Latino Matters

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

New Study Undermines Nativist Canard that New Immigrants Refuse to Assimilate

A new study by the Manhattan Institute undermines the nativist canard that recent immigrants are resistant to assimilation. Nativists have long ranted that the current crop of immigrants, especially Latin Americans, are not assimilating as fast as previous generations of immigrants. The Report, by Jacob Vigdor, Associate Professor of Public Policy Studies and Economics at Duke University, demonstrates that the latest wave of immigrants is actually assimilating at a faster rate than previous generations of immigrants. When you factor in legal status, Latin Americans assimilate at rate equal to or higher than Asian immigrants. Nativists have long held that Latin Americans held on to their language and culture and resisted efforts to assimilate. The Manhattan Institute report decisively puts an end to this nativist canard.

As reported in the Washington Post on May 13, 2008:

Immigrants of the past quarter-century have been assimilating in the United States at a notably faster rate than did previous generations, according to a study released today. …

The study, sponsored by the Manhattan Institute, a New York think tank, used census and other data to devise an assimilation index to measure the degree of similarity between the United States' foreign-born and native-born populations. These included civic factors, such as rates of U.S. citizenship and service in the military; economic factors, such as earnings and rates of homeownership; and cultural factors, such as English ability and degree of intermarriage with U.S. citizens. The higher the number on a 100-point index, the more an immigrant resembled a U.S. citizen.

In general, the longer an immigrant lives in the United States, the more characteristics of native citizens he or she tends to take on, said Jacob L. Vigdor, a professor at Duke University and author of the study. During periods of intense immigration, such as from 1870 to 1920, or during the immigration wave that began in the 1970s, new arrivals tend to drag down the average assimilation index of the foreign-born population as a whole.

The report found, however, that the speed with which new arrivals take on native-born traits has increased since the 1990s. As a result, even though the foreign population doubled during that period, the newcomers did not drive down the overall assimilation index of the foreign-born population. Instead, it held relatively steady from 1990 to 2006.

"This is something unprecedented in U.S. history," Vigdor said. "It shows that the nation's capacity to assimilate new immigrants is strong."

The study points out that even factoring in previous waves of immigration from English-speaking countries, today’s assimilation index is much higher than previous periods of high immigration. Of note, is the finding that the more opportunities an immigrant is given – jobs, legal rights, legalization – the faster he or she will assimilate. Contrary, to nativist cant, the solution to the immigration problem is not to create barriers but to open up avenues for integration into the larger society.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Why is the Congressional Latino Leadership so Mediocre?

Quick! Name a single member of the Hispanic Congressional Caucus. Better still, name a single piece of legislation put forward by any member of this group. What more likely comes to mind is the recent piece on the Comedy Channel’s Colbert Report where Steven Colbert makes light of Hispanic Representative Joe Baca allegedly calling fellow California Representative, Loretta Sanchez a “whore.” Baca denied the charge but it did not stem the fury of Rep. Loretta Sanchez and her sister and fellow Representative, Linda Sanchez. The most damning thing about the incident is that such a charge would even be taken seriously by the public. But apparently it was. So much so that Baca felt that he needed to issue a denial.

Of more pressing concern is the charge that Joe Baca improperly funneled Hispanic Caucus money to the state legislature campaigns of his two sons. This incident caused a split in the Caucus in February of 2006. Rep. Loretta Sanchez, her sister, Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., and Democratic Reps. Dennis Cardoza of California, Jim Costa of California, Raul M. Grijalva of Arizona and Hilda L. Solis of California withdrew from the group's political action committee after Baca authorized political contributions to his family members.

Subsequently, following the election of Joe Baca to the chairmanship of the Hispanic Caucus, the Sanchez sisters protested that the vote had been improper and that balloting should have been done by secret ballot. Both sisters then broke off all ties to the Hispanic Caucus. Baca has characterized the dispute as “personal.”

As a Latino, it is hard for me not to get disheartened by such self-defeating antics. When Representative Loretta Sanchez, defeated the Republican nutwing, Bob Dornan, many had hopes that she would usher in a new generation of Latino leaders. She was young, smart and politically savvy. Although she has generally voted with the party, she has rarely been the leading voice in Congress that many Hispanics had hoped she would be.

