Earlier this week, Latina Lista published a post opining how the "coup" in Honduras didn't have all the earmarks of traditional Latin American military takeovers.

Honduran protesters march against the referendum.
(Source: El Heraldo newspaper)

Yet, many readers disagreed pointing to the fact that the military forced the President out of the palace at gunpoint and that many of those same military leaders had received their training at the infamous "School of the Americas."

Also, the Miami Herald and other publications are reporting that the new government is censoring journalists and repressing protests.

But every Honduran-focused blog that I was able to find (Pensieve, La Gringa's Blogcito, Honduras Living,) were telling a different story. In fact, at one point, the bloggers were trying to unite to send a message out to their readers to send a message to Obama to explain to him the "real situation" in Honduras.

The people there in the country are saying that the media is presenting a one-sided look at the situation and is actually filing a lot of information that is not entirely accurate.

Some of these Honduran bloggers want to set the record straight.

One of these Honduras-based bloggers is Laurie Matherne. Laurie is an ESL teacher in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. She authors the blog Laurie's Spot: Thoughts on Honduras, Missions and Justice.

On Sunday, June 28, I awoke to the news that President "Mel" Zelaya of Honduras had been removed from the presidency by the Armed Forces. As a resident of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, I was soon assailed with the sounds of jets and helicopters overhead.

From my perch on the third floor rooftop, my friends and I noted dozens of aircraft, and we hoped for a peaceful day. It was peaceful that day. No blood was shed, no shots were fired. The president, I later learned, was escorted to Costa Rica.

Since that day, however, peace has not prevailed at least in the world-at-large. The city and the country are at peace internally, despite a few protestors who have blocked roads and attempted to throw rocks at a few policemen.

Externally, among the nations, the outcry has been loud and urgent. Mr. Zelaya has the privilege of having the world's attention and sympathy for the moment as world leaders demand his immediate reinstatement as President of the Republic of Honduras.

He was acclaimed with accolades from socialists and conservatives alike after his remarks before the United Nations earlier this week.

However, Mr. Zelaya is an unlikely poster boy for democracy.

Continue reading "Guest Voz: Honduran blogger sets record straight on real story in Honduras" »

Filed 2 de Julio, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (18)

Editor's Note: In association with New America Media, a national association of ethnic media, the following post was published by ethnic media across the country this week to bring attention to the urgency of immigration reform.

The White House and members of Congress must move quickly on enacting a just and humane immigration reform package that will reunite families, reinvigorate the economy, and remove the term "illegal or undocumented immigrants" from the dialogue in this country.

Ethnic media, which reaches over 60 million adults in the United States, calls on Congress to move decisively on immigration reform because there are few issues as important to the nation's well-being as an overhaul of the inefficient, inhumane and economically debilitating immigration system.

More importantly, we are also urging our readers and viewers to contact their Senators and Congressmen and let them know that immigration reform must be a national priority.

Continue reading "Guest Voces: Time for immigration Reform is Now " »

Filed 2 de Julio, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

It wasn't that long ago that we featured the story of college graduate, Benita Veliz, a honor student who had been arrested by San Antonio police and sentenced to start deportation proceedings.

We learned last month that Benita can stay in the U.S. for another three months until her fate is determined.

Student Walter Lara is to be deported July 6, 2009.

Unfortunately, time is fast running out for yet another honors student. His name is Walter Lara and he only has 5 days left to convince Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to let him stay in the only country he has ever known as home.

Continue reading "Time is fast running out for Honors Student, Walter Lara, scheduled to be deported July 6" »

Filed 1 de Julio, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (5)

When the news first filtered out that Honduras President Manuel Zelaya had been roused from his bed early Sunday morning and escorted out of the presidential palace, still in his pajamas, by military soldiers pointing their weapons at him, it disappointingly sounded like old-style Latin American politics.

Honduran President Manuel Zelaya addresses the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday, June 30, 2009. Zelaya was ousted Sunday in a military coup. Behind him is Miguel d'Escoto Brockman, President of the General Assembly and Nicaragua's ambassador the U.N.
(Source: AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

In the day, when a Latin American leader ran afoul of a certain group, patience always ran thin and instead of waiting for the next election to oust him from office, or the more civil process of an impeachment, the military was called in with guns drawn to act as the new "presidential guard" as they "escorted" the fallen-from-grace politician into exile.

