This was a speech I wrote in my freshman year of college, I figured I would share it with everyone on this wise woman's birthday.Maria Del Refugio Vazquez a woman of many words and life long lessons. My grandmother who I called Tati, was an altruistic and sage woman. She not only had a backbone for herself but for every member of the family. What she said went. If she said don’t, you didn’t. If you disobeyed, there would be ramification. My Tati was the wise woman and we went to her for guidance, help, words of wisdom and food. My grandmother taught me many things, but one lesson that she taught me and also reminded me everyday, never let anyone get me down, stand up for myself no matter what and to have strength. Never let anyone tell you that you cant, never let peoples negative opinion get you down, no matter what you fight what you believe in and to never feel ambivalent towards my dreams. Her lesson that she told me everyday never give up on yourself. Since I could remember my grandmother always said “no te dejes” don’t let yourself. Don’t look for a fight but if it finds you don’t ever let someone get the best of you. No te dejes, my grandmother did not teach me to be hard headed or closed minded, she taught me to be strong because life wouldn’t slow down, you just had to keep up. And no matter what she would always be proud of me if I was proud of myself but then, she would say even if you weren’t proud of yourself, I would still be proud. My Tati believed and taught me that, being strong is a way of life. These lessons from my grandmother have helped me in everyday situations. Believing in myself is the greatest lesson my grandmother taught me. Being strong is now a way of life and no matter the situation I try my best and never give up on myself. Find strength in yourself so you can give your all to the best of your ability. My grandmother has taught me lessons that I will always keep close and dear to my heart. My grandmother has made the most influence in my life in the best possible way. She has taught me strength, never to give up on myself, and her love will forever be eternal. The wise woman always knew what to say in difficult situations. My grandmother knew how to keep the family together with the magic of food. She was the rock in the center and everyday she taught us how to be our own rock. In the summer of 2010 my grandmother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. After a year of chemo she beat cancer, almost a year after the cancer came back. She fought again, harder than before and even with cancer, she cooked and cleaned for her family everyday. Throughout this extremely hard time her lessons of strength were always in my head. On November 25, 2012 my grandmother lost her battle with cancer. Her lessons are what keep me going, my motivation to do better and to be better because even til the very end my grandmother never stopped fighting.
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A tomato and mayo sandwich, forget the bologna, my Ma always told me about how my Abuela would make these sandwiches for her when she was younger (her and her 4 sisters and 6 brothers). She always told me that growing up she never even thought that she was "poor," there was always food on the table, a roof over their head and clothes on their backs. So they didn't have any bologna, a tomato and mayo sandwich did the job. Listening to her stories about growing up and how she would go with my grandmother to clean houses when she was little, makes me admire her even more. She tells these stories with such detail and enthusiasm, I think she gets these story telling skills from my Abuelo. How fortunate I am to sit in my kitchen, while sipping on some Peat's coffee and hear these stories of hard work, respect and tomato sandwiches. There is never a sign of regret or complaints, just of appreciation of her hardworking parents. When I was little, I remember a time where we had ran out of ham and my Ma improvised with tomato, this was the first time I heard the story of the hearty sandwich. Let me just say the sandwich was amazing. Hard working immigrants from Mexico, worked even harder when they arrived to the United States. Diligent workers now U.S. citizens motivate me and inspire me to be committed to my work. I know no matter how hard I try it won't equal what they have accomplished. My grandparents, 11 kids, 30 grandchildren and four great grandkids later, have paved the way so that when my mother tells these stories of tomato sandwiches, it reminds me how far they've come. My Abuelo will be 79 next Friday, and now it's our turn to spoil him. Thanks, Abuela y Abuelo, for all the hearty meals you provided my mother, she did right by both of you. I take a lot from my family, my parents lessons, their stories and I try my best to