El Sol Latino | July 2023| 19.8

Foto del Mes /Photo of the Month

Rubén H. Urbina 1938 - 2023

El reconocido pionero deportivo de la ciudad de Holyoke, Rubén H. Urbina, natural de Cidra, Puerto Rico, de 85 años, falleció el martes 27 de junio de 2023. Tras sus años de servicio en el Ejército de los Estados Unidos Rubén se muda a Holyoke. Estuvo casi cuatro décadas trabajando en James River Graphics en South Hadley.

A principios de la década de los setenta, Rubén fundó la Spanish American Men’s Softball League. En esta Liga también fue jugador, entrenador y árbitro. En 2014, la ciudad de Holyoke lo reconoció al bautizar el diamante de McNally Park con su nombre.

Le sobreviven su querida esposa, Gloria J. Urbina, y sus hijas Gloria M. Urbina (Moisés Torres), Rosie Urbina y Jessica Dennis (Ardazan). También deja atrás a sus queridos nietos: Tyree, Adonis, Eván, Serena, Anya y

Tason, así como a sus maravillosos sobrinos, Ana Ivette y José Rafael, Jr. Le antecedieron en muerte su nieto Ardazan Jr., su hermana, Carmina Urbina, y sus hermanos José Rafael, Sr., Bernardino y Luis Angel. Rubén fue un miembro activo y comulgante de las parroquias del Sagrado Corazón/ Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe y San Jerónimo.

contents

2 Foto del Mes /Photo of the Month Rubén H. Urbina 1938 - 2023

3 Portada / Front Page 2023 Latino Scholarship Fund

4 NY State Governor Hochul Announces $20 Million Investment for CENTRO

5 NPRA Celebrates $20 Million for CENTRO’s “La Casa Puertorriqueña”

6 Educación / Education

AIC Puerto Rican College Student Goes to Hollywood

7 Bilingual Education IS America’s Future

8 Drop-in Genealogy in July at the Holyoke Public Library

Finanzas / Finances

Smart Devices Pry on Our Privacy

9 Cultura / Culture

‘Across the Spider-Verse’ and the Latino legacy of Spider-Man

11 Literatura / Literature

Vueltas a la noria

12 Magdalena Gómez Wins National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures Award

Música / Music

Llega el Blanco y Negro Volver Tour al Mohegan Sun Arena

13 Libros / Books

Plátanos Go with Everything

14 A sangre fría, con valentía

15 Reclaiming the Americas

Salud / Health

BHN Holds Grand Opening Celebration for New Ware Family Resource Center Location

16 Deportes / Sports

Latinx Journalism Matters Support Publishers of Color

The impact of COVID-19 has been especially devastating for communities of color. Now, more than ever, independent, local journalism needs your support

Springfield OTSL 2023

El Sol Latino is your local Latinx-owned, independent news source that brings to the front lines diverse Latino voices, perspectives, news and stories. SUPPORT

EL SOL LATINO

Founded in 2004 n Volume 19, No. 8 n July 2023

Editor Manuel Frau Ramos manuelfrau@gmail.com

413-320-3826

Assistant Editor Ingrid Estrany-Frau

Art Director Tennessee Media Design

Business Address El Sol Latino P.O Box 572 Amherst, MA 01004-0572

Editorial Policy

El Sol Latino acepta colaboraciones tanto en español como en inglés. Nos comprometemos a examinarlas, pero no necesariamente a publicarlas. Nos reservamos el derecho de editar los textos y hacer correcciones por razones de espacio y/o estilo. Las colaboraciones pueden ser enviadas a nuestra dirección postal o a través de correo electrónico a: info@elsollatino.net.

El Sol Latino welcomes submissions in either English or Spanish. We consider and review all submissions but reserve the right to not publish them. We reserve the right to edit texts and make corrections for reasons of space and/or style. Submissions may be sent to our postal address or via electronic mail to: info@elsollatino.net.

El Sol Latino is published monthly by Coquí Media Group. El Sol Latino es publicado mensualmente por Coquí Media Group, P.O Box 572, Amherst, MA 01004-0572.

2023 Latino Scholarship Fund by

MANUEL FRAU RAMOS

The Latino Scholarship Fund of Western Massachusetts held its Annual Banquet at the Log Cabin in Holyoke on May 23, 2023. The annual event recognized and celebrated the achievement of outstanding community leaders. Scholarships were awarded to a group of regional Latinx high school student graduates for their academic achievements and for their acceptance to colleges and universities to pursue post-secondary education.

Since its inception in the early 1990s, the local based organization Latino Scholarship Fund, Inc. has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to hundreds of Latinx students from Pioneer Valley high schools. The scholarships intend to help these students to defray the high financial costs of their first academic year

The winners of the 2023 Latino Scholarships are:

• ●Angelina De León Northeastern University

• ●Janieliz García Rivera UMass Dartmouth

• ●Ryan Gordon Union College

• ●Mirna Guzmán Elms College

• ●Daritza Martínez Bay Path University

• ●Kiomaris Martínez Elms College

• ●Kiara Rosario Bay Path University

• ●Melquisedec Santiago Western New England University

• ●Justice Sostre García Hampshire College

• ●Genesis Torres Springfield College

• ●Sidney Valentín Johnson & Wales University

The Keynote Speaker was Delmarina López, Esq., an Educator, Attorney, City Councilor, and small business owner. López is an Afro-Latina born and raised in the east coast of Puerto Rico. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal from Bay Path University and a Juris Doctor from Western New England University School of Law. López is a first generation college graduate and the first in her family to obtain a doctoral level degree. López currently serves as a City Councilor in the City of Chicopee, MA. She represents Ward 3 in Willimansett where she grew up and resides.

LSF Alum Speaker was Afro-Latino Jacksiel Colón Rodríguez

Originating from Puerto Rico, his family relocated to Massachusetts where he spent the majority of his life. An alumnae of Kelly School in Holyoke, he became a first-generation graduate from Skidmore College ‘21 with a degree in Business Management and Sociology. He share that he always had professional interests in management, strategizing, public relations, and working with colleagues/customers.

This year Carlos Vega Community Champion Award went to Northfield Mt. Hermon/GCC Upward Bound Program. This program, originally at Northfield Mount Hermon School, moved to to GCC after

55 years of serving students in Western Massachusetts. Breyana Roman, and Sharon Gralnick accepted this award on behalf of the program. The Carlos Vega Community Champion Award celebrates a local individual or any educational oriented program whose actions have benefited the Latino community in the region.

Carlos Alberto Vega immigrated with his family to Holyoke Ecuador when he was 5 years old. Over the course of his life Carlos endeavored tirelessly to benefit the disenfranchised people within the city of Holyoke. The focus of his community organizing ran the gamut of housing rights, cultural celebration, education and economic development. In each endeavor he championed the needs and voices of the growing Latino community in Holyoke. Carlos served as Executive Director of Nueva Esperanza for many years, a Holyoke based community development agency he helped found.

