Hispanic Nashville Notebook

What does it mean to live in a totalitarian country?

2010-02-03T19:15:00.002-06:00

Some people have been saying that we live in one. As somebody that spent many years of his life scared to death [about government control] of living under one, I figure I'll share some of my memories.

So what does it mean to live in a totalitarian country?

It is to be very afraid of the police, because we have seen them arresting and beating up people randomly, for no other reason than they can.

It is to see the military treating you like the enemy all the time; i.e. by wantonly pointing their guns at you for no reason.

It is because you know that every paper, radio station or TV station is now controlled by the regime and only prints propaganda.

It is to be afraid of the teachers in your school because they carry guns and work for the regime, and because the principal was replaced by a regime guy who is not interested in education.

It is carrying an ID with your picture and fingerprint at all times, and losing it puts you into a panic when you see a policeman because no ID means immediate arrest.

It is to see people being picked up in the middle of the city, and put roughly in an unmarked car while screaming at the top of their lungs that they are being kidnapped. It is to be paralyzed by fear, unable to help, knowing that person will never be seen again.

It is the clergy, that while working to help their fellow man is disappeared by the regime, and shows up dead on an unmarked grave.

It is shady corporations using the regime to get rid of workers who advocate better working conditions, universities getting rid of opposition professors and students, and people targeting the neighbors they dislike.

It is families broken apart by people fleeing the country to a safer place, or by forced disappearance and the people that stay behind waiting for the missing loved ones.

It is a system that empowers the regime to govern with total impunity, unafraid of consequences.

All over the world there are people that live under totalitarian regimes. People are being kidnapped, tortured and killed. Kids are being removed from their families and raised by the regime.

Every day, extremist ideologues try to portray our democracy as a dictatorship, and this is something very frightening to a lot of people. But the fact that they can do that, that they can make this sort of claim is the ultimate proof that we don't live in one. If we did live in, let's say, Cuba - or the Argentina of my youth - they will be afraid of ending up like the hundreds of journalists who died or were tortured for speaking truth to power all over the world.

To describe our democracy as a totalitarian regime insults the lives and memories of people that live under this and other terrible conditions. It insults them, it insults us.

Fabian Bedne

Ballet Folklórico de México February 3 at Schermerhorn

2010-01-29T06:55:00.002-06:00

Laura Turner Concert Hall
Wednesday, February 3, at 7 p.m.

Ballet Folklórico de México

A treasure in their native land for more than 50 years, this internationally famed ensemble blends music, choreography and colorful costumes in spectacular stage shows that bring alive Mexico’s brilliant array of cultural traditions. Take a journey through the ages as dancers trace the evolution of Mexico’s rich history and capture the essence of this country’s breathtaking beauty.

Tennessee Hispanic Chamber mixer February 4 at Chappy's - RSVP by February 1

2010-01-29T05:19:00.000-06:00

Raul Regalado to speak

From the Tennessee Hispanic Chamber of Commerce:

PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR:

Guest Speaker:
Raul Regalado
CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority

February 4th
from 11:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
At Chappy's Restaurant
1721 Church Street
Nashville, TN 37203

To R.S.V.P. please click here
R.S.V.P. Before February 1st.

Coalition of Immokalle Workers co-founder Lucas Benitez will be on "Speak Truth to Power" panel tonight at Vanderbilt

2010-01-28T06:28:00.006-06:00

Recipient of 2003 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award
Part of MLK lecture series
Kerry Kennedy to moderate

Lucas Benitez, co-founder and co-director of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, will be a panelist at Speak Truth to Power, part of The Martin Luther King Jr. 2010 Commemorative Lecture Series at Vanderbilt University. The event will be moderated by Kerry Kennedy, American human rights activist and author of Speak Truth to Power, at Benton Chapel at 7:00 p.m.

According to the press release, "Benitez helped secure the first wage increase for tomato pickers in 20 years, exposed and stopped two slavery rings and launched a Labor Action Rights program that collected nearly $100,000 in back wages" and that he "organized a successful boycott of the fast-food chain Taco Bell that was called off in 2005 when the company agreed to address the wages and working conditions of farm workers in the Florida tomato industry."

For more on Benitez, see his remarks upon accepting the 2003 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award. It was the first time in the award's then-20-year history that it was presented to a U.S.-based organization.

See also this interview by the American Bar Association in 2000, this interview by Free the Slaves in 2005, this 2007 New York Times article, this transcript of his testimony before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee in 2008, and the web site of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers.

Here is the press release for tonight's event:

Kerry Kennedy, human rights activist, daughter of Robert F. Kennedy and author of Speak Truth to Power will moderate a panel discussion on activism and justice Thursday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. at Vanderbilt University.

The event is free and open to the public and will be held in Benton Chapel.

Kennedy’s book, Speak Truth to Power, seeks to promote a more just and peaceful world by galvanizing public support for international human rights through cultural, educational and Web-based programs. A non-profit organization of the same name was started to engage the general public in an ongoing series of issue-related programs and events, bringing human rights activists and their work to wider audiences.

The book has also inspired a play by Chilean writer Ariel Dorfman, a photographic exhibition by Pulitzer Prize-winner Eddie Adams, a PBS documentary film, and an education packet. The Speak Truth to Power organization is a division of the nonprofit Robert F. Kennedy Memorial.

The panelists at the Vanderbilt event include:

- Lucas Benitez, the co-founder and co-director of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. By educating and organizing fellow migrant farm workers, he has helped secure the first wage increase for tomato pickers in 20 years, exposed and stopped two slavery rings and launched a Labor Action Rights program that collected nearly $100,000 in back wages. He organized a successful boycott of the fast-food chain Taco Bell that was called off in 2005 when the company agreed to address the wages and working conditions of farm workers in the Florida tomato industry.

- Stephen Bradberry, the head organizer of Louisiana ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for ReformNow. ACORN has been active in communities of color for more than 30 years. Bradberry has served in low and moderate-income neighborhoods in Louisiana for more than a decade. His chapter of the national community group, ACORN, has more than 10,000 member families and works specifically in the area of living wages, environmental justice and voting rights.

- Marina Pisklakova, an internationally recognized leading women’s rights activist in Russia. As founder of the National Center for the Prevention of Violence “ANNA” she works on creating an effective system of response to domestic violence by educating governmental officials and the public about the issue of domestic violence in Russia and other countries. For the past 12 years she has been involved in training for newly established crisis centers for women, for law enforcement and other governmental officials on the topics of domestic violence, human trafficking and women’s human rights.

For more information about Speak Truth to Power, visit www.speaktruth.org.

Red Cross conducts Middle Tennessee's first open-to-the-public CPR class in Spanish

2010-01-26T05:32:00.004-06:00

Baptist Hospital, the Community Foundation, and the Nashville Area Red Cross recently hosted a Spanish-language CPR class at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. The participants in this class learned to save lives by recognizing and responding to victims of heart attacks, stroke, and choking (both conscious and unconscious). According to the Red Cross, being able to perform CPR early on is crucial in preventing brain damage and will greatly increase a victim’s odds for survival.

The entire content for this event was in Spanish - the video, learning materials, and the live education from instructors. Each participant earned a CPR certification card at the conclusion of the class.

Photos of the event are here.

The Tennessean reported here that this was the Red Cross' first public CPR class to be held in Spanish in Middle Tennessee:

The growth of the Hispanic community, including English and Spanish speakers, shows the need to offer the class, said Matt Moody, manager of health and safety services for the chapter.
...
"We have not had, and still don't have, a strong enough working relationship with the Latino community," Moody said. "This will be a doorway for folks into the Red Cross, and we have the opportunity to broaden our base of volunteers."
...
Red Cross volunteers have given the class in Spanish, but only when businesses asked for it. Moody estimates there about a dozen CPR classes for Spanish speakers at businesses each year in the chapter area.

