Amelia’s choice
Amelia’s choice
By Amalia Gonzalez– She picks up the phone every three days to call her three children. She dials the one hour calling card to dial the 800 number in the back. She dials her destination number and waits anticipating to listen to her children’s voice. She jumps excited as she...
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They’re Here, They’re Queer, and Sometimes They’re Undocumented
They’re Here, They’re Queer, and Som
By Jenny Patiño– You know that tío your family doesn’t really like to talk about? The one that never got married and kind of reminds you a little of Walter Mercado? Or how about your tía Margarita and her “comadre” Rosa, the lady she’s been living with for 10 years? ...
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Silence is not an option
Silence is not an option
By Angelica Jimenez– The room became silent as a Latina woman, wearing only brown and black, approached the stage to tell her story of spending 20 years in prison on charges of seditious conspiracy.  Another woman shared the painful history of forced sterilization of women...
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Rastros y Crónicas: Mujeres de Juárez
Rastros y Crónicas: Mujeres de Juárez
By Luz Garcia– A little girl made out of pieces of glass is sitting on a bench, just waiting. This sculpture was a piece of art created by Ana Teresa Fernandez displayed at the National Museum of Mexican Art for the Rastros y Cronicas: Mujeres de Juarez exhibit. The little girl...
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Lunatic(a)s
Lunatic(a)s
By Jenny Patiño – A group of women veiled in black congregate onstage. They chant in chorus to a woman sitting high up in a lunar enclosure, a gauzy globe. She strums a guitar while the women sing alternately “luna” or “Ixchel, Coatlicue…Tonantzin,” the names of goddesses....
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Mi patria
Mi patria
Amalia Gonzalez – It was early in the morning. I had just woken up. My cousin Jonathan was driving. He picked me up from the airport and we drove five hours to my parent’s hometown in Mexico. Mexico is the best part of my year. Every year in December, me and my family,...
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This Latina likes Law & Order
This Latina likes Law & Order
By Angelica Jimenez – I’m a lawyer, but I don’t play one on TV. There is one, however, worth noting because she’s strong, smart and uncompromising.The role Alana de la Garza plays on NBC’s “Law & Order” is one example of a fully-developed and compelling Latina...
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A Funny Latina
A Funny Latina
By Natalia Avilez – At first glance you would not think that this Chicago comedian is Latina but once she sets foot on stage and makes her presence known there is no doubt that she is. Patti Vasquez’s zest for life, her vivacious nature and outspoken ways not only scream...
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Latino Monster Love Saga
Latino Monster Love Saga
By Jenny Patiño – Recently on “Lopez Tonight,” George Lopez asked fans waiting in line for the premier of “New Moon” to get him to like the movie. He joked that he couldn’t get behind the vampires and didn’t understand the pasty white skin. At one point he asked...
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My mother’s expectations
My mother’s expectations
By Annabel Garcia – Walking into the kitchen, I moved my hands across the chair leaning forward listening to my father talk about his day. I finally let myself fall into the chair as my mother called “Annabel ve a limpiarme la sala.” It felt like an order from a general...
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