The Antonia Pantoja Award for Distinguished Achievement was granted to Springfield College Professor of Social Work Miguel L. Arce

Arce is a community and organizational leader known for continually supporting and advocating for the Latino community. He has been a prominent participant in efforts to promote a high quality of life for the community, with a particular focus on the wellbeing of the lowincome population. Arce was the founding Director of the Nueva Esperanza Community Development Corporation, one of the most important community service organizations in Holyoke. Miguel served as Director of El Instituto de la Familia/New North Citizens Council in Springfield, and as Regional Director of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Human Services as well as others.

Arce is a founding member of the Carlos Vega Fund for Social Justice. He has also been an Adjunct Professor at Elms College, Social Work Department, and at the Department of Sociology at Holyoke Community College. Since 2005, Arce is a Professor at the Springfield College School of Social Work and Behavioral Sciences. With fellow Professor Walter Mullen, Miguel has co-authored seventy guest opinion editorials published in El Sol Latino on policy and programmatic issues affecting the poor. He also co-authored with Professor Mullen an article, ‘Resilience of Families Living in Poverty’,

continued on page 5

Derek Estrella, President of the Latino Scholarship Fund and Miguel L. Arce

Delmarina López, Esq.

NY State Governor Hochul Announces $20 Million Investment for CENTRO

ALBANY, NY | GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK STATE | June 11, 2023 — Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State will make a $20 million investment for CENTRO, the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at the City University of New York. The investment will be used to expand the library and archives at CENTRO in El Barrio, the cradle of the Puerto Rican community in New York City. Governor Hochul announced this major investment following her participation in the 66th Annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

“For generations, New Yorkers of Puerto Rican heritage have been a vital part of our state’s cultural tapestry,” Governor Hochul said. “We are proud to be making bold investments that will allow the Center for Puerto Rican Studies to expand and thrive - making El Barrio an even more exciting place to work, learn and live.”

School of Social Work building at 2180 3rd Avenue in East Harlem to an expanded footprint at the Silberman Building. The newly renovated site will ensure CENTRO remains in El Barrio, a neighborhood where more than 20,000 New Yorkers of Puerto Rican heritage have built their lives.

The newly expanded footprint will provide CENTRO a significantly expanded archive and library space, aimed at strengthening CENTRO’s archives of Puerto Rican history and culture and allowing CENTRO, the largest university-based research institute, library, and archive dedicated to the Puerto Rican experience in the U.S., to be a leader in digitization. Having a larger, modernized space will also allow CENTRO to recruit and bring in even more talent. The new space will also include a state-of-the-art exhibition space where CENTRO can continue to provide cultural and community activities. This investment comes in addition to Governor Hochul’s recent investment in the New York State Institute for Immigration Integration Research and Policy, announced in 2022. This Institute, housed within the Rockefeller Institute of Government, the State University of New York’s public policy think tank, is aimed at providing much-needed research and attention to immigration issues in New York and across the globe.

Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, CENTRO is the largest university-based research institute, library, and archive dedicated to the Puerto Rican experience in the United States. The new $20 million investment will bring CENTRO under one roof in a newly expanded space of approximately 17,000 square feet. This investment will be utilized to consolidate CENTRO from two locations: Hunter College Main Campus and the Hunter College Silberman

This is Governor Hochul’s latest effort to support the people of Puerto Rico and the thriving Puerto Rican community in New York. Governor Hochul led a robust response to Hurricane Fiona, including deploying 65 members of the New York State Police to assist in relief efforts and delivering tens of thousands of pounds of fresh produce and bottled water to Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico. She forged partnerships between New York and Puerto Rico on issues such as solar energy and mental health care. The Governor has also visited Puerto Rico frequently - including within her first 100 days in office - and has met with numerous local leaders including Governor Pedro Pierluisi and multiple State Legislators and

municipal officials.

L to R: Nick Lugo, President & CEO, New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Yarimar Bonilla, CENTRO Director; Ángel A. Ruiz Laboy, CENTRO Arts and Culture Director; Robert J. Rodríguez, New York’s 68th Secretary of State; Sophia Zayas, NYS Director of Latino Affairs for the Governor of the State of New York Kathy Hochul; Carlos Vargas-Ramos, Director of Public Policy, External and Media Relations and Development; José deJesus, Associate Director for Operations CENTRO; Francisco Díaz, Strategic Advisor, Community & Government Affairs, New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Portada / Front Page

NPRA Celebrates $20 Million for CENTRO’s “La Casa Puertorriqueña”

PHILADELPHIA, PA | NATIONAL PUERTO RICAN AGENDA (NPRA)

| June 12 – The President of the National Puerto Rican Agenda (NPRA) Nilda Ruiz, thanks and congratulates New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, for her commitment in support of the Puerto Rican community’s revered and cherished Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College, CUNY “Centro”, the nation’s premier Puerto Rican educational, cultural repository and research center.

NPRA has been advocating for the last couple of years for the creation of a Schomburg-like center for Centro as part of the CUNY system. This Centro facility “La Casa Puertorriqueña” will be the beacon for the Puerto Rican Diaspora similar to what the NY Holocaust Museum is to the Jewish community or the Irish’s Famine museum is to the Irish community. It will be a place for research, a living archive repository where our community at large, specially our children, can feel proud of and learn about their history and culture, where all 9 million Puerto Ricans can celebrate.

“We are so grateful to New York Governor Kathy Hochul for sharing our vision for Centro and helping secure its one-of-a-kind presence on its 50th anniversary and helping Centro guide scholars throughout the world with its rich collections of Puerto Rican culture and history and take it to another level, “ La Casa Puertorriqueña”, said Nilda Ruiz. “We thank the governor for protecting our treasure house while ensuring the preservation of Puerto Rican victories, struggles, and contributions.”

Ruiz also thanked the tireless work of former New York State Budget Director Robert Mujica, who played the key role in guiding the funding process, in response to NPRA’s Centro Advocacy Campaign (NPRACAC) multi year effort.

2023

Latino Scholarship Fund

published in the Journal of Family Social Work.

continued from page 3

Antonia Pantoja Award for Distinguished Achievement is given to someone who has achieved high academic success through research, education, art, policy, and publication

Dr. Antonia Pantoja (1922-2002), born in Puerto Rico, was an educator, social worker, feminist and leader of civil rights. He created the National Puerto Rican Forum to promote the economic selfsufficiency of Latinos, and ASPIRA, an organization that promotes educational success, cultural awareness and leadership development among Puerto Rican youth and other Latinos in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Pantoja helped create Boricua College, an institution of postsecondary studies in New York City, and a research program known as the Puerto Rican Research and Resource Center. Upon his return to Puerto Rico, he founded Producir, an organization that provides economic assistance to small businesses in poor rural communities. In 1996, Pantoja received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. To learn more about the Latino Scholarship Fund of Western Massachusetts and to make a donation by visiting the website at www.latinoscholarshipwesternmass.org.

On Saturday, June 10, 2023 New York Governor Kathy Hochul presented funding for $20 million to ensure the continued Centro presence at CUNY Hunter College so that it will continue its research of Puerto Rican diaspora history, educational and cultural leadership. Celebration over these developments mark years of NPRA’s work with community advocates, civic officials, coordinating dozens of meetings, from New York to Puerto Rico, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Delaware – all now culminating in a historically momentous day where together we can watch Centro take its place among the great archives of the world.