Looking for a job that values your second language? Here are a few - and don't miss that Regional Manager position...

2010-01-15T05:46:00.010-06:00

I've been receiving news of a number of local jobs for bilingual Spanish/English speakers. I've cut and paste them below.

Photo by Geoff Stearns. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Jobs posted by the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition:

Jobs
Receptionist at Siloam Clinic
Seeking a bilingual receptionist (English/Spanish or English/Arabic)
Part-time position
Click here to read the application.
Contact Linda Bailey at (615) 298-5406 or at (615) 577-4010 or linda.bailey@siloamhealth.org
Receptionist at the Thompson Lane Dental Clinic
Thompson Lane Family Dentistry
Seeking bilingual applicants
Call (615) 837-4525 for an interview
Dental Assistant
Thompson Lane Family Dentistry
Seeking bilingual applicants
Call (615) 837-4525 for an interview
Census Jobs
Seeking bilingual applicants
Temporary jobs
For more information in Knoxville call (865) 291-5420, in Nashville call (615) 234-5760, or in Memphis call (901) 251-4410.
Click here for more information.
Exchange Program with Mexico for Bilingual Teachers
Click here to see the application
Click here for more information.

From Eric Melcher at Vol State:

Everyone: We are accepting applications for the full-time, three-year Hispanic outreach grant position at Volunteer State Community College. We would appreciate your help in getting the word out to people. They can apply online at: https://jobs.volstate.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1263409137341

Here is the information on the position:

Posting Number:
0600261
Position Title:
Family Engagement Specialist
Position Type:
Classified - Non Exempt
Department:
Student Services - Advising Center
Job Summary:
This is a grant position that is funded for three (3) years. This position is anticipated to end on June 30, 2012. This position works directly with Hispanic families, promoting the role of Higher Education and working to help students access this resource, ensuring quality customer service to minority and Spanish-speaking students, and will provide assistance to faculty, staff, and community members who come into or contact the Advising Center. Some college background is preferred for this position.
Minimum Job Requirements:
A High School diploma or GED, some college preferred;
One (1) year of experience in an office setting;
Fluent oral and written skills in Spanish and English;
Must demonstrate excellent problem solving, communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills;
Detail oriented;
Exhibit positive customer service philosophy;
Experience with basic computer operation and Microsoft Office products;
Ability to work flexible hours to meet demands of high volume times, special events and/or projects.
Essential Job Functions:
Meet with prospective students (and their families) both on and off campus;
Work with community groups/organizations and organize events that directly impact the Hispanic community;
Provide basic college information to students and families;
Coordinate flow of students to Advisor/Counselors, assist students with PRIDE web registration procedures, orientation, and basic web searches;
Process work orders for events/special projects and paperwork for bill payment, travel, payroll, etc.;
Conduct surveys and provide documentation and assessment for TBR grant requirements.
Posting Date:
01-11-2010
Application Deadline:
02-05-2010
Special Instructions to Applicants:

Employment Type:
Regular
Full Time
Fiscal Year (12 Mos.)
Required Applicant Documents:
Cover Letter
Letter of Reference 1
Letter of Reference 2
Letter of Reference 3
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Initial Review of Applications:
02-05-2010

Eric Melcher
Coordinator of Communications and Public Relations
Volunteer State Community College
1480 Nashville Pike
Gallatin, TN 37066
Office: 615-230-3570
Cell: 615-483-8994

From the Tennessee Hispanic Chamber of Commerce:

EXPANDING OPENING OFICES: LOOKING FOR PART/ TIME FULL TIME SALES AND MANAGEMENT DEVELOPING BROKERS- FINANCIAL SERVICES SVCS (INSURANCE AND INVESTMENTS)

CONTACT NANCY MOLINA SHARBER AT 615-347-1592.

ATL/MURFREESBORO LATINO EXPANSION PROJECT.

Nancy Molina Sharber
Exit Realty Bob Lamb & Associates
1202 SE Broad Street
Murfreesboro TN 37130
Cell: (615) 347-1592
Office: (615) 896-5656

Trade Broker

Works with client base as a customer service rep.
Doesn't have to be a certified trade broker but experience is great.
Marketing degree preferred.
Broker matches clients needs together.
Constant phone work and gratifying relationships with clients.
Training provided.
Salaried position plus bonus if goals achieved.
Will begin interview after January 9th.

Marketing/Sales representative
Contacts people via phone, mail or meetings and sets appointments to meet with business owners.
They explain the benefits of Tradebank and how it works.
Once they sign up they are assigned to a broker who then services the account.
Sales experience a must.
Charm and determination a must.
No shy people for sure.
Sales training and pay provided.
Salary and commission plus bonus.

Mark Caldwell, contact 615-860-4060

North Nashville Attorney looking for bi-lingual assistant for part-time work which, if successful, will lead to full-time work.
Applicants must be 18 years or older with a driver's license
and transportation.
Salary: $8-$12.50/hr depending on experience,
education level, and ability.
Send resume to Attorney Marc A. Walwyn
by mail to the address below
or by e-mail to: marc@walwynlaw.com.
No telephone inquiries, please.

Walwyn & Walwyn
visit us at walwynlaw.com

1994 Gallatin Pike N. Ste. 305
Madison, TN 37115
Account Executive
Station: WLLC 42, Telefutura Nashville
Telefutura 42, Middle Tennessee's only locally-owned and operated Spanish television station is looking for talented and motivated individuals to fill Account Executive openings.

Account executives are responsible for developing and maintaining business relationships with advertisers. The ideal candidate will be able to generate sales leads, close sales and offer clients advertising solutions in marketing, brand building and brand recognition

Bilingual in Spanish and English strongly preferred.
Previous experience in media sales not required.

Send your resume to: eric@solonashville.com

American General Life and Accident Insurance Company
Paid Training
Comprehensive Benefits
Find Your Place
Realize Your Potential
Make A Difference
Earn While You Learn
No Sales Experience Necessary
Opportunities for Bonuses and Exciting Trips
Call Jegir Salman at 615-482-5028
jsalman.agla@gmail.com

AGLA
2000 American General Way
Brentwood, TN 37027
Program Specialist for the Latina Birthing Project, which serves pregnant Latina teens here in Davidson County.
Applicants must be fully bilingual.
This is a full time job with full benefits.
Please respond with any questions to:

Dr. Kimberlee (Health) Wyche at Kimberlee.Wyche@nashville.gov

Grant funded position to work directly with young pregnant women and their community matched "Sister Friends".
Program Specialist 1 oversees:
- Development and provision of resources for individual participants
- Helps with problem solving
- Compliance with prenatal and support services.
- Helps plan and attends monthly meetings, assures pairs of pregnant teen and Sister Friend are well matched with successful communication, and individual compliance with program guidance.
- Responsible for tracking participants
- Following up on missed appointments
- Required paper work, and meetings, planning quarterly baby shower

Must have received a high school diploma and have had at least one year of experience working with youth. Must have strong customer service skills, ability to effectively collaborate and work with economically and ethnically diverse populations, and like working with adolescents. Works closely with Federal Healthy Start staff, as well as other partnering agencies. Requires use of own transportation on the job, and willingness to work alternate hours.

