Friday, December 21, 2012
2012 is here!
December 21st is finally upon us and the Maya
prophecy of the end of the world looms over our heads! With that in mind, we thought we would share a review of a great book we just read about 2012. Enjoy!
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
50 for Freedom of Speech Milwaukee
The national event, 50 for Freedom of Speech, was organized by El Librotraficante, Tony Diaz, and the incredible crew at Nuestra Palabra. It was a day to defy censorship of Ethnic Studies and celebrate Mexican American Studies and Chicana/o Studies. Bookstores, libraries, and community centers around the nation united to call attention to the dismantling of the Tucson Unified School District's Mexican American Studies program and celebrate the literature that was removed from the classrooms.
Three organizers in Milwaukee, WI (Adriana McCleer, Melissa Flores, and Brendaliz Rodriguez) coordinated an event with Council for the Spanish Speaking, Latino Nonprofit Leadership Program, Rethinking Schools, Milwaukee Public School teachers, University of WI - Milwaukee students and faculty, Tres Hermanos Restaurant, Y.E.S., Youth Empowered in the Struggle, Educators Network for Social Justice, and many individual volunteers, talented writers and poets, and artists.
On September 21, 2012, over 100 individuals gathered to share literature, skits, poetry, personal insights, and conversation at the 50 for Freedom of Speech Milwaukee event held at the Dr. Filiberto & Carmen Murguia Campus. Royal Mexican Players performed a live-action skit and local authors and poets shared beautiful words with an engaged audience. A silent auction was held to raise funds for the Libros Milwaukee underground library and books were collected onsite. Rethinking Schools, publishers of one of the books removed from the TUSD MAS program Rethinking Columbus, shared their books and co-editor Bob Peterson shared his perspective on the importance of such literature in schools. Attendees came from around the state of Wisconsin to participate in this event and built community with other social justice advocates. This event launched the efforts to create Libros Milwaukee, which seeks to unite people with literature, arts, and with other people that stimulate critical thought and cultural awareness.
Check out the Twitter posts from September 21:
Three organizers in Milwaukee, WI (Adriana McCleer, Melissa Flores, and Brendaliz Rodriguez) coordinated an event with Council for the Spanish Speaking, Latino Nonprofit Leadership Program, Rethinking Schools, Milwaukee Public School teachers, University of WI - Milwaukee students and faculty, Tres Hermanos Restaurant, Y.E.S., Youth Empowered in the Struggle, Educators Network for Social Justice, and many individual volunteers, talented writers and poets, and artists.
On September 21, 2012, over 100 individuals gathered to share literature, skits, poetry, personal insights, and conversation at the 50 for Freedom of Speech Milwaukee event held at the Dr. Filiberto & Carmen Murguia Campus. Royal Mexican Players performed a live-action skit and local authors and poets shared beautiful words with an engaged audience. A silent auction was held to raise funds for the Libros Milwaukee underground library and books were collected onsite. Rethinking Schools, publishers of one of the books removed from the TUSD MAS program Rethinking Columbus, shared their books and co-editor Bob Peterson shared his perspective on the importance of such literature in schools. Attendees came from around the state of Wisconsin to participate in this event and built community with other social justice advocates. This event launched the efforts to create Libros Milwaukee, which seeks to unite people with literature, arts, and with other people that stimulate critical thought and cultural awareness.Check out the Twitter posts from September 21:
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
50 for Freedom of Speech Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Adriana McCleer
(414) 459-1115
librotraficantemilwaukee@gmail.com
librotraficantemilwaukee.blogspot.com
NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION: 50 FOR FREEDOM OF SPEECH MILWAUKEE
Milwaukee, WI - Arizona’s ban of Mexican American Studies in the Tucson Unified School District has sparked a movement and a national call to action to stand in solidarity with the Tucson community. The 50 for Freedom of Speech Milwaukee event will unite supporters of
Mexican American Studies, Ethnic Studies, and intellectual freedom in a proactive movement to make Mexican American literature and Ethnic Studies literature available and accessible to the Milwaukee community. The free event will be held on Friday, September 21, 2012, 6-9 p.m. at Dr. Filiberto & Carmen Murguia Campus, Lower Level, 1645 S. 36th St, Milwaukee, WI 53215.
The Tucson Unified School District’s (TUSD) Mexican American Studies (MAS) program was a successful initiative to help close the Latino academic achievement gap in the district. It received national recognition in the field of education and documented notable success in student achievement. In 2011, this program was ruled in violation of a newly formed Arizona law designed specifically to attack this program. In January 2012, all Mexican American Studies teaching activities were suspended and books used in the courses were removed from classrooms and put into storage. In response to this injustice, Tony Diaz founded the Librotraficante movement in Houston, TX in an effort to “smuggle” the banned books back into Tucson.