Such a forceful removal from office is always touted as the opposite of what democracy stands for and in the past, it was never the will of the people as it was the will of a few elites who had aligned themselves with the military to take control of the country.

So, when it was reported that the Honduran military was following the blueprint of past coup takeovers, it sent not only a shiver through South, Central and North America but an instantaneous outcry from every political leader around the world demanding that Zelaya immediately be reinstated.

Yet, in researching the full story, it's apparent that Zelaya didn't have preserving the country's democratic principles on his mind. In fact, if he had been allowed to continue with his intention of holding a referendum that would have changed the constitutional term limits for president, he might have laid the groundwork to not follow in Obama's example but Venezuela's Hugo Chavez.

Continue reading "World's political leaders rushing to judgement to support ousted Honduran president " »

Filed 30 de Junio, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (8)

Today's Supreme Court ruling siding with the white New Haven firefighters in their reverse discrimination lawsuit against the City of New Haven illustrates the delicate balancing act when it comes to affirmative action.

New Haven firefighters, along with their lawyer, speak to the press after Supreme Court verdict.
(Source: NY Times)

It's heartbreaking when ANYONE is denied a promotion, a job or program placement based on their race or ethnicity. News that the lead plaintiff Frank Ricci is dyslexic and paid someone to record study materials so he could learn by listening underscores how all applicants work hard to achieve their life's goals and should be allowed to attain them.

To say affirmative action policies are not flawed would be a mischaracterization of the truth.

However, there is nothing flawed in the ultimate goal of affirmative action policy -- creating diversity. More than ever, diversity in the workforce, at all levels, and in higher education is imperative for the health of this country.

Yet, the playing field has never been equal -- not even when there is obvious talent.

That point was brought home to me this morning as I learned that in the early 1980s, MTV almost didn't play Michael Jackson's first music videos (Billie Jean and Beat It!) because they didn't fit with the channel's music format which was rock'n roll.

In fact, so few black musicians were featured on the music cable channel because so few blacks were into that genre. By purposely narrowing their music selection, MTV was excluding a whole group of artists, especially a very talented and proven star. It wasn't until the higher-ups were convinced that it was the right thing to do to air Michael Jackson's videos was he given a shot -- and the rest is history.

And ultimately, isn't that what affirmative action is -- to give people, who historically have never been given that opportunity, that chance to "assimilate" into the larger group?

Yet, the playing field is still far from equal and the New Haven firefighters' test proves that.

Continue reading "Pundits of Supreme Court's reverse discrimination ruling are missing the bigger point" »

Filed 29 de Junio, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (3)

A source has notified Latina Lista that the Department of State (DOS), as a result of a settlement reached in a class action lawsuit filed by a coalition of civil rights and legal organizations, will now implement new procedures to fairly and promptly review U.S. passport applications of those Mexican Americans who were birthed by midwives.

In a press release issued by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU):

Pending court approval, DOS will train its staff on how to fairly weigh all the evidence provided in passport applications and how to avoid improperly subjecting people whose births were assisted by midwives in Texas and along the U.S.-Mexico border to heightened scrutiny in reviewing their passport applications.

All denials will be automatically reviewed by a three-member panel comprised of experienced DOS staff members, and if that panel also denies an application, DOS must communicate the specific reasons for the denial to the applicant. The applicant can then challenge the denial and ask DOS to reconsider its decision.

Additionally, anyone birthed by a midwife who has filed an application for a passport between April 2003 and September 15, 2008 and, with a few exceptions, whose application was not expressly "denied," can re-apply for free. DOS will be setting up mobile units across the border on specific dates to assist those reapplying.

On its website, the ACLU has a copy of the settlement agreement, the complaint and audio testimonials of the people who were wrongly denied a U.S. passport because of the misfortune of being birthed by a midwife.

Filed 26 de Junio, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

Before and since Obama was elected president, there have been rumblings that blacks and Latinos don't get along. Usually, the ones who talked about such a rift were the old-timers who had lived in those turbulent times when high political tensions existed between the two groups.

