Latino Center 226 College Ave

Medford, MA 02155 (617) 627-3363

LatinoCenter@tufts.edu ase.tufts/edu/latinocenter

Director/Editor:

Rubén Salinas Stern

Staff Editors:

Renata Arauz-DeStefano Apryl Rosas

Are you interested in submitting articles, pieces of art or pictures for NOTICIAS? If so, contact: The Latino Center at ext. 7-3363 or email latinocenter@tufts.edu

• 1 out of 20 businesses in the U.S. are owned by Latinos

• Latinos now number 47 million or 15.5% of the population in the US

• Over 50% of Latinos fear that they, a family member, or a friend could be deported

• Latinos in the U.S. have a spending power of $700 billion a year

• Bill Richardson, Secretary of Commerce nominee, is Latino and a Tufts graduate

• 10 million Latinos voted on November 4, 2008

• Nationwide: 67% voted Obama, 30% McCain, 3% other

• Arizona: 61% voted Obama, 36% McCain, 3% other

• Florida: 57% voted Obama, 42% McCain, 1% other

• 41% of voters in New Mexico are Latino

• 78% of Latinos in New Jersey and 74% in California voted for Obama

• 55% of Cuban Americans 18-29 years of age in Florida voted for Obama

DDIDID Y YOUOU K KNOWNOW…?…?

Inside this issue:

Front Page Articles (Cont’d)

2

“World Travelers” Stats about Latinos in ‘12

3

Latino Center Events and Heritage Month Pictures

4-5

Students Abroad and Latino Studies Courses

6

Get Involved! LMG and Mujeres

7

Did You Know? 8

226 College Avenue ase.tufts.edu/latinocenter Winter 2008 Vol.13 Issue 1

New Faces on Tufts Campus

the one outside her house. “It was traumatic,” says Professor Gerassi-Navarro, “being from more than one culture and more than one country.” When her mother went to Argentina for research, Professor Gerassi-Navarro joined her and attended high school in Argentina. Although Profes-sor Gerassi-Navarro was from the States, she felt much more accepted in Argentina than in Hanover. Because Argentina felt so much more welcom-ing, when her mother returned to the US, Professor Gerassi-Navarro decided to stay and continue her education in Argentina. In college, Professor Gerassi-Navarro majored in literature. How-ever, she pointed out that during her studies, because of the military regime in power at the time, she was never really asked to question or think about

The ‘Dynamic Duo’

Focus on the Faculty: Professor Gerassi-Navarro P ro fes -sor Nina G e r a s s i -Navarro is the head of the new

L a t i n A m e r i -c a n

Studies Major, now in it’s sec-ond year at

Tufts. Born in New York, New York to a Spanish mother and a French father, Professor Gerassi-Navarro had a very multicultural upbringing, spending sum-mers with her grandparents in Uruguay and the school year in the States. After moving to Hanover, New Hampshire when her mother began teaching at Dartmouth College, Professor Gerassi-Navarro said she felt as if there were two worlds – the world of her family and

Zulayne was raised in the Bronx, New York, alongside other Ecuadori-ans, and was more than excited to come to Tufts and meet other Lati-nos on campus. Upon arriving, Zu-layne realized how difficult the transi-tion was academically, having at-tended a high school that did not challenge her. Zulayne was glad to realize that there was a strong sys-tem to support her academic growth and appreciates the advice that her advisor has been able to give her. Zulayne has focused herself on her studies since her arrival on the Hill but hopes to change that next se-mester by further involving herself in both ALAS and Mujeres. Clarissa and Zulayne have a strong

Clarissa Rivas, a South Texas native, was drawn to the East Coast due to its diverse culture which offers a nice con-trast to the predominantly Mexican re-gion in which she lives. Living so far away from Massachusetts, the notion of coming to Tufts seemed so intangible, that it wasn’t until she boarded the plane that she realized just how far from home she would be. Clarissa combats her homesickness with her involvement in various clubs on campus including being on the executive boards of both ALAS and the Climate Solutions Club. Additionally, her close friendship with fellow freshman Zulayne has helped her transition to college life. Unlike Clarissa, Zulayne Mera does not have to board a plane to get home.