Inspired by this movement, three participants of the Latino Nonprofit Leadership Program are organizing the creation of an underground library in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “Libros Milwaukee” will be focused on Mexican American expression, perspective, and history and will highlight Ethnic Studies literature that is meaningful and affirming of the identities and experiences of individuals of color.
The 50 for Freedom of Speech Milwaukee event will launch the campaign to collect books and raise funds to support Libros Milwaukee. The goal is to collect donations of 300 books (3-4 copies of each book listed on the TUSD MAS reading list) and funds to set up the underground library. The 50 for Freedom of Speech Milwaukee event will celebrate the Mexican American
Studies curriculum through readings from the books banned from the curriculum and live theater presentations from local writers and performance artists. An art show/silent auction will serve as a fundraiser to support the creation of Libros Milwaukee and to contribute to the Tucson Raza Defense Fund.
ABOUT LIBROS MILWAUKEE
Libros Milwaukee seeks to eliminate barriers of access and provide a welcoming environment where community members of all ages, races, and ethnicities can access Mexican American cultural works and Ethnic Studies literature. To learn more, like us on Facebook/LibrotraficanteMKE and follow us on Twitter @LibrosMilwaukee.
CONTACT:
Adriana McCleer
(414) 459-1115
librotraficantemilwaukee@gmail.com
librotraficantemilwaukee.blogspot.com
NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION: 50 FOR FREEDOM OF SPEECH MILWAUKEE
Milwaukee, WI - Arizona’s ban of Mexican American Studies in the Tucson Unified School District has sparked a movement and a national call to action to stand in solidarity with the Tucson community. The 50 for Freedom of Speech Milwaukee event will unite supporters of
Mexican American Studies, Ethnic Studies, and intellectual freedom in a proactive movement to make Mexican American literature and Ethnic Studies literature available and accessible to the Milwaukee community. The free event will be held on Friday, September 21, 2012, 6-9 p.m. at Dr. Filiberto & Carmen Murguia Campus, Lower Level, 1645 S. 36th St, Milwaukee, WI 53215.
The Tucson Unified School District’s (TUSD) Mexican American Studies (MAS) program was a successful initiative to help close the Latino academic achievement gap in the district. It received national recognition in the field of education and documented notable success in student achievement. In 2011, this program was ruled in violation of a newly formed Arizona law designed specifically to attack this program. In January 2012, all Mexican American Studies teaching activities were suspended and books used in the courses were removed from classrooms and put into storage. In response to this injustice, Tony Diaz founded the Librotraficante movement in Houston, TX in an effort to “smuggle” the banned books back into Tucson.
Inspired by this movement, three participants of the Latino Nonprofit Leadership Program are organizing the creation of an underground library in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “Libros Milwaukee” will be focused on Mexican American expression, perspective, and history and will highlight Ethnic Studies literature that is meaningful and affirming of the identities and experiences of individuals of color.
The 50 for Freedom of Speech Milwaukee event will launch the campaign to collect books and raise funds to support Libros Milwaukee. The goal is to collect donations of 300 books (3-4 copies of each book listed on the TUSD MAS reading list) and funds to set up the underground library. The 50 for Freedom of Speech Milwaukee event will celebrate the Mexican American
Studies curriculum through readings from the books banned from the curriculum and live theater presentations from local writers and performance artists. An art show/silent auction will serve as a fundraiser to support the creation of Libros Milwaukee and to contribute to the Tucson Raza Defense Fund.
ABOUT LIBROS MILWAUKEE
Libros Milwaukee seeks to eliminate barriers of access and provide a welcoming environment where community members of all ages, races, and ethnicities can access Mexican American cultural works and Ethnic Studies literature. To learn more, like us on Facebook/LibrotraficanteMKE and follow us on Twitter @LibrosMilwaukee.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Call for Volunteers: 50 for Freedom of Speech Milwaukee
To get involved, email librotraficantemilwaukee@gmail
Contribute:
- Beverages (Wine, Soda, and Water)
- $ Funds
Contribute:
- Beverages (Wine, Soda, and Water)
- $ Funds
Help us secure:
- Beverage sponsors
- Funding sources or book donors (of specific books)
- Partners - planning, sponsorship, volunteers, etc.
