Film and Poster Presentation
Preliminary description. Final information will be available in the printed program available to conference registrants.
Saturday Film series
La Bamba 2: Hell Is A Drag
La Bamba 2 is an all-drag, camp, parody sequel to the 1987 film La Bamba [the biopic of Chicano rock n’ roll star Ritchie Valens]. The film is set in 2059, 100 years after the death of Ritchie Valens in the original La Bamba, and centers on the journey of wannabe celebrity Rob Fatal who is at the end of his rope in his quest for fame. On the Day of the Dead 2059, Fatal is pulled into the underworld by Donna, Ritchie’s girlfriend in life, who tells Fatal that Ritchie has been kidnapped by a band of rock stars [including Selena, Buddy Holly and Kurt Cobain] who are jealous of Ritchie's greatness and his legendary biopic film La Bamba which has immortalized him on earth as one of the greatest celebrities of all time. Donna makes a Faustian deal with the desperate protagonist: Fatal rescues Ritchie Valens from his netherworld captors in exchange for a one way ticket back to earth as the greatest celebrity of all time. But as fatal journeys through the underworld he meets a host of demons, sirens and dead celebrities that transform the film from campy trash comedy to surreal, genre video art. This metamorphosis and blurring of genre and narrative become a meditation on the nature of celebrity, religion, mixed identity, desire and obsession. La Bamba 2 is produced, written and directed by Rob Fatal and is executive produced by Cheryl Dunye.”
Duration: 1:09:21
ROB FATAL, Sacramento City College
Temporary Shelters
This short documentary film follows Maiko, a gender queer Chicanx activist, who navigates his gender identity through three spaces: their family home in Pomona, CA, where they feels loved, but constricted at times, the queer community in Tucson AZ, where they feel free to explore their identity, and a migrant camp on the AZ/MX border where they works with the nonprofit organization No Mas Muertes to help people survive the perilous desert border crossing. The film operates like a triptych offering three intimate portraits of one person navigating three distinct spaces, all while simultaneously reconciling gender expression and Chicanx identity.
Duration: 15
Zambrano, Patricia E. University of California, San Diego.
"Xican@ Books Pop Up!"
This short film surveys the recent history of the Xican@ Pop-Up Book Movement, a creative and pedagogical movement of teachers against Arizona's book ban on Chicano literature and the attack on Chican@ Studies. It locates the origin story of the XPUB in Arizona's struggle over the survival of the Mexican American Studies Department in Tucson and the colonial book burnings by Zumaraga and de Landa during the colonial era destruction of indigenous amoxtilis or codices. Comparing book banning to book burning, the Xican@ Pop-Up Book Movement utilizes paper engineering (pop-up techniques) allegorically to teach about Chicano literature - using the original 52 Chicano books banned by the state of Arizona - and decolonization, and to promote Ethnic Studies in high schools. The XPUB teachers also interact with other groups and unfolds Civil Rights "hidden histories," the 43 missing Ayotzinapa students, Black Lives Matter and contemporary youth identities.
Duration: 10 min.
Serna, Elias. The Xican@ Pop-Up Book Movement
MI FAMILIA 2: CLASS ORDER FAMILY TRIBE
Mi Familia 2: Class Order Family Tribe is a silent, experimental documentary by Queer/Latino/Native American filmmaker Rob Fatal. The film is comprised entirely of 60 year old 8mm footage created by the filmmaker's matrilineal Native American family as they struggled to survive poverty, racism, and boredom in 1960s Central California. Utilizing techniques of self authorship and camp pioneered by queer filmmaking pioneers like Marlon Riggs,Cheryl Dunye and Sadie Benning, Fatal inserts himself into the macabre and comedic film as a textual narrator in an effort to examine his family and his overlapping and differing generational strategies for survival and identity.
Duration: 26:04
Fatal, Rob. Sacramento City College.
