Author Archives: Jose Calderon

About Jose Calderon

Jose Zapata Calderon is Emeritus Professor in Sociology and Chicano/a Latino/a Studies at Pitzer College and President of the Latino and Latina Roundtable of the Pomona Valley and San Gabriel Valley.

Invitation to CASA Ontario ribbon cutting Thursday April 14, 6-9

On Mon, Apr 11, 2016 at 11:34 AM, Susan Phillips <susan_phillips@pitzer.edu> wrote:

Please join us for a ribbon cutting this Thursday for our new PIO location! It will be an event celebrating community in Ontario and Pitzer’s 20 years working in Inland communities. The program begins at 6:30 will include a Native American opening, speeches, and a Tongan hymn.

Join us!

Thursday April 14, 6-9pm

200 S. Euclid Avenue, Suite B, Ontario, CA 91762

To celebrate the grand opening of CASA Ontario, a new center for social collaboration in downtown.

Pitzer College is celebrating 20 years in Ontario and Inland communities! We have just moved to a new space in downtown’s historic Frankish Building and invite you to participate in our ribbon cutting and inaugural event.

Present will be community members, community partners, elected officials, non-profit leaders, and students, alumni, and faculty, along with representatives of foundations, media outlets, and local businesses.  

The program will include food, speeches, music, and more! Children are welcome.

Cesar Chavez Park Clean-Up This Saturday as Part of Beautification day

We invite you to help to do clean-up and restoration at Cesar Chavez Park (2720 Barjud ave.) this Saturday with the Latino and Latina Roundtable.   Please send an e-mail to Jose Calderon at Jose_Calderon@pitzer.edu if you can make it.  On the day of the clean-up, we ask you to bring garden tools and gloves.  We will be doing some painting.  The Cesar Chavez Park Clean-up and Restoration Project, as Part of the 10th Annual Pomona Beautification Day in Pomona, will take place this Saturday, April 16, 2016.  There will be a kickoff at City Hall at 7 a.m. and the city-wide cleanup projects will be from 8 a.m.-12 p.m.  A celebration will take place afterwards at Thomas Plaza from 12 until 3 p.m.  If you have not done so, please do an official sign up so that you can get a free lunch and free tickets for this year’s L. A. Fair at the Fairplex. To sign up if you have not done so, see the attached flyer and visit http://www.pomonabeautification.com/.  We look forward to working alongside of you on this day.

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Public Lecture (Pitzer College): Dr. Alvaro Huerta “In Defense of People on the Move: Latina/o Immigrants”

Public Lecture Announcement at Pitzer College

  

by Dr. Alvaro Huerta

 

“In Defense of People on the Move: Latina/o Immigrants”

(In the context of the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election)

 

Date: Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Time: 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Location: Broad Hall Room 210, Pitzer College

Sponsored by:  Rural and Urban Social Movements Class

& Center for Community Engagement

Professor: Dr. José Z. Calderón

                     

Bio: Dr. Alvaro Huerta holds a joint faculty appointment in urban & region planning and ethnic & women’s studies at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. As an interdisciplinary scholar, he teaches and conducts research on the intersecting domains of community and economic development, Chicana/o—Latina/o studies, immigration, Mexican diaspora, social movements, social networks and the informal economy. Born in Sacramento, California, he was raised in a Mexican slum (Colonia Libertad in Tijuana) and North American barrio (Ramona Gardens housing project in East Los Angeles). As the son of Mexican immigrants who lacked formal education, Dr. Huerta is a first-generation university graduate with a B.A. (history) & M.A. (urban planning) from UCLA. He also holds a Ph.D. (city & regional planning) from UC Berkeley. Moreover, he’s the author of “Reframing the Latino Immigration Debate: Towards a Humanistic Paradigm,” by San Diego State University Press (2013).

Co-Sponsored by URBAN-Los Angeles 

In Defense of People on The Move-Dr Huerta-Pitzer College

Rain or Shine – Reminder We March on April 9th

Note:  Rain or Shine, we will march and, should it be raining (where we cannot do the outdoor events), we will have an indoor place at Garey High School when we arrive.

14TH ANNUAL CESAR CHAVEZ PILGRIMAGE MARCH AND CELEBRATION

 

Theme:  Our Community Voice Matters -Vote With Our Feet and at the Ballot Box: Support Ethnic Studies, Immigrant Rights, Minimum Wage, and Funding for Education

 

What: 14th Annual Cesar Chavez Pilgrimage, with a program of speakers, live music and food

When: Saturday, April 9, 2016; 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 PM

Where: starting at 9:30 a.m. at Pomona School District Headquarters (800 S. Garey Ave.) with noted community speakers and followed with a pilgrimage walk to Garey High School (321 W. Lexington Ave., Pomona, Ca) where a celebration will take place from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Open to the Public).

