Latina Voices » Opinion

by Jennifer Patino– While in detention at Butler County Jail in Ohio, Yanelli Hernandez attempted suicide twice. Instead of being released while her case was pending, she was detained for nine grueling months, which kept her from receiving the comprehensive treatment and family...

The Senate must pass the DREAM Act

By Maria Pesqueira – Maria Pesqueira As an immigrant brought to this country at a young age myself, I can relate to the stories of young men and women who desire better opportunities for themselves and for this country. I can remember being brought to this country from Guanajuato,...

DREAM deferred

By Jenny Patiño – My sister is the one who told me about the Immigrant Youth Justice League’s DREAM Act “DREAM Deferred, Life Denied” vigil taking place on Dec. 7, 2010 at Federal Plaza. It’s a long and complicated family story, but I was born in Chicago whereas she...

The Wall

By Carolina Rivera– I like the brick wall my dad built. The other walls are made of corrugated metal, like my friend Cande’s house; although mine is shiny and new, while hers is rusty and decaying with holes. My little brother yells to Cande from the street, “ your...

Feria del Alfeñique 2010

By Andrea Arzaba–Hello! Yesterday I went to my town’s Alfeñique Fair. I am writing an article about this traditional festivity, where we prepare ourselves for celebrating the Day of the Dead! I’ll be posting the whole article with many interesting stories from the traditional...

Poets and Community: Thoughts from the L

By Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo– This past weekend was the Latino Books and Family Festival at California State University, Los Angeles. I was lucky enough to be invited to speak on a panel at the event entitled “From Inspiration to Publication: The Business of Poetry,”...

Immigration: A love story

By Lynndel Noriega– “Up, up with education! Down, down with deportation!” chanted a crowd of 30 or so Latin American youths holding hand-painted signs advocating the Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, which would grant “restricted” residency...

Reading “Barrio Writers”

By Sandra Lopez– I was pleased when fellow author, Sarah Rafael Garcia, handed me a copy of “Barrio Writers: The First Edition,” not just because I’m a nerd and books are my only friends but because I was one of the contributors in this project. Last year,...

“Pig” is not “Big” and Amigas: F

Unknown Mami By “Unknown Mami”– Reading did not come easily to me. We moved around a lot when I was a child, which means I switched schools a lot. I knew the alphabet, I knew the sounds letters made,and I knew some words by sight, but most words were a jumble...

Up-and-coming California writer to watch

By Thelma Reyna– Thelma Reyna, Ph.D.Sandra Lopez, the author of the newly published young adult novel, Beyond the Gardens (2009), is a literary force to watch. She has been precocious for most of her life: reading books at the age of two, being the first in her family to graduate...

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