Dance Like Water
This film is a testimony to beauty dancing at Standing Rock. The vision was given form by Xican@ Danza movements from South to North. Manifestations of hope for justice and love were flowing from people who gathered to protect and pray for WATER. Children played by the river, smoke from sacred fires rose and drum beats from all nations carried through the air. The Danza was strong and continues to connect us, from all directions, throughout time. This short film chronicles Danza groups from New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona that traveled to North Dakota to pray for sacred Water in October 2016. The current display of support is reminiscent of Wounded Knee when a Xican@ delegation stood on the front lines of the indigenous movement. The prayer for Water intersects with movements for justice, which becomes clear in the motions of each step and with each beat of the drum. Thousands of people have made the same journey and prayed in their own ways, this was one moment of many that communicated love and joy in a time of intense violence against Mother Earth. This film is intended to show that war against genocide is an act of peace and that the weapons for peace are dance, song, love and prayer.
Duration: 10 min
deMaria, Jaelyn. University of New Mexico.
Hojas: Re/De-composing Correspondences
Knowledge forms in leaves on the global forest floor. For many, global structures are numeric, measurable: “345 billion barrels of oil available for extraction in Latin America”; “2.19 million prisoners incarcerated in the U.S. alone”; “134,519 homicides in Latin America in 2012 - 31% of the global total”; “1, the number of Wall Street executives convicted for the 2009 global recession”; “5%, the number of doctoral degrees earned by Latinxs in 2011-12”. But who does the measuring? This short film focuses on that final number - the Latinx 5% who are being trained to investigate and construct knowledge, the congealing statistics or ethnographies of our world. For many Latinx and Latin American graduate students, the experience of graduate-level education is one of disjointed isolation and reorientation towards the neoliberal Academy. It is a period of occupying intellectual and cultural borderlands in the hopes of emerging as a useful tool for their home communities. Driven by a desire to serve the communities they study, Latinx graduate students learn to count, to listen, to speak - but often at the cost of lost time with family, friends, nations. Stories missed or forgotten. Hojas is a collection of visual letters, digital channels re-opened if only briefly, sent towards home, towards elders distant or lost, questions for the earth mother. It focuses on a small community of Latinx students tucked away in the woods of the Connecticut River Valley (Massachusetts)- one of the epicenters of colonial destruction and genocide - where these mestizo learners become the leaves of knowledge. Who are the black and brown question marks, the faces tucked into the numbers and texts taught in our schools? What can the knowers never know?
Duration: 20-30 min
Roman C Sanchez, Roman and Vasquez, Cecilia. University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Directors.
Butch Coyolxauhqui
In Aztec mythology, the goddess Coyolxauhqui was severed into pieces by her brother, the god of war. This film recounts the lessons learned by a queer daughter from her round mother’s body, framed by the story of Coyolxauhqui. It opens with a bright gold and turquois rendering of the goddess breaking apart and trailing off the screen. It is quickly replaced by black and white photos of Pendleton Jiménez as a child beside her mother. She describes the comfort of snuggling into her mother’s big, soft body while recounting the hurtful comments about weight directed at this body. The daughter learns to take seriously her mother’s warning, “not to ever say anything bad about a person’s body.” Through childhood stories and then erotic photos of herself as a butch lover, Pendleton Jiménez attempts to reconcile the ambivalence she experiences over her own body, where maleness and femaleness collide. Using stop-motion animation, she returns to Coyolxauhqui’s story and image, looking for a way to feel beautiful. Butch Coyolxauhqui was produced as part of an LGBTQ health centre program to create films about queer women’s bodies.
Duration: 4 min
Karleen Pendleton Jiménez, Trent University
Poster Presentations Friday
Robledo Cornejo, Monica. Sonoma State University.
“Verbal and Nonverbal Communication Patterns among Post-Secondary Undocumented Students.”
Abstract: This study was conducted to observe the distinct verbal and nonverbal communication style of the undocumented immigrant population and how their communication styles differ from the communication style of the rest of society in the U.S. The study used responses from 31 participants who self- identified as undocumented individuals. The participants were men and women between 18 to 28 years old. These participants were obtained through volunteer sampling from workshops regarding undocumented resources at a community college in Northern California. The participants filled a paper questionnaire that included a range of open and close ended questions. Through analyzes from the participant’s responses, on the questionnaires, patterns of their view of communication distinction between themselves and the rest of society was able to be noted. In addition, demographic patterns within this population were also distinguished as well as statistics pertaining to how their immigration status affects their communication and content from the communication styles of the rest of society in the U.S. Furthermore, another goal of this study was to determine if there was a difference between how the undocumented immigrant population reports to communicating with other people who know their immigration status.