From LifeWay:

Content Editor, Hispanic Products - Requisition 3021

This position is located in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Church Resources Division of LifeWay Christian Resources is currently seeking a content editor to focus upon Hispanic products and published materials. The individual chosen for this position will participate in the editorial direction, creative concept and design, production, and quality improvement of products and published materials for the Hispanic population. This person will focus upon resources produced in Leadership & Adult Ministry Publishing. The content editor will manage the production schedules and will enlist, train, and develop contract writers and translators for the products. Responsibilities include editing and reviewing content and concept to ensure educational soundness, biblical accuracy, and doctrinal integrity. The individual selected for this position must ensure that our Hispanic products promote the intended message to the leaders and adults in the Hispanic church audience. It is critical that this person has a passion for ministry to these audiences and be able to apply that knowledge to resource development that meets customer needs. The editor will collaborate with copy editors and graphic designers on the development, relevancy, and production of Hispanic resources and materials. This individual must also understand and promote budget compliance and responsible financial management.

After reviewing the job description, if you would like to submit your application to be considered for employment, please complete the application in English.

We Need:

BS/BA in biblical studies, English, liberal arts or related area is required

Master's degree is a plus, with preference given to seminary graduation

Strong editorial experience and skills are required

Candidates must be fluent in the Spanish language, both verbal and written

Candidates must have a thorough understanding of the Hispanic culture

Membership in a Hispanic church that is aligned with the Southern Baptist is required

3-5 years recent and active participation in a Hispanic church is required with preferences given to those with activities that engage the church leadership and adult audiences

Candidate must also have a strong command of the written and verbal English language

Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work within a team environment

Strong organizational skills, able to meet repeated deadlines and evaluate processes to increase production and productivity

Computer proficiency is required

Domestic Trade Account Representative - Requisition 3079

This position is located in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Domestic Trade Account Rep will receive inbound telephone, email, fax orders and inquiries from domestic trade stores and distributors. Research, and resolve trade customer complaints and questions regarding resources, orders, shipping and billing. Make outbound sales calls to U.S. trade accounts/distributors to increase current account buying levels and to add the number of new accounts purchasing LifeWay Church Resources products, events and services. Provides back up assistance to the International Trade Team. Receives inbound telephone, email, fax orders and inquiries from Domestic trade stores and distributors. Researches, resolves trade customer complaints and questions regarding resources, orders, shipping and billing. Makes outbound sales calls to U.S. trade accounts/distributors to increase current account buying levels and to add the number of new accounts purchasing LifeWay Church Resources products, events and services. Provides back up assistance to the International Trade Team. Must be fluent in spoken and written English and Spanish.

We Need:

High School diploma or GED required, Bacehlor's degree preferred

Must be fluent in Spanish language, both verbal and written

Two years of customer service and/or telephone sales experience

Knowledge of trade/distributor business processes and practices desired

PC knowledge and proficiency required

Knowledge of international business cultures and customers required

Active involvement in a local evangelical church

Must have a good understanding of the Hispanic culture and community

Ability to work under stress and heavy workload demands

Must be highly motivated, organized with excellent time management skills and a positive attitude

Regional Manager - LifeWay Espanol - Latin America & Spain - Req 3049

This position is located in Nashville, Tennessee.

LifeWay Espanol of LifeWay Christian Resources is seeking a representative to be a direct link between the Hispanic population and LifeWay's Hispanic resources and events for the Hispanic Christian market located in Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Argentina. The individual selected for this position will be responsible for expanding and growing the brand and sales of Hispanic products through developing and executing a customized sales plan with distributors, retail stores, churches and ministry organizations. The Regional Manager will develop and introduce customized resources that promote the understanding use of LifeWay products.

The Regional Manager will communicate and interact with distributors, retail store leaders, and church leaders via one-on-one meetings, telephone, mail or e-mail, with the specific purpose of understanding the needs and dynamics of the Hispanic population, and serve as a liaison of that information to LifeWay. This individual will represent LifeWay resources/products to the customer groups and assist in customizing solutions to meet those needs. These interactions between LifeWay and the customer groups should promote the understanding and implementation of church growth strategies that will result in trusted relationships, growing churches and kingdom impact.

The Regional Manager will be responsible for identifying, enlisting, and training key pastors and church leaders, evangelical organizations, distributors, conference organizers, and Volunteer Consultants to plan, coordinate, and schedule training events for the Hispanic communities. This individual will conduct training events to inform and educate other trainers about the full range of the Hispanic ministry resources available from LifeWay.

WE NEED:

BA or BS degree is required

Master's degree (MBA, MRE, MDIV, or equivalent) is preferred

Exceptional bilingual (Spanish and English) skills are required

Sales experience is required

At least 2 years church staff and/or consulting and training experience is required

Must be an active member of a Southern Baptist church

Must have proven knowledge of LifeWay products and resources

Very strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills

Self-disciplined and organized

Ability to strategically think and execute

Excellent writing skills are needed

Strong with computers and communication technologies

Must be available for travel throughout the region at least two (2) weeks of every month

Be a part of LifeWay Christian Resources as we "...help people and churches know Jesus Christ and seek His Kingdom by providing Biblical solutions that spiritually transform individuals and cultures."

Happy 75th birthday, Norma Antillon

2010-01-14T04:50:00.003-06:00

"Premier go-to person" at Vanderbilt's Center for Latin American Studies
Advisor and teacher at Primera Iglesia Bautista
Daughter of the Guatemalan ambassador to Washington, D.C.

Norma Antillon will celebrate her 75th birthday among friends and colleagues this Friday at 5pm in the Buttrick Atrium at Vanderbilt University. Antillon is Program Manager for Vanderbilt's Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS).

I first met Norma at the Primera Iglesia Bautista, the Southern Baptist congregation that my wife and I joined in 2003, a few months after it moved to its own building off of Murfreesboro Road after being part of the First Baptist Church downtown for a number of years.

Norma is kind, strong, enthusiastic, and outgoing. Her leadership at La Primera has made her a pillar of the church, where she still attends and serves.

Norma is also a pillar of her Vanderbilt community. Mardy Fones of Vanderbilt's Arts and Science magazine profiled Norma in the Spring 2008 issue (photo credit: John Russell), noting Norma's importance to CLAS, then known as CLAIS:

“Norma Antillon is the glue that holds us together,” says Ted Fischer, professor of anthropology and director of the Center for Latin American and Iberian Studies (CLAIS). “She is our public face, the person who shepherds students through the program. She knows where our alums are and what they’re doing, and through her, gives them a tight connection to the center. When alums call, they always ask about Norma.”
...
Her official title is administrative assistant, but it should be premier go-to person for the center.

The interview also explored Norma's broader story:

My father was the Guatemalan ambassador to Washington, D.C., so I went to the American School in Guatemala.
...
Every day when I walk from the parking lot, I rejoice in the beauty of the [Vanderbilt] campus. And I talk to the campus groundskeepers. They’re very nice people.
...
I’m always busy with my church. It’s very international—we have members from 12 Latin American countries. I’m a consejero (part counselor/part teacher). I help people who want to be baptized. I also teach a Sunday school class for older members and visit new members.
...
Everyone keeps asking me when I’m going to retire. I keep asking God the same question. In the end, I think it’ll be technology that gets me out of here. Even my grandsons do things on the computer I don’t understand. At Christmas, my son gave me a combination telephone/answering machine. It had 60 pages of instructions. I told him to take it back. When I’m home, I just want a phone I can use by picking it up and saying “Hello?”

Read the full interview with Norma here.

Norma's bio on the CLAS Faculty and Staff web page reveals her love of the Center, of Vanderbilt, and her family:

Originally from Guatemala, she worked at the Instituto de Nutrición de Centro América y Panamá (INCAP) for five years; she married Oscar Pineda who worked at INCAP and together came to Vanderbilt where he pursued a Ph.D. in biochemistry. During this time Norma worked at the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Medical School. Went back to Guatemala, and 22 years later she decided to return to Nashville. She applied for a job at Vanderbilt and was hired to work for International Programs, mainly for the Center for Latin American Studies. In that position, she has been able to apply her native Spanish language and her knowledge of Latin American culture. Norma loves working with students, staff and faculty. She enjoys the university environment, its challenges, and the opportunity to participate of many interesting projects, visiting speakers, etc. Norma has been fortunate to work for several directors; they are outstanding scholars but also wonderful human beings that care for people. Norma is very thankful for her three grown children and ten grandchildren who keep her in young spirit.

