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Scope and Contents
Latino reporters telling stories from the front lines, not in Pakistan or Afghanistan, but in Colombia. Photographs of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, who was brutally murdered by his kidnappers in Pakistan, are now ending up on many altars and ofrendas in the homes of Latino journalists around the world. Pearl's death was a brutal reminder of the danger reporter's face just for doing their job. For journalist in Latin America the specter of death threats, torture, and even murder for their reporting is nothing new, especially in Colombia.
March is primary month for many states across the country. In Texas the race for the Democrat nomination for governor is pitting former state attorney general Dan Morales against wealth south Texas businessman Tony Sanchez, but this certainly isn't the only campaign of interest to Latinos this primary season. Joining us to give us a picture of some these other races are Pilar Marrero, political editor for 'La Opinion' newspaper in Los Angeles, and James Garcia, publisher of AmericanLatino.net.
In California a bank has changed the rules for undocumented immigrants who are now rushing to the banco. Did you know that in most places across the country if you are not a legal resident you can't have a bank account, but California is changing that. In just three months undocumented Mexican immigrants have opened California bank accounts worth an estimated $50 million. This modern day gold rush began after Wells Fargo Bank announced it would accept the matricula consular as official identification, which is the ID card issued to Mexican citizens by Mexican consulates.
Among Latinos there are many levels of racial distinction. and there are words in Spanish and in English that distinguish Latinos by skin color words like guera , blancita, café con leche, morena, and prieta. Some of these words are harsh, especially when they refer to the darkest of Latinos, a reflection of the racial prejudice that exists among us. One New York City performance artist Mary Teresa Fernandez, better known as Mariposa, has explored this color identity, its impact on her life, and the Latino attitudes toward morenas like her.
Repository Details
Part of the Benson Latin American Collection, The University of Texas at Austin Repository
2300 Red River Street
Austin Texas 78712 United States
(512) 495-4578
bensonspecialcollections@austin.utexas.edu