Latino USA

How do Latinos feel about restrictions on gun control? Is now the time to restrict the right to bear arms? We hear two interesting perspectives on the relationship between Latinos and guns. And did you know that Latino farmers and ranchers sued the US Department of Agriculture and won? The USDA was not giving grants to Latino and African American farmers fairly. And now that the lawsuit is over, many ranchers are not signing up for compensation. Hear that (and Tex-Mex norteño!) on this week’s show.

Imagine not only not speaking English but also speaking a language like Mixtec—how would you go to the doctor? A new hospital in Salinas has found a fix for this. And this month’s Harper’s features an article called “This Land Is Not Your Land,” about labor migration in America’s heartland. We speak to its author. Are you ready for Oscar weekend? We are! We go Hollywood and talk to acting powerhouse Miriam Colon, who tells us about her starring role in the new film Bless Me, Ultima.

New Mexico has the highest rate of drug-related deaths in the country, so on today’s show we focus on the problem of drug addiction in the Land of Enchantment. We hear about how cultural practices are helping new addicts break old habits. We also talk to professor Angela Garcia about the link between poverty and drug abuse, and then we hear a poet’s take on poverty and drugs in his community.

Bus and train travelers in upstate New York might want to carry their ID—a new report found that Border Patrol agents were stopping passengers and asking them for documentation outside of border crossing areas. Curious? Hear from one of the authors of the report. And what can current lawmakers learn from Ronald Reagan’s 1986 immigration reform? Reporter Adrian Florido tells us about the reform’s legacy. They are tigers; hear them roar! We bring you an interview with new band Raul y Mexia, who just happen to be the sons of Los Tigres Del Norte’s Hernan Hernandez. 

Here it is again, immigration reform charging through the halls of Congress and even coming at us from the White House, as a group of Senators dubbed the “Gang of Eight” presented a bipartisan proposal for immigration reform. And POTUS wasn’t far behind—he unveiled his own plans 24 hours later. But how do these proposals differ? And will they work? We speak to New York Times reporter Julia Preston, and then to a DREAMer about both proposals. Then we take you to the heart of the Evangelical movement: we hear about one of its most charismatic leaders, Samuel Rodriguez.

Meet the woman behind the bench—we bring you an intimate interview with Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and we hear short excerpts from her new memoir, My Beloved World. Then we stay in the Bronx and learn about Los Seis del Sur, or the Six From the South (of the Bronx, that is), a group of photographers who aren’t afraid to capture the good, the bad and the ugly before their lens. Then we say goodbye to a great lady—Dolores Prida, Cuban American writer and the Dorothy Parker of East Harlem, who passed away on the eve of the presidential inauguration. Buen viaje, Dolores! You will be missed.

Ever wanted to go cruising on a lowrider? What about one that was made by ladies? We take you for a ride with San Diego’s Unique Ladies. We also talk about the changes that are taking place in the Obama administration, via Victor Landa from News Taco. And hear about a gay marriage bill that will possibly be on Oregon’s ballot next year. Check out the sounds of making classic guayaberas straight from a guayabera maker that’s modernizing this iconic shirt.

The inaugural poet is a Latino for the first time! But are Latino issues really going to be front and center for the new administration? We talk to Univision News political editor Jordan Fabian about what the future holds. Then we go to Illinois, where the governor is expected to sign a state law allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers’ licenses—and making Illinois the fourth state to do this. And we give you a dose of reality—as we watch the first episode of MTV’s new reality show, “Washington Heights”—with Washington Heights residents.

How will the influence of the Latino vote extend past elections? What other issues will Latinos influence besides immigration? We speak to Teresa Kumar of Voto Latino and Jennifer Korn of Hispanic Leadership Network to find out more. Remember our piece about abuse inside Willacy detention center? We have an update. And then we take you to Haiti and we hear from a young immigrant deported to Haiti and finding his new life as a musician. 

This week we take you back to Cuba and share some stories we’ve aired in the past about the experiences of two of Cuba’s minorities: Afro-Cubans and gays. We start in Havana and take a look about how racism affects black Cubans and then hear from two Cuban lesbians talk about their life out of the closet on the island. Then we share the sounds of hip-hop as told through Telmary Diaz, a musician that focuses on her experience as a Cuban woman.

This week we take you back to Cuba and share some stories we’ve aired in the past about the experiences of two of Cuba’s minorities: Afro-Cubans and gays. We start in Havana and take a look about how racism affects black Cubans and then hear from two Cuban lesbians talk about their life out of the closet on the island. Then we share the sounds of hip-hop as told through Telmary Diaz, a musician that focuses on her experience as a Cuban woman.

Meet the extravagant El Vez, the Mexican Elvis, and learn about the man behind the mustache as we take you to his Merry Mexmas show. And speaking of music—Alt. Latino’s Felix Contreras stops by to drop his favorite tracks and wax poetic about tunes with us. Then, to keep you in the festive mood, we take you to two holiday celebrations in El Barrio: a Mexican American posada and a Nuyorican Coquito tasting contest. Feliz Navidad!

The late Cesar Chavez is one of the most iconic Latinos in history. But what about his relationship with the farmworkers’ movement that made him famous? We speak with author Frank Bardacke about the complexities of Chavez. And did you know that actor Michael Peña is going to play Chavez on screen? We bring you a profile of this rising Latino star. Speaking of stars, none is more well-known than Sabado Gigante’s Don Francsico. Hear his real name, his recipe for success and his transcontinental commutes. Also, tweet us your favorite Jenni Rivera memory as we remember this fallen star.

The UN calls Honduras the “most violent country in the world.” In the past few years, women in this Central American country have become the targets of this poverty and corruption-fueled violence. We take you to Honduras to explore why. Then we hear about a style of music called “perico ripiao.” And what do you think of the combination of latkes and tamales? Hear from one Latina about celebrating Hanukah. 

A new documentary called The Central Park Five about five teens wrongfully convicted of rape opens old New York wounds. We bring you an analysis of this film, and we hear from one of the accused in his own words. Then we go to DC and learn about the price of burying a loved one in their home country. And we hear from the godfathers of hip hop: the Ghetto Brothers, a peace-brokering, musical gang.