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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Mexico’s Olympic hopefuls forced to raise own funds for Pan American Games
“Olympic hopefuls from Mexico say they’ve been forced to personally raise funds to cover the costs of competing in the Pan American Games, which help determine who competes in Paris next year.
State of play: The Mexican artistic swimming team, the current world champions in the technical competition, has had to depend on strangers to help pay for uniforms, airfare and other needed expenses in their quest to extend their winning streak at the games, which start next month in Chile…”
https://www.axios.com/2023/09/14/olympics-2024-paris-mexico-atheletes-funding
There are too few Latino doctors in the US, study finds
“…Rather than treating the category of Latino as a monolith, researchers also looked at subgroups in the U.S. health workforce. They found that Mexican Americans make up 10.7% of the U.S. workforce but only 1.7% of physicians…”
https://www.witf.org/2023/09/13/there-are-too-few-latino-doctors-in-the-us-study-finds/
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…”
Opinion | Stepping into the world of investigative journalism as a Mexican American reporter came with challenges, but also many rewards
“I was destined to toil in the soil — even if my 10-year-old self would have rejected the idea. As a kid, I was determined to escape after-school and weekend weeding and raking alongside my father, a gardener who landscaped homes in Santa Barbara, California, where I was born and raised.
“Study and go to college,” my no-nonsense mom would say whenever I complained about getting up at dawn on Saturdays to work.
Mom worked as a housekeeper, and my sisters and I were expected to pitch in on both of my parents’ jobs. All I wanted was to bury my head in books. My favorite teacher, years later, recalled how he’d arrive at school in the morning to find my fifth-grade self patiently sitting outside the library waiting to check out another pile of books…”
This Mexican American artist crafts paintings and furniture out of plaster Boh caroline biggs By Caroline Biggs
“Monica Curiel’s work is rooted in self-exploration, and more specifically, her Mexican ancestry. Drawing inspiration from art, music, architecture, design and fashion, the Denver-based artist aims to interpret—and discern—her place in the world at-large. “My work is a celebration of Mexican heritage and every sacrifice made in pursuit of a better life,” she tells Business of Home…”
https://businessofhome.com/articles/monica-curiel-mexican-american-artist-paintings-and-furniture
How To Be A Successful Angel Investor, With David Olivencia
“…David: Yeah, that’s a great question, Jimmy. You know, I started when I got my MBA at Notre Dame, my eyes opened up to this whole startup space, kind of on one side. The other side, I saw all the great things that were happening in Silicon Valley. I think that’s another kind of dimension that kind of started to open up in my eyes about startups and venture. The third is my executive career has always been in the technology industry. I’ve been senior executive in technology at companies like Accenture, Oracle, Verizon, NTT Data, and I’ve always seen, you know, the massive disruption that technology has been causing, and help clients and others leverage that, you know, to win. So all of those coming together, I saw, really, startups are, you know, the place, to be, they’re exciting…”
https://wealthchannel.com/2023/03/david-olivencia-105/
Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson dies at 75
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“…Richardson was born in 1947 in Pasadena, California. He grew up in Mexico City, Mexico, leaving to attend boarding school in Massachusetts in 1960.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and French from Tufts University in 1970 and a master’s degree from Tufts’ Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1971.
He is survived by his wife Barbara, whom he married in 1972…”
https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/02/politics/bill-richardson-former-new-mexico-governor/index.html
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
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)…”
