENDORS JOINING US THIS WEEKEND AND SHARING THEIR CRAFTS WITH US. Eco Boutique by Alejandra https://www.facebook.com/ terrariumsbyAlejandra Patsy Diaz http://www.patsydiaz.com/ Jaqui Arte https://www.facebook.com/jaquiarte/ Ollin papalotl by tlanez xochitl https://m.facebook.com/Ollinpapalotl-951510431568158/ Chicagoteria by Missy Rosa www.chicagoteria.com
AngMir Designs www.facebook.com/AngMirdesigns1 Bodega18 www.facebook.com/diezyochobodega Araceli Villalobos https://www.etsy.com/shop/avbeaddesigns La Tribu Artesania by Carla Balcazar https://www.facebook.com/La.tribu.artesania Colectivo Chucherias https://www.facebook.com/mercadito. chucherias/ LÁNZATE
Catering provided by Vendedores Ambulantes, Nochtli, and the Latino Union of Chicago
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TRANSPORTATION The LANZATE Convening will take place at the Instituto del Progreso Latino (IPL). IPL was founded in 1977 with a mission to contribute to the fullest development of Latino immigrants and their families through education, training, and employment that fosters full participation in the changing US society while preserving cultural identity and dignity. On December 12th & December 13th, Mijente will have buses running to/from the hostels and hotels to/from the convening location, IPL.
MIJENTE BUS SCHEDULE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13TH
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12TH Time
Place
7:30 am
1st bus leaves from the Hostel to the Conference
7:30 am
1st bus leaves from the Hostel to the Conference
8:00 am
2nd bus leaves from the Hostel to the Conference
8:00 am
2nd bus leaves from the Hostel to the Conference
7:30 am
Bus pick up at Holiday Inn to the Conference
7:30 am
Bus pick up at Holiday Inn to the Conference
7:45 am
Bus pick up at Crowne Point to the Conference
7:45 am
Bus pick up at Crowne Point to the Conference
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TO EVENT
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Place
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Time
TO EVENT
FROM EVENT
FROM EVENT 7:00 pm
Buses leave IPL to Citlalin Gallery and Housing
5:00 pm
Buses will leave from IPL to After-Party and Housing
12:00 am
Bus leaves from Citlalin Gallery to Housing
8:00 pm
Buses will leave to Housing
CROWNE PLAZA 733 W. MADISON ST. CHICAGO, IL 60661
HOSTELLING INTERNATIONAL 24 E. CONGRESS PARKWAY FROM O’HARE AIRPORT • • • •
FROM O’HARE AIRPORT
Take the CTA Blue Line train towards Forest Park (19 stops) Get off at Jackson (Blue Line) Head south on S Dearborn St toward W Van Buren St Turn left onto W Congress Pkwy, arrive at Hostelling International Chicago
• • • • • •
Take CTA Blue Line train towards Forest Park (15 stops) Get off at Grand (Blue Line) Take #8 CTA bus towards 79th (4 stops) Get off at Halsted & Madison Head south on N Halsted St toward Madison St, turn left on Madison St Arrive at at Crowne Plaza Chicago Metro Downtown
From Midway Airport
FROM MIDWAY AIRPORT
• • • • •
• • • •
FROM MIDWAY AIRPORT
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TO THE CONFERENCE
TO THE CONFERENCE
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•
•
Head east on W Madison St Turn right onto S Clinton St Take the #60 CTA bus towards Cicero/24th Pl (34 stops) Get off at the Blue Island & Western stop Walk south on Blue Island towards Western Ave, turn right onto Western Ave Arrive at Instituto del Progreso Latino – 2520 S. Western Ave.