Ramirez, Brianna. California State University, Long Beach.
“Racist Nativism in the Experiences of Undocumented Latina/o Youth during their Transition to College.”
Abstract: This qualitative study employed critical race theory to explore the impact of policy, particularly Assembly Bill 540, the California Dream Act, and Deferred Action on the experiences of undocumented Latina/o youth during their transition to college, a critical time in their lives and educational trajectories. Though these policies are intended to provide increased educational and work opportunities for youth, I argue that they continue to institutionalize racist nativism as they impose continued restrictions and control on the life and educational aspirations of the undocumented community. In this poster presentation, I will first explain the use of LatCrit and racist nativism in understanding the experiences of immigrants of color to unmask the oppression and stigma experienced in their daily lives. Drawing from interviews I conducted with 10 youth in their first year of college, I share examples of how racist nativist policy impacted their transition to higher education and their experience of racist nativist microaggressions, daily acts of violence and stigmatization that constructed the youth as “non-native” and reminded students of their status as perpetual outsiders in the United States. Finally, I discuss the effects of racist nativist policy and microaggressions in the educational experiences of youth and argue that recent policy, even those that result with increased opportunities, continue to perpetuate racist nativism that targets the undocumented community.
Facio, Elisa. Eastern Washington University. Janie Wright Leiva-Eastern Washington University. Raul Sanchez-Eastern Washington University.
“Genealogy of Chicana & Chicano Studies at Eastern Washington University: Implications for the discipline in conservative right-wing sites and spaces.”
The proposed Poster Board Session is part of a larger historical and contemporary project focusing on the genealogy of Chicana and Chicano Studies at Eastern Washington University in Cheney (EWU). The goal of this project is to document the history and current challenges of Chicana and Chicano Studies as a discipline, impact and influence on faculty, students, and staff at Eastern. In addition, EWU intends to contribute to and be a critical participant in the larger national discourse, theory and practice of Chicana and Chicano Studies. Hence, we are extremely committed and focused in establishing the Program as the most reputable Chicana/Chicano Studies unit in the Pacific Northwest. Chicana and Chicano Studies was established at EWU in 1977, and will be celebrating 40 years as a critical and pivotal academic program this coming 2017 fall quarter. The Poster Board Session focuses on the first major period of the Program, 1968-1979. This period, as the subsequent eras, highlights the efforts, struggles and accomplishments of the program during this decade. The research team, consisting of one faculty member and two students, began with historically contextualizing the EWU Chicana/Chicano Studies Movement within the larger third world student liberation movement in the US during the late 60’s. Critical attention is given to the influence and/or impact of global liberation movements primarily in Cuba, France, China, and Mexico on EWU’s student mobilization. Archival research at EWU’s JFK library illuminates a significant Chicana/Chicano student movement at EWU, extensive community organizing throughout the Yakima Valley (Central Southwestern Washington), and Seattle. In addition to conducting archival research, interviews among those individuals involved at EWU are currently being located and contacted. The first decade of this research project, 1968-1979 will be completed by March 2017, and the second period, 1980-1990 will be completed in August 2017.
Kim-Rajal, Patricia. Sonoma State University. Jacqueline Echevarria, Sonoma State University: Fabiola Pamela Rivas, Sonoma State University; and Roman, Sonoma State University.
“Latinas' Experiences in California Public Universities.”
Presents findings from 10 in-depth, open-ended, peer to peer interviews conducted with Latinas who are enrolled or have recently graduated from a California public university. The testimonio approach was used in order to honor their own understanding of their college experience.
Cox, Drew. University of Missouri–Kansas City.
“The Globalization of Medicine.”
