September 24, 2010

It was the moment that many activists were hoping and praying for—the DREAM Act was up for another vote in the United States Congress. But once again, it failed to move forward. Supporters of the bill have vowed to keep fighting and now say they want to see the bill brought back to the Senate as a stand-alone piece of legislation.

Despite the DREAM Act’s failure in the Senate, it’s an undeniable reality that there are countless undocumented young people living among us. Without a clear path to citizenship, many of these students are putting themselves at the forefront of the debate and arguing for full inclusion in American society.

Listen as Maria Hinojosa speaks with William Perez, a researcher and professor at Claremont Graduate University who has extensively studied young undcoumented students. Plus, hear from one of those students: Sonia Guinansaca, an activist-student at Hunter College who says, despite her immigration status, she’s an American at heart.

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Not everyone was on board with the current incarnation of the DREAM Act, though. Even one person who previously supported the legislation.

Raúl Al-qaraz Ochoa was arrested at a sit-in at Senator John McCain’s Tucson office, where a group of students was demonstrating in favor of the bill. But now, he says the way the DREAM Act has been turned into a political and military tool means he can no longer support it. Read his open letter to the DREAM movement.

Newspaper Asks Cartels: What Do You Want From Us?

In a stunning move last weekend, the Mexican newspaper El Diario de Juárez published a front-page editorial asking drug cartels what they want from reporters and calling for an end to violence against journalists.

[Read the editorial in Spanish or in an English translation.]

The newspaper has lost two reporters in less than two years to the cartels, and countless other reporters in Mexico have been the targets of violence and threats. The impassioned plea by the paper acknowledges that drug cartels are in control of Ciudad Juárez and argues for a truce between cartels and journalists.

Monica Campbell is a freelance reporter who has been following the ongoing issue of violence in Juárez. She is a 2010 Nieman Fellow and represents Mexico on the Committee to Protect Journalists. She talks to Maria about the problems reporters face in Mexico.

You can read the Committee to Protect Journalists report on violence against Mexico’s news media. Last weekend, journalists from Latin America and the Caribbean meeting in the Texas capital, issued the “Austin Declaration” calling for official action to halt violence against reporters. And on Wednesday in Mexico City, President Felipe Calderón pledged to support legislation that would federalize attacks on journalists.

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Amid all the strife Cuba has experienced in the 20th and 21st centuries, amid all the ups and downs, the arts have remained a constant driving force on the island. At the moment, Cuba seems to be in a tough spot: massive layoffs, unease among its citizens, even Fidel Castro questioning whether the Cuban system truly works.

Ariel Fernández Díaz knows Cuba, and he knows more about the modern music of his home country than most anyone. He talked with Maria about how the changes going on in Cuba are reflected in the art scene.

We asked Aríel for some recommendations for anyone interested in catching up on Cuban Hip Hop. Here are his suggestions:

OBSESION: Me Lastimas

ANOMINO CONSEJO: – Asere esto es Cuba

LOS ALDEANOS: – Loma y machete

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