Every Day is Magic: Ada Limón

In her 2015 collection, Bright Dead Things, a National Book Award finalist for poetry, Ada Limón writes of moving to Kentucky: “Confession: I did not want to live here.” It’s perhaps not a surprising sentiment coming from a coastally oriented person who was raised in Northern California, attended college in Seattle, and then spent over a decade in New York City.

 

But Limón and her husband, Lucas, have been in Lexington for seven years now and the effects of settling into this place are noticeable in her new book, The Carrying (Milkweed, Aug.). It’s a phenomenally lively and attentive collection replete with the trappings of living a little closer to nature. While Bright Dead Things is marked by a preponderance of light, such as images of fireflies and neon signs, The Carrying features numerous appearances by various trees, birds, and beetles. Limón also demonstrates a greater willingness to be explicit in naming colors, particularly green. “It’s crazy green, the whole book,” she says. “Lexington is the greenest place I’ve ever lived.” Similarly, where in Bright Dead Things, Limón tells a lot of stories and anecdotes, in The Carrying she is very present in her thoughts and experiences.

As it turns out, these shifts in focus have another, altogether unexpected source. While putting Bright Dead Things together, Limón was diagnosed with chronic vestibular neuronitis, which can cause bouts of vertigo. “If I’m really having vertigo, it’s pretty intense and I really have to focus,”
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Law

Mexico got rid of daylight saving time. Should the U.S. end it, too?

“Most Americans on Sunday will “spring forward,” the annual ritual of advancing our clocks by an hour in a bid to capture more sunlight — while dealing with the inevitable grogginess and health risks that result.

But most Mexicans won’t adjust their clocks this spring after their country ended daylight saving time and stopped springing forward last year, a policy that local experts and officials say has led to better sleep and other benefits…”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/03/08/daylight-saving-time-debate-mexico-end/

Mexican cartel violence likely to increase in 2024, experts say

“…Global Guardian recently published its 2024 Global Risk Assessment. It lists Mexico as a high-risk country on par with Haiti, Venezuela and Ecuador, where criminal gangs went on a rampage last month, taking over a television station at gunpoint and capturing and executing police officers and soldiers.

“There’s a lot of cartel violence, especially in border states,” Ballard said. “The violence is rampant. We are seeing clashes frequently. On social media, we’re seeing footage of clashes between CJNG (the Jalisco cartel) and the different factions within Sinaloa [….] I know some parts of the country have been hit worse by the cartel violence. Zacatecas and Colima have extremely high murder rates. In Guanajuato, security forces are being targeted at an almost unprecedented rate.”…”

https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/immigration/border-coverage/mexican-cartel-violence-likely-to-increase-in-2024-experts-say/

[Event] Mexico Summit on Anti-Corruption & Compliance Program

‘ACI’s Mexico Summit on Anti-Corruption & Compliance Programs returns on March 13-14, 2024 in Mexico City!

Given the uncertainty with the looming Presidential election, as well as increased U.S. enforcement focus on Mexico and the region, this conference is the best opportunity for industry in Mexico to network and gain the latest best compliance practices…”

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/event-mexico-summit-on-anti-corruption-5765129/

Former San Clemente Columnist Remembered for Political Activism, Valuing Connections

“On Saturday, Jan. 6, family and friends gathered in Downey to celebrate the life of Herman Sillas Jr., a man of many talents who impacted numerous fields, particularly Mexican American activism, during his professional career.

Among his accomplishments, Sillas authored a long-running column in the San Clemente Sun Post News, titled View from the Pier, and a book called View from the Pier: Stories from San Clemente, in addition to many poems. He later wrote View from the Pier for the SC Times…”

https://www.sanclementetimes.com/former-san-clemente-columnist-remembered-for-political-activism-valuing-connections/

 

World US, Mexico agree to strengthen efforts to curb record migration

“…Following a visit to Mexico by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the countries said they would seek to strengthen a sponsorship initiative for Venezuelan, Cuban, Nicaraguan and Haitian migrants and look to tackle the root causes of migration…”

https://www.reuters.com/world/us-mexico-keep-border-crossings-open-lopez-obrador-says-2023-12-28/

US-Mexico wall is making rare species more vulnerable to climate change and drought, experts warn

“…A metal fence rises nine metres at the southern edge of the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, a 47,000-hectare home for threatened and endangered plants and animals in Arizona.

