“Miralo, ella tiene un nopal en la frente…” This statement has followed me everywhere from supermarkets when I’m purchasing a copious amount of masa to my own place of employment when a customer asks where the nearest dressing room is. It translates to, “Look, she has a cactus on her forehead…” This statement essentially aims to describe Mexicans who waltz around with the intent of pretending that they aren’t Mexican. As a cactus on a forehead is obvious, the physical appearance of some Mexicans—such as skin tone or facial features—may be obvious at times too. Therefore, denying your ethnicity when it’s so apparent is as equivalent as strolling around with a cactus on one’s … [Read more...] about I Promise I’m Mexican
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The Panza Monologues
By Erika Aguilar |Staff Writer| The San Manuel Student Union Theatre presented its first play, “Panza Monologues", on March 3, organized by the Women’s Resource Center (WRC). The play is based on the book, "The Panza Monologues,” written by Virginia Grise and Irma Mayorga. It is a solo performance based on women’s stories about their panzas, which means “bellies” in English. The book features Chicanas speaking with humor and honesty about their stories, including their panza. The panza represents as a symbol, revealing the truths about their experience with life, love, abuse, living conditions, obstacles and political concerns. The monologues are a combination of comedy and … [Read more...] about The Panza Monologues
Panza Monologues Auditions
By Gladys Oliva |Staff Writer| The San Manuel Student Union Theatre held auditions Jan. 17 through 19 for students interested in performing for a new play, “The Panza Monologues.” The play is based on the book which is written and compiled by Virginia Grise and Irma Mayorga. The book features stories from various Chicanas who discuss their panzas (Spanish for "stomach") with humor and wonder. Those featured reveal their struggles and experiences with childhood, relationships, abuse, love, politics, etc. Despite sharing their difficult struggles, those Chicanas featured knew how to add a humorous touch. The monologues range from dramatic to comedic, and are … [Read more...] about Panza Monologues Auditions
Hispanic Pioneers set Foundation
By Mireya Rodriguez |Staff Writer| Hispanic Heritage Month is here; Sylvia Mendez, Sonia Sotomayor, Jorge Ramos, and Jennifer Lopez are all prominent Hispanic-American figures that have contributed to our history and busted open the doors of opportunity and change. Mendez was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2011. Many have heard of the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case, separate but equal is not equal, while few have yet to hear about the Mendez v. Westminster case. Nine-year-old Mendez was rejected from a public school in California using the “whites only” argument, 8 years before Brown v. Board of Education. Gonzalo … [Read more...] about Hispanic Pioneers set Foundation
Emmy Award winner advocates for Latin cinema
By Marc-Olivier Drouin |Staff Writer| On Nov. 13, as a part of the International Education Week Symposium, Emmy Award winner Daniel Jacobo presented Cinema & Television Images of the Latino/Latina, a conference about the place of Latinos and Latinas in cinema and TV productions. Many students were gathered in the Santos Manuel Student Union Theater for the conference. The conference started with a six minute clip showing various famous scenes of cinema history. After the video, Jacobo rapidly made it clear to the students that when we talk about cinema in our society, we usually focus on American cinema and ignore the cinema from other cultures. The speaker put a lot of … [Read more...] about Emmy Award winner advocates for Latin cinema