Green jobs for Latinos

by Adriana Villavicencio

When the average person thinks GREEN – unless they’re thinking about money – they usually imagine some fringe movement of crunchy tree-huggers eating granola in Birkenstocks. But the reality is that the green industry is no longer just about recycling and changing your light bulbs; it’s about jobs and creating long-term careers for the chronically unemployed.

Latinos to Obama: We’re disappointed in you and we’re going to vote in 2012

by Orlando Rodriguez

On May 10th, President Obama reached out to Latinos nationwide from El Paso, TX.  His words were honest and the crowd was energetic. However, his comments were not targeted at Latinos. He was talking to the anti-immigrationcrowd. After the 2008 elections, the Obama administration and Democrats have given Latinos little reason to go to the polls.

This was reflected in the 2010 elections when 69 percent of Latinos (14.7 million) did not vote.  The concern for Latinos is that disenchantment with Obama will cause Latinos to opt out of elections again in November 2012. Withholding votes is not a protest, it is surrendering. To impact the votes of elected officials, you have to vote them into office, and keep reminding them you were responsible for their win.  

How to lose your best employees

by Nicolle Morales Kern

Yes, that’s right. As much as there are ways for employees to lose their jobs, there are just as many ways for you, the employer/ manager/ boss to lose great employees.

What happens if Juan cannot read

by Maitri Pamo

A few nights ago, I had an infrequent and pleasant experience. A Latino client presented his Labrador Retriever to the hospital where I work. We were the only Latinos in the facility, and while that has happened before, in this instance we were also the most highly educated people there as well. He is a medical professional, and as we slipped into Spanish, I relished the opportunity to interact with a professional Latino.

When your friends are toxic

by Catarina Rivera

All of us have probably asked ourselves at some point, “Why am I friends with this person again?” I asked myself that question recently when I was at my “friend’s” house late one night. It was already three in the morning and we were talking. Actually, he was doing most of the talking.