“A mostly overlooked national phenomenon is the misunderstood and endangered young Latina, who represents one of the fastest-growing segments of the American population. Hispanic teenage girls attempt suicide more often than any other group. They become mothers at younger ages. They tend not to complete their education. They are plagued by rising drug use and other social problems.”
SOURCE: NY TIMES – JULY 2006
“In 2004, the Latino drop out rate in New York City was 20.6 percent compared to 17.7 percent for blacks, 10.6 percent for whites and 9.5 percent for Asian students. While the city’s Department of Education does not break down the numbers by gender, an analysis by the Pew Hispanic Center based on 2000 U.S. Census data showed that in New York state native-born Latinas had a 3.8 percent drop out rate and foreign-born Latinas a 10.7 percent drop-out rate – higher than that of black and white female teenagers.
Educators and researchers say that Latina teenagers, particularly those who are first and second generation, encounter overwhelming obstacles and cultural barriers that may be reasons why they also have the highest attempted suicide rate among any adolescent group. Compounded by higher teenage pregnancy and high school drop out rates, these first and second-generation Latinas from low-income backgrounds are struggling.
This is a public health issue that will extend into the future. In the year 2050, one out of every four women in the U.S. will be latina. We must act now to make sure that the future is a healthy and happy one for these young women and for us all.”
SOURCE: EL DIARIO – DECEMBER 2006
A Message From Caridad "La Bruja" De La Luz:
"After doing community work for well over ten years now, I've seen the growing need for help, communication, inspiration and truth. The truth is that as a Latina, I have struggled with the discipline of the traditional old school values vs. the lifestyle taught on the streets and media; I have survived, with minimal information, the pressures of teen sex, stds and pregnancy; I am a survivor of rape, depression and suicidal temptations; I have taught myself to heal through self-expression and art; the truth is... I still have much to learn. But as I've learned, I have also taught through outreach and have connected with those that are so much like me with the hopes of finding the answers that can help us achieve a full and happy life. The statistics prove that a healthy, fulfilling life for women of color, especially Latinas, are slim. We are falling through the cracks of society, with little chance of breaking the ongoing cycles that plague us. Life is at stake and this has inspired me to lead the Latinas 4 Life program. Through this program, it is my intention to work in over 20 NYC schools in 2007, and facilitate workshops that will inform our young women on how to survive the realities and issues that they will inevitably face throughout their lifetime. I cannot do this alone, many of you have already reached out to me expressing interest and camaraderie in this movement, affirming that this is a step in the right direction for us all. I am grateful and acknowledge all of you for your vision and courage.
What is the next step?
If you are in the NYC area, and would like to volunteer, or assist in this effort, please click on the link below and sign up. If you are not able to participate, but feel inspired to share your experience or express concerns that need to be addressed, I would love to read your words and am sure they could uplift others that share your struggle. Come to this page, go to the BLOG section, share your story and help me create a community filled with compassion and positivity. I need it, you need it, our children need it... together we can make a difference."
TODAY'S YOUNG LATINA bridges the rich cultural traditions of her heritage and the exciting life opportunities available to her as a 21st-century American girl. While she deserves the best of both worlds, the statistics reflect a darker reality: Caught between conflicting cultures and generations, overlooked and underserved, she is at greater risk of attempting suicide, leaving school and becoming a teenage mother, than her peers. - "Young Latinas and A Cry For Help." The New York Times, July 21, 2006 El Diario, December 2006
WE ALREADY HAVE the ability to help today's young Latina: We can reach out to her in school, educate her about safe sex, drugs, and the consequences of teen pregnancy, and help her develop the tools to express her emotions in healthy ways - through art and open communication. We can be positive role models and share our honest experiences, so she knows she's not alone, and we can contribute our talents and time. Let's do it! Join me in Latinas4Life. -Caridad "La Bruja" De La Luz.
A Call For Action:
LATINAS FOR LIFE is an initiative being led by Bronx-born Poet/Actress/Hip-Hop MC/Activist Caridad “La Bruja” De La Luz. The aim of the program is to engage artists, activists, media personalities and successful Latina role models from the business world in a dialogue with the alarming population of Latina’s who are most at-risk for dropping out of High School. Teaming up with other organizations in the New York City area including, SISTAS ON THE RISE and ASPIRA, the goal of LATINAS FOR LIFE in 2007 is to produce 20 events at New York City-Area Junior and High Schools. The events will serve to unite powerful communities within the music, art, media and business worlds in an all-out effort to inspire and educate young Latinas. The call is to “stay in school” and break the cycle we are seeing amongst Latinas; and also create a call to awareness towards a cultural and societal system that often neglects their needs.
