By Daniel H. Muñoz, Jr and Yvette tenBerge
Year 2001, the first year of the new millennium, has passed and it was not a very good year. The paper's headlines chronicled the disasters one after another - Energy Blackouts! School Shootings! Terrorists Attacks! Stock Market Crashes! Troops Sent Into War! And then there were the countless local headlines.
Of all the disasters, though, 2001 will be remember for one day, 9-11, the day two airplanes crashed into the twin towers of New York City's World Trade Center, another crashed into the Pentagon, and civilian heroes forced at fourth plane to crash into an empty field.
For most San Diegans we received the news of the first plane crash via the early morning radio news. As we switched on our televisions, unsure of exactly what was happening, believing it was an accident, we watched in utter disbelief as a another plane crashed into the second tower. It was at that moment that our lives changed forever.
It was declaration of war. The enigmatic face of the enemy came into focus and it was that of Osama bin Laden, the armies of our enemies were defined as the Taliban, their's was a war of terrorism, and their ultimate goal is still unknown.
Our nation unified. We griev-ed as one for the innocent lives lost. We united in our efforts to support those who survived and lost loved ones in this tragedy. Our political leaders acted as one, moving cautiously but quickly in determining a plan of action, that they are carrying out to this day. And the United States demonstrated their will, determination, and patriotism through the prominent display of American flags.
It is with this backdrop that we review the Year 2001 as was seen through the pages of La Prensa San Diego.
January
January 2001 is the last month
that Bill Clinton serves as President. Despite losing the popular
vote, but winner of the all important electorial vote, George
W. Bush is quickly preparing to assume the Presidency by selecting
his cabinet.
Linda Chavez withdraws nomination. In setting up his cabinet, President-elect Bush, as his top Hispanic representative in his cabinet nominated ultra-conservative Linda Chavez to serve as labor secretary. Chavez known for her support of English-only legislation, abolition of affirmative action, and her stance on undocumented immigrants. The selection of Chavez drew criticism from many of the leading Hispanic groups, as well as many within the labor movement who saw her as anti-labor. Chavez withdrew her nomination after it was discovered that she employed an illegal Guatemalan woman.
Judge Federico Castro retires. Superior Court
Judge Federico Castro retires from the bench January 8 after 13
years of service in family, juvenile, and criminal courts. Judge
Castro represented dignity, honor, and wisdom. Judge Castro was
an individual that the Hispanic community could look to as an
outstanding role model.
Por: Paco Zavala
Iniciando este Año 2002,
nos permitimos echar una ojeada a las actividades artísticas
y culturales, más importantes que acontecieron en el pasado
año 2001, en la simpática, risueña y bella
ciudad de San Diego y en la pujante, vigorosa y trabajadora ciudad
de Tijuana y sus alrededores.
El año 2001, de difícil acceso, las actividades artísticas y culturales no sufrieron menoscabo, continuaron su trayectoria ininterrumpida en los centros en los que se proyectan. Con una febril, vigorosa y activa determinación se realizaron multiples eventos, haciendo a un lado de cierta manera los lamentables acontecimientos que ocurrieron en otros sitios del planeta, fortaleciendo con energía estas corrientes humanísticas que tanto bien le hacen a la humanidad. Así contemplamos el desarrollo y el desenvolvimiento de esta necesidad de carácter imperioso y necesario, porque sirve como un reflejo para soportar de forma positiva los movimientos sociales que intentan desestabilizar y que ocurren en la comunidad.
For the rest of the story please follow
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Facing stiff competition, Mexican banks seek
to expand presence among Hispanics
By Santiago Perez
Dow Jones Newswires
The Wall Street Journal
MEXICO CITY, December 30, 2001 — Mexican banks faced
with stiff competition in the booming business of transferring
home money from Mexicans living in the U.S. are now seeking to
expand their presence in the Hispanic market through new products.