FOOD NEARBY
FOOD NEARBY •
• • • • •
Cafecito, 26 E Congress Pkwy, Chicago IL 60623 “Festive cuban cafe known for its sandwiches, also serving coffee drinks, milkshakes and other bites.” BeeZzee Fresh Food, 424 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60623 Serves breakfast & brunch, juice bars & smoothies Osaka Sushi Express & Fresh Fruit Smoothies, 400 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 Serves noodle soups, salads, sushi and smoothies
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•
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Artopolis, 306 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60661 Serves Bakery and Greek food M2 Cafe, 850 W Jackson, Chicago, IL 60607 Serves Cafes, coffees & tea Meli Cafe & Juice Bar, 301 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60661 Serves breakfast and brunch Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant & Bakery, 565 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661 Serves breakfast and brunch Parthenon, 314 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60661 Serves lunch, dinner with Greek cuisines
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• • • •
Walk on Congress Pkwy Toward S State St Turn right onto S State St Turn left onto W Van Buren St Take the Pink Line train towards 54/Cermak (10 stops) at Harold Washington Library-State train stop Get off at Western Pink Line Take Bus #49 Towards 79th St (3 stops) Get off at Western & 26th St Arrive at Instituto del Progreso Latino – 2520 S. Western Ave.
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• • • •
Take CTA Orange Line Train towards Loop (6 stops) Get off at Halsted Orange Line station Take Bus #8 towards Waveland/Broadway (13 stops) Get off at Halsted & Madison stop, head to Madison St and turn left Arrive at Crowne Plaza Chicago Metro Downtown
LÁNZATE
Take CTA Orange Line train towards Loop (8 stops) Get off at Harold Washington Library-State Head east on W Van Buren St toward S State st Turn right onto S State St Turn left onto E Congress Pkwy, arrive at Hostelling International Chicago
TRANSPORTATION CONT. HOLIDAY INN 506 W. HARRISON ST. CHICAGO, IL 60607 FROM O’HARE AIRPORT • • • •
Take Blue Line train towards Forest Park (21 stops) Get off at Clinton (Blue Line) Walk south on Clinton St toward W Congress Pkwy Turn left onto W Harrison St, arrive at Holiday Inn & Suites
FROM MIDWAY AIRPORT LÁNZATE
• • • • • • •
Take Orange Line train towards Loop (8 stops) Get off at LaSalle/Van Buren stop Walk to State St & Van Buren Ave Walk to LaSalle Blue Line train station and take the Blue Line Train towards Forest Park Get off at the Clinton train stop Walk south on Clinton St toward W Congress Pkwy, turn left onto W Harrison St Arrive at Holiday Inn & Suites
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TO THE CONFERENCE • • • • • •
Head west on W Harrison St toward S Clinton St Turn right onto S Clinton St Turn left and take the #60 CTA bus towards Cicero/24th Pl (31 stops) Get off Blue Island & Western stop Walk south on Blue Island towards Western Ave, turn right onto Western Ave Arrive at Instituto del Progreso Latino – 2520 S. Western Ave.
OTHER TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS • • •
Taxi - The ride will cost between $40-$50 from Midway Airport depending on traffic. It is not recommended to take it from O’Hare Airport - the rate will be excessive. Public transportation and shuttles are more accessible and affordable. Shuttles - (800) 851-4528 or www.shuttlefare.com. From both airports, the rate will average between $27 - $35. If you’re using public transportation you can purchase a 3-Day CTA Pass for $20, this guarantees unlimited-rides for 72hrs
PARKING MAP
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BECAUSE WE CAN STOP BEING THE BALL IN THIS COUNTRY’S POLITICAL GAMES – FERNANDO LOPEZ
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much it cost and the dozens of conversations that took to come up with the name, and with theJ instead of G. But what I valued the most was to see the feeling and intention put into creating something out – somehow a new alternative, but based on our core values as individuals and community. These core values are fairness, justice, culture, inclusion and struggle.