Starting at 9:30 A. M. at Pomona School District Headquarters (800 S. Garey Ave.) at the site of a 300-year-old tree to celebrate and listen to speakers who represent the wisdom of the elders on some of the issues affecting our communities. Followed by a march led by Danza Grupo Toyaacan to Garey High School where a young tree will be planted and where youth speakers will share words on the issues affecting them. A snake dance, afterward, involving everyone, will brings together the diverse generations in a snake dance symbolizing the unity that is needed between the various generations in overcoming obstacles to advance a more just and equal society.

 (Pomona, CA) – A coalition of local leaders, parents, students, teachers, and community groups will honor civil rights leader Cesar Chavez with the 14th Annual Community Pilgrimage, commemorating the pilgrimages that Chavez led to highlight the issues of social justice in our diverse communities. The pilgrimage honors the birthday of Cesar Chavez on March 31 and also the day he passed away, on April 23, as part of continuing a legacy of advancing human rights,  peace, and social justice in the region. As in previous years, a ceremony at 9:30 A. M. in front of the PUSD Administrative Offices, will include elder leaders from the community who will honor a 300-year old tree, symbolizing respect for our elders and the sacredness of the environment (including PUSD Superintendent Richard Martinez, Bishop Herbert Wilkins, Jeanette Royston from the NAACP, Tony Cerda from the Ohlone Tribe, and Angela Sanbrano from the Latino/a Roundtable).   After, a pilgrimage walk will make its way to Garey High School where a small tree will be planted and various speakers will speak on the importance of ensuring the development of our future leaders, our young people (including Cesar Chavez’s grandson Andres Chavez, Garey High School principal Stacey Wilkins, Garey High School Stand-out Karina Aguilar, and Mt. Sac Student Government leaders Fabian Pavon and Alejandro Juarez. Scholarships will be presented to students who best represent the principles and values of community engagement.  The entertainment will include the Son Real Band, Danza Azteca Toyaacan, Le Chic Filipino Dance Group, VOM Dance Group , Singer Paola La Portanguila, and Lincoln High Ballet Folklorico. Food will be available for purchase with all the proceeds going to student scholarships.

Sponsors: Latino/Latina Roundtable; Pomona Unified School District, PUSD Parents, University of LaVerne, Cal Poly Cesar Chavez Center for Higher Education; Mount Sac Associated Students; Culture Shock Club, Psychology Club, M. E. C. H. A., D. B. A. Club, BSU Club, CSULB: Lambda That Phi Ltin Fraternity; Mote Vista UU Congregation, Senator Connie M. Leyva, Frank Guzman, Cardenas, La Cachanilla, NAACP, Pomona Valley Branch 1085B,  IDEAS, NAACP, National Council of Negro Women, Encuentros Organization, Rural and Urban Social Movements class, Pitzer Latino Student Union, Pomona Economic Opportunity Center, Pomona Inland Valley Martin Luther King Jr. Project, UFCW 1428, Fairplex, Pomona Premiere

State Senators Supporting Major Higher Education Legisaltion – SB 1050

Media Advisory*

State Senators to Announce Major Higher Education Legislation to Strengthen College Readiness for Low-Income Students

San Gabriel High School — Friday at 10:00 a.m.

At a press conference in San Gabriel Friday morning, members of the state Senate will announce the introduction SB 1050, a measure to boost college admissions for low-income students by incentivizing K-12 school districts and charter schools to provide access to more rigorous college-readiness coursework. SB 1050 seeks to establish a stronger pipeline from K-12 high schools, particularly those that enroll 75 percent or more low-income, English learner, and foster youth, to the University of California.  SB 1050 is the result of an engagement process with higher education stakeholders and community-based organizations.

WHEN: 10 a.m., Friday, April 8th

VISUAL: Diverse group of students on bleachers, 2 student speakers

WHO: Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León; Senators Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina), Ricardo Lara (De-Bell Gardens) and Richard Pan (D-Sacramento); LAUSD Superintendent Michelle King; Mike Eng, Los Angeles Community College Board Trustee; Jay Chen, Mt. San Antonio College Board Trustee; Linda Wah, Pasadena Area Community College District Board of Trustees President; Jason Pu, City of San Gabriel Councilmember; Debbie Stone, San Gabriel High School Principal; Michele Siqueiros, Campaign for College Opportunity; and Stewart Kwoh, Founding President and Executive Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – LA.