More perplexing is the presence of five Hispanic congressional representatives in the conservative, 37-member, “Blue Dog Coalition.” The Blue Dog coalition describes itself as conservative democrats who wish to inject a conservative or “moderate” point of view in Congress. The Blue Dog coalition not only opposes most legislation of concern to the Latino community but includes nativists such as Heath Schuler, who has made common cause with former Republican presidential candidate Tom Tancredo in pushing anti-immigrant (and anti-Latino) legislation. Whatever leverage these Latino members may have gained from their membership in the Blue Dog Coalition, it has been lost by their legitimization of the most right-wing elements of the coalition. The Hispanic representatives’ membership in the Blue Dog Coalition indicates clearly that these representatives do not have the interests of the Latino community foremost in mind.

So why are the few Latino members of Congress such a mediocre representation of the community? There are clearly many bright, articulate, young Latinos out there: Latinos who would surely measure up to the Congressional Black Caucus’s shining member, Barack Obama. I believe the problem is a generational disconnect. The current leadership matured as the pioneer generation of Latino representatives to Congress. They thrive on the politics of personality and as such engage in petty politics. Whatever grand vision they may have for Hispanics, it is completely lost on Hispanics themselves.

Finally, Hispanic members of Congress have few established, ethnically-based institutions – such as blacks have in the NAACP – to ground them. Old line organizations such as the League of United Latin American Citizens are largely made up of veterans from World War II and are more animated by the struggle to achieve parity for Hispanic veterans than they are by issues like immigration. In any case, these are not people who rattle cages.

There are further reasons for the lack of visionary Latino leadership but this discussion will be continued. Unfortunately, this group of leaders will do little to uplift the Hispanic community. Please post a comment if you agree or disagree.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Latinos: Some Observations and Points of Discussion

What follows are a series of observations that we hope to expand on in subsequent postings. If anyone wishes to contribute please contact us with your thoughts.

*Latino voters are not a monolithic voting bloc.

*Republican nativists have alienated a generation of Latino voters.

*Latinos are not anti-Black as they have shown by backing prominent African-American politicians.

*Recent anti-immigrant and anti-Latino laws have politicized Latinos and moved them to the left.

*At least 15% to a third of Latinos are evangelical Christians who mostly reflect the views of the evangelical right.

*Although this varies considerably, the majority of Latinos get their information from English-language sources.

*A significant portion – about 40% -- get their information from Spanish language sources.

*Younger Latinos are more likely to be attuned to the same channels as non-Latino youths.

*Latino voters are animated by the same concerns as other voters but are keenly sensitive to immigration issues and nativist movements.

*Although Latinos tend to be more socially conservative they are more politically liberal on economic issues.

*There is a profound disconnect between Hispanics and their political leaders.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Latino Political Blogs

General Latino Websites

Websites

AfroCubaWeb
Very full listing of news items and current events relevant to Afro-Cuban issues of all kinds, with a focus on the arts, music, religion, literature, and folklore. Includes information on research trips to Cuba, visiting Cuban scholars, workshops, conferences, and festivals. In English; includes search engine.

Andanzas al Web Latino
Annotated and well-organized long list of predominantly Mexican American Internet and Web resources, by librarian Molly Molloy. Includes some evaluative comments, and useful list of newsgroups and discussion lists. In English (bilingual main menu only); no search engine. Increasingly includes Latin American items, making it a bit more difficult to locate specifically US Latino materials.

Biografías y vidas
This new website provides biographical information in Spanish on thousands of individuals worldwide, ranging from Aristotle to David Beckham. Good coverage of people from the Spanish-speaking world, including the US. Includes illustrations.

CANFNet (Cuban American National Foundation Net)
CANF is the largest Cuban American organization in the United States; this Web site functions as a clearinghouse for CANF publications, editorials, articles, news and opinions, some of which are available in PDF format and streaming audio. Parallel sites in English or in Spanish; no search engine. Updated hourly.

