Summer Update

Dear Blogspot Followers,

I have taken a break from blogging this summer, but I intend to keep up this blog during the Fall 2009 school year. I think this is a great resource for CSULB Latinos and I will work diligently on promoting any events I may come across that cater to our community.

Best regards,
Angela

Teatro Al Sur's First Performance

CSULB's theater department welcomes its first production entirely in Spanish as Teatro Al Sur performs "Nuestra Senora de las Nubes."

TAS is a theater group geared towards addressing Chicano/Latino issues on the CSULB campus. Its primary mission is to publicize commonly overlooked problems in the community and provide a medium in which students can discuss these topics.

TAS has spent the latter of the semester fundraising for their first production entitled "Nuestra Senora de las Nubes," which directly translates to "our lady of the clouds." The production pays tribute to Argentinian playwright Aristides Vargas, who originally wrote the play. This production tells the story of two political exiles who encounter one another and engage in a discussion about their expatriation.

This production takes place on May 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m in the Showcase Room in the theater building. Presale for this event is $10 and $15 at the door. To make reservations, contact Professor Alicia Del Campo at (323) 397-2477.

Image Courtesy of Google Images

Swine Flu at CSULB

With a probable case of the swine flu at CSULB, students prepare for the potential onset of canceled classes.

The student affected by the swine flu felt symptoms a week prior to attending classes, and has not been on campus since Thursday, April 30. Her roommate at the Los Alamitos dormitories has been relocated due to the outbreak.

Anthony Ramirez, a Chicano/Latino studies double major, expressed his precautions during this time.

"It's really scary having someone on campus with this swine flu," said Ramirez. "I've been washing my hands a lot."

With a large population of Mexican American students at CSULB, students are surely being affected by the deaths in Mexico due to this pandemic. Additionally, the U.S. recession paired with this outbreak has proven detrimental for the Mexican economy. Reparations to Mexico have decreased and tourism has plummeted.

Francisco Juanillo, a journalism major, has family in Mexico that experienced the chaos of the swine flu outbreak firsthand.

"None of my family got infected," said Juanillo. "They did go to Six Flags in Mexico City and had the whole park to themselves."

While the school has yet to take any drastic measures in regards to the probable case, students remain weary about their actions in the upcoming days.

For more information on how to prevent being infected, click here.

Images Courtesy of The Daily Forty-Niner and Google Images

CSULB's Lack of Faculty Ethnic Diversity

A symposium on faculty ethnic diversity was conducted on Monday in an effort to address how few minority professors are present on campus.

Keynote speaker Daryl Smith and Chicano/Latino studies professor Jose Moreno revealed the results of a collaborative study they did regarding this rising issue.

"We need to bring this to the attention of people in power so they can address this issue," said Priscilla Luviano, a senior Chicano/Latino studies major to The Daily Forty-Niner.

The findings revealed that although there is a slight rise in minority professors, the increase is minuscule in comparison to their Anglo counterparts.

While the student minority population is rising, the teachers are not reflecting that growth. "Latino faculty grew two percentage points, from 6 percent in 1997 to 8 percent in 2007, representing growth from 1,096 to 1,887 respectively. Comparatively, the Latino student population grew by 6 percent between 1997 and 2007, from 22 to 28 percent, or from 65,079 in 1997 to 99,499 in 2007," stated The Daily Forty-Niner.

Some faculty members at the meeting blamed a high turnover rate as reasons to why minority professors cease to work at CSULB. Other reasons included low pay, dysfunction between professors and high cost of living in the area.

For more information regarding this symposium please visit Duke Rescola's two part article for The Daily Forty-Niner.

Image Courtesy of The Daily Forty-Niner

Josefina Lopez of "Real Women Have Curves" Comes to CSULB

The Chicano/Latino studies department looks forward to next week as renowned playwright Josefina Lopez comes to CSULB.

This critically acclaimed playwright, screenwriter, author and poet is recognized for scripting the play "Real Women Have Curves," which was later made into a blockbuster film starring actress America Ferrara.

