Dear Gabacho:
Now the US has elected a new president, do expect to see any change in the way we educate our children, English speaking and otherwise, especially in regards to No Child Left Behind and specifically foreign language education?
Bilingual in Baltimore
Dear BiB:
President elect Obama has given us reason to be optimistic. During a town hall meeting Obama states, "I agree that immigrants should learn English. But instead of worrying about whether immigrants can learn English - they'll learn English - you need to make sure your child can speak Spanish. You should be thinking about how can your child become bilingual? We should have every child speaking more than one language." (Town Hall Meeting, Powder Springs, GA, July 8, 2008).
In regards to NCLB, Obama has been openly critical saying that "it is so narrowly focused on standardized tests that it has pushed out a lot of important learning that needs to take place. And foreign languages is one of those areas that I think has been neglected." (Democratic candidates' debate, February 21, 2008, Austin, TX).
Whether or not this rhetoric translates to improved and innovative education in the classroom is yet to be seen. You can see an outline of the President elect's education agenda at http://change.gov/agenda/education_agenda/ .
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Holiday Fiestas
Dear Gabacho:
It's my responsibility to plan the holiday party for all of our employees. We have over 150 employees, 40% of whom are Mexican or Spanish speaking. Over the past 5 years, very few of the Spanish speaking employees ever show up for the party, we do invitations in Spanish and everything. Why aren't they coming?
Judy, Personnel Director, Aspen, CO
Dear Judy:
Good question. There could be many reasons, but here are some that I've found out just by asking these questions: First, where is the party? Is it easily accessible if you don't have a car? Is it a neutral place, or a place where mostly non Spanish-speaking people hang out? Do you allow or invite the kids of the employees to come? Getting someone to babysit so that they can come to the work party might not be a possibility. Is the party at a time when you might be working if you had a second job?
Businesses that I've worked with have found that potluck events are often popular with all employees. There is a sense of comraderie because everyone is required to contribute. Parties where there is dancing, or bowling, or something that you are actually doing, besides eating, also seem to be universally appreciated and attended. A survey of your Spanish-speaking employees asking where they'd like the holiday party to be this year might reveal something too. If it is really important that all your employees attend, you also might want to consider throwing the party during your business hours, if possible.
It's my responsibility to plan the holiday party for all of our employees. We have over 150 employees, 40% of whom are Mexican or Spanish speaking. Over the past 5 years, very few of the Spanish speaking employees ever show up for the party, we do invitations in Spanish and everything. Why aren't they coming?
Judy, Personnel Director, Aspen, CO
Dear Judy:
Good question. There could be many reasons, but here are some that I've found out just by asking these questions: First, where is the party? Is it easily accessible if you don't have a car? Is it a neutral place, or a place where mostly non Spanish-speaking people hang out? Do you allow or invite the kids of the employees to come? Getting someone to babysit so that they can come to the work party might not be a possibility. Is the party at a time when you might be working if you had a second job?
Businesses that I've worked with have found that potluck events are often popular with all employees. There is a sense of comraderie because everyone is required to contribute. Parties where there is dancing, or bowling, or something that you are actually doing, besides eating, also seem to be universally appreciated and attended. A survey of your Spanish-speaking employees asking where they'd like the holiday party to be this year might reveal something too. If it is really important that all your employees attend, you also might want to consider throwing the party during your business hours, if possible.
Illegal Immigrants in US
Dear Gabacho:
How many illegal immmigrants are in the US?
HRD in SD
Dear HRD:
There were 11.9 million unauthorized immigrants living in the United States in March 2008, according to new Pew Hispanic Center estimates. Note the different terminology: illegal immigrant, undocumented, unathorized immigrant, illegal alien, etc.
There is a very interesting article at pewhispanic.org that talks about trends in immigration in the United States and how population is estimated.
How many illegal immmigrants are in the US?
HRD in SD
Dear HRD:
There were 11.9 million unauthorized immigrants living in the United States in March 2008, according to new Pew Hispanic Center estimates. Note the different terminology: illegal immigrant, undocumented, unathorized immigrant, illegal alien, etc.
There is a very interesting article at pewhispanic.org that talks about trends in immigration in the United States and how population is estimated.
Abortion in Mexico
Dear Gabacho:
Please forgive the bluntness of my question, but what is the abortion policy in Mexico?
No Embarazada, Ni Antiabortísta
Dear Nena:
In April 2007 lawmakers in Mexico voted 46 to 19 in favor of the bill that permits abortions of pregnancies in the first 12 weeks under any circumstances. Currently, only Mexico City allows abortions upon demand for the first 12 weeks of the pregnancy. Yucatán allows it in the cases of birth defects, undesired artificial insemination, economic reasons, when the woman already has three children, the pregnancy would cause life danger and rape. All other states penalize abortion except for rape cases and health problems.
Please see the following sources for more information:
BBC News
NY Times
Wikipedia
Life Site News
Please forgive the bluntness of my question, but what is the abortion policy in Mexico?
No Embarazada, Ni Antiabortísta
Dear Nena:
In April 2007 lawmakers in Mexico voted 46 to 19 in favor of the bill that permits abortions of pregnancies in the first 12 weeks under any circumstances. Currently, only Mexico City allows abortions upon demand for the first 12 weeks of the pregnancy. Yucatán allows it in the cases of birth defects, undesired artificial insemination, economic reasons, when the woman already has three children, the pregnancy would cause life danger and rape. All other states penalize abortion except for rape cases and health problems.