Centro de estudios puertorriqueños
Well-organized website provides information about this major Puerto Rican research institute at Hunter College / CUNY. Includes contents listing for Centro Journal, the major US research journal in Puerto Rican studies; a publications catalog; information about the Centro library and archival collections, and much more research information.

Colombian Studies Institute
Part of the Latin American and Caribbean Center at Florida International University, this new research center promotes research on Colombia and the Colombian diaspora in the U.S. The website includes links to research reports produced by the Institute, information on current research, and links to resources elsewhere.

Coloquio Online
Formerly called Hispanic USA, this website from Baltimore - Washington DC still includes a few useful US Latino resources, particularly the e-journal Coloquio. Includes Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban American information; Latin American, peninsular Spanish, and Basque sites. In English and Spanish (some sections in Spanish only).

Cuban Committee for Democracy
Bilingual clearinghouse of moderate viewpoints on Cuban and Cuban American issues; includes Cuban Affairs newsletter, news on relevant legislation and events, and demographic information that challenges the belief that the Cuban American population is homogeneous and monolithic. Includes interesting Cuban and Cuban American links elsewhere. In English with parallel site in Spanish; no search engine.

Chapines Online
Major directory of Guatemalans online; includes many in the US. Also provides links to other Guatemalan web resources, Guatemalan-oriented chats, and links to similar online web directories for Salvadorans (Guanacos online), Hondurans (Catrachos online), and Nicaraguans (Nicas online). In Spanish.

Dominican Studies Institute
Website from this research institute at CUNY describes its programs, publications, activities, and contact information. Now includes a number of very nice Flash presentations. In English and Spanish.

¡Guanacos Online!
Massive directory of Salvadorans online, in US, El Salvador, and abroad. In Spanish.

HispanicBusiness.com
Formerly called HispanicBiz, this solid website has matured a now bills itself as HispanicBusiness.com. Large meta-site with a business focus. Includes helpful links to US and Latin American financial news, job databases, demographic and business-related facts about US Latinos, resources and publications on technology, networking, education, and community resources. Focus is general US Latino and Latin American. Also includes selected full text articles from Hispanic Business Magazine. In English (some links in Spanish, Portuguese); no search engine.

Hispanic Network Magazine
A career and employment-focused site that includes resources such as Latino-related employment fairs, lists of relevant conferences and their dates, and other career information. It does not include online magazine articles, though subscription information is posted.

Inter-University Program for Latino Research (IUPLR)
This excellent website links seventeen academic research institutes in the U.S. and Mexico that participate in IUPLR and focus on Latino research issues. Currently online are descriptions of the organization and its institutional members; numerous research working groups and their interests, select bibliographies on working group topics; their online newsletter, El Noticiero de IUPLR, and an excellent collection of Latino links focusing on policy and research organizations.

Julián Samora Research Institute
Website of this well-known research and policy institute at Michigan State University makes available many full-text papers and research notes, with a particular focus on midwestern Latino issues. It also culls together recent Latino-related news articles from elsewhere on the web, and maintains a collection of diverse Latino and Latin American web links. In English; includes search engine.

LULAC
The website of this well-known organization functions as a clearinghouse to their own weekly policy briefs, and includes much useful information such as a Congressional scorecard (detailing Senate and House votes by state and name), sections on immigration, Puerto Rico and the statehood question, voter rights, "English Plus," briefs on upcoming legislation relevant to Latino populations, and much more. Very well designed and timely. In English; no search engine.

Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum
Currently (as of May 2005) under re-construction, with not much available to see. We'll keep our fingers crossed that it returns! Previously, the website of this vibrant and growing museum in Chicago featured textual and visual information on its current, past, and planned exhibits, plus information on various community outreach service projects, including arts outreach to Chicago-area youth, the student-run Radio Arte project, and the museum's various programs. The MFAC is " the largest Mexican or Latino arts institution" in the U.S., and Chicago is home to the largest Mexican and Mexican American community in the midwest. Includes links to the separate Radio Arte website, and provides an important voice for midwestern Latino communities which are otherwise not well represented on the web. In English; no search engine.

