'I Am Joaquin' by Luis Valdez

I Am Joaquin marked the emergence of film as a distinct cultural and aesthetic practice within the Chicano Movement. In the film, Luis Valdez gives a dramatic interpretation of Rodolfo 'Corky' González's epic poem of the same name.

I Am Joaquin speaks of the struggles that the Chicano people have faced in trying to achieve economic justice and equal rights in the U.S.
Part 1

Part 2


Links:
I Am Joaquin/Yo soy Joaquín by Rodolfo 'Corky' Gonzales - Poem
Luis Valdez @ the Latino Indie Producers

Puerto Rico & Colombia - The World's Happiest Nations?

According to the World Values Survey, Puerto Rico is the world's second happiest nation. Yes! The people of La Isla del Encanto are filled with alegria -- even though their island nation is a 'commonwealth' of the currently unhappy USA. Coming in third on the happy meter is Colombia.
The photo above makes clear why the people of Puerto Rico are so smiley: they're actually Taíno gods and goddesses, catching rays and taking refreshing dips into the emerald green sea. And we know about Juanes, El Pibe, Shakira and Gabriel of Cartagena. What more proof do we need?

The Happy Ten:
No. 1: Denmark
No. 2: Puerto Rico
No. 3: Colombia
No. 4: Iceland
No. 5: Northern Ireland
No. 6: Ireland
No. 7: Switzerland
No. 8: Netherlands
No. 9: Canada
No. 10: Austria

Luis Valdez @ the Latino Indie Producers

MP3 of the Speech

American playwright, writer and film director Luis Valdez was the keynoter at the recent gathering of Latino independent filmmakers.

A great teacher and storyteller, Valdez weaves into his talk personal biography, historical vignettes as well as lessons for young Latino filmmakers -- and he does so with warmth and humor.

The introduction is by Moctesuma Esparza.

From Valdez' El Teatro Campesino website:

From the migrant labor fields to Broadway, Luis Valdez remains true to his original vision... performance that addresses the Chicano experience in America in a context meaningful to all Americans.

Valdez's credits include, founder & artistic director of the internationally renowned El Teatro Campesino, council member of the National Endowment of the Arts, and founding member of the California Arts Council. His awards include, Presidential Medal of the Arts, the prestigious Aguila Azteca Award, Governors Award of the California Arts Council.

Best known works:

Zoot Suit

La Bamba

Corridos

Valdez continues to work and mentor a new generation of theatre artists at El Teatro Campesino.

Obama Extends Hand to Hugo Chavez & the Americas

President Obama said Sunday the 34-nation Summit of the Americas was a "very productive" meeting that proved hemispheric progress is possible if countries set aside "stale debates and old ideologies."

Here's a sampling of media reviews:

Obama optimistic on Americas ties - Barack Obama has said that Cuba and Venezuela, as well as the United States, must match words with deeds if they are to thaw their relations.

Canadian PM pleased with progress made at the 2009 Summit of the Americas - “We sought to keep the focus on the global economic crisis and I am pleased with the substantive discussions I had with my counterparts on ways we could work together as part of the global response." Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Obama says reaching out to enemies strengthens US - Defending his brand of world politics, President Barack Obama said Sunday that he "strengthens our hand" by reaching out to enemies of the United States and making sure that the nation is a leader, not a lecturer, of democracy.

Brazil says summit sets new era for U.S.-Latam relations - Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Sunday the Summit of the Americas had created a chance for a new era in relations between the United States and Latin America.

Hemisphere’s Leaders Signal Fresh Start With U.S. - “There was a spirit of good will that went way beyond the wildest dreams of any one of us,” Patrick Manning, the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, said Sunday.

Race a Dominant Theme at Summit - In talking about his race and the backgrounds of his counterparts, Obama is associating himself more closely than his predecessors did with Latin America's indigenous, black and mixed-race underclass, which has long identified the United States with economic policies that benefit the elite of European descent far more than them.

Chavez, ALBA trade group slams Americas summit - The presidents of Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Bolivia and new member Dominica said the Summit of the America's draft final statement is "insufficient and unacceptable" because it does not mention the region's near unanimous rejection of the US economic blockade of Cuba.

Obama, Chavez shake hands at Americas Summit - "We don't have any complexes that would prevent us from extending our hands to each other. I'm grateful for his gesture." President Hugo Chavez

Puerto Rico Coined

The U.S. Mint unveiled the first U.S. coin with an inscription in Spanish, a quarter honoring Puerto Rico as the "Isla del Encanto" — or "Island of Enchantment."

This should set-off the English-only wingnuts on another round of Latino bashing. But hey, I'll gladly take as many of these lovely 'foreign' language coins as the cultural imperialists want to dump.

Entienden?

Links:

US Mint: The Enchanted Island Says ‘Bienvenidos’ To New Commemorative Quarter

Puerto Rico gets some change: US Mint unveils quarter with Spanish inscription

Adam Lambert's 'Mad World'

Studio version


Audio

With a finely tuned sense of theatre, a unique vocal style and an uncanny ability to make any song his own, Adam Lambert is this year's leading contestant on American Idol. But yesterday's haunting rendition of Mad World makes it clear that Lambert's special talents will make him a megaforce in the recording industry as well -- no matter how the final voting on AI goes.

Bravo!

Allison Iraheta's "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt (1992) was perfect for her vocal style. The 16 year old Latina rocker with the grown-up voice is also a pure and unique talent.

87MM Americans Uninsured Including 55% of Latinos

According to Americans at Risk: One in Three Uninsured, a new report from Families USA, a health advocacy organization, a staggering 86.7 million people were uninsured for some period of time during 2007-2008.

Adding to the nation's dismal record in this critical public policy area are the huge disparities among ethnic groups. For example, a disturbing 25.8% of Whites were uninsured, but a truly shameful 40.3% of African Americans, and a beyond shameful 55.1% of Latinos, were uninsured.

Oh...and some 80% of the uninsured were employed!

Families USA is releasing accompanying state-by-state reports. Here's a look at the disparities among Whites and Latinos in select states:

_______________Whites______Latinos
Arizona_________27.1%_______55.6%
California_______24.7%_______52.6%
Connecticut______19.4%_______48.3%
Delaware________23.1%_______60.8%
Florida__________30.2%_______54.4%
Indiana__________26.4%_______53.0%
Missouri_________27.0%_______47.1%
Nebraska________25.5%_______58.0%
Nevada__________26.8%_______58.7%
New Mexico______28.4%_______49.5%
New York________23.2%_______47.6%
Oregon__________29.3%_______66.3%
Pennsylvania_____24.6%_______46.5%
Texas____________29.2%_______60.4%