carry them with me whenever I make my decisions. As a writer you have an inspiration, you have something that drives you, and I can happily say that it is my family. The diversity of ideas and faces that my family, inspires me to write with an open mind. The hard working hands of my family, remind me to always go by truth and help those less fortunate than myself. For all the hearty meals to come served with a side of a great story, Im ready and blessed. I never gave much thought to my prince charming growing up, I just always imagined he would be Mexican. Truthfully the only reason why I just assumed he would be Mexican because I didn't think I was "allowed" to date anyone else. Fast forward through my years, prince charming faded away and was not on my priorities list anymore. At the start of college, Cal State Northridge (go matadors) I was so fascinated and in love with the new freedom I had (Spent most of it in class and then on the bus). I had new friends and old friends I could be with in between classes, we would share our experiences of the day over a Freudian Sip coffee and bagel. Sophomore year, Fall Semester, I decided to attend a college event with some friends. When I arrived with my friend we immediately started thinking of things we would rather be doing than going to this event (Denny's). As my friend (Doug) and I start to roam around, I get hit in the face, figuratively, with the imagine of prince charming. There's a part in a novela where her true love storms into La Casa de la Senora, double doors open wide and he is there proclaiming his love to Sonia, I had that moment. My moment was very different since my brain was computing this imagine of FERNANDO storming into save me, I looked back to real life and it wasn't FERNANDO, it was Rafael. (WHICH BY THE WAY HE IS 10x better). I then go on to think why I was complaining this whole time, and got distracted by a very deep conversation with Rafael, it was about popcorn. The day Rafael asks me on a date, instead of being excited, my heart sinks to my stomach. I come from a very traditional Mexican household, and until that moment didnt realize what that meant. I would have to ask mis padres, for permission to go out on a date, but the thing I was most scared to tell them was, HE WASNT FERNANDO, he wasn't Mexican. Now this is just me jumping to conclusions but it was really what I was most scared about. I came to figure out Rafael had a lot more freedom than I did, and he figured out even quicker that I had let's just say less (a lot less) freedom. Since day 1, Rafael has understood my culture and my parent's wishes. He has got used to the check ins, the reasonable hours to get home, and my bursts of hot head angry Latina moments. An Interracial relationship was new for both my parents and I. I don't think they imagined me coming home with a Filipino or anyone actually, but I embraced it with an open heart and my parents with an open mind. After 3 years together, I have come to understand the similarities, and difference our cultures have. We are both very proud of where we come from and that never has to change. For a while I thought I had to date someone like me because that is what my family wanted but I was wrong. Interracial relationships are extremely beautiful, it allows others to get a better understanding of another culture and for me, it gave me a different perspective of how I see the world. Nothing is just black and white anymore, and I have come to appreciate the multitude of colors. 51 years ago, in the state of Virginia two people, Mildred and Richard Loving, took a stand to the injustices and protested Virginia law that prohibited interracial marriages. They were wed in Washington D.C. and after returning to Virginia they were arrested for violating the Racial Integrity Act in Virginia, and were charged with unlawful cohabitation. The Lovings fought for something that they knew was rightfully their's, love for one another no matter the color of their skin. Thank you for loving. This wasn't just a story about how a Filipino remixed my novela but a point to say love is love and its okay. Now, I can no longer say anything negative to Rafael in Spanish, since he understands most of the "angry words," and I have come to the conclusion that pancit, lumpia and turon are probably my favorite Filipino dishes. The best part is I can tell him "I love you" in three different languages: Te amo, kaluguran daka, i love you. Yesterday, Catt Sadler, a host for E! News and the Daily Pop announced she would be leaving the show. It came as a shock, viewers like myself had no idea she would be leaving the show, unlike other hosts who had announced their departure. She later released a note on her blog about the truth of why she left E!. I was amazed to find out it had to do with money.
