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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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
Yahritza y Su Esencia: Mexican American Identity Is Complex
“By now, many have already heard hot take after hot take about the controversy surrounding Yahritza y Su Esencia, the Mexican American musical trio that specializes in the urban sierreño subgenre. Since the start of the controversy, Latinos, especially Mexicans, have endlessly scrutinized and reexamined how the sibling trio’s comments about Mexico reflect the often contentious topic of Mexican American identity. Many Mexicans have argued that Mexican Americans forget the “Mexican” part of their identity and instead choose to fully lean into — and sometimes weaponize — the “American” part. As a first-generation Mexican American, a part of me can’t help but agree…”
https://studybreaks.com/thoughts/yahritza-y-su-esencia-mexican-american-identity-is-complex/
Hispanic Americans in Military Medicine
“…Maria G. Roach served as a flight nurse during WWII with the Army Nurse Corps and received an Air Medal and two Bronze Stars for her actions. Born in Mexico to American parents, Roach grew up in Austin, Texas, where she attended the University of Texas at Austin prior to training as a nurse anesthetist at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. With the onset of WWII, Roach joined the 24th General Hospital at Tulane University and later trained at the School of Air Evacuation at Bowman Field, Kentucky. Once graduated, Roach served as both a pilot and nurse in Africa, India, Italy, and Brazil, completing medical air evacuations. Roach was discharged in 1945 and became a foreign service staff officer in the U.S. foreign service in 1946.,,”
https://www.health.mil/About-MHS/Military-Medical-History/Historical-Timelines/Hispanic
Veteran Mexican-American restaurateurs open new restaurant
“The family that has owned Taqueria El Paisano on the Southside for about 20 years has a new restaurant on the other side of town.
Luna Playa Taqueria & Bar opened Aug. 4 at 2021 Griffith Road just off Hanes Mall Boulevard and next to Lucha Libre Ice Cream & Churros…”
Everything You Need to Know About the TN Visa Application Process
“Are you considering the VisaTN (Trade NAFTA) Visa as an option for you or a family member? An essential and complex part of making this decision is navigating immigration law. It can be daunting, mainly because each type of visa carries its mechanics and regulations that must be met.
Careful analysis of these laws is essential to determine if any relevant steps are needed for a successful TN Visa application. Having some direction to guide this process could help you wade through all the red tape and get your visa approved with incredible speed and assurance.
This article will guide you through the TN Visa Application process and explain how an immigration lawyer can help simplify this task…”
https://www.aboutinsider.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-tn-visa-application-process/
Blue Beetle Review: The Greatest Mexican-American Hero
“Look at what’s happened to Jaime…he can’t believe it himself! Suddenly he’s on top of the world; should have been somebody else…
Those with long enough memories will recall The Greatest American Hero, that early ’80s TV series about an alien super-suit bestowed upon a meek, hippie-ish schoolteacher named Ralph who promptly loses the instructions. At the time, the silliness of the spandex suit was an extra layer of discomfort for Ralph alongside powers he couldn’t properly control, even with the assistance of a trigger-happy CIA agent who had hoped the suit would be for him instead…”
https://www.superherohype.com/movies/544384-blue-beetle-review-the-greatest-mexican-american-hero
Facts on Latinos in the U.S.
“There were 62.5 million Latinos in the United States in 2021, accounting for approximately 19% of the total U.S. population. In 1980, with a population of 14.8 million, Hispanics made up just 7% of the total U.S. population…”
https://www.pewresearch.org/hispanic/fact-sheet/latinos-in-the-us-fact-sheet/
Latin America Roundup: COFEPRIS seeks to boost production of biologics in Mexico
“Officials with Mexico’s Federal Commission for the Protection against Health Risks (COFEPRIS) have met with local biopharmaceutical manufacturers and academics, seeking to increase national production of biological and biosimilar therapies, the vast majority of which are currently imported. The project “promises not only to transform the medical landscape, but also to strengthen the national economy,” and promote both local and regional health self-sufficiency, the agency said. COFEPRIS did not detail which entities had taken part in the meetings, or a timeframe for the project…”
First Mexican Army NCO graduates U.S. Sergeants Major Academy
“First Sgt. Gerardo Alvarado Flores became the first Mexican Soldier to graduate from the U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Center of Excellence Sergeants Major Academy, June 16, 2023, at Fort Bliss, Texas.
“I’m so glad to see all the international graduates because we never fight alone,” said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston during the ceremony recognizing the Class’s 73 graduates.