Photo by John Russell for Arts and Science

Instituto Allegro hosts open house Friday, launches Spanish-language praise and worship classes Saturday at Christ Church

2010-01-12T04:02:00.004-06:00

Nicely dovetailing Sunday's article in the Tennessean about the growth of Nashville's Hispanic churches, the Allegro Institute (Instituto Allegro) (Blog / Twitter) will host an open house this Friday showcasing its slate of Spanish-language praise and worship music and multimedia classes, which begin this Saturday in its new location at Christ Church on Old Hickory Blvd.:

Wayne Hilton, international director of Músico a Músico, announced that Allegro Institute, founded in July of 2008 in Nashville by the teaching non-profit, Músico a Músico, also based in Nashville, will relocate to Christ Church, 15354 Old Hickory Blvd., effective January 16.

An open house will be held this Friday evening, January 15th at 7:00 p.m., where visitors can hear the MaM Band featuring many of the Instituto Allegro instructors, take tours of the new building, have personal conversations with all school instructors, and hear testimonials from students.

During this evening, five visitors will receive a certificate for one month of free weekly lessons.

For nearly two years, the Instituto Allegro music school has given classes all day each Saturday to lots of area Hispanic musicians. “Grateful for the [previous] location of the school but very excited about this new location as this move is being precipitated by growth,” Hilton says. The institute teaches all types of music including theory, voice and instruments like drums and percussion, keyboard, guitar and more with all classes conducted in Spanish.

“Our goal”, Hilton comments, “is to train a large number of church worship musicians & singers to not only serve in their own churches, but to prepare them for potential musical careers without limits. Most of our students are already involved in their churches throughout middle Tennessee and beyond. But, we’re not limited to teaching just a certain type of music. Music is universal and can transcend social, political and religious prejudice. So, we invite others to study on our campus with our main student body of Christian musicians. This is a three year program that we are very serious about.”

Starting Saturday January 16, Allegro Institute will be presenting group & individual lessons at their new location. This is a good move for Allegro because the next phase of our projected curriculum expansion is to create classes for all types of worshiping arts like dance, drama, mime, theater and other visual arts. Hilton sums up, “This new location allows us to be even more creative in our classes and ultimately promote our goal of a creative Christian Community of musicians and artists equipped for service in response to an explosion of growth in the world-wide church”.

For further information contact Allegro director, Rachel Vasquez at 804.7177 regarding student classes or teaching possibilities.

Read the Tennessean article about the growth of Nashville's Hispanic churches here.

Nashville band Saints of Havana to play 2010 Miss Latina US pageant

2010-01-11T03:22:00.001-06:00

From the people who run the Miss Latina US Pageant:

Organizacion Miss America Latina is pleased to announce that SAINTS OF HAVANA will be featured artists at the 2010 Miss Latina US Pageant on May 29th in Barcelo Punta Cana. [University of Chattanooga senior Lilibeth Leon will represent the Volunteer State as the reigning Miss Tennessee Latina -Ed.]

Saints of Havana is a unique pop country band comprised of Cuban brothers Rey and Cesar Montecristo and American singer Aaron Shea. The merging of these three super talents and cultures has created a new and rich blend of modern country music, full of rhythms and flavors innovative to the genre. While maintaining the rich lyrical content, which is a trademark of any good country song, they have managed to add touches of pop, rock and latin music while remaining true to country’s roots. This blend along with their incredible live energy makes this Nashville-based trio something magical, exhilirating and new. The band is currently in production of their 2010 debut release.

From the band's bio on Facebook:

Saints of Havana is a modern pop country band comprised of Cuban brothers, Rey and Cesar Montecristo and American singer Aaron Shea. They met in legendary "Music City" in 2008, and have united their cultures and backgrounds to create a rich style and new blend of country music. They now prepare to infuse their brand and rhythmic sound into this richest of musical genres. Their well balanced mixture of Country, Afro Cuban, Rock, and Pop creates the new sound country music fans have been craving around the world.

Singer Aaron Shea, a veteran of Nashville known for his charismatic stage presence and sultry tenor voice, was born in Michigan where he studied writing, piano, and acting. Aaron starred in the hit rock musical "Summer of "66" for 2 years while making numerous appearances on the Crook and Chase Show. He has shared the stage with many known artists and secured acting roles in the WB's Dawson's Creek and a number of commercials and music videos. Aaron toured South America and the States with his solo projects but now extends his horizons, with excitement, as a founding member and lead singer of Saints of Havana.

Brothers Rey and Cesar Montecristo emigrated from Havana, Cuba, and resided most of their lives in Miami, FL. They are both accomplished singers and instrumentalists, with Cesar concentrating his expertise in the fields of guitar, piano, and programming and Rey in vocals and bass guitar. The brothers have toured extensively in support of their numerous bands and were the only unsigned act to ever tour all the "Hard Rock Cafes" nationwide with their band "Heir". After inking a deal with Sony Latin in their teens, they have now turned their attention to making waves in the American market. As founding members of Saints of Havana, they have set out on their most ambitious project yet.

The band’s name was born of history. In 1519, the town of San Cristobal De La Habana was founded. With the Passing of the years the town grew into the city known today as Habana to the Spanish speakers and as Havana in Dutch, English, and French. In 1592 King Phillip of Spain designated Havana the "Key to the New World" and set out to build fortresses to defend its harbors from pirate attacks and to bless outgoing ships against hurricanes. Three massive forts were built in Havana Harbor, then the most important port in the "New World". The forts were known as Saint Salvador de la Punta Castle, which guarded the west entrance to the bay, Saint Moro Three Kings Castle, which guarded the east entrance, and San Lazaro Castle, which guarded the middle approach. These three forts were each adorned by a huge statue of each saint worked in wood and precious metals, which offered an impressive and majestic view to all who visited the beautiful island and to all who sought its sanctuary. Inspired by this story, of that fabled Harbor City, the Saints of Havana stand, as the three forts have for centuries, ready to make history and to welcome travelers into their world.

Dear New York Times: why the "illegal" for one law but not for others?

2010-01-08T15:18:00.003-06:00

Dear New York Times:

Please look at the frequency of your paper's use of the word "illegal" as an adjective to describe individuals in the comparative contexts of (a) immigration law and (b) other laws.

You may find to your chagrin that immigrants are nearly the only group of people you describe as "illegal," and immigration law is the only law the Times reports on this way.

The January 3, 2010 article "Whither the Dream" uses the term "illegal student" in the context of immigration law.

The January 8, 2010 blog post "Italy Puts Swiss Tax Haven Under Siege," however, described a separate category of lawbreaking - tax evasion - without once using the noun or adjective "illegal" to describe the lawbreakers themselves. The author's descriptions of the people who had violated the law were "the rich," "tax evaders," "Italians," and "Italian clients."

The disparity between the January 3 article on immigration law and the January 8 blog post on tax law is not attributable to the difference between your paper's articles and its blog posts. The difference is representative of a broader trend at the Times.

A Google search for the word "illegal" on your pages reveals numbers of people described in headlines as "illegal" if the law at issue is immigration, but the same treatment of anyone else in regard to any other law is rare. And when the Times switches to other words besides "illegal," to describe a person it's seldom in regard to immigration. A search for the word "lawbreaker" on your pages shows approximately 750 occurrences, but only 55 also include the word "immigrant." How often do the words "illegal" and "immigrant" appear in the same story together? 13,600. How many appearances of the words "illegal immigrant"? 4,740.

