What does freedom mean to you? [video]

Freedom is one of the values that this country is built on and many freedoms are outlined in our constitution.

But, what does freedom mean to you personally? How do you incorporate freedom into your everyday life? If you work at a job that you don’t enjoy, just to buy things that you don’t really need or can even afford, then you are not really living in freedom. You’re the only person that can define what freedom means to you, but if you don’t think you’re living it, then some changes will be necessary.

Democrats choose L.A. mayor to chair national convention

In a move underscoring the Democratic Party’s desire to win the Latino vote in the upcoming election season, the Democrats have tapped Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to chair the national convention this summer in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Dems are expected to nominate President Barack Obama for a second term.

Villaraigosa, mayor of L.A. since 2005, will become only the second Latino to chair the Democratic National Convention. Former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson chaired the convention in 2004.

El sonero ha llegado

by Eileen Rivera

The first time I ever met Don Sonero, aka Gilberto Velazquez, was at the filming of the, eagerly anticipated, Being Latino PSA. After he read the cue cards, Gilberto started singing acapella and the hairs on my neck stood up. All I could think was, “This man has a voice on him!”

The second time I saw Don Sonero, there were a dozen women who agreed with me and kept trying to dance for him, while blocking my view. Naturally, I used what my Mama gave me and not-so-gently got them out of my way. That evening, he was singing cover songs, previously recorded by other Salsa greats, and I found myself looking forward to see what he would do with original material.

How to be a model internet citizen

What makes the internet special is the fact that it offers you a voice – a platform in which you can clearly define who you are and what you believe to the world at large. Recognition and validation from your peers is only a click away…in theory.

The truth is that as wonderful as the internet can be, it can also be a desolate cruel place where ignorance runs rampant. It’s important to remember that in order to effectively engage and interact online, you need to have some semblance of civility and class.

The blame game of personal responsibility

by Nick Baez

Clichés abound these days. We hear the same platitudes being shouted from the rooftops, even amongst those within our community. “Just work harder!” “If I can do it, so can you!” “Stop expecting handouts!”

Yes, Latinos seem to be quite fond of the whole “hard work equals success” mantra. As a result, from among many in the community, there are frequent calls for individuals to simply take control of their lives and “rise up” out of their current downtrodden situations.