Dallas Chicana civil rights pioneer Adelfa Callejo

Whenever these old-timers dared to relive the past, the rebuttals came swift and hard.

At least that was the case in Dallas, Texas when 86-year-old, Adelfa Callejo, Dallas trailblazer for Latino civil rights, and a Hillary Clinton supporter, dared to say at the height of the presidential election that "Obama simply has a problem that he happens to be black."

Immediately, Callejo was criticized not just by blacks and whites but from her own local community, especially the younger people who accused her of living in the past.

Though Callejo is credited with advancing the civil rights of Dallas Latinos, and is often recognized when it comes to the history of civil rights in Dallas as being a major player, none of that is being remembered now as Callejo is fighting a new fight -- to keep her legacy alive.

Because of her comments, there are some Dallas Independent School Trustees who have voiced that they will not name a school after her until she apologizes for her comments about Obama. Some say they will refuse to vote for her regardless.

The whole issue has become so politically radioactive that the local public radio station even refused to allow a commentary (written by this author) based on the grounds the topic was too "hot" and might somehow implicate the station in trying to sway the vote scheduled for tonight.

If historically there has been tension between blacks and Latinos, this is a cause that is resurrecting old feelings in some camps and forcing a new generation to choose sides.

Continue reading "Dallas Latina trailblazer fights local school trustees over election comment made about Obama" »

Filed 25 de Junio, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (8)

One of the first signs there was big trouble in Iran was when the government banned foreign journalists from reporting on what was happening in the country.

Media censorship

Regardless of the event, whenever it is heard that journalists are banned, the news always evokes undemocratic and tyrannic images of oppression, suppression, intimidation and control -- usually by force.

During a press conference, President Obama even chimed in on the press blackout.

Referring to the recent clampdown on the foreign media in Iran, Mr Obama said: "In 2009 no iron fist is strong enough to shut off the world from bearing witness to the peaceful pursuit of justice

Those governments that do ban journalistic coverage of any public event or proceedings certainly belong to the list of countries endangering democracy and the democratic ideals of all free societies.

Well, it seems that when it comes to banning journalists or the general public from certain events, the United States must unfortunately be added to the list.

The even sadder part is that it's happening in our immigration courts system which tries the most vulnerable of individuals in our country.

Continue reading "DHS needs to explain restrictions against public and media access to immigration courts " »

Filed 24 de Junio, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (3)

Since the uprising in Iran, there has been global admiration for the students who are leading the revolt against Iran's regime. The students' civil disobedience and bravery to stand up for what they believe is right is admirable and illustrates that they have learned their lessons well when it comes to instigating change through peaceful protests.

That their protests have been met with retaliatory violence has given everyone cause to pause and reevaluate Iran's role in global politics.

John H. Liechty Middle School, the site of a civil disobedience protest by 65 middle school students.

Yet, as bad as the retaliation has been, it's something that was not entirely unexpected. After all, a country that calls its leader the "Supreme Leader" doesn't leave too much doubt that democracy is a dream ideal.

Yet that's not the case in the United States, or it shouldn't be.

From the time US students get their first class in civics, they learn about democracy and they're exposed to how to work within the system to create change.

US students are taught that civil disobedience is much more desirable than riots in the streets to instigate change or show their displeasure with a certain policy. And as long as they respect the property rights of others, student protesters should not have to suffer any retaliatory actions.

Try telling that to 65 graduating middle school students who practiced a very sedate form of civil disobedience and got their diplomas withheld from them by the school principal.

Continue reading "LA middle school students deprived of diplomas for 1 act of civil disobedience " »

Filed 23 de Junio, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (5)

The Supreme Court has been very busy these last few weeks. Try as they might to avoid passing any controversial cases -- such as today's vote on keeping Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act and last week's refusal to hear a case that challenged the federal government's assertion that it could supersede state and local laws to build the fence between Mexico and the U.S -- the justices couldn't avoid controversy entirely this session.

In a decision that many have expressed as "disturbing," the Supreme Court justices voted to not force states to let prisoners get access to genetic evidence that might prove their innocence.

