Back in February 2017 Acción Latina embarked on a new direction in leadership when the Mission-raised artist and educator, Josué Rojas stepped up as Executive Director, taking over for Georgiana Hernandez. “Without a background in non-profit administration, I did not know what to expect. I could not have predicted the many wonderful ways the experience […]
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California’s vaccination plan to save more Latinx lives
Experts warn of the importance of vaccines to reduce hospitalizations and the number of deaths among the Hispanic community, the most affected by the pandemic. After caring for numerous members of Latinx families, who one by one fell ill to the rapid spread of COVID-19, Dr. Verónica Ramírez of Martin Luther King Community Hospital in […]
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Big Tech is a big Problem and it needs to be addressed
If we have learned anything during the past five years, it’s that Silicon Valley was wrong: Technology is not a benign force that will inherently improve the human condition. Nor are multinational technology companies somehow apart from or above politics. Rather, Big Tech is only the latest permutation of malignant capitalism afflicting the globe—every bit […]
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Oakland Filmmaker examines the Spanish Conquest 500 years later in his experimental documentary
Described as a “hybrid documentary,” 499 examines colonialism almost five centuries after Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés arrives in the Aztec Empire and claims Mexico on behalf of Spain. 499 is the fourth feature film from Mexican-born American filmmaker, Rodrigo Reyes, who lives in Oakland. The film combines documentary and fiction to tell the story of […]
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Biden administration signs executive orders towards immigration reform
Within his first day of office, President Biden signed several executive orders and proposed a broad immigration bill in an attempt to undo harsh immigration policies implemented by the Trump administration. Riding his campaign on the promise of immigration reform, keeping families together, and protecting programs such as DACA and TPS, the Biden administration has […]
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Back to normal?
Just a few days ago, on Jan. 20, a brilliant sunshine welcomed the new regime. Under heavy security—certainly stronger than the laxed forces that allowed the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol—Joe Biden and Kamala Harris became President and Vice President of this country. There was a collective sigh of relief from at least half […]
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Gov. Newsom lifts statewide stay-at-home orders and extends eviction moratorium
California Governor Gavin Newsom lifted the state’s Stay-At-Home orders, effective immediately Jan. 25, based on projections of intensive care unit capacity next month. At an afternoon briefing the same day, the governor also announced that a statewide eviction moratorium, set to expire Jan. 31, has been extended to June 30. California will use $2.6 billion […]
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Chaos at the Capitol highlights need for ‘media literacy’
Politicians weren’t the only targets of the white supremacist mob that stormed the United States Capitol on Jan. 6 in an unprecedented act of mass sedition and violence. Journalists too, were targeted. As we continue to process the horrifying events that erupted in Washington D.C. last week, stories of journalists have emerged—journalists who courageously stood […]
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Pandemic highlights need for San Francisco’s health ‘program of last resort’
Ever since 50-year-old Liliana Fernandez arrived in the United States, she’s relied on a San Francisco program to provide basic health services for people like her with no other insurance options. The program, Healthy San Francisco, launched in 2007 as a first-of-its-kind attempt by local government to provide universal health care, though not full coverage. […]
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Latina doulas provide much needed support for immigrant mothers
Giving birth is no easy task. And doulas—who support pregnant women—know that all too well. “It’s very nice to have a doula. They are here to help you and answer any question or doubt,” said Celmi Tus, a mother who had the support of doulas. “The truth is that I felt very good living with […]