The barrier marks the end of the US, but not the end of the habitat for dozens of species, including American antelope, mule deer, lynx, mountain lions and jaguars…”

https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/12/15/us-mexico-wall-is-making-rare-species-more-vulnerable-to-climate-change-and-drought-expert

Mexican law enforcement visits Montgomery to learn about US judicial system

“MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – A group of law enforcement experts from Mexico were in Montgomery Thursday to learn more about how the United States judicial system works.

Nearly 40 prosecutors, forensic analysts and investigators got to watch court proceedings and ask questions.

This program was through the bipartisan Attorney General Alliance partnership…”

https://www.wsfa.com/2023/12/08/mexican-law-enforcement-visits-montgomery-learn-about-us-judicial-system/

Critics say Texas immigration bill will lead to racial profiling

“Texas Republicans have upped the ante in their effort to control the southern border, sending Gov. Greg Abbott a bill that gives local police authority over immigration enforcement.

Why it matters: Critics of the legislation say it is unconstitutional and will lead to racial profiling.

  • Legal experts argue it violates long-standing Supreme Court precedent and goes far beyond Arizona’s divisive Senate Bill 1070, partially struck down by the high court.

Driving the news: Abbott made the issue a priority, calling lawmakers back for a fourth special session to send a bill to his desk…”

https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/texas-immigration-bill-sb-1070-mexico-border

Mexico: The Medical Profession Defends Conscientious Objection

“…Rosario Laris, general director of the Safe Sex platform and holder of a doctorate in bioethics, explained during the press conference what conscientious objection is in the context of the medical profession. She explained that “conscientious objection arises from the knowledge that the health professional has acquired through his academic preparation and that he continues to acquire with the sum of his daily experience, which allows him to consider whether a treatment is appropriate or not for his patient.” “In other words, this ‘conscience’ pushes him to seek the good of the patient at all times,” she emphasized…”

https://fsspx.news/en/news-events/news/mexico-medical-profession-defends-conscientious-objection-87027

Undocu Open House highlights support systems for students without legal status

“…“For a lot of undocumented students, the biggest concern in terms of pursuing higher education has to do with financial aid and funding,” Moreno said. “Even though we have the California DREAM Act and AB 540 legislation, there are still a lot of students who are left out.”

According to the California Student Aid Commission, the California DREAM Act allows eligible students, including students without legal status, to pay in-state tuition at any public college in California and receive certain types of financial aid. Under California law Assembly Bill 540, eligible nonresident students who meet certain criteria can be exempt from paying nonresident supplemental tuition, according to the UC admissions website…”

https://dailybruin.com/2023/11/07/undocu-open-house-highlights-support-systems-for-students-without-legal-status

San Antonio event discusses the barriers preventing Latinos from buying homes

“SAN ANTONIO — City of San Antonio leaders are working with federal partners to address housing barriers, particularly as it pertains to the Latino community.

According to research by the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, only half of Hispanic households are homeowners in the U.S. On Thursday, Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) hosted the housing forum to discuss the factors why…”

https://www.kens5.com/article/news/community/latino-housing-obstacles-san-antonio-texas/273-ca99e69f-f468-445f-81ab-059bf8d62d83

Jessica Gonzalez Discusses Recent Hispanic Representation in Mainstream Media and Its Impact on Culture

“Holland & Knight’s Diversity Council and Hispanic Affinity Group are proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and pay tribute to the generations of Hispanics who have enriched America’s history and continue to play a role in its future success. Since last year, we have taken time to speak to some of our Hispanic attorneys, who have shared their stories with us. We now present the 2023 video series showcasing some of these conversations. We hope that the stories conveyed in these videos inspire those struggling with recognizing their roots and shine light on the contributions that Hispanics have provided to the United States…”

https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/media-entities/2023/10/jessica-gonzalez-discusses-recent-hispanic

Eddie Jauregui Shares How His Hispanic Heritage Has Been A Strength in His Legal Career

“…In this video, Hispanic National Bar Association member Eddie Jauregui, a partner in our Los Angeles office, shares how drawing from his Mexican heritage has been a strength in his legal career. He also discusses the importance of never losing sight of your Hispanic culture…”

https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/media-entities/2023/09/eddie-jauregui-shares-how-his-hispanic-heritage

OPINION Mexico outpaces U.S. in women’s rights September 15, 2023 at 12:00 a.m.

“The Mexican Supreme Court of Justice decision decriminalizing abortion last week is a landmark ruling in a country that has historically outlawed the procedure with harsh penalties for the women who sought it and the healthcare professionals who provided it.

