THIS WEEK ON LATINOPIA–KIKI CASTILLO, LATINOS AND AMERICAN EDUCATION, THE MAKING OF THE TERM “HISPANIC,” REVIVED ZOMBIES AND MORE!

Tia Tenopia here with a big hello to all our visitors–Chicanos, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Salvadorans, Guatamalans, Nicaraguans–or should I just call us “Hispanics?” That’s the question sociologist Dr. Cristina Mora addresses in her book, “Making Hispanic– How Activists, Bureaucrats, and Media Constructed a New American.” Yes, last time I checked there was no country called Hispania from where Hispanics originate. It IS an invented term and Dr. Mora tells us all about how this came about. Be sure to check out the review of this pesado book by guest reviewer, noted sociologist Dr. Claude Fischer.

Our video this week is a visit with acclaimed Chicano actor Enrique “Kiki” Castillo. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of prison gang boss “Montana” in the Taylor Hackford film, “Blood In, Blood Out.” Kiki tells us about the creative process in shaping his character for this classic film. Don’t miss this!

Dr. Philip De Ortego y Gasca returns with his Brave Road blog. This weeks he takes on recent gains by New Mexico Latino students in education and wonders if, in spite of good test results,  whether American education is in fact effectively reaching out to our Latino youth. As always Don Felípe brings us insight along the Bravo Road.

Our regular weekly bloggers return. Angela Ortíz brings us another Photo of the Week, this time its “Glassell Park Store.” The saga of the Zombie Mex Diaries continues this week through the voice of Pearl Gonzalez. From now we’ll be telling the story through the alternating voices of Lazaro and Pearl as they take on the savage Oñate zombie army. And for those of you wondering, Sergio Hernández hasn’t fallen off the face of the earth. He’s been down in Mexico collecting new materials for his Arnie and Porfi cartoon strip. He’ll be back with us soon.

Enjoy your week on Latinopia!

Tia Tenopia