The National Puerto Rican Agenda (NPRA) was created as a nonpartisan alliance of state side Puerto Rican organizations, elected officials, community leaders, and volunteer citizens. Born of a collective desire to strengthen our capacity and raise our impact by addressing Puerto Rico’s widespread economic crisis and promoting political and civic participation of Puerto Ricans in the United States and Puerto Rico, NPRA brings together a rich tapestry of united efforts at the national, state and local levels.

Poetry reading by Mishie Serrano, Puerto Rican poet, activist, and community organizer.

AIC Puerto Rican College Student Goes to Hollywood

SPRINGFIELD, MA | AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE | SPRINGFIELD | June 27, 2023 – Why should students choose American International College (AIC), and how is it preparing them for their future? Those questions were answered by ten AIC students, including Hector Garcia Quiros of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, cast to appear in a season nine episode of the TV series, The College Tour. The production is streaming now on AIC’s website and will begin to stream on Amazon Prime on October 9, 2023.

In the program, AIC learners, ranging from first-year undergrads to graduate students, come together to share their personal stories as members of the AIC community, encompassing academics, athletics, campus life, student organizations, and the sense of belonging that AIC cultivates.

The College recently unveiled a new five-year strategic plan, AIC Reimagined. President Hubert Benitez, DDS, PhD, said the insights gained from that process helped direct the subject matter included in the show.

“From the time I arrived at the College one year ago, I knew how special AIC is,” said Benitez. “The College Tour gave us a platform to share who we are as a campus community and an opportunity to showcase the exceptional students we serve. Most importantly, it allowed us to share with the world that regardless of where you come from, race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background, AIC is a place where every single student feels they belong. This sense of belonging does not happen everywhere - it does at AIC”.

The host and executive producer of the TV series is Massachusetts native Alex Boylan, who at twenty-three won the CBS series The Amazing Race and spent the last twenty years as an award-winning onscreen personality and producer. Boylan won an Emmy as a producer of The Steve Harvey Show and was named one of Ed Tech Magazine’s Top 30 IT Higher Education Influencers to Follow in 2022.

“It was great to be back in my home state to visit the beautiful AIC campus,” said Boylan. “This College has a rich heritage and a true spirit of community. We’re thrilled to share these students’ stories with the world.”

The idea to bring The College Tour to AIC came from the College’s Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications Michael Eriquezzo. He explained his goal was to offer a comprehensive and authentic portrayal of what makes AIC unique. “With the release of our episode, we are excited to give prospective students across the world a first-hand look at the AIC experience from the comfort of their own homes,” said Eriquezzo.

Cast member Garcia Quiros focused his segment on excelling as a first-year college student by becoming involved in the campus community. In the program, he shared that he’s proud to come from Puerto Rico, a place that has contributed significantly to the Springfield, Massachusetts community. As a member of AIC’s Latin American Student Organization, Garcia Quiros said he has befriended students from Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Spain, Columbia, and other Spanish-speaking countries.

At the time of filming, Garcia Quiros was a freshman studying communications and public relations. By participating in AIC’s work-study program, he’s been given the opportunity to advance the skills of his major by working as a women’s volleyball game announcer.

Garcia Quiros and other student cast members wrote their own scripts and memorized them for the shoot. The College Tour crew was on the AIC campus and surrounding areas in Springfield for a week recording the student segments and gathering footage.

Eriquezzo said the entire experience was a pleasure for students and staff alike. “We couldn’t have asked a better partner than The College Tour to share AIC’s story with the world,” he said. “From casting to filming, the creation of our episode was truly a collaboration. Their professional crew made our students feel like celebrities and worked with our team at every step to ensure this production is a true and vibrant representation of American International College.”

AIC is already sharing the production with current and prospective students and has begun planning an event to showcase the episode to the entire campus community at a red-carpet premiere during its Homecoming Weekend in September.

Hector Garcia Quiros

Bilingual Education IS America’s Future

LOS ANGELES, CA | UCLA CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT / PROYECTO

DERECHOS CIVILES | June 15, 2023 – Synthesizing rigorous research illustrating the benefits of bilingual education and citing growing interest in and demand for bilingual and biliteracy education programs for all students, a new report published by the UCLA Civil Rights Project/Proyecto Derechos Civiles advocates for the establishment of bilingual education as the standard program of instruction for students classified as English learners (EL) and outlines federal, state and local policies needed to achieve that standard.

Importantly, the paper shows evidence of greater family engagement in school, success in secondary schools and readiness for higher education.

The research also reports on the growing grassroots momentum and political support for bilingual education, including increased demand for programs that can serve all students who want it.

At the same time, the paper also identifies key challenges to expansion, including a shortage of bilingual educators and the need for sustained funding to build capacity. The authors recommend specific policy supports at the federal, state, and local levels to establish bilingual education as the standard program of instruction for English learnerclassified students.

At a time of growing interest and support for bilingual education opportunities, the paper, “Bilingual Education and America’s Future: Evidence and Pathways,” underscores the reality that the United States lags behind most other nations where bilingual education is the norm and that many English learner-classified students in the U.S. are underserved. These students are enrolled in schools that often do not provide full, equitable access to the standard curriculum, nor the opportunity to develop the language they already know, two problems that bilingual programs address. The report offers strong evidence of the benefits of bilingual education and a growing commitment to education policymaking that addresses barriers to opportunity experienced by EL students. The report’s authors contend that now is an opportune moment to expand bilingual education and establish bilingual and biliteracy education as the standard for instruction for all students, but especially for those who arrive at school with a language other than English.

“Careful and sophisticated studies produced over the last decades consistently find that bilingual education yields numerous advantages for the students who are fortunate enough to receive it,” says Patricia Gándara, co-director of the UCLA Civil Rights Project/Proyecto Derechos Civiles. “Given increasing interest and support, from both families and policymakers, this is the moment to expand bilingual education and build a stronger foundation for these programs.”

The report’s call for more expansive access to bilingual education is grounded in evidence of the benefits of bilingualism and biliteracy for students and the larger society. The researchers detail the academic benefits of bilingual education, including superior achievement outcomes. These include English language development benefits, such as a greater likelihood of reclassification or exit from English Learner services. The report also highlights the benefits of home language literacy and proficiency and cites a growing body of research that bilingual education supports more positive socialemotional and sociocultural outcomes for EL-classified students.

“Bilingual education is the best way to support EL-classified students and it’s up to educators and policymakers to ensure all students receive this support,” said Manuel Vazquez Cano, a principal researcher at Education Northwest and a co-author of the report.

“Expanding access to bilingual education, to the point where bilingual education becomes the standard service for English learners rather than an exception, is grounded in research on what works for the nation’s multilingual learners and aligned with national priorities of promoting bilingualism and biliteracy,” adds Lorna Porter, a research associate at WestEd and co-author. “While the change will not happen overnight, coordinated local, state, and federal actions can begin to move towards an education system that values, celebrates, and fosters bilingualism and biliteracy for all students.“

“Bilingual Education and America’s Future: Evidence and Pathways,” is published by the UCLA Civil Rights Project/Proyecto Derechos Civiles, as part of a new series of research papers, A Civil Rights Agenda for the Next Quarter Century. The report’s authors include Lorna Porter, a Research Associate at WestEd, Manuel Vazquez Cano, a principal researcher at Education Northwest and graduate student at the University of Oregon, and Ilana Umansky, an associate professor in the College of Education at the University of Oregon.

