THIS WEEK ON LATINOPIA: NEW -LATINOPIA PLÁTICA ON CORONAVIRUS AND THE LATINO COMMUNITY, RICARDO ROMO ON HOW THE VIRUS IMPACTS LATINO ARTISTS, AND JOSE “GUGO” UMPIERRE ON HOW PUERTO RICO’S WOOD HAS SHAPED THE NATION AND ITS PEOPLE.
Hola Latinopians! This week we introduce a new feature on Latinopia, the Plática. With the widespread use of Zoom in this pandemic era, we at Latinopia decided we’d make use of this device to hold conversations, pláticas, on key issues impacting our community. In this first two pláticas, we look at the Coronavirus and how it is being felt in the Latino community by checking in with regular Latinopia bloggers Sal Baldenegro, Ricardo Romo and Jose “Gugo” Umpierre, hailing from Vallejo, California, San Antonio, Texas and San Juan, Puerto Rico respectively. In the second of these pláticas they look at the potential long term impact of the virus on our communities. In future weeks we hope to look at literature, music and art in this plática format. Check out this new feature on Latinopia.
Also this week, two of our bloggers offer their views in written form. Ricardo Romo’s Tejano Report weighs in how Covid-19 impacts artists, and Jose “Gugo” Umpierre begins the first of a three-part essay on how wood, yes I said “wood,” has been such an important resource in Puerto Rico and how it has impacted Puerto Rican life and history. Both well worth reading.
Enjoy your week on Latinopia and be sure to wear your mask!
Tia Tenopia