FrontPage Stories

Remembering migrants on Día de Muertos

By Luis Alonso Pérez

This year death has taken the lives of more than 450 men, women and children who crossed the border without documents in search of a job, or with the hope of reuniting with family members who left their towns in search of a better life.

Father Luis Kendzierski, director of Casa del Migrante and migrants from the Casa del Migrante saying a prayer for those who lost their lives crossing the border.

To honor their deaths, on Tuesday November 1, migrant worker’s support groups from both sides of the border placed an altar in Playas de Tijuana, the place where the metal border fence begins, a fence that has become death’s most powerful allied in the border area.

“The extension of this fence has become the main instrument to deflect immigrants to more remote and dangerous places, where the possibilities of being rescued are small” said Claudia Smith of the Migrant’s Defense Coalition (Coalición Pro Defensa del Migrante). “Every year on Día de Muertos we ask ourselves how many more migrants do we have to honor next year and there are always hundreds more”.

The altar incorporated the traditional elements like candles, sugar skulls, incense, food, etc. But what stood out the most was a large painting in the back of skulls and Minutemen vigilantes in the desert. The paining was accompanied by a “Calavera” –a traditional Mexican comic poem about death– that said “La calaca, presumiendo de su inglés, les dijo a los cazamigrantes: Misters Minutomen, no hagan tanta bulla; bastante chamba tengo con la que me da la Patrulla” (“the Calaca [death], showing off his English, said to migrant hunters: Misters Minutomen, don’t make such a fuss; I get enough work from the Patrol”).

“With this Calavera we want to say that it’s stubborn that the Border Patrol or migrant hunters think that they can seal the border, the only thing they are doing is causing more deaths” said Claudia Smith.

For the full story please follow this link:

Recordando a los migrantes en Día de Muertos
Por Luis Alonso Pérez
Este año la muerte cobró las vidas de más de 450 hombres, mujeres y niños migrantes que cruzaban la frontera sin documentos en busca de un trabajo, o con la esperanza de poder reunirse con los familiares que salieron de sus pueblos en busca de una mejor vida.

Rare Public Meeting to be Held at the Centro Cultural de la Raza
Chicano community to address issues that have fueled a 5 year boycott
By Raymond R. Beltrán
After five years of boycotting the Centro Cultural de la Raza in Balboa Park, the Save Our Centro Coalition has achieved a breakthrough public meeting with board members from the Centro this Sunday, November 6, to address issues that have kept artists, activists and many from the Chicano, Chicana community from reentering the community venue since the 2000.

2000 son demasiados: Vigilia en honor a los soldados caídos en Irak
Foto y texto por Luis Alonso Pérez
Jasson Cook, 25 años, Washington State. Victor Cortez, 29 años, Pennsylvania. Kelly Courtney, 28 años, Georgia. Ryan Cox, 19 años, Kansas.
Estos son algunos de los nombres de los más de dos mil soldados muertos en Irak. Esta cifra puede parecer estremecedora, y lo más triste es saber que detrás de cada número hay un nombre, una vida, una madre, un hijo, una viuda.

Low interest in Mexican vote by mail
Few registration forms being distributed
By José A. Álvarez
Aside from the Mexican Consulate, in San Diego, Maria Curry is the only other person distributing forms to Mexicans in the region who wish to register to vote in next year’s Mexican presidential election. However, two weeks and 550 forms later, Curry, a member of the Red México-Americana de San Diego (Mexican-American Association of San Diego) said she is giving up.

Stories

Governor turned into a piñata
By Pablo Jaime Sainz
At the sound of “Not a single more death,” last November 2, Día de los Muertos, several student and human rights organizations held a ceremony in San Diego to remember the more than 3,000 immigrants who have died trying to cross the border since 1994, at the same time that participants were learning about Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Femicides Attract International Attention
Hollywood actress Jennifer Lopez was the sensation this month in the Sonoran border city of Nogales. Dashing around public streets and low-income neighborhoods, JLO filmed scenes for the upcoming Gregory Nava movie Bordertown, a story about the Ciudad Juarez femicides.

México del Norte
Por Jorge Mújica
De “traidores” y traidores
Al principio del sexenio que transcurre (que parece eterno y ya todo el mundo quiere que se acabe), los migrantes fuimos declarados “héroes”. La declaración buscaba contrarrestar otra, de hace tres sexenios, de un presidente que nos había declarado “traidores”. Como quiera que sea, un compa migrante le espetó a un funcionarios de Los Pinos hace un par de años que pese al discurso, esta administración nos seguía considerando traidores, pero “traidores” de dólares para el país.

Outsourcing Ethnic Media: Knight Ridder Closes Nuevo Mundo
By Elena Shore
Latino journalists are disturbed by what they fear could be a new trend in the Hispanic media market: the outsourcing of ethnic media.