Abstract: In the Era of Globalization, the world is more interconnected than ever. The spreading of knowledge, people, and culture has allowed the diversity of the world to come together for the first time. This diversity can be welcomed or rejected. Unfortunately, mass deportations throughout the United States have proven that the U.S. is hesitant to embrace all Latino immigrants. My research will focus on the role that globalization has played on the health of Latinos living in the United States. I hypothesize that actions that reject globalization–via governmentally-ordained processes such as mass deportations–will lead to negative health outcomes for Latinos. This research will provide insight on the interconnectedness of social policy and public health. My research will largely be a synthesis of literature that has been published on Latino health care disparities. From those, I will connect the data to social policies that have ultimately triggered negative health outcomes. I will ultimately pull in participant observation experiences at safety net clinics in Kansas City, analyze and validate my findings, and suggest methods of change. The analysis of the data will be holistic and three dimensional. Rather than arguing that the difference in health between a Latino and a Caucasian is purely genetically-based, I will show that treatable public problems are majorly responsible for the divide in health. These negative health outcomes are the consequence of out globalized world. While we are responsible for the push to globalize, we have ignored the latent consequences. Through analyzing the health disparities that exist across the country and, specifically, Kansas City, the extent of health disparities will be determined, attempted solutions will be evaluated, and new solutions can be proposed.
Amparano, Felix. University of Missouri-Kansas City.
“Damage to Psyche caused by Fear of Deportation.”
Abstract: In many industrial areas, undocumented Latino immigrants are forced to accept underpaying jobs that exploit the migrants’ legal status. Oftentimes, these immigrants are forced into low-quality jobs to provide for their families at home and abroad. In addition to poor workplace environments/compensation, immigrants might also suffer from psyche stress caused by behavioral changes. This research will focus on the type and degree of psyche stresses that migrant workers experience. Because most Americans struggle with understanding immigrants, this research will provide further insight to what the Latino people experience and how it impacts their mental health. Additionally, this research may provide interesting information to psychiatrists who work with underserved populations. To obtain data, I will interview 5-7 Latino workers around Kansas City. I will seek to understand their daily stresses and struggles and how avoiding deportation has directly impacted their behavior and indirectly impacted their psyche. I hypothesize that the greater the fear of deportation an immigrant has, the worse condition of their overall mental health and psyche. In addition to personal interviews, I would like to conduct an anonymous survey where participants can rank their stressors and propose ideal possible solutions to these stressors. Finally, in an attempt to understand how migrant psychological health status has changed over time, I will synthesize literature data that highlights key differences between 19th, 20th and 21st century immigrants. By combining these three forms of data, I hope to form a transparent display on how immigrant mental health has changed, where it currently stands, possible ways to address it, and determine how it impacts Kansas City’s Latino population.
Montoya, Elizabet. University of Missouri- Kansas City.
“The Impact Social Media Has on Latina/o Consumer and Brands.”
Given the rapid demographic changes that are part of the globalized reality of today, the US has yet to fully understand the meaning and impact of the Latina/o population. Latina/os have an astounding $1.5 trillion annual spending power to their name. For many years, social media has proved to be one of the top best-marketing/selling tools that bring business for many brands and companies. The strategies used to bring consumers into shopping or simply browsing online are changing all the time. Whether it’s how brands are being advertised digitally and promotionally, it has a great outcome. Is social media designed to target the biggest consumer? Is their focus in the right direction when it comes to language usage with the various levels of acculturation? How will marketing and social media strategist adapt to the growing Latina/o population and garner the consumer? These global realities of Latina/o consumption, whether positive or negative on the lives of Latina/os and their children, are the focus of my research. I propose to discover why Latina/os are taking a great piece of the online consumption and what it is they’re looking for when they shop online. I will gain greater consumer insights about the demographics and how they play into the social media industry. Will explore the pros/cons of the consumer behavior. I will investigate how marketing and advertising affects the Latina/o population. As well as, media consumption patterns and long-term impact on creating jobs. All of these will be assessed as whether the market consumption is driven by culturally relevant patterns that reinforce the values of Latina/os or are they being driven by a market that is ultimately creating Latina/os simply one more assimilated group accessing the market place.
Gutierrez Vasquez, Dulce and Mell, Amanda. Eastern Washington University.
“Rewriting the Narrative: The Rise and Effects of Marginalized Communities in Traditionally White Roles.”
