Articles Published in March, 2011

Jean Melesaine interviews Aquene Aquetzalli Olmeka -- a medicine woman, smoke carrier and drummer who is an organizer for the Azteca Mexica New Year event held every March at the National Hispanic University. It is the largest celebration of its kind in the nation.

On the heels of the one-year anniversary of a historic Supreme Court decision, attorney Angie Junck and organizer Raj Jayadev share lessons learned from a case of a San Jose man who beat a deportation order.

Susana Ruiz, artist/video game designer and co-founder of Take Action Games, presented her work at the Euphrat Museum of Art in Cupertino, California. Her games take on social justice issues such as criminal justice and gender violence.

Editors of La Opinión write that it is worrisome that members of the Latino community are not ready for a future where they play a central role.

For the past several months, legislators and anti-immigrant advocates have been pushing for changes in the Constitution to take away citizenship rights to those born in the United States.

Author Kevin Weston says three very different high profile cases tell important stories of the conditions and realities facing African-Americans in the Bay Area.

Two authors argue opposing views about where Indian Americans should donate their money.

Author Jean Melesaine reflects on how preconceived notions of size and physicality impact her two younger brothers and a generation of Polynesian young men.

San Jose Vice Mayor Madison Nguyen talks to David Madrid on Block to Block Radio about Operation Prom Dress, her program to help high school girls. Learn more and hear how you can contribute.

Author Andrew Lam writes that the latest census numbers showing a rise in Asian-Americans points to a larger cultural shift in Bay Area, one that reaches across all races.

An Egyptian born San Jose writer shares her view on the historic revolution and the new insights on family that came with it.

In a unique bridge building effort that rose above prison walls, Abe Menor, through the efforts of United Playaz, facilitated a writing project where the women from Chowchilla Prison wrote letters to San Jose youth about their lives, prison, and their hopes for the community.

Filipino-American caregivers are grateful that California legislators are recognizing their rights as workers. Last month, the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights was introduced and if passed it will ensure domestic workers protections under the law.

In Progress, an open mic in San Francisco at Mama's Cafe celebrated International Women's Month by bringing together Bay Area women artists from different cultural backgrounds for an evening of music and poetry.

David Madrid of De-Bug’s Block to Block Radio interviews Ali Rahnoma, a San Jose temporary worker and labor organizer, who says Wisconsin’s union issues are relevant to Silicon Valley and the next generation of American workers.

Latinos and Asians accounted for most of the state's growth over the last decade, while the proportion of whites and African Americans declined.

"All the Ladies Say" is a film that profiles female street dancers who have carved a niche in the physically challenging, male-dominated breakdance world. One of the featured dancers is Aiko Shirakawa, who held the film's South Bay debut at the De-Bug Center.

An episode of UNcubed — a comic about life as an Indian guy in the United States.

Between 2008 and 2010, an alarming number of public school children in California became newly eligible for free and reduced-cost meal programs in nearly every county of the state, according to recently released data.

March is International Women's Month, and De-Bug will be highlighting women leaders in the Bay Area as a month long series. The first installment features the Malia Movement Company — a collective of female artists, dancers, and creators committed to being "fabulous."

AD Avila was selected as one of a handful of community leaders from around the country by the Knight Commission to present a digital story of his immigrant experience. Through his artwork and advocacy he breaks down the fear of the American immigrant.

Newly appointed Chief Moore sat down with La Oferta reporter Nahui Ollin to discuss his plans to regain trust with ethnic communities.

Cultural inhibitions prevent Indian Immigrants from discussing the sensitive topic of death, but shouldn’t we devote as much care to this as to the other areas of our lives? Here’s a primer to help begin the conversation.