Linda Sexton, former CWA Local 9509 president sues to ‘restore union democracy’
By Michael Klam
Organized labor extends deeply into the history of America and has played an essential role in defining this society. Trade union carpenters were present at the Boston Tea party in 1773. Printers and cabinet-makers went on strike in the late 1700s to fight for shorter hours and higher pay.

Conserjes y hoteleros trabajan para apoyar a Donna Frye
Por Luis Alonso Pérez
Ana Aldama trabaja como conserje. Su trabajo, como muchos de los trabajos que desempeñan los Latinos en Estados Unidos, es pesado, desgastante y consume mucho de su tiempo. Motivos que desalientan a muchas personas a involucrarse o mantenerse informados por la situación política de su comunidad.

LA COLUMNA VERTEBRAL
Por Ricardo J. Galarza
El plan migratorio de Bush: una tomadura de pelo
Finalmente, el presidente Bush presentó su plan migratorio. Tanto esperar, para tan poco. La medida parece querer quedar bien con Dios y con el diablo: por un lado, les ofrece a los indocumentados un programa de trabajadores huéspedes, y por el otro, los obliga a regresar a sus países de origen en un plazo de seis años.

UC, California Utilities Partner to Improve Math and Science Education
The California Utility Diversity Council, a committee of the California Public Utilities Commission announced that it will invest $1.365 million in the University of California-led Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement program, marking the beginning of a new partnership to improve math and science education for disadvantaged K-12 students in California over the next three years.

Helping Women Breathe
By Katia Lopez-Hodoyan
When a mother thinks of her newborn, thoughts of happiness, hope and honor come to mind. But without a doubt, the piercing pain of labor remains instilled in a mother’s mind long after the birth of her child.

Más Cornadas Da el Hambre
Por Javier Sierra
Eso responden los toreros cuando se les pregunta por qué arriesgan la vida en la plaza.

Hunger Can Gore You Even Harder
By Javier Sierra
That’s what many bullfighters answer when asked why they risk their lives in the bullring.

Groundbreaking Set For $20.5 Million Community Centerpiece
Residents of Lincoln Park, Valencia Park, Chollas View, North and South Encanto, emerald Hills, Mountains View, Mt. Hope, Oak Park, and Webster are set to break new ground together on the $20.5 million Joe and Vi Jacobs Community Center at the hub of those underserved communities in southeastern San Diego.

Editorials

Editorial:
Lorena Gonzalez for San Diego City Council: District 2
Lorena Gonzalez and District 2 are a good fit. City Council District 2 encompasses the communities of Little Italy, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, Old Town, Pacific Beach, Point Loma, the Park West area of Hillcrest, and La Jolla. District 2 is a highly diverse area with an electic mix of residents originating from different ethnic backgrounds. Diverse issues such as the environment, pollution, clean beaches community bonding, the arts, and the development of sound business ethics are of up-most importance.

Editorial:
Lorena Gonzalez Para Concejal del Distrito 2 de San Diego
Lorena Gonzalez y el Distrito 2, hacen una buena pareja. El Ayuntamiento del Distrito 2 se compone por las comunidades de: Little Italy, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, Old Town, Pacific Beach, Point Loma, la parte Oeste de Hillcrest y La Jolla. El Distrito 2, es una área altamente diversa, compuesta con una mezcla de residentes originarios de diferentes antecedentes étnicos. La vinculación con temas diversos tales como: el ambiente, la contaminación, los vínculos comunitarios para limpiar las playas, las artes y el desarrollo de éticas para negocios son de gran importancia.

Editorial
San Diego City Council District 8 Has An Opportunity for Redemption
District 8 just doesn’t seem to get the respect that it deserves or requires. For decades now, politicians have seen this district merely as a stepping stone to the next office. This was no more evident then when Juan Vargas in 1996, a month after being elected, announced his desire for higher office. Of course, the ultimate indignity for this district was the Ralph Inzunza case which brought about the need for this special election.

Editorial:
El Concejal del Distrito 8 de San Diego Tiene Una Oportunidad Para Redimirse
El Distrito 8 no parece tener el respeto que se merece o requiere. Por décadas, los políticos han tratado a este distrito, simplemente como un escalón para un puesto más alto. Esto no pudo haber sido más evidente cuando Juan Vargas en 1996, un mes después de haber sido elegido anunció su deseo a un puesto más alto. Por supuesto, lo último indigno para este distrito fue el caso de Ralph Inzunza, el cual trajo la necesidad para realizar esta elección especial.

National City Spotlight:
The Path to a Better National City
By Ted Godshalk
In conjunction with the San Diego and Imperial Counties Regional Nutrition Network, two National City neighborhoods recently participated in workshops to study their pedestrian environments. A local non-profit organization, WalkSanDiego, was contracted to lead the community members in a process that should ultimately lead to safer streets and healthier lifestyles for both adults and children.