Please see the following sources for more information:
BBC News
NY Times
Wikipedia
Life Site News
Long Latino Names
Dear Gabacho:
Why do Spanish [speakers] have so many names? What do they all mean? What name should we use?
Confused Gringo
Dear Confused Gringo:
Latinos honor their forefathers and mothers by including their names in their own. Let's use an example to illustrate: Juan Carlos Vargas Soto. This man's first name is Juan Carlos (Juanca would be a nickname). The middle name Vargas (1st surname) comes from his father's last name (apellido paterno), and the last name Soto (2nd surname) is the mother's maiden name (apellido materno). Thus, simply put, his name is Juan Vargas, as per U.S. tradition. As with anyone's name, ask the individual what they would prefer to be called. For more information on latino names and origins, please check out this very interesting site: Spanish Surnames, Meanings & Origins.
Why do Spanish [speakers] have so many names? What do they all mean? What name should we use?
Confused Gringo
Dear Confused Gringo:
Latinos honor their forefathers and mothers by including their names in their own. Let's use an example to illustrate: Juan Carlos Vargas Soto. This man's first name is Juan Carlos (Juanca would be a nickname). The middle name Vargas (1st surname) comes from his father's last name (apellido paterno), and the last name Soto (2nd surname) is the mother's maiden name (apellido materno). Thus, simply put, his name is Juan Vargas, as per U.S. tradition. As with anyone's name, ask the individual what they would prefer to be called. For more information on latino names and origins, please check out this very interesting site: Spanish Surnames, Meanings & Origins.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Election Direction
Dear Gabacho:
Where do the US presidential candidates stand on the issue of immigration? Who would you rather see win if you were an immigrant?
Need Opinion Regarding The Election
Dear NORTE :
Obama and McCain's plans to rectify our immigration system are similar. They both agree that the US should secure the borders first and crack down on companies that hire undocumented immigrants. Both of their plans include increasing border personnel and the use of technology to preserve the integrity of our borders.
Obama supports a system that allows undocumented immigrants in good standing to pay a fine, learn English, and go to the back of the line for the opportunity at citizenship. Obama also believes that the US needs to do more to promote economic development in Mexico to decrease the cause of illegal immigration.
McCain supports a system that will meet America's labor needs. He says that he will implement a temporary worker program that will reflect the labor needs of the US in both the high-tech and low-skilled sectors while protecting employment opportunities for US workers. McCain also would like to reform caps for the H-1B visa program to rise and fall in response to market conditions.
In my opinion, McCain seems more interested in protecting our borders while Obama seems more interested in rooting out the cause of illegal immigration.
To see more detailed explanations of the two candidates' plans for immigration reform, visit:
Obama's Web Site on Immigration
and
McCain's Web Site on Immigration
Where do the US presidential candidates stand on the issue of immigration? Who would you rather see win if you were an immigrant?
Need Opinion Regarding The Election
Dear NORTE :
Obama and McCain's plans to rectify our immigration system are similar. They both agree that the US should secure the borders first and crack down on companies that hire undocumented immigrants. Both of their plans include increasing border personnel and the use of technology to preserve the integrity of our borders.
Obama supports a system that allows undocumented immigrants in good standing to pay a fine, learn English, and go to the back of the line for the opportunity at citizenship. Obama also believes that the US needs to do more to promote economic development in Mexico to decrease the cause of illegal immigration.
McCain supports a system that will meet America's labor needs. He says that he will implement a temporary worker program that will reflect the labor needs of the US in both the high-tech and low-skilled sectors while protecting employment opportunities for US workers. McCain also would like to reform caps for the H-1B visa program to rise and fall in response to market conditions.
In my opinion, McCain seems more interested in protecting our borders while Obama seems more interested in rooting out the cause of illegal immigration.
To see more detailed explanations of the two candidates' plans for immigration reform, visit:
Obama's Web Site on Immigration
and
McCain's Web Site on Immigration
Mexican vs. Hispanic vs. Ignorance
Today we have a special Ask El Gabacho featuring a question asked live, right before el Gabacho presented his Hispanic Cultural Awareness training to the High Country Human Resource Association (HCHRA) in Steamboat Springs, CO, by one of the meeting facility's maintenance staff (not affiliated with the HCHRA).
"What's the difference between a Mexican and a Hispanic?"
Gabacho responds:
This sounds like the beginning of a very bad joke. Is it? [It was.] The punchline notwithstanding, the difference is this: a Mexican is a person that was born in Mexico. Hispanic is a term created by the US government in the 70's to categorize people whose native language is Spanish. A Mexican could be considered Hispanic, but not all that are considered Hispanic are Mexican. For example, a Guatemalan could be considered Hispanic, but they are not Mexican. Hope that helps everyone.
To see the string of comments that followed this presentation, please go to: http://steamboatpilot.com/news/2008/jun/29/experts_give_tips_helping_spanishspeaking_workers/
"What's the difference between a Mexican and a Hispanic?"
Gabacho responds:
This sounds like the beginning of a very bad joke. Is it? [It was.] The punchline notwithstanding, the difference is this: a Mexican is a person that was born in Mexico. Hispanic is a term created by the US government in the 70's to categorize people whose native language is Spanish. A Mexican could be considered Hispanic, but not all that are considered Hispanic are Mexican. For example, a Guatemalan could be considered Hispanic, but they are not Mexican. Hope that helps everyone.
To see the string of comments that followed this presentation, please go to: http://steamboatpilot.com/news/2008/jun/29/experts_give_tips_helping_spanishspeaking_workers/
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