The Civil Rights Project/Proyecto Derechos Civiles is co-directed by UCLA Research Professors Gary Orfield and Patricia Gándara. Founded in 1996 at Harvard University, CRP’s mission is to create a new generation of research in social science and law on the critical issues of civil rights and equal opportunity for racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. CRP is a trusted source of segregation statistics, has commissioned more than 400 studies, published more than 25 books and issued numerous reports monitoring the success of American schools in equalizing opportunity. The U.S. Supreme Court, in its 2003 Grutter v. Bollinger decision upholding affirmative action, and in Justice Breyer’s dissent (joined by three other Justices) to its 2007 Parents Involved decision, cited the Civil Rights Project’s research.

Educación / Education

Drop-in Genealogy in July at the Holyoke Public Library

HOLYOKE, MA | HOLYOKE PUBLIC LIBRAY – HOLYOKE HISTORY ROOM | May 29, 2023 Have you always wanted to find out more about your ancestry but don’t know where to begin? Or did you take the first step and aren’t sure how to deepen your research?

Professional genealogist Irisneri Alicea Flores will be ‘in residence’ at the Holyoke History Room on three Tuesdays, July 11, July 18, & July 25, 4:00-6:00 PM. A drop-in session with Irisneri can help you discover and learn to use genealogy sources, organize your research, and plan your next step.

Finanzas / Finances

Smart Devices Pry on Our Privacy by MILAGROS

These days, it’s not easy replacing home appliances with one that’s not a smart one. For instance, a television is no longer just a TV, it’s now a Smart TV. Actually, it’s quite smart when it comes to invading your privacy. The same goes with those smart speakers, light bulbs, thermostats, security cameras, and so on.

Most, if not all, of the new appliances and devices on the market today are energy-efficient and designed to provide comfort and convenience to both you and your homes, but at the cost of your privacy. Know that when they are connected to the internet, they are considered to be a smart device.

Simply put, when a smart device is connected to the Internet of Things (IoT), it allows for you to have convenient remote control to your device, as well as instant use and communication with the device. The tradeoff, though, is your privacy.

Smart devices are always listening and, more often than you know, watching you. The convenience of having them listen to your commands means they can also listen to your conversations. To make matters worse, the information collected is then shared with third-parties. However, you have the option to not waive your privacy for convenience, if you choose the right settings on each device. Let me explain.

Each of your smart devices has its own privacy settings, which you can control. Just like controlling the settings on your smartphone’s camera and microphone, you can take charge of your other smart devices as well. To do this, you need to take the time to review the manufacturer’s terms and conditions to understand which restrictions and settings to choose to protect your privacy.

Follow these steps to reduce the risks imposed on your privacy and your security:

1. Use a strong Network Encryption on your wireless connection. Using WPA2 or WPA3 gives you the best protection

As with many professional genealogists, Irisneri’s interest began with her own family, who moved to New York from Puerto Rico in the 1950s. A family mystery led to her uncovering the story of the longlost father of her own maternal grandfather and learning more about her paternal grandmother she never got to meet.

Now a practicing genealogist who lives locally, Irisneri takes joy in empowering others by helping them research their family stories. Her particular strengths are in Hispanic American collections that include the Caribbean countries of Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic & Cuba, and American collections.

The Holyoke History Room is pleased to be able to offer Irisneri’s bilingual services free of charge on these three Tuesday afternoons. No reservation needed, just drop in! Some one-on-one sessions will be open, so that all can learn.

Ms. Alicea Flores has a Certificate in Genealogy Research from Boston University and is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the National Genealogical Society, and the Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Genealogía.

S. JOHNSON

2. Set a strong individual security password on each device

3. Set strict privacy and security settings and opt not to share your data

4. Consider using a Virtual Privacy Network (VPN) connection

5. Keep your devices, apps and software updated

When in doubt, don’t connect your device to the internet, even if it means you have to get up to turn off the light switch, get the remote control, or adjust the thermostat. So, before you check the box, “I agree to the terms and conditions,” be sure to make an informed decision that’s best for you and your privacy, and not the convenience of using the smart device.

For more information, or to speak with a Consumer Specialist, call (413) 787-6437 or email us at moci@springfieldcityhall.com.

MILAGROS S. JOHNSON is the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Consumer Information in Springfield, a Local Consumer Program funded by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.

Irisneri Alicea Flores

Cultura / Culture

‘Across the Spider-Verse’ and the Latino legacy of Spider-Man

This article was originally published in The Conversation | June 1, 2023

As a Latino literature and media scholar, a lifelong gamer and a Guatemalan-American girl whose dad read her comics every night, I quickly became a fan and then scholar of Miles Morales, the AfroPuerto Rican Spider-Man who first appeared in comic book form in 2011’s “Ultimate Fallout #4.”

Just seven years after his introduction, Morales swung into theaters in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” a visually stunning, 3D-animated film that won an Academy Award for best animated feature.

by REGINA MARIE MILLS

Perhaps Spider-Man’s popularity in this part of the world is due to the fact that he’s scrappy, hardworking, and trying to help his family. Or maybe Latin Americans love his luchador-esque costume – Peter Parker did, after all, debut his Spider-Man title and threads as a professional wrestler.

An Irish-Latino swings into the Spider-Verse

Firebird and White Tiger never headlined their own series, though. And the Spider-Man who Latin Americans embraced in the 1960s and 1970s was white.

Now, its sequel, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” features two Latino Spider-Men in starring roles. Irish-Latino Spider-Man Miguel O’Hara of “Spider-Man 2099,” voiced by Oscar Isaac, is jumping into the fray. And although he was a well-received Spider-Man as a Marvel comic book character in the 1990s, there’s a good chance you’ve never heard of him.

Breaking

the mold

Latino characters, particularly ones who have a starring role, have traditionally been underrepresented in mainstream comics.

Marvel’s first Latino hero, Hector Ayala, debuted in 1975, after the success of “Black Panther.” Written by Bill Mantlo and drawn by legendary comic artist George Pérez, Ayala, known as White Tiger, was a Puerto Rican college student living in New York. His powers came from a magical amulet that bestowed him with speed and martial arts expertise.

As Latino comics scholar Frederick Luis Aldama argues, Mantlo and Pérez avoided many of the stereotypes that plagued Latinos in comics, which often cast Latinos as criminals or drug dealers. Later iterations of White Tiger included his niece Angela del Toro and his sister, Ava Ayala.

The first Marvel Latina superhero, also co-created by Mantlo, was Firebird – real name, Bonita Juárez – who first appeared in 1981. A Catholic social worker from New Mexico, she represented a departure from the Black and Latino comic characters who predominately come from big cities like New York.

Spider-Man’s web extends into Latin America

In Latin America, Spider-Man has been a popular character since the hero first appeared in his own series, “Amazing Spider-Man,” in 1963. Marvel licensed Mexican publisher La Prensa to print Spanish translations of Spider-Man issues just a few months after its release in the U.S.

La Prensa also extended Spider-Man’s reach to Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Perú. In Mexico, Spider-Man quickly became more popular than any other Marvel character, save for his girlfriend, Gwen Stacy.