The ruling, which governs federal law in a nation of states, makes abortion legal in federal health institutions and requires the public health service to offer it. The decision does not automatically make abortion legal in all of Mexico (the way that the Roe vs. Wade decision had made abortion legal in all of the United States). But it could speed up a movement by Mexican states to legalize the procedure. Currently, 12 out of 32 states have decriminalized abortion…”

https://www.eldoradonews.com/news/2023/sep/15/mexico-outpaces-us-in-womens-rights/

Editorial: Mexico decriminalizes abortion while U.S. states want to criminalize it

“The Mexican Supreme Court of Justice decision decriminalizing abortion last week is a landmark ruling in a country that has historically outlawed the procedure with harsh penalties for the women who sought it and the healthcare professionals who provided it.

The ruling, which governs federal law in a nation of states, makes abortion legal in federal health institutions and requires the public health service to offer it. The decision does not automatically make abortion legal in all of Mexico (the way that the Roe vs. Wade decision had made abortion legal in all of the United States). But it could speed up a movement by Mexican states to legalize the procedure. Currently, 12 out of 32 states have decriminalized abortion…”

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2023-09-10/editorial-mexico-decriminalizes-abortion-while-u-s-states-want-to-criminalize-it

Criminal Violence in Mexico

“…AMLO’s tactics have largely failed to curb violence. Though homicide rates have dropped marginally, the country still reports over thirty thousand crime-related deaths per year. Mexico’s 2021 midterm elections were its most violent in decades, attacks on journalists rose to record highs, and anti-corruption reforms have floundered…”

https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/criminal-violence-mexico

Stanford Law Dean Inspires Students Interested in Studying Law October 6, 2020 By Stephanie Ashe

“…The award was presented to Martinez during the HNBF’s virtual Future Latino Leaders Summer Law Institute that took place July 14-16, 2020. The program was designed to inspire students to pursue careers in law and provided an opportunity for the sixty high school attendees from across the country to engage with Latinx leaders in academic, corporate and judicial roles. During her acceptance of the award and a Q&A with students, Martinez talked about her experiences in law school and practicing law and the importance of the rule of law in civil society…”

https://law.stanford.edu/press/stanford-law-dean-inspires-students-interested-in-studying-law/

How Latino health care may suffer after Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling

“…They found a concerning lack of diversity in the country’s health workforce. While Mexican Americans make up the largest Latino subpopulation and nearly 11% of the country’s workforce, they make up less than 2% of physicians…”

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2023/07/07/supreme-court-ruling-detrimental-to-latinos-health/70326568007/

Mexican president taps UN veteran Barcena to be foreign minister

“MEXICO CITY, June 13 (Reuters) – Mexico’s president on Tuesday picked veteran U.N. diplomat Alicia Barcena to be the country’s new foreign minister after the incumbent resigned to campaign for the leftist ruling party’s candidacy in next year’s presidential election.

A trained biologist, Barcena served for nearly 14 years as executive secretary of the United Nations’ Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), and has been Mexico’s ambassador to Chile since last September…”

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexican-president-nominates-alicia-barcena-next-foreign-minister-2023-06-13/

Buttigieg to meet Mexico’s president, aviation rating in the air

“MEXICO CITY/WASHINGTON, June 7 (Reuters) – U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg traveled to Mexico on Wednesday to meet with the country’s president and cabinet members to discuss transportation, as Mexico awaits U.S. approval to regain a coveted air safety rating.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said talks would center on his country’s efforts to recover the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Category 1 rating, which would allow Mexican airlines to open new U.S. routes..”

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexico-president-meet-with-us-transport-chief-discuss-air-safety-rating-2023-06-07/

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Poem
“…And would it have been worth it, after all,
Would it have been worth while,
After the sunsets and the dooryards and the sprinkled streets,
After the novels, after the teacups, after the skirts that trail along the floor—
And this, and so much more?—
It is impossible to say just what I mean!
But as if a magic lantern threw the nerves in patterns on a screen:
Would it have been worth while…”

T.S. Eliot
The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Mexican American Proarchive Annual Report for 2022

The American Community Survey is an annual survey administered by the federal government to help local officials and community leaders and businesses understand the changes that take place in their communities. It includes percentages of our population’s graduate school attainment and the employment of Mexican Americans in various occupations.  These important factors influence the allocation of federal resources. Mexican American Proarchives uses the data provided by the American Community Survey to better understand how Mexican Americans compare to the general population.

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