Abstract: Media holds the power to reinforce institutional racism that perpetuates racist ideology. This has become ingrained into U.S. culture through the use of stereotypes. There is an extreme disparity between the number of people of color and white characters based on race, gender, class, and sexuality depicted in films. An info graphic released on a study of race, sex, and casting in Hollywood film showed that nearly 46.5% of casting calls show preference for white actors as the default race of designation, yet the characters are only specified as white 22.5% of the time. Defaulting characters as white allows for different forms of power and dominance to be expressed without explicitly saying anything. The lack of representation for people of color in traditional narratives has a psychological and physiological toll on people of color in our society. If media can be used as a tool to shape and perpetuate the prejudices of the dominant group, it can also be used to subvert them. The implications of roles of marginalized communities in classic white popular culture narratives is causing positive perception of self for marginalized people groups. Through the lens of Critical Race Theory, we will analyze the positive effects of including marginalized roles in traditionally white narratives in popular culture such as Star Wars, Orange is the New Black, Hamilton, and Mad Max.
Bonilla, Jenny. University of Southern California.
“Separation of Mothers and Children: Understanding Social-emotional Development.”
Abstract: My research explores attachment theory in relation to shifting family dynamics due to migration and the reunification process. As attachment theory traditionally emphasizes one unique bond between mother and child, I will be focusing on non-traditional Chicana/o-Latina/o families who have formed more than one unique bond with a mother, or mother like figure as a result of being separated from their primary attachment figure due to migration. In addition to analyzing these various concepts individually, and collectively I will also analyze how various bonds with relation to the changing familial dynamics affect the manner in which individuals form relationships with others. This research uses personal testimonio of individuals from the same families to evaluate how various defense mechanisms were used to cope with the changing family dynamics in childhood in addition to how those same defense mechanisms have carried onto adulthood. By recognizing the various defense mechanisms involved in childhood an individual’s level of attachment becomes more understandable with regard to the manner in which they view themselves and interact with their newly created families, or how they believe they will conduct themselves in the future when forming a family of their own. As attachment theory also emphasizes that the first bond is what sets the foundation for relationships for the rest of an individual’s life my research aims to create a bridge in the generational gap. The purpose with this research is not to critique the various forms of upbringing but rather to assist in the process of understanding familial behaviors in addition to assisting in understanding of oneself.
Mendoza, Vanessa. University of Missouri-Kansas City.
“Stimulating Discussion of Urgent School and Food Policy.”
Abstract: The purpose of the research analysis is to stimulate discussion over the needed urgency to recognize the essential needs of the growing population within communities of diverse economic and cultural class in the US. With the rising numbers of refugees, and the continuum of recent immigrants in the U.S, health disparities arise amongst the millions of individuals who lack healthcare access, insurance, and quality care. Although, socioeconomic and citizenship status remain as two distinctive determining factors that influence the well-being and general health of children, social determinants are within our control to provide essential resources through public domains. Food regulations in public schools have the direct impact of a child's nutritional intake throughout the school year. The study is a continuation of a previous research. We will use preliminary data to analyze the trends of children's body mass index (BMI) rates within two public schools, predominantly Latino and of low-household income. Recently, in 2014, a grant was awarded to the school to provide every student with a free or reduced breakfast and lunch meals. This provides support to low-income families who cannot provide daily meals for their children. Unfortunately, under this revised school meal policy, students are prohibited to from bringing their own meals to school. Recognizing the rising epidemic of obesity rates, specifically with growing numbers within our Latino communities, calls for the needed research to highlight the discrepancies of our society.
Camargo Gonzalez, Lorena. California State University, Long Beach.
“Microaggressions and the Experiences of Latinas in Doctoral Programs.”
