David Solis, Suzy Amezcua and Leonardo Rodriguez attended California State University, Northridge, became friends and later created the podcast Cafecito con Conciencia, which translates to Coffee with Conscience.
Author Archives: Brenda Fernanda Verano
Brenda Fernanda Verano is a journalist born in Mexico and raised in South Central, LA. Verano is a two-time award winner in the California College Media Association Awards. At CALÓ News, she covers social justice, health care, and education. She is alumni from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and former Editor in Chief of the campus newspaper, the Bulletin. Outside of journalism, she enjoys gardening and poetry. If you have questions, concerns or corrections related to this story, please contact brenda@latinomedia.org.
CALÓ ON THE STREETS: Latinas, Latinx and health experts spell out what Roe v. Wade reversal means for us
Nearly 8 out of 10 Latina voters agree that pregnant people should be able to have an abortion without fear of arrest or investigation, according to a 2020 nationwide poll sponsored by reproductive justice groups, including The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice. CALÓ NEWS interviewed women in LA, health experts and advocates about their thoughts and reactions in light of the reversal of Roe V. Wade.
Latinas/x, and health experts spell out what Roe v. Wade reversal means for us
Nearly 8 out of 10 Latina voters agree that pregnant people should be able to have an abortion without fear of arrest or investigation, according to a 2020 nationwide poll sponsored by reproductive justice groups, including The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice. CALÓ NEWS interviewed women in LA, health experts and advocates about their thoughts and reactions in light of the reversal of Roe V. Wade.
CALÓ PROFILE: ADELA RUIZ, turned her Oaxaca roots into a thriving food and imports business in LA
Adela Ruiz, a 54-year-old immigrant from Oaxaca, Mexico, was one of the millions of women in the United States who became unemployed because of the pandemic. Today, her family owns and operates La Cocina Oaxaqueña Con Adela in LA.
CALÓ ON THE SCENE: Attendees of the People’s Summit for Democracy share their visions for the future of Latinos
LA leaders last week hosted The People’s Summit for Democracy from June 8-10 at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC), which was organized in opposition to the Summit of the Americas. Numerous world leaders, including Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, boycotted in response to the exclusion of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua from the Summit of the Americas. The People’s Summit was intended to uplift the voices of the working-class people in the Americas and prioritize “people’s democracy first,” as stated on their website. The Biden Administration’s summit did not represent the people of the Americas, according to the organizers of the People’s Summit. “The exclusion of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua have already made Biden’s summit a political disaster,” organizers stated in a declaration letter.
ADELA RUIZ, turned her Oaxaca roots into a thriving food and imports business in LA
Adela Ruiz, a 54-year-old immigrant from Oaxaca, Mexico, was one of the millions of women in the United States who became unemployed because of the pandemic. Today, her family owns and operates La Cocina Oaxaqueña Con Adela in LA.
Attendees of People’s Summit for Democracy share visions for Latinos
LA leaders last week hosted The People’s Summit for Democracy from June 8-10 at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC), which was organized in opposition to the Summit of the Americas. Numerous world leaders, including Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, boycotted in response to the exclusion of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua from the Summit of the Americas. The People’s Summit was intended to uplift the voices of the working-class people in the Americas and prioritize “people’s democracy first,” as stated on their website. The Biden Administration’s summit did not represent the people of the Americas, according to the organizers of the People’s Summit. “The exclusion of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua have already made Biden’s summit a political disaster,” organizers stated in a declaration letter.
CALÓ PROFILE: CHARLEY TRUJILLO, Vietnam vet, writer and filmmaker on Caló, Chicano culture and more
Last month marked 79 years since the Zoot Suit Uprisings in L.A, which involved numerous violent confrontations between young Latinos/as and Chicanos/as against police officers, deputy sheriffs and members of the armed forces, including Marines and sailors, which were most often instigated by the latter. Chicanos like Trujillo had served in the military in high numbers, but many servicemen viewed Pachucos as World War II draft dodgers, according to History.com. Trujillo’s work flips the script and reveals Pachucos for the Latino cultural heroes they are.
CHARLEY TRUJILLO, Vietnam vet, writer and filmmaker on Caló, Chicano culture
Last month marked 79 years since the Zoot Suit Uprisings in L.A, which involved numerous violent confrontations between young Latinos/as and Chicanos/as against police officers, deputy sheriffs and members of the armed forces, including Marines and sailors, which were most often instigated by the latter. Chicanos like Trujillo had served in the military in high numbers, but many servicemen viewed Pachucos as World War II draft dodgers, according to History.com. Trujillo’s work flips the script and reveals Pachucos for the Latino cultural heroes they are.
CALÓ ELECTIONS: ADRIANA CABRERA, Grew up in South LA, now running to represent the District 9
Adriana Cabrera said that she began organizing and getting involved in her South LA community as a 12-year-old after losing a boyfriend, cousin, neighbors and classmates to gang violence. In addition, she believes that her experiences sharing a one-bedroom with family, being a first-generation college graduate and surviving “extreme poverty” make her an ideal candidate to serve the neighbors she grew up with. “Me running has nothing to do with me and everything to do with my community,” she said. “It means the world to me that young people believe in me.”
ADRIANA CABRERA, Grew up in South LA, now running to represent District 9
Adriana Cabrera said that she began organizing and getting involved in her South LA community as a 12-year-old after losing a boyfriend, cousin, neighbors and classmates to gang violence. In addition, she believes that her experiences sharing a one-bedroom with family, being a first-generation college graduate and surviving “extreme poverty” make her an ideal candidate to serve the neighbors she grew up with. “Me running has nothing to do with me and everything to do with my community,” she said. “It means the world to me that young people believe in me.”
CALÓ HEROES: Daniel Villarreal and Danny De La Paz dish on “American Me, Chicano films and representation
Many credit Olmos for the bravery it took to risk his career and reputation on such a violent and dark subject matter. Moreover, the anti-crime and Latino community wake-up call messages behind “American Me,” continue to resound today.