Volunteer your time for a full or partial shift on September 21, 2012:
- Set-up (4:00-6:00 pm)
- Clean-up (8:00-10:00 pm)
- Food/Beverage Service (5:00-9:00 pm)
- Silent Auction Table (5:30-9:00 pm)
- Photographer (5:30-9:00 pm)
- Videographer (5:30-9:00 pm)
Help with publicity:
- Like us on Facebook and share our event at http://www.facebook.com/LibrotraficanteMKE
- Beverage sponsors
- Funding sources or book donors (of specific books)
- Partners - planning, sponsorship, volunteers, etc.
Volunteer your time for a full or partial shift on September 21, 2012:
- Set-up (4:00-6:00 pm)
- Clean-up (8:00-10:00 pm)
- Food/Beverage Service (5:00-9:00 pm)
- Silent Auction Table (5:30-9:00 pm)
- Photographer (5:30-9:00 pm)
- Videographer (5:30-9:00 pm)
Help with publicity:
- Like us on Facebook and share our event at http://www.facebook.com/LibrotraficanteMKE
- Follow us on Twitter at @LibrosMilwaukee
- Visit our blog at Librotraficante Milwaukee at http://
- Visit our blog at Librotraficante Milwaukee at http://
Friday, August 17, 2012
50 for Freedom of Speech Milwaukee
This event will celebrate Mexican American and Ethnic Studies literature and art through readings of banned book selections and artwork created by local and national authors/artists/activists. This event will launch the campaign to collect books and raise funds to support the underground library, "Libros Milwaukee."
Date/Time: September 21, 2012, 6-9 p.m.
Location: Dr. Filiberto & Carmen Murguia Campus, Centro Hispano Milwaukee, 1645 S 36th Street, Lower Level, Milwaukee, WI 53215
Cost: Free admission
Check out our event page on Facebook to follow the conversation and share with your friends.
Monday, August 6, 2012
What is a Librotraficante?
 |
| Source: http://librotraficante.com/index.php/underground-library |
A Librotraficante is a person that defies censorship of Ethnic Studies teaching and literature.
A Librotraficante works to ensure that cultural knowledge is preserved and protected.
A Librotraficante will facilitate access to Ethnic Studies through conversation, teaching, art, theater, and books.
Check out the official Librotraficante Manifesto developed by Tony Diaz at http://librotraficante.com/index.php/present/manifesto
So, are you a Librotraficante?
Join the national movement by participating in 50 for Freedom of Speech on September 21, 2012.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Banned Book List
 |
| Source: http://www.facebook.com/ModernTimesBooks#!/moderntimesbookstore |
Learn about the books at The Battleground for America’s Narrative: An Annotated Bibliography of 80 Banned Books in Arizona compiled by Elaine Romero
Thursday, August 2, 2012
50 for Freedom of Speech
In solidarity with the Librotraficante Movement Nationwide: 50 for Freedom of Speech we are planning an event for September 21, 2012 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The event will celebrate Mexican American literature and art through readings of banned book selections and will highlight artwork created by local and national authors/artists/activists.
This event will launch the campaign to collect books and raise funds to support the Milwaukee Librotraficante Underground Library. Our goal is to collect donations of 300 books (3-4 copies of each 85 books listed on the TUSD MAS reading list) and $3,000 to set up the underground library. We have identified a potential location for the library, and we are working on the final proposal to be approved by an amazing community organization.
If you are interested in getting involved with the movement, please email librotraficantemilwaukee[at]gmail.com
Friday, September 21, 2012 the Librotraficante Movement will unite the states of the United States of America. The Librotraficantes will organize literary actions on the same day in each state to defy Arizona’s Ban of Mexican American Studies which is poised to spread just as Arizona’s Anti-immigration movement spread.Visit http://librotraficante.com/index.php/component/content/article/12-current-news/56-50-for-freedom-of-speech for more details on 50 for Freedom of Speech.
However, this time, every American’s right to Freedom of Speech is at stake.
The event will celebrate Mexican American literature and art through readings of banned book selections and will highlight artwork created by local and national authors/artists/activists.
This event will launch the campaign to collect books and raise funds to support the Milwaukee Librotraficante Underground Library. Our goal is to collect donations of 300 books (3-4 copies of each 85 books listed on the TUSD MAS reading list) and $3,000 to set up the underground library. We have identified a potential location for the library, and we are working on the final proposal to be approved by an amazing community organization.
If you are interested in getting involved with the movement, please email librotraficantemilwaukee[at]gmail.com
Librotraficante Milwaukee
 |
| Source: www.librotraficante.com |
Watch for details via Twitter @LibrosMilwaukee. Contact librotraficantemilwaukee[at]gmail.com for more information.
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