By: Renata Arauz-DeStefano, ‘11

By: Apryl Rosas ‘10

Zulayne Mera&Clarissa Rivas

For many college students, making new friends can be an espe-cially daunting task, but for the “Dynamic Duo,” Zulayne Mera and Clarissa Rivas, “it just happened.”

Professor Nina Gerassi-Navarro Professor Gerassi-Navarro

New Faces on Tufts Campus (Cont’d) connection between them. They first met each other through a mutual friend at the Food Fair during Orienta-tion week. Their instant bond began after Zulayne came up with a rather unusual nickname for Clarissa. “I have a very big personality, so when I say stuff, it might be interpreted the wrong way, but it was really good to know that there was somebody whom I could be close with and understand,” said Zulayne. Indeed, their friendship has helped them adjust to any problems they have encountered at Tufts. “It’s been difficult having to balance school work, social life, and extra curricular activities, but it’s manageable,” ad-mits Clarissa. Both Clarissa and Zulayne feel pressure from all angles as though they have to work “ten times as hard as the next kid” to keep up. Realizing that they are not the only one in that situation has helped to ease any stress that they would have harbored. Clarissa and

Zulayne, though coming in with a intended major, are now ex-ploring different areas that interest them before settling down. While they have both enjoyed their time on the Hill, they also recognize the need to get off campus and explore Boston. In addition to hitting the local “hot spots,” Clarissa and Zulayne attended their first poetry slam earlier this semester to watch their friend perform and are excited to continue to do so in the years to come. In the meantime, Clarissa and Zulayne continue to take it one step at a time while learning to deal with their new-found free-dom and all the responsibilities that come with it. Both feel that it was necessary to come to Tufts and have matured as a re-sult. Clarissa and Zulayne advise their fellow freshmen to ex-plore as many options as possible and take advantage of what is in front of them.

their culture and use their ability to see things from different cultures to their benefit whenever possible.

the materials she studied. When she came to the US for graduate school, she was shocked when she was asked to “write about what you think.” In retrospect, Professor Gerassi-Navarro says that she was able to write with this new freedom because she had such a strong foundation in the classics from her studies in Argentina. Today, Professor Gerassi-Navarro looks back at her difficulties being multicultural and realizes that it is a positive thing. At Tufts, as well, she sees the impor-tance of not just being multicultural, but of being ex-posed to various academic fields and different perspec-tives. For example, in the Latin American Studies Ma-jor, Professor Gerassi-Navarro and the other faculty stress the importance of interdisciplinary study. “Disciplines talk to each other,” she says, and it is im-portant to find the tools to enable that conversation and shift the way you look at things in order to better under-stand them. Professor Gerassi-Navarro has taught courses on Latin American film, Latin American Me-tropolises, Recasting the Colonial World and on Out-laws in Latin America. Regarding the Latin American Studies Major and all majors at Tufts, Professor Ger-assi-Navarro recommends that students not limit them-selves or their curiosity. For Latino students in particu-lar, she encourages that students use their “belonging to two places” to their advantage. Professor Gerassi-

Navarro believes that ones heritage is ones big-gest asset and advises students to take pride in 2

Focus on the Faculty: Professor Gerassi Navarro(Cont’d) Photos from the Latino Alumni Association at Tufts, 2009

Hey Guys, I am in Sunny Southern California. I am currently working for a non profit, as their youth program coordinator. I am ap-plying to graduate schools now, both in the west and east coast, in Child Development and Psychology. Tell Rubén I say hello and miss him very much. Sincerely, Vanessa Rojo

Hey hey!! I miss Tufts! I am here in NYC and work-ing as a Research Coordinator for Mount Sinai hospital in the Emergency Medicine Department. I am more than okay. And I hope that everyone over there is also more than okay. I miss all of you!! And Rubén, don't work so hard! :)

-Laura Rivera

ALAS Culture Show 2009!

The Association of Latin American Students (ALAS) is proud to present its fourth annual Latino Culture Show. The extravaganza will feature dancers, singers, live music, and good food. Sign up and get involved—you don’t have to be on stage to contribute!

The show will take place on Saturday

March 7th

Email Joel Alcon Joel.Alcon@tufts.edu

to get involved.

Live in La Casa Next Year! La Casa Latina offers any sophomore, junior, or senior the opportunity of living with others who are interested in Latino culture. Resi-

dents are required to coordinate and participate in house pro-jects and activities in conjunction with any campus organiza-

tion, academic department or the Latino Center.