WHAT: Press conference announcing major higher education legislation, SB 1050

WHERE: Main Gym, San Gabriel High School, 801 South Ramona Street, San Gabriel, CA 91776

RSVP: Email Claire.Conlon@sen.ca.gov for parking info & directions

BACKGROUND: As part of the 2016 Budget process, the California State Senate fought to provide additional enrollment slots for California students at the California State University (CSU) and the University of California (UC). As a result, last year’s budget provided funding for more than 15,000 additional enrollment slots at the California State University (10,400) and the University of California (5,000). 

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Claire Conlonimage001

Interested in being part of a LRT soccer team?

Kevin Kandamby, from the Encuentros and Latino Student Union at Pitzer, has requested whether anyone from the Latino and Latina Roundtable is interested in forming a soccer team to be part of a soccer tournament (involving day laborers in the area).  The event will be held Sunday April 17th from 7:30 AM – 4 PM at the CMC Parents Field. The event is called Fútbol Es Vida [I.E. Strikes Back] Soccer Tournament. This will be the 3rd year the event will be held and it is a soccer tournament that invites community organization, day laborers, workers, unions, students, and community members for a day of solidarity, food, fun, music, and more! The registration fee is $50 dollars for a team of at least 10 players (more are welcome and encouraged). Shirts and food are included in the registration fee. All the proceeds made during the event will go towards the Inland Empire Immigrant Youth Coalition (IEIYC) DACA Scholarship Fund. Below is link to the Facebook event students have already made. Please send me an e-mail if you are interested in being part of a Latino and Latina Roundtable team.  If we have enough players — we will register as a team.  If not, we can work with the Latino Student Union as a team.  Please get back to me right away if you are interested at:  Jose_Calderon@Pitzer.edu

https://www.facebook.com/events/481411338705063/

Jose Zapata Calderon

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Invitation to Pot-Luck Commemoration of Blanca Mariscal and Parents on April 8th

What:  Pot-Luck Sharing of Food and Ceremony at Cesar Chavez Park to commemorate parents and the example of PUSD parent Blanca Mariscal

When:  Friday, April 8th at 4:00 pm

Where:  Cesar Chavez Park (2720 Barjud Ave. in Pomona)

By word of mouth and this invitation, we ask for your help in bringing together friends again, like we did last year, the day before the Cesar Chavez Pilgrimage, to share food in a pot-luck and in a short ceremony to honor the work of parents and the example of Blanca Mariscal.  The pot-luck and ceremony willl be held at Cesar Chavez Park (2720 Barjud Ave.) in Pomona, California on Friday, April 8th beginning at 4:00 PM. – the day before the annual Cesar Chavez pilgrimage march and fiesta.  After the pot-luck we will make flags and posters for the pilgrimage march on Saturday.

Blanca was one of the parent leaders in the annual Cesar Chavez Pilgrimage march and festival held at Garey High School. She helped  in making the food for the event and ensuring that all the proceeds would go toward student scholarships. She also was part of a delegation of parents and students which participated in a visit to La Paz (Keene, CA) where Cesar Chavez is buried. After the visit, she continued to work on the annual pilgrimage but got very sick with cancer and ended up in the hospital. Although in the hospital, she continued to organize the parents for a very successful pilgrimage but, shortly after, passed away. The Cesar Chavez Pilgrimage Committee, along with the Latino and Latina Roundtable, PUSD parents and students, family, and other supporting groups invite you to join with us in a ceremony and a pot-luck afterward.   We will also be making posters, flags, and banners after the pot-luck.  

Microsoft Word - Blanca.docx

Invitation to 14th Annual Cesar Chavez Pilgrimage March and Celebration

14TH ANNUAL CESAR CHAVEZ PILGRIMAGE MARCH AND CELEBRATION

 

Theme:  Our Community Voice Matters -Vote With Our Feet and at the Ballot Box: Support Ethnic Studies, Immigrant Rights, Minimum Wage, and Funding for Education

 

What: 14th Annual Cesar Chavez Pilgrimage, with a program of speakers, live music and food

When: Saturday, April 9, 2016; 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 PM

Where: starting at 9:30 a.m. at Pomona School District Headquarters (800 S. Garey Ave.) with noted community speakers and followed with a pilgrimage walk to Garey High School (321 W. Lexington Ave., Pomona, Ca) where a celebration will take place from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Open to the Public).

