"Todos Somos Califas" Poetry Event

In a two day event, NuyoRican poet Jesus 'Tato' Laviera will perform alongside Chicano/Latino Studies professors in a poetry slam.

This portrayal of Spanish and English verbal art will provide a medium in which Chicano/Latino students can engage in poetry as well as discuss issues affecting the Latino population with experts in the field.

Tato Laviera has dedicated his time to improving the cultural development of Puerto Ricans in New York through means of writing. He has taught courses at Rutgers University in New York, as well as traveled to various campuses nationwide in an effort to publicize unrecognized issues in the Puerto Rican community.

Additionally, Laviera has released a series of books addressing NuyoRican, or New York Puerto Rican, issues (i.e. economic status, societal acceptance, etc). All of which will be available in an autograph signing with Laviera himself during this event.

"I'm looking forward to this event," said Marissa Nunoz, a Chicano/Latino Studies major. "I don't know much about Puerto Ricans, so this will be something different."

"Todos Somos Califas" begins this Wednesday at 9 a.m. and will commence with a meet and greet with Laviera and other faculty poets.

Image Courtesy of Google Images

Ricardo Linarez Raises the Stakes

With ASI elections approaching on April 12, Ricardo Linarez is raising the stakes by proving that 'experience' is a subjective term.

Linarez, 33, served eight years in the Marine Corps prior to returning to college. In doing so, he joined various clubs on campus, specifically the Long Beach College Democrats and Community Partners Council. His presidency in the CSULB Democrats organization has propelled him to run for ASI president, despite his lack of school government experience. It is this lack of experience that gives Linarez an edge in the election.

Linarez plans to prevent further budget cuts by establishing relationships with local politicians and community members. His involvement with the aforementioned organizations would assist him in doing so.

"I feel I have easier access to politicians at a federal level," said Linarez to the Daily Forty-Niner.

Linarez also plans to bridge the disconnect between ASI and the CSULB student body.

"I am a 'face to face' guy," said Linarez. "I will hold a monthly get together where students and members of ASI will talk about any concerns, find solutions, and make annoucements. I will have one during the day and one in the evening. This way ASI reaches every possible student and students will get an understanding of what ASI does."

In last year's U.S. presidential election, Barack Obama was considered the underdog because of his lack of experience; however, his perseverence and sincere intentions to unite America reigned supreme. With similar intentions, Linarez could very well be CSULB's very own Barack Obama.

Images Courtesy of Daily Forty-Niner and Google Images

CSULB Students Brave Mexico During Spring Break

CSULB students entered the tumultuous Mexico City merely a week ago in an effort to learn about U.S.-Mexico relations.

The California-Mexico project was created to improve U.S. and Mexico educational collaboration. This seemingly untimely trip enabled students to enter Mexico during a period of drug cartel issues and allowed them to study the history, language and culture of Mexico firsthand.

Trip attendees had the opportunity to study at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City and at a Spanish language institute in Cuernavaca, Mexico.

This 11-day trip also allowed attendees to climb pyramids, attend football games, and view Mexican artwork at the Museum of Anthropology and History.

This trip was led by Armando Vasquez-Ramos a Chicano/Latino studies professor. His vision for the trip was to essentially exchange ideas between the U.S. and Mexico and negate any preconceived notions influenced by the media.

"I hope Vazquez-Ramos continues his journey educating students on the importance of California and Mexico relations — and brings a new group of students to Mexico every year with no fear," said Jaclyn Rivera, a California-Mexico Project attendee, to the Daily Forty-Niner.

A seminar will be held Friday, April 14, in LA5-149 to debrief on the UNAM trip and allow students to compare their experiences with one another.

Photographs Courtesy of Daily Forty-Niner and Google Images

Duncan Earle Educates Students on the Zapatista Journey to Alternative Development

Co-author of "Uprising of Hope: Sharing the Zapatista Journey to Alternative Development" and professor Duncan Earles will visit CSULB Wednesday, April 15, to discuss his book and engage students in an intercultural discussion.