Abstract: Latinas/os are a fast-growing minority population in the United States, yet they continue to be invisible in the educational pipeline, especially in the higher education sector. Out of 100 elementary students, only 4 will go to graduate school, and only 0.3 will complete a doctorate degree (Pérez Huber, Malagón, Ramirez, Camargo Gonzalez, Jimenez & Vélez, 2015). Latinas face many barriers that affect their attendance in such programs. Getting through high school is still a challenge for many Latinas and although moving beyond an undergraduate degree is an accomplishment, they face increased marginalization in graduate school (Reyes & Rios, 2005). Latinas face the barriers that further influenced by policies that impede their attendance in higher education. This study explores the educational experiences of Latina women currently enrolled or alumni of an Educational Leadership Doctoral program (Ed.D.). By studying Latinas whom have reached the doctorate level of education, we gain insight into learning what strategies have been beneficial to their success in higher education. To explore the systemic and institutional oppression face by Latinas at the higher education level as well as their responses and resilient strategies, I use Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Latina/o Critical Theory (LatCrit) as the theoretical framework. The application of this theoretical framework in the study helps to shed light on students’ counter stories and the resilient strategies they employ to navigate the different forms of marginalization that take place in the educational trajectories of Latina students. In addition, this study explores the experiences of Latinas in higher education using a microaggressions analytical tool, rooted in Latina/o Critical Theory (LatCrit) and Critical Race Theory (CRT). Using Pérez Huber and Solórzano’s (2014) analytical model to understand microaggressions, this study explores how gender, race and racism affects the experiences of Latinas as they navigate their educational trajectory.
Estevez, Elizabeth. California State University, Long Beach.
“Redefining Success for Latina/o Non-completer Students in Community College.”
Abstract: In order to increase the degree attainment of Latina/o students, this study will focus on the community college system that enrolls Latina/o students disproportionately. The overrepresentation and poor achievement of Latina/o students in community colleges is cause for considerable concern. In California alone, 73% of all undergraduate students and 80% of Latina/o students are enrolled at a community college (Moore & Shulock, 2010). California’s Master Plan for Higher Education situate the community college as the central vehicle for addressing the educational needs of most students, however, the low degree and transfer outcomes rampant across the community college system reveals a growing disparate portrait of student success at odds with the mission and goals of the community college. Many students persist beyond the “traditional” 2 year timeframe. According to the National Center for Education Statistics 2016 Persistence an Attainment of 2011-12 First-Time Postsecondary Students After 3 Years report, 42% of students were non-completers still enrolled in their first institution. This study hopes to fill the gap on non-completer Latina/o students still enrolled in the community college. Although research has focused on non-completer students who were pushed out or dropped out, this study hopes to understand the experiences of those persistent Latina/os and understand their concept of success and achievement through a LatCrit lens. A Latina/o focused branch of Critical Race Theory (CRT), LatCrit further addresses the intersectional reality of language, immigration, ethnicity, and culture (Bernal, 2002). This research aims to center the experience of Latina/o students in community college and seeks to understand the multidimensional experiences that influence and impact student completion in hopes of redirecting the focus away from deficit oriented models of student success.
Esquivel, Vanessa. University of Missouri - Kansas City.
“A Globalized Image of Beauty: Latinas and Perceived Notions of Beauty.”
The media can have a dramatic influence on how individuals define what beauty is and how they can perceive themselves. When we turn on the television or watch movies, it is always an expectation for the actors to look beautiful. While the definition of beautiful has changed over time, currently, the media subtlety says in order to be beautiful we must be tall, slim, and fair skin. It is clear through previous studies that after women are exposed to images of “beautiful women”, it can cause distress, mood, and perception changes. These types of effects, can cause women to develop a lower self-esteem, not feel comfortable in their own skin, engage in eating disorders, simply to fit what the American media has portrayed as being beautiful. Developing these effect can be detrimental to many women because it can prevent them from reaching their potential and hold back because they are not confident. Some researchers have studied how African American women felt their body satisfaction was effected by what the media considered to be beautiful. There has also been research on how Caucasian women body satisfaction is affected if they do not fit the definition of beautiful, however there is not enough research on how Latina women are effected. The purpose of this study is to see how Latina’s feel about their body image in comparison to other studies that focus on Caucasian or African American women. I will survey undergraduate Latinas over their notions of beauty and body satisfaction level and how it is affected by the media portrayals of beautiful women. My participants will also be shown various images of “beauty” based on television and movies and then will complete the survey.
Thatcher, Kenley. University of Missouri- Kansas City.
“An Analysis on Globalization and Latino/as in the Media.”