Hispanic leader now central to Tyson smuggling
case
By Anita Wadhwani
The Tennessean
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. December 31, 2001 — Thirteen years
ago, he got his start in this country by scrubbing dead chickens
for a living, but soon rose to become a prominent businessman
- a grocery store owner - and the leader of this town's rapidly
growing Hispanic community.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Contributes $60,000 In
Recognition Of Hispanic Education
Bentonville, Ark. — In recognition of Hispanic education,
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. through their Good Works initiative,
recently contributed $50,000 to the Hispanic Association of Colleges
and Universities (HACU) and $10,000 to the League of United Latin
American Citizens National Educational Service Centers (LNESC)
to support both organizations national scholarship programs.
LA
COLUMNA VERTEBRAL
Por Yhamel Catacora
La ruta continúa
En la primera semana del año nuevo todavía
se intenta asimilar que hemos ascendido un peldaño más
hacia el "futuro". El 2001 se fue. Mirar atrás
puede causar vértigo, mirar arriba cansancio, pero la contemplación
solo acrecienta el pavor. No es inútil detenerse a ponderar,
analizar, "donde estamos paramos". Detenerse a respirar,
contener el aire que nos permita seguir.
Encienda
Una Vela
Mons. Jim Lisante
Samaritanos del nuevo milenio
Desde el 11 de Septiembre hemos oído innumerables
historias de valor, generosidad y bondad. Y también historias
de dolor, pena, muerte y, lo más incomprensible de todo,
de maldad incalculable. Gente de Nueva York, Nueva Jersey, Washington,
D.C. y de otras partes del país... y también ciudadanos
de otros países... sufrieron y murieron. Pero si la gente
de Estados Unidos, y de alrededor del mundo, fueron sacudidos
en lo más profundo por este horrendo ataque a víctimas
inocentes, también fueron profundamente conmovidos por
la bondad que encontraron en tantos seres humanos.
Gates Millennium Scholars Information Session
and Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) Workshop
Several community organizations are hosting a Gates Millennium
Scholars (GMS) and Federal financial and workshop on Sunday, January
5 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the University of San Diego in
Solomon Hall located inside Maher Hall. This workshop targets
high school juniors, seniors, parents, educators and fellow community
members by educating the community with financial aid options.
For more information about the workshop, please call: (619) 594-3332
or (877) 972-7368.
Free Child Literacy Classes Offered by Head
Start Program, Increased Child Literacy is the Goal
Neighborhood House Association - Head Start Program is
hosting a free HeadsUp! Reading program. This is a 42-hour college-level
course designed to educate adults on children's literacy skills.
Classes will begin January 10th and 12th, 2002 and will be held
at five sites throughout San Diego County. The program is ideal
for working with children up to age 6. The HeadsUp! Reading program
draws upon the latest research-proven teaching techniques available.
Classes will be held in English and in Spanish, child-care professionals,
parents and interested community members are invited to enroll
in this 21-week series. Call the Neighborhood House - Head Start
Administration Office at (858) 715-2642 ext. 219 to find a location
near you.
USDA Funds Available For Agriculture Conservation
Projects
Escondido — Farmers and ranchers interested in installing
conservation practices are invited to apply for funds from the
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the main conservation
program of the federal Farm Bill.
Calendar of Events...
by Berenice Cisneros
"Errors" at San Diego Junior Theatre
Returning at the Casa del Prado Theatre in Balboa Park from
January 4th-20th. San Diego Junior Theatre
has come up with a vivid concept for staging Shakespeare's wackiest,
most farcical play. "Errors" is a smart, lively
and very, very funny production. Join the antics of Antipholus
and Dromio as they search for their long lost identical twin brothers,
when they finally meet, all its well. Tickets are $5 - $8 for
children under 15 and seniors, $7 - $10 for adults. Please call
the box office at 239-8355 for tickets or other information.
Commentary
Year 2002 Wish List
By Daniel L. Muñoz
At the beginning of each year it is common to reflect on the
previous 12 months, and to contemplate what most impacted us in
our personal lives, our state, our city, our community and in
our country. In a sense, it is most difficult for those of us
who work in the media to be objective. We have learned that at
any given time the media sees only a portion of reality. Reporters,
columnists, editors, cartoonists, in sum the totality of those
who work in the media, struggle daily to make sense of an essentially
meaningless world.
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