"I loved 'Real Women Have Curves,'" said Cynthia De La Cruz. "I wish I could go, but I have class."

"Real Women Have Curves" tells the story of Ana (America Ferrera), a young girl seeking higher education. However, her familial obligations hinder her from doing so. Her Mexican family wants her to stay home, work, and provide for her relatives. Her traditional mother also wants her to get a boyfriend and conform to the stick thin images of women portrayed by the media. Regardless, Ana stays true to herself and pursues college, while simultaneously helping her family through financial support. She even lands herself a boyfriend who does not care about her weight.



While this film has proven to be a success in past years, Lopez has pursued additional ventures in her professional career. Most recently she has been involved with the non-profit organization Casa 0101, which provides scriptwriting consultation for students in Boyle Heights interested in the field of theatre. Casa 0101 provides educational training in filmmaking, art and dance.

"I feel like a celebrity is coming to school," said Melissa Ramirez, a Chicano/Latino studies major.

Lopez will be lecturing at AS-244 at 11 p.m. on Monday, May 4. For more information, visit www.josefinalopez.com.

Image Courtesy of Google Images. Video Clip Courtesy of YouTube.

CSULB's Teatro Al Sur Tries to Raise Funds

CSULB's Teatro Al Sur is a theatre group that is currently working on producing its first Spanish play. In the meantime, they are trying to fundraise in order to better finance the newly formed club.

TAS is having a fundraiser at Viento Y Agua Cafe and Gallery in order to raise funds for their upcoming productions. Members of TAS plan on performing Nueva Trova at the quaint cafe and essentially educate attendees on what the genre Nueva Trova is. This type of music originates from Cuba and is widely recognized for its political and progressive lyrics.

TAS is the first group of its kind. It aims to produce all Spanish productions and promote intercultural dialogue and understanding for CSULB students.

One production currently in the works is based off Argentinian playwright Arístides Vargas' prior work. It depicts issues of exile and immigration, which TAS believes will open up dialogue about these topics on campus.

The showcase begins on Sunday, April 19, at 5 p.m.

Image Courtesy of Viento Y Agua Cafe Myspace Page

National Association of Hispanic Journalists Reduces Costs of Convention

With a recession underway, some organizations have taken it upon themselves to assist the unemployed by reducing prices for upcoming events.

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists prides itself on recognizing the professional advancement of Hispanics in the field of journalism. With approximately 2,300 members, professionals and students alike have felt the effects of a declining economy.

This organization hosts a media and career expo annually. This year, the event is taking place in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It will provide training workshops for members in a variety of journalistic sectors, with a focus on multimedia. However, a decline in attendees has forced NAHJ to reduce prices for newly unemployed journalists.

Early bird registration has been extended two times, and hotel rates have dropped from $199 to $150 per night. The organization has also helped potential attendees find roommates to further split the hotel expenses. NAHJ is even going as far as providing some newly laid off journalists complimentary registration and air travel to the expo.

CSULB's very own NAHJ chapter has begun to finalize the university's certification process. However, the possibility of raising money to attend this convention has proven to be quite the feat.

"I am not attending the convention because of cost, but also because I am planning to go to summer school and work in Long Beach," said CSULB NAHJ Chapter President, Jocelyn Gomez. "Maybe if I save up now, I can attend the convention next year."

The chapter's faculty advisor, Danny Paskin, expressed similar sentiments.

"At this point in the economy of the country and our own economy here at CSULB, going to Puerto Rico, paying for the conference, hotel and all other expenses has become quite prohibitive," said Paskin.

The NAHJ CSULB chapter has expressed interest in gaining more members in the upcoming months and working towards their goal of attending future media expos.

"I don't plan on attending the convention in Puerto Rico, although I think it would be a great experience," said Nori Kato, a CSULB NAHJ member. "It would be great if the club were able to fundraise somehow so we could go as a group, but since NAHJ is really new on campus, we don't have the resources. I'm really hopeful for next year though! By that time we'll be a little more on our feet and we'll have a lot more time to prepare."

Image Courtesy of Google Images