So in the 1970s, La Prensa began to create its own Spider-Man stories on weeks when Marvel didn’t release a new Spider-Man issue. These new stories, like an issue where Peter Parker dreams that he married Gwen Stacy, only appeared in Mexico.

So it was a big deal when Miguel O’Hara took on the mantle of Spider-Man in his own series, which ran for four years. While the multiverse is a recent development in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, multiple Earths – each with its own versions of Marvel superheroes – have existed for decades in the comics.

This has allowed for different iterations of the same superhero.

Peter Parker is the Spider-Man of Earth-616, the official Marvel universe. Miles Morales began as the Spider-Man of Earth-1610.

Miguel O’Hara is the future Spider-Man of Earth-616 in the year 2099, a post-apocalyptic future run by greedy corporations.

When O’Hara first appeared in 1992 as the main star of the “2099” series, fans embraced him, with little controversy.

It’s possible that O’Hara was uncontroversial because questions of race and racism didn’t factor explicitly into the plots of each issue. And perhaps O’Hara’s light skin made it easy for readers to forget that he was Latino in the first place.

Yet comics scholar Kathryn M. Frank argues in the collection “Graphic Borders” that the writers of “Spider-Man 2099” were aware of their hero’s ethnic identity and subtly incorporated commentaries on race into the series.

In the comics, O’Hara has an accent due to his elongated, spiderlike teeth, which may reflect the assumed foreignness of Latino citizens in the U.S. and the discrimination they suffer for it. He also embraces his difference in his own style. As fans have pointed out, his costume mixes a Day of the Dead skull with the classic spider insignia in an explicit connection to his Mexican heritage.

Recasting Spider-Man as an Afro-Latino

Then, in 2011, Marvel announced Miles Morales, the first SpiderMan who was both Black and Latino.

This time, the responses were more polarizing.

Former Fox News pundit Glenn Beck blamed then-first lady Michelle Obama for the creation of Morales, pointing to a clip of her saying, “We’re going to have to change our traditions.”

However, to some fans, recasting Spider-Man as Black made perfect sense. Walter Moseley, a popular crime novelist, has provocatively argued that the original Spider-Man of the 1960s is actually “the first Black superhero,” since his backstory – raised by his extended family, growing up in poverty and demonized by the media – was more relatable to Black New Yorkers.

When Morales came on the scene, he wasn’t merely a carbon copy of Peter Parker, though. He was raised by his African American continued on page 13

Volver a Guayama

Memoria Noficción Histórica

Capítulo 1

por ALVILDA SOPHIA ANAYA ALEGRÍA

“Nunca se ha escrito en Puerto Rico sobre este tema desde una perspectiva del que vuelve a Puerto Rico, de la “migración en reversa”, dentro de la literatura puertorriqueña. Los libros que yo he leído, para mi trabajo de investigación, y literario siempre han sido de la experiencia del Puertorriqueño llegando, o viviendo en el norte de América, la diáspora.

AlviLda Sophia Anaya—Alegría en su libro recoge su memoria (1950-1975), sus experiencias de niña, hasta ser adulta y nos lo cuenta, añadiendo su trabajo de investigación sociocultural y económica que estaba ocurriendo en esa era del siglo 19. AlviLda (Alvi) lo comienza a plasmar aquí.” — Dra. Mayra Santos Febres, Editora Volvimos a Guayama por fin, a nuestro terruño. La plaza estaba rodeada de 21 árboles de laurele s redondos, inmensos. Por ella se paseaban muchas mujeres caminando con hábitos marrón con bolitas de diferentes colores guindando. Y a mí me impresionaba ver a tantas niñitas con velos en la cabeza para ir a la iglesia frente a la plaza. Nuestro umbral era nuestra plaza y también nuestro refugio. Muchas otras familias regresamos a la isla en 1967 de Massachusetts, Pennsylvania y New York, sin saber español. El regaño tenía que llegar. Volvimos durante una década bien difícil de manejar familia para las mujeres solteras. Ana Victoria ya había empleado el 100 por ciento de su energía para darnos algo de comer un día a la vez.

“Llevo días diciéndoles que dejen la desorganización, que no dejen los trastes por donde quiera, que tomen las cosas en serio, que hagan sus tareas ¿Qué parte de esto no entienden? Yo me paso trabajando y ustedes seis no componen uno.”

Los seis hermanos nos miramos los unos a los otros. Dos estábamos en la mesa del comedor de hierro y tres están sentados en el piso de madera pelado. El regaño me cogió tirada en el sofá, acostada en otro mueble de hierro blanco con cojines de flores azules muy bonitas. Eran gardenias.

Sépase que dentro de un mes seríamos siete hermanos. Quizás entonces compondríamos algo, pensaba yo. Pero, nada, en aquella casita de tres espacios contiguos, haríamos de tripas corazones.

La casita la construimos valientemente entre los seis mayores con Ana Victoria Anaya Soto, nuestra mamá, junto a muchos compueblanos queridos.

Teníamos entre los siete y doce años de edad. A mí me tocaba velarlos a todos mientras las mujeres y hombres de La Puente (y nosotros) cargábamos con tablones de madera, zinc para el techo, cuatro por cuatros de madera, planchas de plywood, y ventanas de persianas blancas, ya que había que tener la casa hecha, construida antes de que el sol saliera. Sería una obra rápida. Había que tener la casa montada y habilitada antes de que la aurora despertaste sin hacer ruidos, para no crear sospechas de qué estábamos rescatando tierras de la nueva comunidad que haríamos en La Puente de Jobos. Se llamaría Comunidad Miramar. Durante toda la noche sólo se escuchaban los ta ta ta de los martillos. Al amanecer lo qué nos restaba por hacer era un pozo muro e instalar una manguera para bañarnos cuando nos conectaran el agua Y de ahí, Ana Victoria, con el juez Jr. Calzones (amigo personal del barrio) tendrían que darle nombre a todas las calles de la Comunidad Miramar. El sueño de Ana Victoria estaba en marcha. Ya teníamos nuestro pedazo de tierra. Nuestra madre, dentro de su casita, escogió darle el nombre de flores a las calles. El tema sería vivir en un lugar bonito que reflejara la tierra, la flor y la mar. La calle nuestra se llamaría Gardenia, su flor favorita. Otra, Amarilis, como mi hermana. Otra, Margarita, como abuela. Allí empecé a mirar cómo el mundo giraba financieramente a mi alrededor. Tenía 12 añitos y estaba aprendiendo a ser economista urbana. Con los oídos para’os y sus ojos brown grandes, bien abiertos a Alvi no se le nota el miedo. ¿Ajentá?sonreía- No sé en qué se va a convertir- Mami reía.

David nace en Holyoke, MA.

Los vecinos construyen muchas casas alrededor de la nuestra. Para mí fue una experiencia sublime e inspiradora. Mi sonrisa lo decía todo. Admiraba a todas aquellas familias y su grandeza. Supe ese día que la vida no tiene barreras.