Grinston’s statement provided relevance as Alvarado became the first Mexican military graduate of the U.S. Army’s premier NCO professional development school. His graduation highlights the ongoing partnership and training with Mexico…”
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/451428/first-mexican-army-nco-graduates-us-sergeants-major-academy
Meet Joe Molina
“For Joe Molina, role models matter. The second-year MBA student was raised early on by a single mom on the outskirts of San Diego, sandwiched between the beach and the desert. When he was 7, his mom married his stepdad, a Navy SEAL. The family rode dune buggies and camped together in the desert. “My stepdad kind of saved the family,” he says. “He took in two kids and really taught me what kind of father I should be.” Molina joined the military right out of high school, became a decorated Navy SEAL like his stepfather, got married, and had a daughter. At 32 and 27, respectively, he and his wife, Stephanie, enrolled at the University of San Diego, becoming first-generation college graduates…”
How the concha became a symbol of Mexican American identity
“Not all pan dulces are created equal. Cuernitos, puerquitos, orejas, they each have their place, sure. But one stands above the rest, at least in terms of icon status: the concha.
Indeed, the fluffy, brioche-like bun topped with colorful, crumbly seashell designs has attracted quite the cult following, inspiring a slew of merch and art. For Chicanos in particular, the sweet treat has become a mascot. Just look at Panaderia Vanessa, a California bakery pumping out delicious Barbie-themed conchas. But what is it about the concha that has elicited such fanfare?…”
https://www.latimes.com/delos/story/2023-07-27/concha-symbol-of-mexican-american-identity
Mexican president urges Mexican-American voters to reject Abbott over border spat
“MEXICO CITY, July 17 (Reuters) – Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Monday urged Mexican-Americans not to vote for Texas Governor Greg Abbott in response to Texas putting a barrier of orange buoys in the Rio Grande to stop migrants crossing into the United States…”
July Recognizes Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
“-Pulic Information Officer for the California Highway Patrol, Tomas Martinez, grew up in a household where mental health struggles were not acknowledged.– Martinez believes that cultural attitudes, such as the belief that men should not express their emotions, contribute to the lack of acknowledgement of mental health issues.– Stacey Kuwahara, the Director for Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, says that mistrust in health professionals can be a barrier for minority communities to seek help for mental health.– Kuwahara emphasizes that there are resources available for mental health support, including text, internet, phone, and video-based services.– Martinez encourages seeking help for mental health and believes it is important for maintaining healthy relationships with oneself and others…”
How Northgate González Market Engages Its Key Mexican American Consumer Base
“…Mexican Americans comprise approximately 70% of the U.S. Hispanic population of more than 60 million; therefore, successful marketing to the Mexican American population in the U.S. is a critical element of a thriving Hispanic marketing practice. Marketing to immigrants and first-generation Mexican Americans is the daily bread and butter for brand marketers at southwestern U.S.-based retailers and supermarkets. 43-year-old Northgate González Market is a prime example of a retail organization that almost exclusively targets Mexican American consumers. Northgate operates 43 stores in Southern California with an annual revenue of approximately US $1.3 billion. (The multicultural grocery market is estimated at US$ 50 billion in annual sales)…”
Gerardo Ortiz’s net worth, salary, property, and earnings
“…Gerardo Ortiz is a renowned Mexican-American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Most of his singles have become popular anthems in the Latino music scene. He is one of the flag-bearers of the fastest-growing alternative corrido movement. Read more…”
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/
Murdered journalists in Mexico: a deadly profession
“The body of Luis Martin Sanchez Iniguez was found wrapped in plastic, hands tied, a message pinned to his chest with a knife. Authorities did not reveal what the messages said, but such notes are frequently left by drug cartels with the bodies of victims. The 59-year-old correspondent for La Jornada was kidnapped in the Mexican state Nayarit last Wednesday, and found dead on Saturday. He is the third correspondent for the daily newspaper to have been murdered in recent times, and the second in 2023.
According to Mexico’s attorney general, Alejandro Gertz Manero, two further media professionals have disappeared in the past few days. While one has since been found alive, the other is still missing without a trace. It is suspected that both were working on a story together…”
https://www.dw.com/en/murdered-journalists-in-mexico-a-deadly-profession/a-66191408
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…”
Assistant Professor of Nursing Elected to National Board of Directors
“…Dominguez De Quezada, a first-generation Mexican-American and a native of the El Paso-Juárez community, has been an assistant professor in the College of Nursing since 2021. She earned a master’s degree in nursing at UTEP as well as a bachelor’s degree in nursing from New Mexico State University and a doctoral degree in nursing from The University of Texas at Tyler. In her research, she has focused on reducing health disparities commonly seen in the Hispanic community by addressing language incongruence between health care providers and patients living along the U.S.–Mexico border…”
Latino workers underrepresented in healthcare: analysis
“…According to the data, in the registered nurse profession, Mexican Americans made up 3.85% of the workforce; Puerto Ricans, 0.99%; Cuban Americans, 0.61%; and other Latinos, 2.08%.
For licensed practical nurses, Mexican Americans made up 7.94% of the workforce; Puerto Ricans, 1.45%; Cuban Americans, 0.51%; and other Latinos, 2.76%…”