If the standard for reporting on people who break the law is to predominantly use neutral terms like "the rich," "Italians," and "lawbreakers," then it's questionable to switch to a vocabulary modifying your descriptions of people with a legal adjective - "illegal" - just because the law is immigration.

So please start referring to students as "students" and leave it at that.

For the sake of variety, you may still decide it is appropriate to occasionally throw in a legal description of a person, as was done once with the term "tax evaders" in the tax-related blog post. May I suggest that for immigration law, the adjectives "visaless" and/or "unvisaed" are more specific than "illegal" or even "undocumented" or "unauthorized," because it's the lack of a visa (or immigration-specific authorization) that more specifically describes people without immigration status. If you search for usage of the term "unvisaed" here in the U.S., you won't find it much, but it's a commonly used term in Australia. "Visaless" is an even more common term. Both are reasonable alternatives. If you find these unacceptable, maybe no adjective is useful, and you may find it helpful to focus on describing behavior instead of characterizing people.

At least be consistent between your descriptions of people who are on the wrong side of immigration laws and people who are on the wrong side of tax laws.

Best regards,

John Lamb
Nashville, TN

Make your voice heard here.

Photo by Thomas Hawk. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Sign-ups and tickets available for Ballet Folklórico de México, Diversity in Dialogue, and free five-week Financial Peace course

2010-01-08T06:53:00.007-06:00

Dave Ramsey presents Andrés Gutiérrez: Financial Peace Live in Spanish - Free 5-week series starting January 18

Dave Ramsey presenta a Andrés Gutiérrez, "Paz Financiera" En Vivo, Cada Lunes por 5 semanas, Desde el 18 de Enero hasta el 15 de Febrero, De 6:30 a 8:30pm, El seminario es completamente gratis. ¡En este nuevo año aprenda a cómo tener éxito con su dinero! Para más información llame al 1.800.781.8897 o por correo electronico a Jorge.hoyos@daveramsey.com Financial Peace Plaza 1749 Mallory Ln. Brentwood, TN 37027

Diversity in Dialogue: January 26 registration deadline

“DIVERSITY IN DIALOGUE” DISCUSSION GROUP WINTER SERIES SET The Diversity in Dialogue winter series dates have been set for February and March, Scarritt-Bennett Center announced today. The deadline to register is Jan. 26. A six-week series developed by Scarritt-Bennett Center, Diversity in Dialogue (DID) Circles provide a forum for members of the community to share their feelings, opinions and thoughts on race relations, diversity and immigration in a non-defensive, non-critical environment. DID Circles are led by trained facilitators and each “circle” can accommodate 8 to 12 individuals from diverse backgrounds. The goal is to help participants understand their own and other’s views on racism, diversity and immigration to create long-term change. There will be two Diversity in Dialogue Circles for the winter 2010 series: Dialogues on Racism, and Dialogues on Immigration. WHEN: Dialogues on Racism Mondays: Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22; March 1, 8 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dialogues on Immigration, in collaboration with Tennessee Foreign Language Institute and Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition Tuesday, Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23; March 2, 9 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. WHERE: Scarritt-Bennett Center 1008 19th Ave. South Nashville, TN 37212 WHO: DID Circles are open to individuals in the community at large. Participants must commit to all six sessions, as they are progressive in nature and build upon one another. Registration Information – Deadline is Jan. 26. There is a $25 fee for all six sessions. If needed, financial assistance is available. The deadline to register is Jan. 26. Pre-registration is required. To register or for more information, contact Diana Holland, Dialogue Circle Coordinator, at dholland@scarrittbennett.org, or visit www.scarrittbennett.org. About Diversity in Dialogue Circles and Scarritt-Bennett Center Diversity in Dialogue is a program of the Scarritt-Bennett Center, an organization with a strong commitment to the eradication of racism and the promotion of cultural awareness. In Middle Tennessee, the program focuses primarily on race relations, diversity, and immigration, but can be used to address a variety of issues such as police and community relations, schools, unemployment, youth and neighborhoods. To date, more than 2,000 people in Nashville have participated in DID, including groups associated with private businesses, government agencies and universities. Learn more at http://www.scarrittbennett.org/programs/divdialogue.aspx

Ballet Folklórico de México February 3

Ballet Folklórico de México Special Event Laura Turner Concert Hall Wednesday, February 3, at 7 p.m. Ballet Folklórico de México A treasure in their native land for more than 50 years, this internationally famed ensemble blends music, choreography and colorful costumes in spectacular stage shows that bring alive Mexico’s brilliant array of cultural traditions. Take a journey through the ages as dancers trace the evolution of Mexico’s rich history and capture the essence of this country’s breathtaking beauty.

America to Oscar, others: we figured out a way to reward your good work and get you integrated, but we still haven't passed it

2010-01-06T06:41:00.007-06:00

Scene reports on the status of the DREAM Act

The Nashville Scene recently reported on "Oscar," a Nashville high school student with the kind of immigration problem that can get him deported, and the DREAM Act, the kind of legislation that can fully integrate him into American society.

I recently met Oscar at a conference, and his leadership in one of the sessions impressed me. I found out afterwards about his immigration problem. It crushed me. The same thing had happened to me over and over again when my family and I attended the Primera Iglesia Bautista on Murfreesboro Road, when people I knew for months would come up to me about their own immigration problems once word got to them that I was a lawyer.

The sad reality was (and is) that there are few immigration problems that can be fixed. It's a dead end, for the most part.

Dedicated youth like Oscar who have no individual culpability for the fact that they don't have a visa deserve at least one chance to earn legal status. Many already demonstrate personal responsibility in the circumstances they can control, like their studies, and as in Oscar's case, in extracurricular activities as well, where leadership skills flourish. The DREAM Act would verify that these students have kept their noses clean and done everything that's been expected of them through the end of high school, and grant them legal status. It would no longer be a dead end.

Instead of wasting the beneficial America-child relationship that has been developing throughout their young lives, we should be realizing that these young immigrants are already assets - already "us" - and make sure our laws see them that way.

The DREAM Act is a wonderful start. The Scene story has more details about the law and about students like Oscar. Aunt B. also has an August post entitled "Kids Who Need the Dream Act," among others.

Getting the DREAM Act passed

U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper told the Scene that a lot more work is needed to make the DREAM Act a reality:

"Right now the DREAM Act is a dream," he tells the Scene flatly. "And to turn that into reality is going to take a whole lot more work than anybody has put in so far."
...
Cooper adds that even if the DREAM Act passed in Congress, the Tennessee legislature would have to green-light portions of the legislation, mainly the question of whether to allow in-state tuition to undocumented students.

Well, at least one form of work to make the DREAM Act a reality is to contact our represented officials. Contact your U.S. representative at writerep.house.gov, and contact your U.S. senators at alexander.senate.gov and corker.senate.gov. (Remind Alexander and Corker that Republican Senator Orrin Hatch and Republican Senator Richard Lugar have been sponsors.)

In the House, Representative Steve Cohen is already a sponsor.

Gang awareness conference for parents of Latino youth this Saturday at Glencliff

2010-01-05T06:33:00.009-06:00

Concerned parents prompt event

An announcement from Rubén E. De Peña, Family & School Liaison of Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools:

Dear friend,

As you probably know, gang activity among our Latino youth is a prevalent and concerning issue at various schools in our district. According to Mr. Tony Majors (Glencliff High School Principal), parents would particularly like to hear how their sons and daughters are becoming involved in gangs and what they go through to be initiated. Many Latino parents have expressed a desire to learn more about the warning signs of gang activity and how they can help.