Cada una de los sonidos de martilleos me hacían bailar; y según la aurora se levantaba su tintineo abrazado por el sol, y el aire caribeño, nos refrescaba la piel. El brazo de La Mar desde El Puerto de Jobos, y la Playa—Pueblo Pozuelo nos abrazaban y nos daban de comer. Nuestro patio colindaba con una finca de guayabas que nos llevaba su aroma mientras que los terrenos húmedos le servían a los jueyes como morada (y a nosotros para comer). Por el otro lado, a algunos doce pies de distancia, los vagones de la caña nos arrojaban más comida al pasar. De vez en cuando, a alguno de mis hermanos le regalaba una trillita en el tren de ferrocarriles.

Mientras, en nuestro espacio más íntimo del hogar, aunque teníamos un lugar para bañarnos con una manguera, aquella tira de goma se mantuvo allí pendiente de usarse hasta que el alcalde decidiera cuándo nos pondrían el agua y la luz.

Durante los siguientes tres años usamos velitas de cuatro pulgadas, blancas. Ellas tenían su propio ser. Nos alumbraban, pero también nos vieron crecer. También fueron las que nos conocieron nuestros continued on page 12

Ana Victoria Anaya-Soto en Chicoppe, MA en 1961.

The Care Center Launches the 21st Edition of Nautilus II por MANUEL FRAU-RAMOS

On June 23th, The Care Center in Holyoke released its 21th edition of Nautilus II: Poetry and Art by Young Mothers Studying at The Care Center. The event was held in the same venue that has been held for many years, the iconic bookstore Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley. The launching of this book has become a yearly event that attracts a large number of friends of The Care Center to Odyssey Bookshop. Each year, a team of young mothers from The Care Center is selected to be the editors of the arts and literature book. In the process, they learn editing, graphic design, public speaking and leadership skills necessary in the production of Nautilus II. The book, a collection of poems, photos, and art, represents The Care Center’s high standards, mission and the own students’ perspectives. The team of students are in charge of editing the work, write supporting materials, and collaborate with local designer Craig Malone to bring this unique publication together.

Nautilus II is one of the many outstanding arts and educational initiatives of The Care Center. The Holyoke-based organization was honored by the White House in 2011 with a National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, issued by The President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities and it is also a recipient of the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s 2019 Commonwealth Award, honoring its long, outstanding and exceptional achievement in the sciences, arts, and humanities.

The Student Editorial Board of the class of 2023 consisted of the following group of Editors: Destiny Bermudez, Aaliyah Carrión, Xaymara Díaz, Jamirra Gamboa, Imani Harrinson, Franshesca Nuñez, Breanada Pérez, Sairenys Pérez, Zanyah Pittman, Adelaiza Reyes, Carmen Rios, Brianna Rock, Ashley Santos y Amanie Torres. Aaliyah Pereira is the Senior Editor.

Craig Malone was in charge of Design and Production, and Staff Editors were Charlene Choi (Managing Editor), Ana Rodríguez (Asociate Managing Editor), Marjory Zaik (Contributing Poetry Editor), Amanda Munson (Associate Contributing Poetry Editor), and Léa Donnan (Art Editor).

Brenda Pérez Gómez designed the Cover Art for this year’s edition. Nautilus II is supported by a network of local poets, the Poetry Foundation, the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Youth Reach Program, by the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Care Center, established in 1986, has become an oasis of hope and opportunity for success for thousands of young people in the region, mostly residents of Holyoke, by creating an environment where success is possible. It has worked with thousands of teen mothers and their families as the women continue their education and move toward greater self-awareness and economic stability. Each year more than 100 pregnant and parenting young parents use The Care Center. Services include academic classes in preparation for the HiSet, college courses, with on-site daycare, health care, in-house

counseling, assistance with the transition to higher education, and door-to-door transportation.

Other programs offered by The Care Center are HiSET/GED, a high school equivalency program, the College Support program that offers a wide range of supports needed to get to and through college, and Bard Microcollege Holyoke that provides students with a high quality, liberal arts associate degree. The Care Center is home to Bard Microcollege Holyoke, a free accredited associate’s degree program for Care Center students and other low-income women, the first of its kind in the nation.

For more information about the poetry journal contact THE CARE CENTER | 247 Cabot Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 | Phone: (413) 532-2900 or visit THE ODYSSEY BOOKSHOP: College St., South Hadley, MA 01075 / Phone:(413) 534-7307.

Literatura / Literature

Volver a Guayama continued from page 10

secretos de niños, y fueron testigos y escucharon nuestros cuentos y en qué momento nos enamorábamos.

Qué difícil fue cargar agua de la pluma pública una vez nos conectaron el servicio. Estaba a 50 pies de distancia de la casa, y aquellos baldes de manteca de puerco eran tan pesados que ya no encontrábamos donde ponérnoslo; un ratito en la cabeza, no; en la cadera, no; ufff; adonde fuera con tal de llegar a la casa rápido. Con los pies mojados y enfangados llevamos el agua a cuesta para bañarnos, cocinar, bajar el toilet.

“Ay ya Mami, ya no quiero cargar agua- suplicábamos cada uno.”

Ya, a mis 15 años, la plumita de agua se desapareció y nos llegó el agua de verdad, por plomería.

Con nosotros también creció La Puente. Cada vez llegaban más y más New York Ricans; y yo estaba encantada pues podía hablar inglés sin sentirme prejuiciada en la escuela, los parques, la plaza en el Pueblo. Pude disfrutar de estar a donde los muchachos neoyorkinos tocaban bomba. Además, los nuevos chicos bailaban muy lindo la salsa, el mambo, el son cubano y el guaguancó con aquellos gorros y boinas de lado y los pantalones bellbottom bien afila’os y con su tumbao al caminar. No mucho más tarde, me casaría con uno de ellos.

Los puertorriqueños volvimos a casa desde los años 1950 después de la segunda guerra mundial. Por decirlo así, empezamos un movimiento económico denominado “la emigración en reversa”.

Llegábamos anualmente 10,000 puertorriqueños, hasta que nos cansamos de la lucha para tener un apartamento, buenas condiciones médicas y demás. De 1962 en adelante, esa cifra se había doblado. En 1963 llegamos a ser 33,000 puertorriqueños decididos a quedarnos en nuestro terruño; nuestro archipiélago. De ahí en adelante, este número subió a 55,000 de acuerdo a un estudio de estadística que Duke University Press, Historical Data on Reverse Migration of Puerto Rico, editará

Música / Music

En el New York Times Archives de 1967 también se documenta esta misma realidad. Y El Taller Puertorriqueño en Philadelphia, “Historical Economy of Puerto Ricans” in Philadelphia in the 20th Century, Ariel Vazquez, entra a este tema en relación a el impacto económico cuando las factorías colapsan y se incrementa el desempleo. Source: ©2019 The Historical Society of Pennsylvania in collaboration with Taller Puertorriqueño and with support from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.

De acuerdo al documento, dos de las razones para que los nuyoricans volvieran a la isla eran el declive de la economía de Estados Unidos (expertos economistas lo definieron como estanflación); y por el otro lado, la gentrificación racial que nos ocurría a consecuencia de leyes creadas para exterminar a los vecindarios donde vivíamos en Estados Unidos. Volvimos a consecuencia del maltrato. Los Black Panthers nos ayudaron a parar algunos de estos abusos. Los Young Lords Puertorriqueños de Chicago y New York se aliaron a Los Black Panthers para conseguirnos comida y tratamiento médico a fuerza armada. Estas luchas eran la misma historia, de nuestra historia puertorriqueña, en Massachusetts, New Jersey y Pennsylvania.