Applications will be made available by January 23rd The deadline to apply is February 6th

Interviews: February 1st—February 13th Roster Announced by February 16th

For more information visit:

ase.tufts.edu/latinocenter or call x73363

Apply to Become a Latino Peer Leader!

The Latino Peer Leader Program was created to support first year students. Latino Peer Leaders organize fun and

helpful activities and programs designed to help first year Latino students make their transition to college life a success. Applications will be available in late March 2009!

For more information on the program visit: ase.tufts.edu/latinocenter or call x73363

Join MUJERES for discussions on Join MUJERES for discussions on Latina issues, interracial dating, film screenings, Latina issues, interracial dating, film screenings,

events with other groups, and more!events with other groups, and more!

Thursdays from 10Thursdays from 10--11 pm at the Latino Center. 11 pm at the Latino Center.

For more information contact For more information contact Yashira.Perez@tufts.eduYashira.Perez@tufts.edu

All women are welcome!All women are welcome!

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Tufts LMG (Latino Men's Group) is an organization

dedicated to creating, uniting, fostering, and strengthening the community of Latino men at

Tufts. LMG is a safe and open setting where La-tino men can voice their thoughts and opinions on issues regarding both the Latino and Tufts commu-

nities.

Fridays at 5:30 pm at the Latino Center.

Contact Juan.Pimentel@tufts.edu for more info.

http://ase.tufts.edu/latinostudies

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Course # Course Name Block Professor AMER186 Critical Race Theory Seminar: Issues in Urban Education Mon 4:30-7:15 Vaught

AMER 12 Race in America W 4:30-7:15 Wu

ANTH 17 Latino Pop Music, Migration, and Identity I+ MW Pacini-Hernandez

ANTH 137 Language and Culture J+TR Benaion

ANTH 149 Involuntary Crossings K+MW Burtner

CH 55 Race, Ethnicity, and Health F+TF Martinez/Perea

CD 153 Culture& Learning: Issues for Education E+MW Mistry

CD 164 Cultural Diversity in Child& Family Services T9-11:30 Garcia Sellers

DNC 92 Intermediate Salsa: Female/Male Part K+MW Thigpen

EC 62 Economic International Migration Various Hardman

EC 191 Cities in the Developing World E+MW Hardman

ED 1-01 School and Society D+TR Cohen

ED 162 Class, Race, &Gender in the History of US Education M 4:30-7:15 Worrell

ED 279 Multicultural Issues in Counseling and Psychotherapy 8+R Pinto/Silas

HST 1.25 Anticolonialism in Global Perspective (Foundation Seminar) 5+ M Manjapra

FAH 84/184 Latin American Cinema 10+M Zavala

MUS 42 History of Jazz G+ MW Ullman

PS 188-18 Topics in International Relations: Migration, Refugees, &Citizenship in Globalized World L+TR Greenhill/Shevel

SOC 130 Wealth, Poverty, and Inequality F+TR Ostrander

SOC 186 Seminar In International Health Policy TBA Taylor

SPN 35 Survey of Latin American Literature II Various Various

CIS 99 Latino Studies Internship ARR Pacini-Hernandez

CIS 135 Latino Studies Independent Study ARR Pacini-Hernandez *Core courses are in Bold **For more information, and up-to-date information, please visit the Latino Studies Department website at http://ase.tufts.edu/latinostudies

Rafael Artiles ‘10 London

Jenna Robey ‘10 Chile Edna Gonzalez ‘10

London Edna, Rafael & Friends London Phone Booth

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Central/South American 23 Hispanic ( country not specified) 8 Dominican 9 Mexican 20 Puerto Rican (US) 7 Puerto Rican (Island) 4 Cuban 8

AL: 1 CA: 7 CO: 1 CT: 2 DC: 1 FL: 9 GA: 1 IL: 2 MA: 10 MD: 5 NM: 2

NY: 18 NJ: 2 OR: 1 PR: 3 RI: 1 TX: 8 Argentina: 1 Chile: 1 Costa Rica: 1 Guatemala: 1 Mexico: 1

Charcoal on Bristol board

Mixed media on canvas

Acrylic on canvas

Oil on poster

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