Amazed because it is 2017 and women still have to deal with ridiculous and outrageous situations. In her note about the truth of why she left, it explained how it had came to her attention that her male cost host was making double what she was earning. Sadler is the main host for Daily Pop and a Co-Host on E! news, which would lead someone to believe her pay would be the same or more. Her letter was difficult to read only because it frightens me, as a journalist and as a woman that we have to deal with these kind of situations. The focus should be on our careers, our work and providing our audience with content and information they want and need to see, hear, read, etc. The focus or worry should not be if whether our male coworkers are making more money than we are, given if we have the same seniority. I put my faith in change, and hope it will see the light of day before any other young journalist has to deal with this misfortune. I applaud women, like Sadler, who took a risk and quitting their jobs so that they might be part of that change. Please take the time to read her note. The excitement and anticipation of graduation has worn off, now there is only anxiousness. In the field of journalism, experience and networking is key. I worked 2 1/2 years for my college paper and gained a lot of knowledge about the field but more importantly about myself. During my second year at the paper, I was the Editor-in-Chief and it was also election season. Trying times as an editor and as a citizen of the United States. The experience allowed me to understand my community a little better and how important honest journalism was (I knew before but the idea was rekindled). I saw my newsroom get a boost of journalism mojo and dedicate their stipend jobs to reporting for their community to the best of their ability. I talk about this experience because it was in this moment that reassured me I wanted to work with people who went above and beyond for reporting the truth because they knew it was right and they knew it was their responsibility to do so. December 12, 2017 came and went, now I am a college graduate. I look to that moment, one year ago during elections, and remember the honesty and dedication of my colleagues. Applying to jobs is not easy (ask any college graduate) and it doesn't help that when we send out our resumes and cover letters, we trust that pieces of paper can help define us. Best of luck to me and any young journalist out there, hopefully an employer sees this blog. P.S. To readers that I do seem to wrangle in, you will be seeing more of me :)! Jasmin Mara Lopez, journalist and producer, walked through the desert in search of man's body after his wife called border patrol and reported him missing. This is only some of the work Lopez has to endure in order to report on migrant deaths after it has become more difficult for immigrants to cross the border.
Lopez, who grew up in Artesia, Calif.,comes from an immigrant family and said she was impacted by issues on both sides of the border. “This instilled in me a strong passion for immigrant rights, youth empowerment and social change,” she said. A lot of Lopez’s work has been highlighting social issues in the Latinx community as well as in Mexico. More recently, she has covered immigration issues like the criminalization of undocumented immigrants. Lopez has worked with several media outlets such as KCRW, KPFA/Cronicas de la Raza, The California Report to North Carolina Public Radio, NPR, and NPR’s Latino USA. She has done work on both sides of the border and founded a volunteer-run project, Project Luz, that teaches kids photojournalism and audio techniques. After working on this program Lopez was inspired to pursue Journalism. Lopez did an audio documentary in 2015 called "Deadly Divide: Migrant death on the border" on the podcast "Making Contact." She traveled to Mexico’s border by the town of Brooks County, Texas and visited the town of Reynosa, Tamaulipas. She met with a rancher who set out water for people who crossed through the desert,an immigrant who was planning on making the treacherous trek through the Rio Grande and into the United States, and a Sheriff’s deputy who gets called out for bodies of unknown people found throughout the desert close to the border. “Over 6,000 migrant deaths were recorded on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico between 1998 and 2013,” Lopez said in the documentary. “The true number of deaths is probably much higher, many people who try to make the crossing go missing and are never heard from again.” This documentary is a piece of the work Lopez has done in her years as a journalist and producer. “I have covered immigration and have reported from the southwest and south U.S., as well as Mexico,” Lopez said. Lopez traveled to Yucatan for one of her assignments, reporting on the violation of indigenous women's rights and medical negligence of pregnant indigenous women. In a separate segment, "Maternal Matters; Indigenous Women in the Yucatan Challenge Violence and Indifference," she spoke to local women about their experiences with giving birth in Yucatan with a midwife compared to giving birth in the hospital and one of the locals started a project for safe maternity for the women in East Yucatan. “I have encountered many issues, danger, problems as a journalist that reports on social issues,” Lopez said. “I have reported in Reynosa, Tamaulipas on days where the cartels were setting off grenades in the center of town. I’ve also reported in rural Louisiana where my presence was very obvious so it was necessary to take precautions as a lone reporter.” Lopez spoke of the dangers that come with reporting stories that, at times, people don’t want getting out. This is where the job can get dangerous and problematic. Much of Lopez’s work has been utilizing radio and podcast story telling mediums. “Most of my work is audio/radio-focused but I’m now delving into film to bring issues to wider audiences,” she said. Recently she has taken on a new project documenting her family’s story with child sexual abuse. “My advice to aspiring reporters is to know where you are going or reporting. Do the research and understand the culture so that you have that sensibility,” Lopez said. “Understand that you’re most likely an outsider, and that these aren’t just stories to tell/take, but people’s lives. Appreciate them.” On March 29 the Supreme court of Venezuela, in accordance with President Nicolas Maduro, announced it would be taking the powers of the opposition-controlled National Assembly.