In other words, for prisoners in Alaska, Oklahoma and Massachusetts -- the only states that don't give convicts access to genetic evidence -- these prisoners will be forever doomed to sit in jail because the Supreme Court justices ruled that:

New technology that was not available at trial should not throw fairly won convictions into doubt.

That's not just disturbing, it's inhumane and arrogant on a scale beyond reason.

Continue reading "Supreme Court decision not allowing prisoners to prove innocence with DNA defies the wisdom of common sense" »

Filed 22 de Junio, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (7)

Long before Tim Chavez achieved notoriety as the political columnist for The Tennessean who was unceremoniously let go by the newspaper while he was in the hospital battling for his life against leukemia, I knew Tim when he was a goofy high school student with a quick wit and a sense of humor that made it hard to stay offended by his adolescent jokes.

When I met Tim, I was living in Oklahoma City where my family had relocated. I had accepted a job as a bilingual assistant in an elementary school while going to college. The teacher I reported to was the mother of Tim's best friend Mark.

Tim and Mark were inseparable high school friends who took it upon themselves to be the little brothers I never had. Every week when I would have to go to the teacher's house to make something for our class of kindergartners, Tim and Mark would coincidentally be there too.

For hours on end, I would be subjected to the awkward flirtations of both boys as Tim would crack one joke after another to get my attention. Over time, I found a boyfriend and before long was planning my wedding. Those two got more involved with school, finding prom dates and figuring out what they were going to do with the rest of their lives.

I felt sure Tim was on his way to a career as a stand-up comedian. He felt sure I was on my way to being a bilingual teacher. We were both wrong.

Continue reading "Remembering my friend Tim Chavez" »

Filed 20 de Junio, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (10)

Benita Veliz has become the national face of the DREAM Act, a bill before Congress that would allow students who were brought to this country illegally as children by their parents to attend college at in-state tuition prices and upon graduation put their degrees to work by granting these undocumented graduates citizenship.

Benita Veliz

Last week, Benita appeared in a San Antonio immigration court as a result of deportation proceedings being started against her after she was discovered to be undocumented during a traffic stop. She was granted a 3-month continuance.

In the following post, Benita shares with Latina Lista readers her feelings about the court's decision and what her plans are for the next three months until her next court date.

Latina Lista knows that among Benita's immediate plans is a trip to Washington DC next week to participate in a national graduation ceremony and advocacy event on Tuesday, June 23 held by the United We DREAM coalition.

The main graduation event will be in Washington D.C., with solidarity events taking place across the country providing support to a group of young people who are eager to work for this country by putting their college degrees to use.

Looking back over the past five months of my life, I stop and wonder, "Is this really true? Am I about to wake up at any moment?"

The reality of my circumstance sometimes seems so vague and unfamiliar. I can almost close my eyes and pretend like everything is still the same. I'm still the happy-go-lucky 23-year-old who dreamt of going to law school and getting married someday. I'm still the over-committed young woman with four odd jobs and three volunteer positions.

It takes only the smallest reminder for me to realize that things are not, and will never again, be the same. The nightmare I think I am dreaming is actually the reality in which I'm living.

I see a police car on the street and my eyes begin to water, remembering that flashing lights were the last thing I saw before the experience that has so dramatically altered the course of my life. I walk into a Subway restaurant and the smell of the soup nauseates me, conjuring up images of the last meal I purchased before being arrested.

In the first two months after my arrest, I spent much time wondering what to do about my situation. "Get married!" some suggested. Others were more realistic in their advice, "Start looking for a job in Mexico. Let me give you the number to my aunt's cousin's friend who lives in Saltillo..." But the one piece of advice that most impacted me came from my attorney, "Go to the media".

The media? Why? Why on Earth would anyone willingly expose themselves publicly at the most vulnerable, most humiliating moment of their life?

As she began to remind me about the DREAM Act, and about how helpful it would be to have faces to represent what it stood for, I made excuses in my mind. "I'm not the most qualified. I am not the prettiest. I have been out of school for three years". I did not even want my neighbors to know what had happened, let alone the entire world.

Continue reading "Guest Voz: DREAM Act student reflects on what it means to have 3 more months in the U.S." »

Filed 19 de Junio, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)