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First of all, I want to acknowledge a few things. The first thing is how
I’m very interested in the ideas and minds behind this project. As it delves into something more real, in something that many have chosen not to talk about. Even though forecasts and surveys and censuses say that the so called Latino community will be the majority in the United States in 2050, we must ask ourselves if being the majority will be enough – if being Latino is enough. The reality is that the community is under attack, but not all of us realize it. And yes, the biggest problem we face is racism caused by the idea of white supremacy. Because even if you are documented or citizen, and even if we become the majority in this country, the people in charge of government will create ways to plunder power, incriminate, imprison and kill us slowly. It is therefore essential to understand that not only the Latino community, Xicanx, Mexicanx, Chapin, Catrachx, Salvatrucha, Indigenous or however you want to identify – is under such direct attack. It is essential to understand that these attacks are against any person who has a skin tone other than white. For this reason, it is important to deepen, analyze and question everything that, for a long time, nobody wanted to mention. The reality is that in our own community, there are also many racial prejudices (we do not say that our community is racist, because that is an escape route for white people to justify their own racism). These prejudices deceive us and separate us from other communities, or that cause division even within our own community – are the product of the same oppression that has been implemented in us for centuries. That’s why I think that being a majority in this country will not be
enough, not without political, economic power and above all, human consciousness. Mijente makes room for a much-needed conversation, a subject that has only been behind the curtains and has never been featured on our movements. The reality is that we are the most diverse community on the planet. Indigenous, African, Indian, Asian and other ancestries – and unfortunately also European – and we have something in common – the language, but there are “Latinos” who do not speak Spanish. And this is all part of the universe that is our community. But this was not voluntary. It is only the result of the real problem we face. If we intend to make an impact in the forge of our future, we must first learn where we came from, what has been our history and has been what has forged us as a people. Understand that we are the product of colonization and that it is sometimes difficult to claim an identity, given that everything was taken from us and made us believe that we are something we are not. No, I can’t borrow something that has always been mine. It’s something I always remember every moment of this struggle. My identity as a human being is only a reflection of what my ancestors and I have endured, and I see in Mijente the vision of holding a space where issues like these can be discussed. A platform that will open the space for dialogue to understand that even though we come in different forms, with different languages, colors and preferences, we have something in common – that is the trauma and resistance within us as people, as individuals.
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The Jump Off
Mijente gives me hope. It makes me think we still have a chance to reform ourselves as a community, to stop being the ball being in the political game of this country. It’s the opportunity to challenge the narrative that has been imposed by the right and often also by the left. To challenge our very own beliefs of what we are worth – to define ourselves.
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Obviously our struggle as individuals or community is not only about the difference of races and classism. This is just one of the layers of the problem we face as human beings. That is why the idea of being inclusive of other communities and other sectors such as environmental, are necessary elements for a real change. Also to understand the impact of other sectors on our communities, like capitalism, patriarchy and religion – and how these have influenced the conditions in which we live today, and the reason why our people are so displaced around the world.
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I’m excited about this, because we have had enough. I do not have much experience on this, but I’ve noticed that the strategies of the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s were effective at the time, but we need to reinvent themselves and adapt, learning the lessons of these past experiences, but do not try to repeat again and again. I think our people holds too much potential. The problem has been a lack of focus, lack of intention from large organizations in empowering communities and not political agendas. I think there are many people with experience who we can learn from – likewise, there is many people with new ideas eager to learn and contribute.
BECAUSE WE DON’T LIVE SINGLE ISSUE LIVES – MIGUEL ANDRADE
LÁNZATE 22 The Jump Off The older I get that more that a particular quote from Audre Lorde speaks to me in my everyday life. In 1982 she delivered her address, “Learning from the 60’s” as part of the celebration of the Malcolm X weekend at Harvard University. Halfway through the address she says the following, which has resonated within me from the first day I heard it.
The entire address is worth reading, but this particular line is one of great importance to me.
“There is no such thing as a singleissue struggle, because we do not lead single-issue lives.”