Because of this, a planning committee comprised of both local Latino leaders and Glencliff HS & the district has been meeting for several weeks to share different ideas to organize a gang-awareness event for our Latino families. We have selected this coming Saturday, January 9th, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., for this conference. It will take place in the auditorium of Glencliff High School, 160 Antioch Pike, Nashville, 37211.

While no parent will be turned away, the emphasis will be for Latino parents of middle and high school children in the Glencliff, Antioch, Cane Ridge, Overton, and McGavock clusters. This event is FREE of charge.

The guest speakers for this conference will include:
Tony Majors, GHS Executive Principal
Representatives from the MNPD El Protector and the Gang Unit.
Pastor Tommy Vallejos, H.O.P.E. (Keynote speaker)
In addition to a great conference, various sponsors will provide FREE food, indoor entertainment for kids over 3 years old (a “Kids Zone”, in lieu of “childcare,” as stated on the flyer), and drawings (a laptop computer is included among the prizes, thanks to a community contributor!!!).

We are looking forward to having a candid conversation with parents and community leaders on this issue, hoping that it can eventually be gradually curbed or eradicated altogether. We hope you can join us and/or help us spread the word for this event.

Sincerely,

Rubén E. De Peña
Family & School Liaison
Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools
Glencliff Cluster
Office 333-5070 Ext. 307
Cell 947-8295

Tennessean cover story describes thousands on the wrong side of the law, but none are called "illegal"

2010-01-04T06:25:00.003-06:00

Journalists, politicians, and anyone interested in politics, take note.

On Sunday, Chas Sisk's top-of-the-fold Tennessean cover story on business tax amnesty demonstrated how to describe unlawful behavior without using the noun or adjective "illegal" to describe the lawbreaker.

The word choices to describe the people who had violated the law were simple: "businesses," "companies," "people," "businesspeople," and "owners."

Only two terms in the article turned the lawless behavior into a noun or adjective that described the offender: "scofflaws" and "noncompliant businesses." These terms were used half as frequently as the generic terms such as "businesses" and "people." The term "illegal" doesn't appear once.

If the standard for Americans who break the law is to predominantly use terms like "businesses" and "people," then it's slanted to commonly describe foreigners who break the law as "illegal" or "undocumented," and picking one word over the other can't make the descriptions any more accurate or any less unequal.

As I said last month, how we handle our words when we describe foreigners is a moral issue. If we tend to avoid certain words (like "illegal") when we describe an American who breaks the law, we mustn't favor that vocabulary when it's a foreigner who breaks the law. Being even-handed in our criticism of Americans and foreigners is about being morally, not politically, correct.

For a run-down of the Tennessean article's exact word choice, see here.

See also: Elizabeth Wright is pro-amnesty and Even tax collectors want to make compliance easy.

Writer Betsy Phillips and Nashville Hispanic Chamber are among city's many "wise men" this season

2009-12-25T06:45:00.009-06:00

I frequently commemorate holidays on this web site by posting a Bible passage, so posting the cartoon above that cracks a joke about the gift-giving of the magi seems like a 180 from that, and possibly offensive to some. But today is Christmas, material gifts were given on the first Christmas, materials gifts will be given to my children and family today (including some last night), and material gifts were given earlier this month to kids in families with immigration problems in news that was so outstanding that I believe today - Christmas - is the right time for a follow-up.

To recap, earlier this month, I posted about a Tennessean story describing kids being turned away from Christmas toy charity programs because of the immigration status of their parents, and about the subsequent outpouring of Nashville generosity to find toys for those kids.

This follow-up is to mention the efforts of local writer Betsy Phillips and also the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, who demonstrated wisdom in their generosity this Christmas season. Their efforts reveal the wisdom and generosity of many others, also named below.

Betsy Phillips (lifting up Houston reversals, Tom Grimaldi, Catholic Charities, Metro Social Services, El Crucero, and the West Nashville United Methodist Church)

Nashville writer Betsy Phillips blogs as "Aunt B." at Tiny Cat Pants and in her own name at the Nashville Scene's Pith in the Wind. Phillips' multiple posts on the toys-not-for-those-tots controversy reached her sizable audience, from her initial post on the national story before it became a Nashville story:

But, in what I count as a Christmas Miracle, both the Salvation Army and the Houston Fire Department seem to have recently “clarified” their policy and children in the same circumstances as Jesus was will no longer be turned away.

...to her Sunday School lesson for the charities turning kids away, on the Nashville Scene blog:

It does take an act of God to get people to act decently toward each other.

...to her praise for Tom Grimaldi and others who were the focus of the Tennessean story on the people who contacted the newspaper to give gifts:

These are the folks next year who should get to be the Grand Marshalls of the city’s Christmas Parade.

...to her call to the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition for ideas on where people could send toys to these kids:

I have talked to TIRRC about whether they know of charities that don’t discriminate based on immigration status. They will be getting back to me. I will share what I know when I know it.

...to her reporting back on agencies giving gifts to children regardless of immigration status:

Catholic Charities
Metro Social Services
El Crucero
The Lay Pastor for Integrative Ministries at the West Nashville United Methodist Church (they also could use some volunteer help this weekend, if you’re bilingual).

As these posts demonstrate, Phillips readily and generously employs her passionate writing to shed light not only on the plights of immigrants but also on the boneheadedness or kindheartedness of their hosts, whichever the case may be.

Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

The Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce also organized a toy drive for children regardless of immigration status. The event attracted the rare bipartisan support of the Middle Tennessee Hispanic Democrats and the Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Tennessee, and news of the drive was picked up by NewsChannel5. That report was then picked up by the national blog LatinaLista.

Over 200 children enjoyed toys, hot chocolate, food, singing, and time with Santa. The chamber posted photos of the event here.

"Merry Christmas to all."

Photo by Terry Hart. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Christmas to bridge national differences and generational divides at Iglesia de Dios Hispana de Nashville

2009-12-24T05:20:00.005-06:00

7 p.m. Christmas Eve service, 1500 expected to attend
"To introduce assimilated youth to their ancestry"

The Tennessean reports today on the Christmas celebration of Iglesia de Dios Hispana de Nashville, which is also advertised in the above video.

National and generational divides within the church are designed to be bridged by way of the cultural components of the celebration, according to writer Chris Echegaray:

The different offerings provided insight to the variety in Latin American culture even though the Spanish language unites most of the congregants, [Bishop Jose] Rodriguez said. The food and beverages also provided a way to introduce assimilated youth to their ancestry.

"We have a lot who are born here with Latino ancestry, so we want them to know the customs," Rodriguez said. "It's a way to teach them and for us to learn from each other as well."

This Hispanic Christian generational gap is a fairly universal phenomenon in immigrant churches. My family experienced it at a Spanish-speaking Southern Baptist congregation we attended for two years in Nashville, with the elders fretting about the deteriorating Spanish language skills of the youth group, and David Park has live-blogged the statistic that "up to 95% of post high-school churchgoers leave the ethnic church." Bridget Rivera's piece on her Southern and Latina identities is also insightful.

This is not a new phenomenon - I've mentioned before the the German Christian generational gap in 1870's Nashville:

By 1870 most of the Germans in the city belonged to the second generation. ... These younger Germans were much less concerned with maintaining European ties and traditions than their parents were. ... [T]hey had grown up in Tennessee and many of them had a distinctly Southern point of view.

Other highlights from today's story about Iglesia de Dios Hispana de Nashville:

7 p.m. Christmas Eve service
Marks a 15-year tradition at the church
Food and drink from all over Latin America
1,500 people expected to attend
Posters and murals created just for the event
Food baskets and 1,000 toys to be distributed
Church plans move to 25-acre site in 2011

People mentioned:

Jose Rodriguez, Bishop
Wendy Bustamante, from El Salvador, talking about learning about Venezuelan food
Mireya Quezada, missionary director

Read the story in its entirety here.

