Vaya Con Muñoz 1.28.17

First, a rant against state Sen. President Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst, pushing for a 40 percent pay raise for himeself and other top elected leaders. No pubic hearing, just a rush job for a lot nore money.
From The Women’s March on Washinton, DC, a chat with Zoe and Lauren, two young women who participated and were encouraged to do more.
Also, Holyoke City Councilor Nelson Román has good ideas on what to do to push back against the growing tide of bigotry led by the president.
We are sung out by Shakira’s “Waka Waka,” a call to action that she composed originaly for fútbol, or soccer, for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Hey, fútbol is another way of saying life!
“Not Giving Up” photo by Natalia Muñoz

Vaya Con Muñoz 1.21.17

Vaya Con Muñoz 1.14.16

The journalist Marla Goldberg shares her perspectives on Dinald Trump’s first press conference, and what constitutes fake news rather than information we may not like knowing about.
Filmmaker Larry Hott reviews “13th,” about the 13th amendment that banned slavery in 1865. Mass encarceration of mostly blacks and Latinos challenges whether the amendment truly eradicated slavery. See trailer here:youtube.com/watch?v=V66F3WU2CKk
And we are sung out by Danny Rivera singing “Madrigal,” the love song that my mamita linda requested that we sing to her at her burial. Today in 1992 we had the sad duty to honor her request. But what a beautiful song of love! <3
Photo courtesy of Netflix.

Vaya Con Mu1oz 1.7.16

We speak with author Ginetta Candelario, co-author of “Cien Años de Feminismos Dominicanos,” (“100 years of Dominican Feminisms”) with Elizabeth Manley and April Mayes.
Candelario, also professor of sociology at Smith College, and her her co-authors amassed a treasure trove of documents about feminism’s rise in the Dominican Republic beginning in 1865.
Also, filmmaker Larry Hott reviews “Witness,” a documentary about a brother’s search for the truth about the circumstances surrounding the rape and murder of his sister in New York City in 1966. Were there, in fact, 38 witnesses who heard her pleas and did nothing? Trailer here: http://www.thewitness-film.com/
And we are sung out by Haciendo Punto en Otro Son with, “En La Vida Todo es Ir” (Everything Comes and Goes in Life).
In the photo from left, Mayes, Manley and Candelario. Photo courtesy of Archivo General de La Nacion.

Vaya Con Muñoz 12.31.16

Liz Román from Masslive.com and El Pueblo Latino shares the stories that had special resonance, including the launch of the television proram “Presencia” on WGBY Public Television, a bilingual talk show; improvements finally on cpurse for the Juan Gerena Elementary School in Springfield and the astounding power and kindness of a boy and his baseball cards. Filmmaker Larry Hott reviews “Tower,” about the 1966 shooting at the University of Texas. It is one of the best films he’s seen. Watch the trailer here: http://www.towerdocumentary.com/ And for the last day of 2016, Juan Luis Guerra y 440 sings us out with,“Si tú te vas.”Picture from “Presencia” on WGBY Public Television

Vaya Con Muñoz 12.24.16

We talk with Senior Lecturer on Journalism Ethics at Western New England University Marie Grady about how best the press should cover the Twitter-loving incoming president.
Also, Lawrence Hott, esteemed film critic on WHMP, talks about his documentary, “Rising Voices/Hotȟaŋiŋpi.” It is the story of a passionate, dedicated and diverse group of people – members of the Lakota community and Linguists from outside of the community who are working together to save the Lakota language and restore it to its rightful place in Lakota, and American, culture. Told through the voices of a wide range of Lakota people who share their feelings about their language and the myriad challenges facing their community, the film also incorporates four short films created for Rising Voices by Lakota filmmakers and artists, each one giving a perspective on how finding one’s authentic “language” connects a person to a deeper sense of culture.
Rising Voices offers a snapshot into a day-to-day struggle of one of the biggest Native American nations, and illuminates the devastating problem of ancestral language loss to Native American people. Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/64583470
And we are sung out by Wilkins singing a festive Puerto Rican medley of Christmas songs, “Cantares de Navidad.”

Vaya Con Muñoz 12.17.16

Marie Grady, senior lecturer of jouranlism ethics at Western New England University on how the print media and its online arm can draw people back to the fold in these times where truthful and accurate reporting was overshawdowed by click-bating non-stories or just as bad, stuff that was simply made up. And Vero González, a teacher of social justice and feminism at the Paolo Freire School of Social Justice in Holyoke, talks about why teaching students to be thoughtful matters.
We are sung out by Jarabe de Palo and Mari from Chambao singing, “Déjame Vivir.”
Original photo of newspaper boxes courtesy of morguefile.com

Vaya Con Muñoz 12.10.16

Emotional conversations post-Nov. 8 continue with Diane Alverio, whose family was recently inducted into the Immigrant Heritage Hall of Fame in Connecticu; an11-year-old girl and how she feels about the president-elect; and from filmmaker Larry Hott, who reminds us that there is a bigger picture out there that can lift our spirits.
We are sung out Joan Manuel Serrta and Toquihno singing, “En tournée.”
Photo of Liga Puertorriqueña e Hispana, 1922, Brooklyn section. The liga was an umbrella organization that united dozens of Puerto Rican clubs and organizations throughout New York. Image from Wikipedia Commons.

Vaya Con Muñoz 11.26.16

We talk wth Marie Grady, journalism professor at Western New England University – and my former boss at The Republican – about the role the media had in the outcome of the primaries and presidential elections.
I haven’t talked yet about the outcome of the Puerto Rican elections on that same fateful date, but will next time. In the meantime, we are sung out by Marc Anthony singing, “Preciosa,” one of my beloved country’s unofficial anthems.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Vaya Con Muñoz 11.19.16

Given the kind of hateful remarks made by the incoming president, I asked Northampton Police Chief Jody Kasper what we can expect her department. As the department announced on its FB page [@NorthamptonMAPD]: “Our country is going through a difficult and divisive time. Many residents and visitors to our community may feel uneasy about recent events in the valley and around the country. There have been incidents nationwide involving vandalism, harassment, and physical assaults spurred by discrimination and hate. I’m writing to you now to assure you that your police department stands with you and will not tolerate hateful acts in our community. We understand that a single event fueled by discrimination and hate impacts not only the direct victim but many others who feel threatened and who fear for their personal safety.”
The city’s Police Department is there for all of us.
As for police departments that have evolved to resemble military units in war zones — Ferguson, Missouri – comes to mind, filmmaker Larry Hott reviews “Do Not Resist,” a documentary that looks at the militarization of police departments. Trailer and more information here: http://www.donotresistfilm.com/ .
We are sung out by Fito Páez and Mercedes Sosa singing, “Yo Vengo a Ofrecer Mi Corazón,” a song that gently coaxes us to be part of the change we want to see.
Photo courtesy of Do Not Resist