Este grupo nuevo que volvió a La Puente de Guayama ya había cambiado, ya habían vivido y participado en estos grupos y entendíamos que el sueño americano no existe.

ALVILDA SOPHIA ANAYA es Afro-Puertorriqueña, Economista, Memorista, Artista Urbana y Plástica. Esta obra ha sido posible gracias al apoyo de Nerissa Nields “Writing It Up in the Garden Workshop”, Michael Biegner Big Yellow Fund, Writing Scholarship; Damaris Pérez Pizarro, fue fotoperiodista del periódico “El Pueblo Latino”, Springfield MA. Tambiéen reivio apoyo de Western Massachusetts Community Foundation, Springfield, MA; Pioneer Valley Writers’ Workshop administrado por CEO Joy Baglio.

En el 2022 y 2023 Alvilda Sophia fue seleccionada como Escritora en Residencia, (Writer in residence) para 50 Arrow Gallery , un nuevo espacio de galería de uso gratuito dedicado a la equidad social y la inclusión en Easthampton. Al mismo tiempo, la reconocida investigadora, escritora y profesora de la Universidad de Puerto Rico – Río Piedras de Puerto Rico, Dra. Mayra Santos Febres, se convierte en la editora de obra en progreso de Alvilda Sophia.

Para mas información puede contactar a la autora al 413-686-6458 o a traves de su correo electrónico alvilda173guayama@gmail.com

Llega el Blanco y Negro Volver Tour al Mohegan Sun Arena por DARLYN DÍAZ LINDSAY

Como parte de su exitosa su gira, Blanco y Negro Volver Tour, el cantautor Guatemalteco Ricardo Arjona presento su majestuosa producción en el estadio del Mohegan Sun Casino en Uncasville, CT.

Durante la tarde interpreto más de una docena de éxitos de su amplio repertorio el cual ha acumulado durante más de 30 años de carrera y con los cuales ha conquistado las mentes y corazones de sus fans. Desde exquisitos arreglos tropicales al tema Historia de Taxi hasta un solo en violin en el tema Sin Daños a Terceros, le noche fue un manjar para los presentes. Por supuesto sus famosos temas Quien Diría, Cuándo y Acompáñame a Estar Solo no faltaron. Como suele hacer a la hora de cantar el tema Señora de las Cuatro Décadas, Arjona eligió una fan del publico, la subió a la tarima y le dedico el tema.

Cientos de fans, la mayoría con vestimenta blanca y negra, ansiosamente esperaban al aclamado cantautor. El escenario se convirtió en el Condominio Blanco y Negro y tras varias videos, con guitarra en mano el cantante comenzó su set con el tema “Animal Nocturno”.

La tarde se convirtió aun más intima y emocionante cuando el cantante le pidió al publico que pidieran las canciones que les gustaría escuchar. Los fans levantaron carteles, el cantante eligió varias y con estas interpretaciones encanto aun más al publico que le hacia corro a cada uno de los temas.

“Llevaba 27 años esperando por esta noche, fue perfecta”, nos dijo Luz Vega- Hernández, residente de Springfield.

Plátanos Go with Everything by

Description:

Paletero Man meets Fry Bread in this vibrant and cheerful ode to plátanos, the star of Dominican cuisine, written by award-winning poet Lissette Norman, illustrated by Sara Palacios, and translated by Kianny N. Antigua.

Plátanos are Yesenia’s favorite food. They can be sweet and sugary, or salty and savory. And they’re a part of almost every meal her Dominican family makes. Stop by her apartment and find out why plátanos go with everything—especially love!

Reviews:

LISSETTE

gold plátanos-colored digital illustrations capture the dance of life mid-spin. — Publishers Weekly

About the Authors:

LISSETTE NORMAN is a poet and author of the picture books My Feet Are Laughing and Plátanos Go with Everything. She is also co-author of the picture books, Until Someone Listens (w/ Estela Juarez) and On the Line: My Story of Becoming the First African-American Rockette (w/ Jennifer Jones). Lissette received her BA in English at SUNY-Binghamton and currently lives in New York City. Visit her at www.lissettenorman.com.

“Yesenia takes readers on a sensory and culinary journey. Bright, inviting illustrations welcome readers into the warm embrace of family and food.” — Kirkus Reviews

Prompted by a family’s love of plátanos, this simile-laden embrace of Dominican culture twines food and story. Norman works this ode into a well-rooted family story that expands upon the food’s power as a “magical cure,” a “superpower,” and a “fiesta.” Palacios’s green and

SARA PALACIOS is the recipient of the 2012 Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor for her work on Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match/ Marisol McDonald no combina. A native of Mexico, Sara graduated from the National Institute of Fine Arts in Mexico City with a degree in digital graphic techniques and went on to earn BFA and MFA degrees in illustration from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She works with a variety of media such as collage, ink, and digital artwork.

‘Across the Spider-Verse’ and the Latino legacy of Spider-Man

father – an ex-con who had turned his life around – and Puerto Rican mother in Brooklyn.

How Morales’ race and ethnicity would play into the stories has been a point of contention. As English professor Jorge J. Santos, Jr. argues in the collection “Mixed-Race Superheroes,” the first comics series featuring Morales “barely makes any mention of Miles’s ethnicity.” He didn’t seem to speak Spanish, nor did he have any Puerto Rican or Latino friends. He even resisted being seen as a Black Spider-Man. That somewhat changed in the following series, which came out in 2018 and was written by Saladin Ahmed and drawn by Javier Garrón. In December 2022, Cody Ziglar, a Black comic writer, took over as the head writer of Morales’ story.

Latino representation in the Spider-Verse is still somewhat lacking. Araña, a Mexican-Puerto Rican Spider-Girl conceived in 2004, is the only other major Latino Spidey character.

Marvel has tried to highlight Latino diversity in its other comics. In 2021, the comics publisher released an entire collection showcasing Latino characters titled “Marvel’s Voices: Comunidades #1.”

The sequel to “Into the Spider-Verse” is sure to make viewers of color in the U.S. cheer. As Latino media scholar Isabel Molina-Guzmán

continued from page 9

argues, while race complicates Hollywood casting and writing, Black and Latino viewers reacted very positively to Morales. But she insists that the movie also invites longtime fans and audiences of all backgrounds “to stand in Miles Morales’s space” and root for the mixed-race teen trying to save the world.

To me, that’s what makes superhero films starring characters of color so compelling. These characters are, in many senses, outcasts searching for community – in their real lives and in costume. As Frank, the comics scholar, notes, these differences can lead to feelings of alienation.

But they can also be a source of empowerment.

REGINA MARIE MILLS is Assistant Professor of English at Texas A&M University, who specializes in U.S. Multi-Ethnic Literatures, specifically Latinx and African Diaspora literature and media. Her first book, to be published in 2024 with University of Texas Press, will be part of the “Latinx: The Future Is Now” series. “AfroLatinx Life Writing: U.S. AfroLatinidades in Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries” examines a century’s worth of AfroLatinx life writing to examine how AfroLatinxs have used life writing to navigate distorted visibilities and write against narratives of mestizaje.

