Target’s humorous “illegal alien” costume

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Dear Target,

What’s up with this “Illegal Alien” costume?

I don’t get why a corporation that boasts about giving back to the community (can’t say I didn’t thoroughly enjoy the ¡Bienvenido Dudamel! concert a few weeks ago) and celebrates Nuestra Gente would sell such a despicable costume. (I know not all undocumented immigrants are Latino, but we do make up a plurality of the population.)

Is it to make a buck? Is that enough to alienate (no pun intended) undocumented immigrants, their allies and our dollars? Couldn’t you make a buck by not selling “humorous costumes” that demean and make light of the situation faced by many undocumented immigrants and advance dehumanizing language?

Is it humorous that thousands die trying to cross the US/Mexico border? Between 1998-2004 1,954 migrants died on the perilous journey north source). Since 2004, the Arizona Star Border Death Database has recorded 1,193 deaths at the border.

Funny, no?

What about exploitation from shady employers? How about the rise in anti-Latino hate crimes?

¡Chistoso!

Last, what about undocumented youth who face an educational glass ceiling as college is out of reach without financial aid and high non-resident fees?

I expected something different from Target. I was wooed by those free days at museums, free concerts and all that red (my favorite color). I thought Target wouldn’t be like other vendors who sell racist costumes playing on tired stereotypes and caricatures.

Qué lástima.

Sincerely,

Disgruntled Target Shopper

P.S. Anyone who pays $39.99 (plus shipping and tax) for such a costume is not only racist, but also stupid.

Updated: Target also sells a tequila pop n’ dude and Mexican costumes for adults and kids. Nopal not included. Guess they are showing their appreciation for mi gente.

Fourth Annual Los Angeles Archives Bazaar

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Bicycling on Western Ave from the LAPL archives. Western Ave used to mark the Western edge of the city. Eastern Ave is on the Eastside and runs through City Terrace.

This Saturday is the annual Los Angeles Archives Bazaar where you can discover and explore halls full of Los Angeles history resources. Representatives from local libraries, colleges and other archival places will be there to answer questions and share information. You can also pick up nifty postcards like this one from the City of Los Angeles Publishing Services Division. Film screenings, speakers and lectures will also keep you entertained and busy, so make a day of it!

The 4th Annual L.A. Archives Bazaar, October 17, 2009

Southern California history comes alive in exhibits by local historical collections and archives at the 4th-annual Los Angeles Archives Bazaar on October 17, 2009. Browse rare collections, consult with experts, and learn about the hidden stories of L.A. diverse neighborhoods and communities.

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday, October 17, 2009
USC Davidson Conference Center
Free admission

More information here.
Last year’s post on the event.
Los Angeles Times article can be read here.

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La Tree Hugger

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Trucha! La Tree Hugger has back-up!

La Tree Hugger should be my chola name. I already have a fake chola name given to me by my friends but it doesn’t fit me as well as La Tree Hugger. By the way, until the night I got my fake chola name I didn’t know I had a special talent for anointing other people with well fitting chola names. I’m just as good as the Facebook quiz. You can take me up on it, invite me for a cocktail and I will christen you with a firme moniker in a barrio baptism.

But back to the point of this post, I love trees. And one of my main criticisms of some of my fellow Eastside neighbors is their need to cut down trees. Why all the tree hating vecinos?

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Graphic from the excellent book:
The Tree Doctor: A Guide to Tree Care and Maintenance by Daniel Prendergast and Erin Prendergast

Continue reading

Art Notes

Donate a camera, watch some films, or follow Eastside traditions to new locations.   Some art notes for your Monday.

PICS: The Boys &  Girls Clubs of East Los Angeles Annual Fundraiser was held this past weekend, and it included a tribute to Edward Maldonado who co-founded the club in 1954,  then known  Eastside Boys Club. Maldonado was born in 1918 and recently passed away on July 24, 2009. Even in his final days, he worked with the club that now serves over 2,000 East Los Angeles youth each year. In his memory, the first Founder’s Award was given to him posthumously, and will be awarded to those whose continue the legacy of the club Maldonado he helped begin 55 years ago.