The actions taken by President Maduro have the people of Venezuela claiming dictatorship. Three days after the decision was made it was overturned but the people of Venezuela demanded re election and the removal of Maduro. Since the announcement there has been dozens of anti-government protests in the streets of Venezuela, some of which have turned violent. “The majority of the youths that have died or better said that have been murdered are approximately 25 years of age,” said Claudia Macero in Spanish, a reporter for Vente Venezuela a liberal political organization. “Venezuela over here is one of the most dangerous in the world.” There has been an estimated 39 deaths since the protests have started and there are new reports everyday. “The situation in Venezuela is a great break and social rebellion before a corrupt and oppressive regime that has been ruling for 18 years in the country,” photographer Mace Pena said in Spanish. “The main objective is for Maduro to step down from power, to restore government powers to call for general elections.” Along with turmoil with their government, Venezuela is also dealing with economic problems. According to the International Monetary Fund, it has predicted that inflation would close at 1,600 percent at the end of this year. President Maduro has raised the minimum wage three times just in this year. In April, Maduro announced that Venezuela would be pulling out from the Organization of American States after accusing them of interfering with their internal affairs. Recently, President Maduro has announced the possibility of a new assembly where he would rewrite the constitution of Venezuela. Henrique Capriles, the opposition leader who also ran against Maduro in the presidential election, has since been banned from any political work for 15 years. Demonstrators continue to march for general election and the release of arrested protesters. President Maduro has ordered that all demonstrators be sent to a military base to face military court. “Citizens protest peacefully through the streets of many cities and towns but are always repressed by the National Guard, National Police and Paramilitary Regime groups,” Pena said. Maduro is calling the protest acts of terrorism and the reason behind the increase in military presents. With tight security, Venezuela has also seen restrictions on media which has resulted in many Venezuelans documenting and sharing their own news. Venezuela’s government has accused foreign media of amplifying their problems. “Of course, this has also caused a great deal of humiliation and aggressiveness towards the journalist of course, the issue with the starvation crisis has not been resolved [as well],” Macero said. Venezuelans are still struggling with food shortage and medicine supplies. Since 2014, Venezuela has seen an increase in police officers around bakeries and stores because of the shortage. Food prices have become too expensive for the common household to afford in Venezuela. Turmoil, corruption, and food shortage has Venezuela reaching a breaking point in their countries history. “I believe that today what the Venezuelans might want to ask, to demand the people who are outside of the country, is to keep their eyes on Venezuela and keep the pressure on what happens here because you are our voice, our eyes and that could guarantee in great measure that this advances,” Macero said. President Trump’s executive order created an uproar of questions and concerns from the immigration community, regarding rights, deportation and their children.There are 20 million immigrant women who migrate from every part of the world and 11.1 million immigrants are undocumented, which is why President Trump’s executive order has caused fear within the immigrant community.