Starting at 9:30 A. M. at Pomona School District Headquarters (800 S. Garey Ave.) at the site of a 300-year-old tree to celebrate and listen to speakers who represent the wisdom of the elders on some of the issues affecting our communities. Followed by a march led by Danza Grupo Toyaacan to Garey High School where a young tree will be planted and where youth speakers will share words on the issues affecting them. A snake dance, afterward, involving everyone, will brings together the diverse generations in a snake dance symbolizing the unity that is needed between the various generations in overcoming obstacles to advance a more just and equal society.

 (Pomona, CA) – A coalition of local leaders, parents, students, teachers, and community groups will honor civil rights leader Cesar Chavez with the 14th Annual Community Pilgrimage, commemorating the pilgrimages that Chavez led to highlight the issues of social justice in our diverse communities. The pilgrimage honors the birthday of Cesar Chavez on March 31 and also the day he passed away, on April 23, as part of continuing a legacy of advancing human rights,  peace, and social justice in the region. As in previous years, a ceremony at 9:30 A. M. in front of the PUSD Administrative Offices, will include elder leaders from the community who will honor a 300-year old tree, symbolizing respect for our elders and the sacredness of the environment (including PUSD Superintendent Richard Martinez, Bishop Herbert Wilkins, Jeanette Royston from the NAACP, Tony Cerda from the Ohlone Tribe, and Angela Sanbrano from the Latino/a Roundtable).   After, a pilgrimage walk will make its way to Garey High School where a small tree will be planted and various speakers will speak on the importance of ensuring the development of our future leaders, our young people (including Cesar Chavez’s grandson Andres Chavez, Garey High School principal Stacey Wilkins, Garey High School Stand-out Karina Aguilar, and Mt. Sac Student Government leaders Fabian Pavon and Alejandro Juarez. Scholarships will be presented to students who best represent the principles and values of community engagement.  The entertainment will include the Son Real Band, Danza Azteca Toyaacan, Le Chic Filipino Dance Group, VOM Dance Group , Singer Paola La Portanguila, and Lincoln High Ballet Folklorico. Food will be available for purchase with all the proceeds going to student scholarships.

Sponsors: Latino/Latina Roundtable; Pomona Unified School District, PUSD Parents, University of LaVerne, Cal Poly Cesar Chavez Center for Higher Education; Mount Sac Associated Students; Culture Shock Club, Psychology Club, M. E. C. H. A., D. B. A. Club, BSU Club, CSULB: Lambda That Phi Ltin Fraternity; Mote Vista UU Congregation, Senator Connie M. Leyva, Frank Guzman, Cardenas, La Cachanilla, NAACP, Pomona Valley Branch 1085B,  IDEAS, NAACP, National Council of Negro Women, Encuentros Organization, Rural and Urban Social Movements class, Pitzer Latino Student Union, Pomona Economic Opportunity Center, Pomona Inland Valley Martin Luther King Jr. Project, UFCW 1428, Fairplex, Pomona Premiere

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

Important Decision: Supreme Court Upholds one person, one vote

The Supreme Court Upholds One Person, One Vote:

An important decision today in the Supreme Court that helps to stultify the efforts to stop the growing political power of our communities..  The Latino and Latina Roundable held a well-attended forum in Pomona a few months ago and brought attention to the significance of this case, Evenwel vs. Abbott, and how we had to be vigilant of its intent at changing how electoral districts are drawn across the country (revamping who comprises electoral districts) and reshaping who is ultimately represented by elected officials.  The challengers in the Texas case, represented by the conservative legal group Project on Fair Representation, argued that the practice of drawing Congressional districts should no longer use total population from census figures as a marker for creating electoral districts – but that it should exclude those ineligible to vote , such as undocumented immigrants, felons, and young people below the voting age.

If the Supreme Court would have decided otherwise, it would have meant that, in areas where there are a large number of noncitizens – those districts would have had diluted representation – because the districts would have been drawn just on the basis of the numbers of voters and not based on the total population.  This is a big victory against the conservative right-wing forces  who are seeking to suppress the growing political power potential of our Latino and Latina communities – our immigrant communities — and the potential of the political strength of the diverse people of color, women, LGBTQ, labor, faith-based, and community-based coalitions – that have manifested themselves more than ever in recent years.

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-court-voting-districts-20160404-story.html

vote

Jose Zapata Calderon