In addition, it is a hope for La Bruja that through her example, the messages created by artists in the music community will become more informed, enlightened, and balanced as they reach young impressionable minds.
Young Latinas face cultural taboos and religious restrictions that prevent them from openly discussing sex, contraception, planned parenthood or choosing abortion if they get pregnant. Subsequently, young Latinas are at greater risk of not only getting pregnant but also of becoming infected with the AIDS virus and other sexually transmitted diseases.
The events will serve several purposes:
1. To bring media attention to this growing problem and to the organizations which already exist to assist these young women.
2. To inspire young Latina women to seek alternatives and avert negative situations in their lives; breaking the cycle.
3. To encourage and inspire the music community, many of who also come from single parent homes, to change their ways and the content of their messages.
LATINAS FOR LIFE events will inspire and educate young minds by addressing these important issues, and also encourage the breaking of cultural barriers by sparking a dialogue between the younger generation of Latinas and the older generation. L4L will seek to engage the social services sector vigorously to facilitate communication through education and understanding.
LATINAS FOR LIFE has long-term goals of hosting these events annually and will continue to host them and eventually branch out similar styled events across the United States and Puerto Rico.
Support & Sponsor The Annual Back 2School Jam Block Party 2007
Friends of Stratford Community Services:
Once again we want to say "Welcome Back". These words are saying to you – "we’re back". Because of ongoing sponsors like you we are able to once again gather together around the Soundview section of the Bronx.
August 25, 2007. Date fall on a Saturday and the activities run from 10:00AM thru 7:00PM
As usual our invitation to you comes with a dual purpose:
To assure that your organization as well as your family attend this event.
To assure that your organization as well as your family participates as a SPONSOR.
Your continued support in the past has always allowed us to go beyond our expected or projected plans; our vision this year is that we can not only bring the Stratford community into a one – fold celebration but that we can, as one people commit ourselves to a plan of ongoing activities for our youth and their families.
Again, your support can come by means of self-involvement or contributions ($$$$) so that we can help others and so fulfill our vision for this community. Your monetary support will help towards the anticipated expenses in putting on a project such as this. The activities which we hope to offer the community at the block parties are: Live Entertainment; Clowns, Arts & Crafts, Recognition Awards, Health Mobiles and much, much more. We will also have public speakers who will address the community in special topics of interest to our fami
I produce a Latino short film festival in NYC. We are looking for submissions for our September screening. I am sending you the postcard so you can pass the word along. Thank you for so much & best of luck and success to you!
Bruja killed it tonight @ New York Film Academy. Thank you for your light hermana. Like Mandela would say, "You allow for others to shine theirs." :) Peace.
So your mom thinks you’re a great filmmaker? Prove it and you could win $5000, production support, and a New York premiere and party. She’ll be so proud.
Welcome to the Reach Film Fellowship
We’re looking for short documentaries and fictional narratives that tell the stories that are relevant to your world. We’re talking anything from genocide in Darfur to bullying in schools – whatever issue you think people need to hear about shown in a fresh, engaging fashion.
Entertainment is key.
What are we not looking for? Heavy-handed, polemic “issue” films that sacrifice artistry in the name of message.
So pitch us films that tell us about something important. Because change is within reach.
The contest is open to students on a accredited undergraduate program in the New York City area who are either currently enrolled or who have graduated in the past calendar year (no earlier than May 2006). Submit an application by July 15, 2007 and your idea may be one step closer to becoming realized.
We’ll be selecting four fellows – two documentary and two narrative filmmakers– who will each receive $5000 towards their films. Additionally, Cinereach will provide whatever support we can throughout the production process, including, of course, getting your film shown
SIGN THE PETITION
http://www.petitiononline.com/lopez/petition.html
FRWD: "Let us not go quietly into the dark night"
Sabes Que ... What we did was important to people ... Real People !!!
Believe that Shit ...!!!!
GL
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ABC TV NETWORK HAS FAILED LATINOS
Al Carlos Hernandez
www.LatinoLA.com
In an attempt to save money and improve ratings, ABC has cancelled the George Lopez show, its new line of replacement programs includes a show about the Geico Cavemen, which clearly marginalizes, mocks, insults and degrades the Gay movement.
This just in for ABC News, there was no such thing as cavemen, and Chicanos are real.