A plea at La Espiga bakery on Nolensville Road, "la espiga" in the Gospels, and Christmas thoughts of Alex, Alexis, and Alan

2009-12-22T06:23:00.010-06:00

Earlier this month, I was buying a "tres leches" cake at the La Espiga bakery on Nolensville Road.

If you haven't tasted tres leches cake, it's kind of moist. I don't really have a taste for it, but it's my wife's favorite, and it was her birthday.

As I was paying for the cake (and a few other pastries we called "Berliners" in Chile), I noticed a box next to the cash register, with this message:

"I need your cooperation with little boy Axel. He was born with a bone problem called 'antigriposis.' His parents Alexis and Alan were reported, and the three children stayed behind with their grandmother. I ask you for your help, brothers. May God bless you."

Axel, Alexis, and Alan: three names of Hispanic Nashvillians. Two of them - the "reported" parents, may or may not return here to be Nashvillians ever again. If they do, it will almost certainly constitute an immigration violation, at least under current law.

What "la espiga" means, and Jesus' lawbreaking disciples

Before I sat down at the computer to post this picture and this story, I had thought "La Espiga" - the name of this bakery - meant "the crumb." Actually, "miga" is the word for crumb, and "la espiga" means, "the head of grain." It's a word that comes up a lot in the Bible.

I went looking for some "head of grain" verses, and three of the four times the word appears in the Gospels is in a story about Jesus and his disciples being rebuked for lawbreaking.

One recounting of the story is in Mark 2:23-28 (NLT):

One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat. But the Pharisees said to Jesus:
Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?
Jesus said to them:
Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions.

My thoughts turn to Axel, Alexis, and Alan during this Nashville Christmas.

Middle Tennessee Christmas and Hanukkah services were in German

2009-12-21T06:04:00.008-06:00

German was the predominant language in some of the mid-state's 19th century Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant congregations:

Catholic:

[A]t the Church of the Assumption most sermons were said in German until World War I

Jewish:

Jews were very active in civic life in Nashville. Many were involved with non-Jewish fraternal societies like the Masons and Odd Fellows. A number joined German-speaking lodges, reflecting their strong German identity. Indeed, most of the sermons delivered in Nashville’s synagogues in the latter half of the 19th century were in German.

Protestant:

They established Hohenwald (which translates into High Forest). The cultural traditions of the Swiss were kept alive by the Swiss Singing Society, a band called "Echoes of Switzerland," waltzes at Society Park in Hohenwald, and the annual production "Willhelm Tell." Church services at the Swiss Reformed and German Reformed Churches were conducted in German.

21st century Tennessee-Germany connections

Nashville extends its German traditions through to the 21st century in a variety of ways:

Nashville's annual Oktoberfest celebration
Sister city exchanges with Magdeburg, Germany
A Tennessee Department of Tourism office in Germany and German-language web site
The presence of German companies in Tennessee ranging from Meinl Cymbals and Percussion to Volkswagen
Nashville's signature country music industry, with its German immigrant influences

Photo by Zadi Diaz. Licensed under Creative Commons.

"Illegal" word problem

2009-12-17T05:27:00.006-06:00

Criticism not applied to Americans, and not specific
The importance of a name

Whether the word "illegal" is an appropriate way to describe someone with an immigration problem is the subject of debate again.

On Tuesday, USA Today prominently used the term "illegal students" in an otherwise informative article about students trapped in their immigration status, and Change.org organized a petition in protest. I think it's important to sign the Change.org petition, even though I would quibble with its wording.

The use of "illegal" as an adjective or a noun has bothered me for a while. In October, 2006, a reader-inspired fake ad campaign (sample above) pointed out the ethical problem of how Americans break the law but never call ourselves "illegal." One of my January 2007 posts called out the Tennessean when it used the word "illegal" as a noun in a headline, a practice which the National Association of Hispanic Journalists said they are "particularly troubled" by. In October of this year, Kleinheider noticed my use of the term "visaless" in one of my stories about the Baby Yair case, in which the State wouldn't turn over a rescued baby to family members on the grounds of their immigration status.

Name-calling is easy when the name can't apply to you

When a label is a criticism, it's ethically important for the label to be one that could apply to the person making the criticism.

We all know we don't use "illegal" in the same way when we describe Americans with other legal problems. I remember seeing "illegal" used as a noun in an ABC News headline recently, so on a lark I just searched Google News for all ABC News stories using the word "illegal" in a headline. I went through ten pages of results, and there wasn't a single reference to an American lawbreaker. There were a few references to illegal conduct by Americans outside the context of immigration, but no use of the word "illegal" to describe the American person or people in the story.

A Google search revealed some reference to "visaless" in reference to Americans traveling abroad without permission, so that gives the label greater credibility as one that could be used in reference to foreign citizens who are traveling or living abroad (here) without permission.

The words "internationals" or "expatriates" are other words that are more often used to describe Americans abroad that could be adopted into our vocabulary of describing foreign citizens here.

Be specific

In describing the status of someone with immigration problems, "visaless" and/or "unvisaed" are also more specific than "illegal" or even "undocumented" or "unauthorized," because it's the lack of a visa that more specifically describes people without immigration status. Most visaless people usually are in possession of whatever documents the government allows them to have - you've never seen a visaless immigrant driving without a license plate, have you? And until the change in TN law, unvisaed immigrants had drivers' licenses, which made the concept of a driver who is legally licensed but still referred to as "undocumented" even more clearly nonsensical.

If you search the web for "unvisaed" you don't see the term used much here in the U.S., except by me in the pages of HispanicNashville.com - but it's a commonly used term in Australia. As mentioned above, "visaless" is an even more common term. Both are reasonable alternatives.

And just to be clear on two points: First, figuring out what word to use is not the same thing as figuring out or making a statement on what immigration law is or how people should act in regard to immigration law. Second, I use and have used a variety of terms to describe problematic immigration status (including the less favored ones described here), so my point in this post is not to force or prohibit the use of one term or another, but to encourage the use of the best possible terms.

"I have called you by your name"

Along those lines of encouraging the use of the best possible terms, and all this having been said, it's worth remembering that the best label for someone is their name.

Some people like to joke that those of us who resist the term "illegal" would call a thief in our homes an "undocumented explorer" or something like that. In response to that kind of joke, and putting aside for a moment the fact that they wouldn't use the term "illegal thief" either, my thought is that if someone is living and working in your house and getting paid for that work for a number of years, it's you that's out of place if you're calling them anything other than their name.

The importance of a name was eloquently invoked by Phil Bennett of Belmont Church in his recent post, "His name is James." I encourage you to read Phil's full post here. In the comments, Becky Nickins drove the point home for Christians:

"I have called you by your name; you are Mine”
Is. 43:1

Nashvillians respond with generosity after children turned away from toy donation programs because of immigration law

2009-12-16T04:22:00.003-06:00

Four-year-old Karla Montiel will be receiving gifts from kind Nashvillians this year, even though her parents were turned away from the Salvation Army Angel Tree program.

The Tennessean first reported Sunday on children being turned away, even if they are U.S. citizens, from programs that require Social Security numbers from their parents. The Tennessean then reported yesterday on the backlash of support for those kids.

Photo by Trevor Coultart. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Very Nashville gifts from $1.49 to $21.99 for readers of HispanicNashville.com (and your loved ones, too)

2009-12-15T06:54:00.005-06:00

Our Lady of Guadalupe hosts major celebration this weekend

2009-12-11T03:57:00.005-06:00

Photo by Loraine Segovia

"Students and aficionados of Hispanic culture will want to witness firsthand this great event"

The Nashville Spanish Language Meetup Group sent out this invitation to Saturday's Festejo de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church at 3112 Nolensville Road in Nashville.:

Students and aficionados of Hispanic culture will want to witness firsthand this great event, probably the most celebrated date in the Hispanic calendar. Below is the schedule of the 2-day event beginning on Dec. 11, as celebrated by Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Nashville.

