Posted inAnti-Hate

VITTO MENDEZ, lost brother to bullying, now runs Cool 2 Be Kind

October is Bullying Prevention Month, dedicated to shining a light on the issue of bullying that occurs in many corners of the United States and the world. After its first success as a club in his brother’s school, Vitto Mendez explained how many Cool 2 Be Kind clubs/chapters formed throughout different schools in Los Angeles and other areas. The non-profit organization originated after the death of Daniel Mendez, a 16-year-old boy who took his own life in 2009 due to being bullied.

Posted inJustice

FRANKY CARRILLO fought police injustice, supports Measure A

Carrillo said that the inspiration for Measure A was borne from the clamor for justice that came from the streets and their cries for a just process that have been ignored for long enough. “It is interesting how a law needs to be put together and eventually passed in the hopes that [the sheriff’s department] follows it, in the hopes that it gets their attention,” said Carrillo. “The hope is that the person in that position will take their position very seriously and understand and engage a community,” Carrillo said.

Posted inAnti-Hate

EDITORIAL: New Latino leaders needed on LA City Council now

If there is a lesson to be learned from the recent racist controversy that has rocked Los Angeles, it is that we need new Latino leadership on the City Council. Nury Martinez has resigned.  Ron Herrera, the leader of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, who also was part of the racist conversation, resigned. City Council Members Gil Cedillo and Kevin de Leon, who were part of the racist dialogue, have refused to resign. We need Latino leaders who want to build up our community and also support the diverse and working people of Los Angeles. We need leaders who won’t condone or stay silent when bigoted and racist comments are made.

Posted inRepresentation

Q&A: LUIS LÓPEZ RESÉNDIZ on Nury Martinez and Reaction by Indigenous, Latino Communities

The audio leak comes one month before the city election, where multiple council seats are sought, including the mayor’s position. “We hope this new election will spark a movement holding our local politicians accountable and having them be more transparent and honest in their work,” says Luis López Reséndiz. Following the news of Nury Martinez and city council members, CALÓ NEWS recently spoke with Luis López Reséndiz, CIELO’s director of the center of language and power department, to understand the feelings within the Indigenous and Latino communities after the leak in-depth.

Posted inOpinion

COMMENTARY: Nury Martinez should embrace Oaxacan culture

In this current political scandal, we have five prominent Mexican-Americans in positions of influence nearly unprecedented historically, given the racist legacy of a past LA dominated by Anglo Americans. If those present did not directly insult the Oaxacans, they at the very least entertained language disparaging them. Such Oaxacan peoples are among the most culturally resilient in world history – and yet intrinsically linked to the national identities of modern Mexican people and their American counterparts. This is the historic legacy bestowed upon those officials, too.