Here I was always the outsider, the one with the thick accent, the one with the “exotic” lunch packed by my mother, the one with “weird” traditions. Speaking with family and friends in Colombia did not help me find a sense of belonging either though, there I was always the
Growing up as a Latino-immigrant in the U.S I never truly felt at home. Like many others I felt as if I didn’t “belong” neither here in this country or back home in Colombia.
If we ever hope to dismantle the systems that oppress us we have to think outside the box. We cannot hope to achieve our liberation using the same tools and narratives that have been oppressing our communities for years. LGBT Latinx have existed since the beginning, they have lead our people and have been an integral part of our societies. They have been revered and even worshiped in different cultures.
If I didn’t struggle living as an immigrant in the US I sure did struggle growing up as a gay latino, immigrant. This is where that “single-issue life” Audre talked about comes in. Not only did I experience the oppression that comes with being an immigrant in this country but now I had to experience this as well as the oppression of living life in a heteronormative world. Not only struggling with homophobia in the U.S but also with the homophobia of coming from a very machista, catholic-centric culture.
It’s time that we bring a movement that is truly for and by our community into existence. It’s time that we fight for the liberation of all our peoples. From the initial conversations that lead to its inception, Mijente has had LGBT Latinx in the lead. It’s allowed us to embrace our whole identities and shed the notion of single-issue struggles. This is why I’m going to Chicago in December and that’s why I’m so excited about what’s next.
The Jump Off
While I struggled with my dual identity growing up, it wasn’t until High School when I came into the realization that I was different than a lot of my friends. I’m not talking about the fact that I was undocumented, even though I did come into that realization during that time. But I was different. From a young age I knew I was different but it was not until High School that I learned the word for it. I was gay.
Needless to say that I struggled with this. My identity, my entire sense of self was under attack from every direction I could think off. I had a very difficult time finding community. While I found some sense of belonging within the immigrant rights movement when I started doing community organizing, I never truly felt safe to be myself. My whole self. The immigrant rights movement at the time was very heteronormative. The odd thing though was that I knew that LGBT folk were there, leading this movement and driving it forward but their voices and identity were silenced and even erased. What happens in society, also happens in our
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movements: organizations that claim to speak for our Latinx community constantly silence us and force us to fit into norms that aren’t our own. Like in high school, we’re made to feel different or that we don’t belong. We are forced to choose single-issue lives.
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“americano”, the privileged one, the one with opportunities and the one who didn’t know what growing up a Colombiano was about. At 5 years old I was torn between two different worlds, two worlds that I lived and breathed but didn’t truly belong to.
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BECAUSE COURAGE COMES FROM HAVING FIERCE COMMUNITY – JENNICET GUTIERREZ
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I was in Phoenix when Mijente officially launched in June of this year. It is important to me to be part of building a new Latinx/Chicanx political home because for too long undocumented trans women’s voices have been ignored and left out of critical life changing decisions in the world and in our movements.
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I see this alternative political home as a way to bring our experiences and pain to the center of the movement. It is a critical approach in the Latinx/Chicanx community to let us lead the way. I believe that our inclusion is possible but it requires a political framework, a framework that moves away from current political status quo.
The Jump Off
It moves away from the “good vs bad” narrative and embraces the complexity of life and lifts up the people left behind. We all say we can’t get justice for some and not others, but it’s another thing to make that our actual practice. I’ve learned to trust my own voice and the importance of speaking up but that’s not what gives me courage. What gives me courage is a fierce community of people who I know share my vision and I trust to have my back. That’s what we need to build together because that’s what makes it possible for us to stand up when we need to and not just for ourselves but in a way that intersects immigrant rights, the LGBTQ community, and the Black Lives Matter Movement. We are at the intersectionality of struggles and this alternative makes perfect sense to tackle and address difficult issues. The transgender and undocumented communities are often either interrupted or ignored by the mainstream media and organizations. It is the time to unite and fight back. So attending Mijente in Chicago is an opportunity to connect and discuss current events and struggles and strategies. It is an opportunity to build leadership and to let the ones most impacted lead the way. Ahí estaré!
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