NOTE: The first day's schedule is quite lengthy (about 7 hours) and no one is expected to stay for the complete duration of the event.

Because parking may be scarce, we will meet at 7 pm at the K-mart located at the corner of Harding Place and Nolensville Rd., then carpool as a group to the church.

El horario del Festejo (primer día) de La Iglesia Católica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, ubicado en 3112 Nolensville Road en Nashville (former site of Radnor Baptist Church):

5 pm - Rosario
5:45 pm - Danza
6:30 pm - Reflexion
7:30 pm - Danza
8:00 pm - Reflexion
9:00 pm - Apariciones Guadalupanas
10:00 pm - Alabanzas y Ofrendas
11:00 pm - Santa Misa
12:00 pm - Mañanitas y Bendiciones de Objetos Religiosos

http://iglesiacatolicanuestrasenoradeguadalupe.org

Mack talks taquitos, shares family memories

2009-12-10T02:24:00.016-06:00

Mack

Both parents were Mexican citizens, met in the U.S., served in World War II, returned to education after childhood, and were voracious readers

Yesterday, in a post titled "1145 Words about Chile", Middle Tennessee writer Mack of Coyote Chronicles reminisced about his "countless hours" eating taquitos growing up, which all began with mother's taco stand:

Half a century ago, my mother operated a successful taco stand located in East Los Angeles. Eventually, she sold it to her sister, who parlayed that small business into a high volume Mexican food restaurant on the edge of the San Gabriel Valley. It wasn’t really a “sit-down” kind of joint, as patrons were required to order at one window, and pick up their food at another. In fact, for most of my life, the place didn’t have tables. My Aunt built her business on three items; taquitos, (seasoned beef or chicken tightly rolled into corn tortillas and fried to order) and red or green burritos. I remember countless hours sitting at my aunt’s feet as she rolled taquito after taquito. In front of her was a stack of warm tortillas, and a stainless steel pan with chicken or beef. She would roll 20 or 30 of them, then reach down and hand me one, un-fried, of course, and I would quickly gobble it down. They were soft and flavorful and I ate thousands of them growing up. Lately, I have been making them for my family, and the kids love them.

(Read the whole post, about cooking with chile, here.)

Mack's parents, both of whom were Mexican citizens who served in World War II, are an intermittent subject on his blog. In a heartfelt 2007 Mother's Day post, Mack said, "If I could choose any set of parents for another go-around on this Earth, I would pick you and Dad every time."

More about Mack's mom from his Mother's Day 2007 post:

My mother arrived in this country in a shoe box, crossing over from Mexicali with her parents and older siblings. She grew up poor, worked as a migrant fruit picker, until she met and married my father, and started a small taco stand in East Los Angeles, after working in the factories during WW2. She had an 8th grade education, yet read voraciously. Eventually, she returned to school and became a vocational counselor to our growing Vietnamese community. She raised four children, lost one as a newborn.
...
[She] was the type of woman that, if you showed up at her door at 3:00 a.m., she would make you feel that your visit was the highlight of her day, because it was. My mother loved unconditionally, I think this fact alone made her the most Christian person I ever knew, yet I can’t recall her ever setting foot in a church. She loved everyone like family. I mean everyone. Our house was always full of people, friends, family, and strangers, even, though I believe no one ever felt like a stranger for long in my mother’s home. She would happily cook for 1 or 100, it really didn’t matter to her. When I came home from school, or later, when I would just drop by to visit, she would head to the stove, and warm tortillas with butter magically appeared on a plate.

In April of this year, Mack wrote about his father:

My father was not a happy person. Sure, he had his moments, and the rest of the family never really knew how to deal with him when he was uncharacteristically joyful. He was explosive, violent, moody and reclusive. Until he returned from WWII, he had little education. His father died when he was young, probably from a combination of hard work and alcohol consumption. Not much is known about my father’s youth, the few stories passed down (almost always from his brother) portrayed him as a serious young man, prone to brooding and violence. I’m pretty sure that he never knew how to show his love except by providing, which he did well. He was detached, yet controlling.

Almost all of my memories of my dad at home are of him sitting in his chair, reading. He read everything. He spent so much time in the local library that, when he passed, the library dedicated an entire bookcase to my father’s memory.

I have spent much of my adult life wondering what it is that drove him. It was, I’m sure, a source of great pride that he went to college after the war (The G.I. Bill was and is a beautiful thing) and earned a degree in accounting.

Some other Hispanic Nashvillians who could share memories of California are Conexion Americas' "Orgullo Hispano" award winner Miguel Gonzalez, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority President & CEO Raul Regalado, WLLC-Telefutura Channel 42 General Manager Eric Alvarez, Nissan Americas' Hispanic employees including Jaime Ortiz and Stephanie Valdez Streaty, one-time Nicaraguan prisoner Eric Volz, Vanderbilt professor Lorraine Lopez, former Metro Schools director Pedro Garcia and his wife Priscilla Partridge de Garcia, sheetrock hanger Jose Ramirez, and clothier Manuel.

Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition holds 7th annual Membership Convention on Saturday

2009-12-08T04:22:00.005-06:00

The award-winning Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) holds its seventh annual Membership Convention this Saturday, December 12 at the Hotel Preston Convention Center on Briley Parkway:

"My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together"

- Desmond Tutu
The TIRRC Convention is our biggest annual event where we come together as TIRRC staff, volunteers, supporters and member organizations to reflect upon the year, think strategically about 2010, and celebrate together as an immigrant rights movement. There will be some amazing workshops and trainings for individuals and organizations alike, as well as a Cultural Celebration Dinner to end the day!

When: Saturday, Dec. 12th from 9:30-5:00pm

Where: Hotel Preston Convention Center, 733 Briley Parkway, Nashville TN

REGISTER TODAY

Click here for stories on previous TIRRC conventions.

Every one

2009-12-07T04:26:00.005-06:00

Posting Number:	0600261
Position Title:	Family Engagement Specialist
Position Type:	Classified - Non Exempt
Department:	Student Services - Advising Center
Job Summary:	This is a grant position that is funded for three (3) years. This position is anticipated to end on June 30, 2012. This position works directly with Hispanic families, promoting the role of Higher Education and working to help students access this resource, ensuring quality customer service to minority and Spanish-speaking students, and will provide assistance to faculty, staff, and community members who come into or contact the Advising Center. Some college background is preferred for this position.
Minimum Job Requirements:	A High School diploma or GED, some college preferred; One (1) year of experience in an office setting; Fluent oral and written skills in Spanish and English; Must demonstrate excellent problem solving, communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills; Detail oriented; Exhibit positive customer service philosophy; Experience with basic computer operation and Microsoft Office products; Ability to work flexible hours to meet demands of high volume times, special events and/or projects.
Essential Job Functions:	Meet with prospective students (and their families) both on and off campus; Work with community groups/organizations and organize events that directly impact the Hispanic community; Provide basic college information to students and families; Coordinate flow of students to Advisor/Counselors, assist students with PRIDE web registration procedures, orientation, and basic web searches; Process work orders for events/special projects and paperwork for bill payment, travel, payroll, etc.; Conduct surveys and provide documentation and assessment for TBR grant requirements.
Posting Date:	01-11-2010
Application Deadline:	02-05-2010
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Employment Type:	Regular Full Time Fiscal Year (12 Mos.)
Required Applicant Documents:	Cover Letter Letter of Reference 1 Letter of Reference 2 Letter of Reference 3 Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Initial Review of Applications:	02-05-2010