Comentario:
La Repercusión de Alito
Por Humberto Caspa, Ph.D.
La nominación de Samuel A. Alito Jr. a la Corte Suprema de Justicia es una reivindicación de los grupos extremistas del partido Republicano; pre-sionaron al Presidente George W. Bush y les dio resultado. Estaba claro que con la primera nominada, Harriet E. Miers, había dudas cómo ella iba a encarrilarse en su nuevo trabajo –si para la izquierda o para la derecha. Con Alito el camino conservador está casi asegurado. Ya sabiendo su llegada al máximo circuitito jurídico, lo importante ahora es determinar los efectos de su arribo en el espectro político del país. ¿Sí va para la izquierda o para la derecha?

Commentary:
Homeless Veterans
By R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs
As we observe National Homeless Week from November 1-7, it is important for all Americans to reflect on the fact that approximately 200,000 veterans may be homeless on any given night.

Etc. Etc. Etc.
Entertainment, Reviews, Sporting news, and other tid bits

Las Mujeres Rockeras del Latin Grammy 2005
Por James Klein
2005 es el año de las Mujeres Rockeras! Este año el Grammy Latino celebra a las mujeres en el rock con nominados para artistas veteranos y nuevos. Andrea Echeverri de Colombia, Bebe de España, Ely Guerra de Mexico, y JD Nastaha de Estados Unidos vienen de países diferentes y tradiciones musicales diferentes. Sin embargo, juntos ellos representan todo el corazón y el espíritu de la música Alternativa Latina.Con un suma de diez nominados, estos cuatro artistas muestran qué mujeres han logrado un lugar alto en Rock. Aquí está una descripción de los artistas y los álbumes de que han hecho 2005 el año de las Mujeres Rockeras.

The border instigates provocative video art
By Geneva Gamez-Vallejo
If you thought the border-hype was something unexpectedly new, think again. U.S.-Mexico borders have been a subject matter that has raised conversations among politicians, border-crossers, their communities, vendors and media for decades. In response, many artists have used the border sites as a groundbreaker for provocative creations.

Museum of Man Continues 90th Anniversary Celebration With Exhibit Spotlighting Colorful History
“Reflections” Birthday Exhibit to Open Nov. 19
The San Diego Museum of Man will continue its 90th birthday celebration with “Reflections,” an exhibition opening Sat., Nov. 19 and continuing through September 24, 2006 which showcases rare and significant objects representing 90 years of the Museum’s collection history.

John Leguizamo Stars in Latino Film Festival’s Exclusive Release of “Sueño”
Media Arts Center San Diego’s San Diego Latino Film Festival is proud to present the exclusive San Diego premiere of the John Leguizamo hit musical and romantic comedy, “Sueño”. “Sueño” will be screened November 11 - 17, 2005 at the new UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas at Hazard Center.

Matando a la bestia llamada Oscar
Jamie Foxx contento con un personaje de reparto en “Jarhead”
Por Jose Daniel Bort
Tan solo se necesita un salón lleno de gente para hacer feliz a Jamie Foxx. El actor ganador del Oscar el año pasado por su impresionante personificación del genio de la música Ray Charles en “Ray” tan solo necesita una audiencia de tres para hacer su rutina de chistes e impresiones, de las que no se salva nadie.

El cielo y el pollo
“Chicken Little” es Disney en una nueva dimensión
Por Jose Daniel Bort
Siguiendo la revolución empezada por los ahora famosos estudios Pixar (The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, Toy Story) y continuada por Dreamworks (Shrek, Madagascar) los verdaderos crea dores de las películas animadas, los estudios Disney, se unen a la nueva técnica de CG en sus películas (Animación por computadora).

Derby Days are back again
By J.D. Hawk
Disco died, parachute pants plummeted, and bowl haircuts have been “square” for a long time. But no matter how many times Roller Derby leaves the public eye, it inevitably pops up again and again and again. The latest outbreak has now erupted at San Diego’s Skateworld in Linda Vista.

Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Vitali Klitschko V Hasim Rahman W.B.C. Heavyweight championship of the world
By Gary Todd
On the 12th of November, we will find out who is “the best heavyweight on the planet”. Sure we have Chris Byrd, John Ruiz, and even James Toney, but this fight is a real fight for the fans of the heavies.

Garcia a Quiet Leader for Top Ranked Barons
By John Philip Wyllie
Prior to last season, Bonita Vista Cross Country captain Daniel Garcia had never run cross country. The fleet-footed senior spent his freshman and sophomore years toiling on the Barons soccer team. At present, he finds himself in the unexpected position of captaining the county’s top ranked cross country team.

Zamora a Playmaker for the Resurgent Barons
By John Philip Wyllie
After a nearly disastrous start, the Bonita Vista Baron Field Hockey Team has staged a late-season rally to post a winning record three games over .500. They now find themselves within striking distance of a league title. Center forward and team captain Lillian Zamora has been one of the catalysts in their surprising turn around.

Return to Archieve Page