Las mujeres
Biographical profiles on 21 selected US Latinas and Latin American women, ranging from Julia Alvarez, Cristina García, Mary Helen Ponce, and Gloria Estefan to the ubiquitous Frida Kahlo and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Although the site seems quite likely to be making use of copyrighted material (reprinting entire articles from periodicals and reference books not online), at least the sources have been cited. Includes many web links for each profile.

National Council of La Raza
Well-organized Web site from this policy focused organization provides extensive annotated lists of NCLR publications for sale, news briefs on issues such as health, education, immigration, and policy, and an unannotated list of other Web sites of interest. In English; includes search engine.

Puerto Rico & The American Dream / El Sueño Americano
Exciting multimedia collection of oral histories, video clips, scholarly lectures, and chronologies detailing 20th century Puerto Rican history and experiences of the Puerto Rican diaspora in the United States.

¡Qué hubo!
Massive listing of Colombian and Colombian American businesses, organizations, services, employment listings. In Spanish; includes search engine.

El Salvador a Wonderful Country
Lots of links to general information about El Salvador, but also discussion groups, e-journals and other resources by and about Salvadorans in the US. In English.

Terra
Excellent portal based in Spain, with offices across Latin America and the US. Full news service, and many familiar portal services. At the bottom of Terra's main page, links lead directly to Terra country-specific portal sites, including Argentina, Colombia, Chile, España, México, Perú, the U.S. (which allows users to choose Spanish or English language), and Venezuela. Search engine is reliable and very fast at all these content-rich sites.

Tomás Rivera Policy Institute
Website of this well-known institute makes available current statistics, full-text reports, current research topics, and briefings on diverse topics, such as Latinos and Internet use; college admissions and affirmative action; language issues; Latinos and the media; and presidential politics and voter turnout. Many publications are also available for purchase. In English, with some sections in Spanish; includes search engine.

Yahoo en español
Spanish-language version of Yahoo that focuses on classification and retrieval of websites written in Spanish, with a special focus on Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Spain, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. In Spanish.

ZONAi.com
Puerto Rican-focused portal, with linkages to the excellent online newspaper, El Nuevo Día Interactivo, for news stories. Also includes coverage of popular leisure topics, such as entertainment, wellness, technology, and games. In Spanish; includes local search engine for ZONAi's own archives, with links provided to major Internet search engines and directories.

e-Journals, e-News

Americas Program
Formerly called Borderlines, this website still provides access to scholarly articles on environmental health, climate changes, immigration law, politics, and related topics concerning the Mexico - US border. From New Mexico. Fully bilingual with parallel sites in English and in Spanish.

El Andar Worldwide
Stylish literary and cultural e-journal, formerly hosted by the now defunct Electric Mercado. While this online literary magazine's previous focus was on Chicano and Mexican issues and literature, it has now broadened to cover topics such as Cuban Americans and music, the political situation in Vieques, P.R., and to feature profiles on individuals such as Pedro Almodóvar, Gabriel García Márquez, and Isabel Allende. In English; now includes search engine powered by Google, that allows searches in El Andar itself or the wider web.

Batanga.com
Outstanding Latin music radio site, with non-stop music programming available via RealPlayer. Separate stations are currently available for Latin hip-hop, rock en español, banda y mariachi, salsa y música tropical, and Latin pop. Site also includes interactive chat features, playlists, and occasional profiles of artists. Parallel sites in Spanish and in English.

La Campana
Miami newspaper dedicated to "la libertad de Cuba" covers Cuban and Cuban American politics, and many other topics including sports, health, arts & entertainment, and more. In Spanish.

Carta de Cuba
Online version of this non-profit newsletter - magazine based in Puerto Rico, which features essays on current situations in Cuba. The newsletter supports independent Cuban journalism, and takes a decided anti-Castro stance. Includes news updates for major cities in Cuba; signed essays are written mostly by Cuban writers living in exile. Includes archived files dating back to 1999. In Spanish.

Contacto Magazine
Sophisticated lifestyle and news magazine from Burbank that calls itself "una revista para el latino de hoy," targeting topics of interest to many specific Latino groups as well as news that impacts all Latinos. There are sections on society and culture, immigration, the arts, editorials, current news, music, humor, and food. In Spanish, with some sections in English; no search engine.

