Vida Newspaper, Volume 21, Issue 3 - October 1992

Loyola Marymount University Wednesday, October 21, 1992 INSIDE TODAY’S VIDA The Republican party has created a smoke-screen to confuse people on the main issues concerning the nation. See page 2 El “Dia de Los Muertos” takes participants into the depth of Latino culture and its uniqueness. See page 3 Wi 1 1 there ever be a Latino President? Take a look at who they call “Los Siete”. See page 5 El Tepeyac Cafe is inthe heartof East Los Angeles andserves about 500to800people daily. See page 6 VIDA/Edith Viramontes A bird’s eye-view at the Bird Nest gives a distinct perspective of the Unidad Latina reception on September 1 5. While people serve themselves dinner, many get a chance to get to know one another. Fuentes Speaks about Discovery By Veronica Chavez Carlos Fuentes, a diplomat and prominent author, made a special appearance at Sacred Heart Chapel on September 26. The honorable novelist spoke on issues concerning Columbus’ dis¬ covery of America and its effects. Approximately 150 people attended the event. Fuentes focused on the ironic discovery of America and the coming of the Spaniards, thus enciting the birth of a whole new civilization, the Hispano-Indian race. One of Fuentes’ main points was the contributions that the Europeans brought into the world, thus causing a demo¬ graphic catastrophe. According to Fuentes, such factors were “European diseases, immuno¬ logical breakdowns, forced labor, as well as culture shock and sheer anguish.” Fuentes describes the de¬ terioration of the Indian popula¬ tion as “the imparable death of great civilizations that pos¬ sessed education systems, a seperate moral and artistic uni¬ verse, and forms of human rela¬ tionship in constantly evolving creativity.” In addition to Fuentes; dis¬ illusionment about the collapse of the Indian civilization, Fuentes talks about a new civilization which arose out of the mixture of civilizations populating the New World. Fuentes refers to this event as the establishment of the “Spanish Speaking Americans”. To further illustrate Spain’s contributions to the New World, Fuentes states that the Spaniards developed the “mod¬ ern concept of international law based on the universality of hu¬ man rights, a government which identified itself with the economic liberalism with progress and agrarian culture.” Fuentes goes on to explain that even now in 1992 the con¬ quest is not over because “we, the modern Latin Americans, have behaved with a cruelty to¬ ward the Indians.” In Fuentes’ dynamic speech, he addressed the prob¬ lems of the past 500 years. Fuentes stated that culture is what unites us but in a way we have failed to “translate the val¬ ues of our continuous culture to the hemisphere’s fragmented politics and failed economics.” Fuentes encourages every¬ one to start anew and stop pon¬ dering in the past but rather start to animate the diversity of our cultures so that they can work towards a positive development of political and economic institu¬ tions. Fuentes concluded his en¬ ergetic speech by encouraging ev¬ eryone that the chance to trans¬ late our cultures is not too late and that “the next 500 years be¬ gin today.” News briefs Victims of Anti-Asian Violence to speak The Asian Pacific Students Services Department will be sponsoring a series of eucational forums. Jo Ann Kanshinge and her sons, victims of anti-Asian violence, will address the Anti- Asian Violence forum tomorrow. Contact Joe or Aki in Malone 208 or call 338-2892 for more information. The first annual International Friendship Day will be held tomorrow at 1 1:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Regent’s Terrace Lawn with “A Taste of the World” International Food Faire. Following will be a “Parade of Nation” at 12:10 p.m. at Alumni Mall. Food, folks, and fun! On October 30 at 3:30 p.m. at Regent’s Park, BSU, Na Kolea, SABE, MEChA, and Isang Bansa will be sponsoring a day filled with exciting events. Come by, play softball and eat with us. BSU invites everyone on November 12 at 6 p.m.-9 p.m. to St. Robert’s Auditorium to listen to a discussion on the history of BSU. The Department of Chicano Studies and the Office of Chicano/Latino Student Services here on campus present Carmen Lomas Garza’s “Pedacito de mi Corazon” on November 4 thru December 12. On November 7 at 3 p.m. there will be an afternoon spent with Garza and she will be signing the exhibition catalogue and her recent bi-lingual children’s book, Family Pictures. Dr. Chon Noriega, Assistant Professor, Department of Film and Television, UCLA , will be signing his new book, Chicanos and Film: Representation and Resistance, after a dialogue with him. That same afternoon at 4 p.m. the opening reception for the artist and the exhibition will take place at Laband Art Gallery. The Office of International Student Services invites everyone to get a taste of the Cuisine of Cuba on November 20. Make your reservations no later than 4 p.m. on November 19 by calling 338-2937. Compiled by Analee Zelaya Unidad Latina is Great Success By Nancy Leiva On September 15, the Chicano/Latino Student Services (CLSS) hosted the First Annual “Unidad Latina” reception at the Bird Nest. The Latino community came together to commemorate the independence of many Latin American countries. All of the food for the event was provided by members of the Latino community. There was also great salsa music provided by “Alma del Barrio” a program from KXLU radio station. In this atmosphere of great food and music, those who at¬ tended were able to get more acquainted with one another. Additionally, this event allowed the Latino community a chance to discuss an important issue affecting the community: Gang violence. CLSS is developing a pro¬ gram where gang members will be provided with encouragement to stay in school, tutoring for individuals who need school as¬ sistance and peer counseling on a variety of issues. The net effect being to provide a social founda¬ tion for the gang members; to include them as part of our Latino community. Maria Macias, a former gang member, now works to¬ gether with the gangs. “It was scary bringing four rival gangs together, but I took the risk,” Macias said. Macias wants to make a difference by taking the risk. To her surprise, she noticed that these young kids want to end the fighting. “We have to show people that we can do good things just like every body else.” Macias con¬ tinued. “If we, the minorities can get together we can do so many things. We need alot of tools to work with, without tools, we can’t do anything.” Leticia Vidal, Director of CLSS responded, “We are a familia, and we are here to help each other.” For Vidal, it is very impor¬ tant for the Latino community to join together and support this project. Said senior Richard Jor¬ dan, “ We had a good turn out in terms of clubs, but one problem was that it lacked advertisement which led to lack of attendance . The intentions were good. I think by focusing on an important is¬ sue being gangs, we are taking the right steps in making an im¬ pact on the community. ” This is a definite stepping stone for a better future for the Latino community.