Boys & Girls Clubs of East Los Angeles now offer a photography program that allows local kids to explore and document their own neighborhood. That is important. If you wish to donate a much needed digital camera, new or used, you can drop it off at the  Boys & Girls Clubs of East Los Angeles, located at 324 N. McDonnell Avenue. Send operable cameras to the attention of Anna Araujo (323) 263- 4955.

• • •

FILM: The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival opens its 13th year with “Los Abrazos Rotos” (Broken Embraces) that stars Penélope Cruz. Directed by Pedro Almodóvar, who is this year’s recipient of the festival’s Gabi Lifetime Achievement Award.

The slate of 75 films includes the L.A. premiere of “La Vida Loca,” a documentary on gangs in El Salvador that may have cost French director, Christian Poveda, his life. The Closing Night & Award Ceremony Gala, which will take place on Friday, October 16th at the Paramount Theatre, will feature a special preview screening of “Women in Trouble.”

The Los Angeles Latino Film Festival will be held October 11th to October 16th,  2009, at the Mann Chinese Cinema.

• • •

ON THE MOVE: Arte Calidad Cultural Institute’s  Dia De Los Muertos Celebration marks its 10th Anniversary. Yes, this is the same Paper Mache Calavera Exhibition and concert previously held on the 6th Street Bridge, before briefly moving to the Arts District. Now it returns to Boyle Heights on October 24th to October 25th at the Historic Hollbebeck Park (415 S. St. Louis St).  Goya Festival De La Gente partnership with CD14 Jose Huizar includes the Los Angeles Times’ HOY, who will present The Hoy Cultural Neighborhood Family Zone.

• • •

NEW LOCATION: Self Help Graphics & Art’s Dia De Los Muertos will be held at the East L.A. Civic Center on November 2, 2009. While the event starts at 5pm, the procession will gather at Belvedere Park’s Virgen de Gauadalupe Mural (Cesar E Chavez and Mednick) at 4pm. Your master of ceremonies at 4801 E. 3rd Street will be, as the flyer says, LA Eastside Blogger Pachuco 3000. Deadly Stylish, a special exhibition curated by Diana Gamboa, will open November 1st.

Medal For A Marine in Boyle Heights

A commanding officer thought his soldier was awarded a medal after saving Marines in battle, and when he caught up with him decades later, he discovered no medal was received. The LAT has the story on Marine Pfc. Daniel Hernandez and his belated Silver Star:

The four-decade wait only made the honor more meaningful to Hernandez, 63, as several hundred relatives, friends and fellow veterans gathered for a ceremony in his honor at the Hollenbeck Youth Center. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-East Los Angeles) and a host of other state and city leaders attended.

They came in support of a man they had known for decades as a community youth leader and president of the Hollenbeck Youth Center, which provides after-school programs to keep children away from gangs and drugs.

Few knew Hernandez also was a war hero.

At the age of 20, Hernandez was a machine gunner with a company during Operation Utah in the Quang Ngai province and dove through enemy fire to save wounded Marines, despite being struck twice, according to the LAT. At Saturday’s two-hour ceremony, former Marines were there and “Welcome home, Danny!”

All of the story and a few pics at LATimes.

Sexism in Living Electric Color

I don't know my place!!

I don't know my place!!

I’m not one for the personal anecdote story, but I can’t think of another woman blogger who uses their name and picture and makes critical comments. If I could I would definitely not use myself, but for the purpose of this post I’m going to have to.

The blogosphere are filled with many personalities.

I have a strong personality, but so does my partner Ran BusTard, but in general when it comes to getting reprimanded and banned I get it much quicker than him. No, I get it and no one says anything to him. He’s threatened to bodily harm people on blogs and no one has ever said anything to him. Not only that, they apologize for offending him. Politically we’re almost identical.

A guy on the blogosphere is allowed a blank check to be as obnoxious as he wants to be. It’s viewed as an asset, but women online have to be very, “lets get along,” especially in the nonpolitical blogosphere.

As a woman blogger you are limited to three areas of blogging:

1. Event Promotion
2. Product Promotion
3. Posting adorable pictures of yourself and talking about how you went to an event or used a product Continue reading