A Voice of Progress and Revolution
The Raza Press and Media Association continues in its efforts to create a network of progressive and revolutionary Raza journalist/media workers. Since our last general meeting in Feb 5, 2011 (held in Oxnard, CA), our membership has been working hard to realize its goals and objectives. Members have been busy writing articles, producing podcasts, assisting grassroots/barrio based groups, and conducting workshops. The latest issue of our journal, Guerrillera/os de La Pluma is ready and will posted on our website within the next few days.
Our next general meeting will be held in San Diego (see agenda below) on Apr 23, 2011. The meeting will coincide with the annual “Chicano Park Day Celebration” and will be held at a restaurant near Chicano Park. This will enable the participants to attend both the RPMA meeting and the celebration at the park.
Besides on regular meeting items, we will have an informative round table discussion on “What Is The Role of the Raza Journalist/Media Worker Today?” . In light of the growing oppression and colonial wars throughout the world, the discussion will be of value to all who want to do something significant to change this world. More details on the meeting will be sent out in early April.
Finally, the RPMA welcomes new members to the association. The criteria for membership is simple: (1) must support the aims and objectives of RPMA, (2) attend 50% of RPMA activities or meetings, and (3) must be active in the production of any form of media (photography, journalism, film, radio, art, etc.) that supports Raza liberation. The constitution, goals, and structure of the RPMA are found in our website. If you would like to join us, please contact us at e-mail on our website.
Agenda For Next General Meeting (April 23, 2011, San Diego)
A. Welcome/Introduction
B. Report from Mesa Members
C. Reports from General Members
1. Coordinator
2. Finances
3. Website/Guerrillera/os de La Pluma
4. Membership
C. Update On RPMA Projects
1. International Delegation
2. Publication
D. Discussion: “What is the role of the Raza Journalist/Media worker today?”
Brief update on work of RPMA members
* The following are updates of work submitted by some of the members of the RPMA.
Pablo Aceves:
• Wrote article titled “Shawna Forde Trial in Tucson: A Culture of Violence And A Colonial Media that is an Accessory to Murder”, for the Spring 2011 Issue of Guerrillera/os de La Pluma.
Marc Baca:
• Wrote article on death of Native/Indigenous scholar-activist Jack Forbes titled “His Worked Affirmed That Chicano History Was In Fact –Real” in the Spring 2011 Issue of Guerrillera/os de La Pluma.
• Helped with editing article for Spring 2011 Issue of Guerrillera/os de La Pluma.
• Worked with media committee of the Southern California Immigration Coalition (SCIC).
Ernesto Bustillos:
• Wrote article for the Spring 2011 Issue of Guerrillera/os de La Pluma, tilted “Without A Colonial Education, Colonialism Cannot Exist!”
• Edited latest issue of Las Calles y La Torcida (Jan-March 2011), newsletter of the Chicano Mexicano Prison Project.
• Worked with publicity committee of the Association of Raza Educators (A.R.E) San Diego.
Martin Madrigal:
• As a member of SCIC’s (Southern California Immigration Coalition) Media and Steering committees, helped to draft press releases and writing specific letters to various elected and non-elected officials on a myriad of subjects.
Jose Moreno:
• Co-produced a podcast for Radio Free Aztlán with Norma and Jose Gonzalez from TUSD Mexican American Studies and Raza Studies Program. Also, worked on editing and collecting the articles for Spring issue of La Pluma.
• Presented at workshop titled Chicano/a And Latino Studies Within The Academic Industrial Complex (Conference On Critical Ethnic Studies and the Future of Genocide: March 10-12, 2011University of California, Riverside)
Luis Moreno:
• Updated the RPMA website
• Co-produced a podcast for Radio Free Aztlán with Norma and Jose Gonzalez from TUSD Mexican American Studies and Raza Studies Program.
• Edited/produced the Spring 2011 Issue of Guerrillera/os de La Pluma
• Presented at a workshop titled Chicano/a And Latino Studies Within The Academic Industrial Complex (Conference On Critical Ethnic Studies and the Future of Genocide: March 10-12, 2011University of California, Riverside)
Benjamin Prado:
• Translated the article written by the Save Our Barrio Coalition on the
Congreso de Barrio.
• Documented (video & photos) and an article on the 25th Anniversary
event of the Fraternal Relationship between Union del Barrio and the African
People’s Socialist Party on February 17th.
• Documented/published bilingual articles of the Comite de Mujeres Patricia Marin (CMPM) event commemorating International Working Women’s Day in San Diego on March 5, 2011 (Lincoln High School).
• Produced the following fliers for upcoming events:
a) 2011 US Labor Tour b) Marcha de Zapata San Diego 2011 c) May 1st action- San Diego
• Produced the newsletter/bulletin of the Raza Rights Coalition, PUEBLO UNIDO.
– Updated the Union del Barrio and Raza Rights websites/facebook.
Francisco Romero:
• Presented at the workshop titled Chicano/a And Latino Studies Within The Academic Industrial Complex (Conference On Critical Ethnic Studies and the Future of Genocide: March 10-12, 2011University of California, Riverside).
• Wrote an introductory article for the Spring 2011 issue of Guerrillera/o de La Pluma.
Antonio Velasquez:
• From January-March, wrote and posted a six part series of commentaries titled “Shooting at the OK Corral” and part one of “It’s Only Words, and That is All – Creativity, a Measure of Freedom”.