According to Simple Living Summit, Earle has spent a significant amount of time studying issues that range from asthma on the U.S.-Mexico border to Mongolian dance and development. He has also spent a considerable amount time teaching students at a variety of universities nationwide.

On Wednesday, attendees of this lecture/discussion will be able to purchase coffee from Chiapas, Mexico through the Cafe Para La Vida Digna organization. All proceeds from coffee purchases are donated to Chiapas in support of the Zapatista Autonomous Municipality in Rebellion. These monies will then be used for educational and medical purposes.

In a nutshell, indigenous communities in Chiapas have been distressed with cases of inhumane treatment for years. In response to that, municipalities have developed in an effort to resist the state's inability to serve its people. These municipalities are typically self-governed since state institutions refuse to assist them with basic services. For that reason, organizations like Cafe Para La Vida Digna have assisted indigenous communities with donations. To learn more click here.

Students in the anthropology department have expressed interest in Earle's presentation already.

"I like learning about other cultures," said Alexandria Wright, an anthropology major. "Plus, I inhale coffee."

Image Courtesy of Google Images

CHiLES Movie Nights

The Chicano/Latino studies department is hosting a short Latin American-based film festival, screening four movies beginning Wednesday, March 25.

The films include "Sleep Dealer", "Voces Inocentes", "In the Time of Butterflies" and "Like Water for Chocolate."

This event was hosted by the Chicano/Latino Studies Student Association and was created in an effort to raise funds for the organization. A discussion will be held following the screening.

This event is free with a requested donation of $3. The films can be viewed at PH1-140 at 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Wednesday until April 22. Tickets will be sold at the door.

Latinos and the Beach Legacy Referendum

With the recent economic downturn, Latinos in the CSULB community are feeling the immediate effects.

An online voting system allowed California State University, Long Beach students to vote on a proposal by the athletics department to hike tuition by $95. This fee increase would help the department construct a 5,000 seat campus stadium, 3 lighted synthetic grass fields and enhancements to the campus pool.

While the intentions of the Beach Legacy Referendum seek to improve CSULB athletics, some Latino students do not agree with its implications.

"Man, the BLR is crap," said Eddie Rizzo, an Chicano/Latino studies major. "I pay rent, bills, books, tuition and now they want me to pay for athletics stuff? Come on."

On the other hand, some students agree with the BLR, regardless of its fee increase.

"I actually use the PE building to work out, so the BLR doesn't sound that bad to me," said Mark Santos, a political science major. "It's only $95 to give our school that extra edge. That's less than a parking permit, right?"

Image courtesy of Google Images

¡Viva Cuba! Film Festival

Blaring salsa music erupted from Lecture Hall 150 as CSULB’s Cuban Film Festival screened its third movie of the semester last Thursday.

The ¡Viva Cuba! film festival was created with the intention of contradicting the negative portrayals of Cuba and promoting a more positive outlook on the island's future. While the event was more popular with CSULB faculty and staff, some students made an earnest effort to take time out of their school schedules for this noteworthy event.

"It’s really refreshing to see Cuba in a different light,” said Kathy Ruiz, an English major. “We always think of Cuba as having animosity with the U.S., but there is so much more to Cuba. It’s not all politics."

In a 2005 study by the University of Florida, the portrayal of Cuba in the media was studied, specifically in The New York Times. This study revealed that there is a "subtle signal in their lack of full acceptance in mainstream society." With that said, CSULB professors Bonnie Gasior and Nhora Serrano took it upon themselves to negate this study.

Additionally, this event was organized to begin precisely on the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. The timeliness of the event was especially touching for some students.

“I went to the Latin American film festival last semester and really enjoyed it so I thought I'd like this too," said Edgar Rodriguez, an engineering major. "And I did."

The event has two more screenings for the semester. The next film is entitled "Suite Habana" and will be shown next Thursday in LH-150 at 7:00 p.m.

Image Courtesy of CSULB Official Website