NORMAN (Author), SARA PALACIOS (Illustrator)

NASHVILLE, TN | HARPERCOLLINS | January 31, 2023 | 32 pages

Reclaiming the Americas Latinx Art and the Politics of Territory (Latinx: The Future Is Now)

by TATIANA REINOZA • AUSTIN, TX | UNIVERSITY of TEXAS PRESS | April 18, 2023 | 248 pages

Description:

How Latinx artists around the US adopted the medium of printmaking to reclaim the lands of the Americas.

Printmakers have conspired, historically, to illustrate the maps created by European colonizers that were used to chart and claim their expanding territories. Over the last three decades, Latinx artists and print studios have reclaimed this printed art form for their own spatial discourse. This book examines the limited editions produced at four art studios around the US that span everything from sly critiques of Manifest Destiny to printed portraits of Dreamers in Texas.

Reclaiming the Americas is the visual history of Latinx printmaking in the US. Tatiana Reinoza employs a pan-ethnic comparative model for this interdisciplinary study of graphic art, drawing on art history, Latinx studies, and geography in her discussions. The book contests printmaking’s historical complicity in the logics of colonization and restores the art form and the lands it once illustrated to the Indigenous, migrant, mestiza/o, and Afro-descendant people of the Americas.

Reviews and Awards:

In Reclaiming the Americas, Tatiana Reinoza argues that decolonizing Latinx artists reclaimed printmaking from its original association with mapmaking and the associated “spatial logics of colonization” linked to charting and space-claiming. In an act of singular scholarly curation, Reinoza identifies four organizing approaches, or “territorialities,” in the work of printmakers in the US Southwest and along both its coasts, to

the Americas is a masterful book, deeply researched and written with clarity, on contemporary printmaking and specifically Latinx printmaking, and it is sure to impact scholars, readers, and teachers of art history as well as American and cultural studies more broadly. -- Leticia Alvarado

About the Author:

TATIANA REINOZA is an art historian who specializes in contemporary Latinx art and the history of Latinx printmakers in the United States. She received her Ph.D. in art history from The University of Texas at Austin in 2016 and is Assistant Professor of Art History at the University of Notre Dame. Reinoza has contributed to many scholarly publications on the history of Latinx printmaking including ¡Printing the Revolution! The Rise and Impact of Chicano Graphics, 1965-Now. In addition, she co-curated Hard Fought: Sam Coronado’s World War II Series at the Benson Latin American Collection and All My Ancestors: The Spiritual in Afro-Latinx Art at the Brandywine Workshop’s Printed Image Gallery. She is currently a Getty Scholar, in residence at the Getty Research Institute in Los Angeles.

A sangre fría, con valentía por BELLA MARTÍNEZ

Félix Disla (Autor), Robert Téllez (Editor), Isabel Zorrilla (Préface), Ana Marchena Segura (Prólogo) Publicación Independiente | Abril 2023 – 174 páginas

A sangre fría, con valentía es la biografía autorizada sobre el ingeniero Francisco Edmundo “Pachín” Ramírez Castillo, el ingeniero que le abrió paso a toda una generación de trabajadores desplazados de República Dominicana que llegó hasta Puerto Rico con la ilusión de lograr el sueño americano.

Este libro pretende establecer un recorrido por la trayectoria de este gran ciudadano, dominicano de nacimiento y puertorriqueño por adopción. Pachín es orgullo domirriqueño e inspiración para todo inmigrante que sueñe con mejorar su calidad de vida aportando al mejoramiento de la patria que le acoge.

BELLA MARTÍNEZ nació en Puerto Rico. Es graduada de Ciencias Naturales de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras. Vivió en el estado de Dakota del Norte como miembro de la Fuerza Aérea de los Estados Unidos. Completó su maestría en Administración de Servicios de Salud y Métodos Cuantitativos en Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

Salud / Health

En el año 2016 publicó Esquizofrénica: Episodios imaginarios de una vida diferente. En el 2020 escribió Insurrecta: Crónicas esquizofrénicas de una vida indómita de Ediciones Scriba NYC. Mantiene contacto con sus seguidores a través del blog La vida es bella, atrévete a vivirla. Su misión es inspirar a personas de habla hispana en todo el mundo a vivir la vida a plenitud. Sus escritos han sido publicados en varias antologías literarias internacionales, entre ellas: Divina, la mujer en veinte voces de Ediciones Scriba NYC -premiada en los International Latino Book Awards 2019, en los Ángeles, California- y en varias ediciones del poemario Siglema 575, de poesía minimalista, Ediciones Scriba NYC. Si deseas conocer más de Bella, puedes hacerlo visitando Bellamartinezescribe.com o a través de sus páginas en Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube y Pinterest.

BHN Holds Grand Opening Celebration for New Ware Family Resource Center Location

SPRINGFIELD, MA | BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NETWORK, Inc.| June 14, 2023— Behavioral Health Network, Inc. (BHN) recently held a Grand Opening Celebration for its new Ware Family Resource Center location at 82 Main Street. Jose Monteiro, Director of Community and Family Engagement for the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF); State Representative Todd Smola; Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan; Hampshire County Sheriff Patrick Cahillane; and BHN staff gathered to celebrate the new, larger facility.

The FRC provides free support and access to community resources for families and their children in Western Massachusetts. Center programming is designed to help children develop social and emotional skills; brings people together for mutual support; links families to services and community opportunities; responds to family crises; and values and supports parents and strengthens parenting skills.

Steve Winn, BHN’s President and CEO, said, “We are pleased as an organization to open this new, larger facility as we grow to meet the needs of families in Ware and the region. Being here for our community is critically important. Our new facility, right on Main Street, helps us really be here when you need us.”

In addition to assisting families with finding resources, FRCs support families with youth who are at risk of needing court involvement because of their behavior. A main goal of FRCs is to serve as a diversion from the court system.

The BHN Ware Family Resource Center (FRC) was previously located at 78 Main Street in Ware, and has now moved to a new, larger facility that provides more space for its programs to serve youth and families in Western Massachusetts.

The grand opening event featured a program with remarks by BHN President and CEO Steve Winn; BHN Senior Vice President Katherine Mague; Ware Family Resource Center Program Director Amy Breton; Sheriff Cahillane; Representative Smola; Director of Community and Family Engagement at Massachusetts DCF Jose Monteiro; District Attorney Sullivan; and Aide to Senator Ryan Fattman Amanda Hellyar. Attendees were also able to tour the new facility.

The Ware Family Resource Center is part of a statewide network of FRCs that help families and individuals resolve challenges, strengthen their bonds, connect to others and engage in their communities. FRCs are supported through funding from the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF). For more information about the BHN Family Resource Center, visit www. bhninc.org/frc.

BHN has been providing behavioral health services to children and families in Western Massachusetts since 1938. The agency provides community-based services that include innovative, integrated wholehealth models as well as traditional clinical and outpatient and therapeutic services, day treatment, addiction services, crisis intervention and residential supports.

l-r: Sheriff Patrick Cahillane, Steve Winn, BHN President and CEO, Amy Breton, Family Resource Center Program Director, Michelle Michaelian, BHN Sr. Vice President, State Representative Todd Smola, and District Attorney David Sullivan