Trump signed the order in January, which has increased border security and immigration enforcement that caused an influx of news about United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids (ICE). The order also raises the question, “What happens to the children if their mother is deported?” According to The Independent, children could be separated from their mothers when crossing the border illegally. The children would be put under protective custody until a U.S. relative could take them. "Our community education and organizing departments are providing guardianship paperwork to folks and Know Your Rights cards," said Perla Esquivel, a staff attorney for The Coalition of Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA). CHIRLA is an organization that helps immigrants and their families. They recently released a film called “Know your rights,” which depicts stories of actual undocumented immigrants and what they need to do in case they are arrested or detained by ICE. On Feb. 10, Guadalupe Garcia, an Arizona mother of two, was deported to Mexico after her immigration check-in. She was deported within 24 hours because of Trump’s immigration orders. Many families are dealing with difficult situations where they need to think ahead about finding legal help, financial help, and their immigration status. An organizer for CHILA, Maru Galvan, explains how the organization provided attorneys' phone numbers throughout the valley. “We are having reunions to inform families on their rights,” Galvan said in Spanish. ”We are telling them to be prepared with all of their documentation just in case their children have to stay with someone.” Organizations like CHIRLA are helping immigrant families understand their rights and obtain legal assistance. “If the parents are detained and the children have to stay, it’ll be someone they trust,” Galvan said. “We also tell them to have a plan and to save money.” According to the Migration Policy institute, 17.5 million children 18 and younger in the U.S. have at least one immigrant parent. “We are leaving the phone numbers of lawyers around the valley so that they can contact them and leave with them a G28 form so that they can be represented if they are detained,” Galvan said. A G28 form indicates that an immigrant is being represented by an attorney. Some organizations that aim to help immigrants are groups like Immigrant defense project, Immigrant Legal Resource Center and National immigration Center. What does it really mean to have a perfect body? By definition body image is the subjective picture or mental image of one’s own body. The acceptance of your own body image has become a revolution in which organizations, celebrities and different programs have created an outreach in promoting self-worth. Dove has created several commercials promoting self worth, self-acceptance and feeling more comfortable in your own skin.
Body image has always been a touchy subject but has become a more outspoken topic and organizations have been more proactive providing positive self worth and confidence. California State University Northridge has joined this movement promoting self-empowerment and feeling good about your body. One example would be the Get Real! project, which was started by one of the professors on campus, Bobbi Eisenstock PhD. The project focuses on, “ educate, engage and empower students to counteract media’s potential influence on body image, self-esteem and subsequent unhealthy eating and exercise behaviors.” Students in the Get Real! Project have worked along side with the NEDA’s national outreach, Proud2Bme. This outreach program is to bring awareness on eating disorders on campus. The outreach on the CSUN campus has taken a more digital step in promoting self-worth and educating students on media literacy to comprehend body image messages. Promoting positive body image has become openly talked about and the negative messages that are wide spread in the media has become a more advocated issue. CSUN is one of two campuses that are partnered with NEDA in the Proud2Bme outreach. Accused of murder in the first degree, Ka Pasasouk is facing death on the felony charges of murdering four people in Northridge on December 2, 2012.
Attorney James A. Goldstein, who is council for the defendant, stood in court at the Criminal Courts Building, Downtown (CCB) as the members of the court prepare for pre trial. On December 2, 2012, officers responded to shots fired in the Devonshire area of Northridge. Upon arrival Officers J. Gonzalez and J. Guzman found four unidentified victims shot on the ground of the residence. Pasasouk is being held without bail or any possibility of parole. Pasasouk had previously violated his parole for drug position two months before the crime that occurred on December 2. He did not receive any jail time but was ordered to get drug treatment. Under proposition 36, Pasasouk avoided prison time because he was a nonviolent offender. Proposition 36 states, “Eligible individuals have the right to refuse treatment, and courts may deny treatment in cases involving a history of violence or concurrent crimes other than drug possession.” On March 27, 2015, Pasasouk’s case will be going to pre trial and he is still being held without bail. |
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January 2018
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