Abstract: Since the very inception of the United States, Latino immigrants have been a part of our story and they greatly contribute to the shaping of this nation. As we have become a more globalized world, this ubiquitous globalization directly effects the media, especially here in the US where our media shapes that of the media around the world. Our country houses many different cultures from all over the world, yet our media does not reflect that. US Latino/as are the invisible race in television. After years of Latino/as trying to break through the glass ceiling, they are finally beginning to see change in the shows that they watch.. While Latina/os are slowly becoming part of television program, this changing trend, however, there are some drawbacks. Latino/a roles are typically limited to drug dealers, illegal immigrants, and gangbangers. My research will be to analyze the portrayal of the Latino/a characters in various television shows, including Modern Family, Criminal Minds, NCIS, Orange is the New Black, Jane the Virgin, and Devious Maids. Subsequently, I will discuss how these representations affect the discourse surrounding Latinos. I will answer questions such as: how are the Latino/a characters portrayed in the show? How do the other characters describe them? Why is the character Latino/a or what is the context of the episode that required a Latino/a to be cast? Is there anything problematic in what is said about them, said to them, or said by them that can help shape the perception of Latino/as in today’s society and if there is, is there anything to correct the stereotype perpetuated by the characters? Lastly, overall, how do any of these answers tie into the discourse, the stereotypes, and the perceptions of Latino/as today?
Osoria, Ruby. California State University, Long Beach.
“Formation And Implementation Of Funds Of Knowledge Among Mexican Immigrant Mothers.”
Abstract: This study explores the development of funds of knowledge among Mexican immigrant mothers and how they transmit that knowledge to assist their children in navigating their educational trajectory. Funds of knowledge, refers to a specific type of knowledge that is historically developed through familial and culturally based experiences that are redefined, interpreted and applied in various context (Delgado Berna, 2001; Gonzalez & Moll, 2005; Espinoza Herald,2007). Furthermore, it will be argued that funds of knowledge positions the mother as the primary source of transmitting cultural knowledge to her children. This study draws from the overarching theoretical and conceptual framework from Latina/o Critical Theory, Racist Nativity framework and Pedagogy of the Home. These frameworks provide a lens to analyze the complex and unique experience of Mexican immigrant mothers as they navigate the education pipeline. This study utilized qualitative interviews through the application of testimonio as methodology. Testimonio is defined as a “verbal journey of a witness who speaks to reveal the racial, class, gender, and nativist injustice they have suffered as a means of healing, empowerment, and advocacy for a more human present and future” (Perez Hubert, 2009). This research makes a contribution to the field of education by providing a better understanding of the experiences of Mexican immigrant mothers through an asset based perspective that validates their knowledge and the contribution to their children's educational trajectory. It also addresses the gap in the literature on Mexican immigrant families, which has ignored the social components that impact the everyday experience of Mexican immigrant parents.
Ramirez, Karen. California State University of Channel Islands.
“Uranium Abatement Pellets' Robustness Enhanced By Slow Dehydration.”
Abstract: 300Geologic and anthropogenic activities in the Four Corners region have contaminated potable water sources on the Navajo Nation with heavy metals, especially uranium. Due to clays cation exchange capabilities, ceramic clay pellets were made to purify contaminated waters. Both clay and water are essential for pellet fabrication; variations in clay and water ratios effect robustness, a critical component for safe disposal. The Instron 5800 compression test produces the robustness indicator. For the study, 3 reference clays and 2 regional clays are utilized; Wyoming, Arizona, Texas, Gallup and Berino New Mexico, respectively. Initial hydration of the clays is essential to allow orientation of clay platelets. Subsequently, pellet dehydration is necessary. However, excess water exiting the pellet rapidly during the dehydration process causes micro-fractures, thus compromising robustness. Conversely, it is hypothesized that excess water will make a more robust pellet when maximum inter-platelet interaction are allowed. To avoid fractures, a slow dehydration process was designed. Pellets were made in a 40:60 Gallup soil to DD water ratio. An enclosed system was used for slow dehydration, and it was monitored every 24 hours. The system uses the pellets’ own water to create constant water vapor pressure; which retards the rate of dehydration. The pellets did not visibly crack or micro-fracture; moreover extremely robust pellets were produced exceeding 3,500 psi compression strength. Pellet robustness verification is a key fabrication facet which we now understand. Robustness studies to ensure safe disposal will be extended to the other reference and regional clays proven to abate uranium.