Diario las Américas
Cuban- and Cuban American-focused newspaper from Miami, that includes a great deal of Latin American news as well. Includes sections typical to newspapers such as sports and editorials, but also includes "Notas evangélicas and Cuestiones gramaticales. Also includes links elsewhere, with some general US Latino information. In Spanish; no search engine.

Ethnic & Racial Studies (ISU only)
One of the leading journals to focus on worldwide racial and ethnic studies issues. Full text coverage of this important journal begins with volume 21, January 1998, to the present. Back years of print version are available in Parks Library under the following call number: HT1501 E8

Hispanic American Historical Review (HAHR) (ISU only)
Now available online, via ISU Parks Library's subscription to Project MUSE. HAHR is the leading scholarly journal in English on Latin American history; occasionally includes U.S. Latino history articles and reviews as well. Back issues are available via JStor.

Hispanic Business
Electronic version of this business magazine includes links to some of the feature articles and news stories included in the print version. Many stories also include relevant links elsewhere. In English.

Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences (ISU only)
A leading journal for US Latino sociological and behavioralist research. Includes full text for volume 21, number 1 (February 1999) - present. Includes search features specific to article level or entire journal.

Hispanic Magazine.com
Electronic version of the well-known magazine, now included within the larger Hispanic Online portal. Regular features include columns on business, technology (which includes website reviews), careers, and leisure pursuits. In English; includes search engine, plus links to Vista and Hispanic Trends magazines.

Hispanic Online
Undoubtedly one of the leaders in terms of delivering quality content and information, and perhaps the only one to do so in English. Offers typical portal services, but with its many publications - including Hispanic Magazine, Vista, and others - this portal has a distinct advantage over others in providing authoritative and lengthy articles. In English; includes search engine for portal contents only.

HispanicVista.com
Opinion pieces and news on topics of the day. Previously, this news service linked to news articles, information and services of interest from elsewhere on the Web, and frequently on non-Latino issues. In English.

HOLA!
Hola! magazine, from Spain, presents world entertainment and fashion news in Spanish. Some features and articles from previous issues are available to subscribers only.

Hopscotch (ISU only)
Literary journal created by critic Ilán Stavans presents online essays on Latin American, Latin American Jewish, and US Latino identities and cultures, available full text via ISU Parks Library's subscription to Project MUSE. Coverage dates from volume 1, 1999 - present. In English.

QuéOndas.com
"La primera revista electrónica salvadoreña," from Miami. Previously called Guanaquiemos and hosted by QuéOndas.com, this is an impressive literary and cultural e-journal for Salvadorans, and whose focus is to remember El Salvador "with a smile and with nostalgia." Regular features include news articles, and columns on history, nuestra gente, book lists, humor, cooking, popular medicine, and other topics; in Spanish.

La Música.com
An extensive Latin music site with a focus on salsa, tropical, and contemporary Latin pop and rock music. Features interviews, reviews, New York live music club guide, and suggested resources. In English, with some sections in Spanish. Previously called Latin Music ¡OnLine!

Latina Style Magazine
Electronic version of the popular fashion and lifestyle magazine aimed at young Latinas. Full text articles provided for some back issues only; current and more recent issues provide selected table of contents and interactive features, but not the stories or feature articles themselves. Lots of ads clutter the home page. In English, with some bilingual features; includes search engine.

Latino USA: The Radio Journal of News & Culture
Excellent site provides access to sound files and some text transcripts of Latino USA's radio recent programs on diverse topics such as Latinos in unions, Colombians in Miami, the political situation in Puerto Rico, and Latino baseball players in the Negro Major Leagues. Requires RealAudio Player, and Adobe Acrobat for some text files. In English.

National Association of Hispanic Journalists
Features news articles on various US Latino groups and topics in its "Latino Reporter" section; includes professional information for organization members regarding conferences. In English.

El Nuevo Herald.com
One of the best online daily newspapers, from Miami. Includes Cuban section, news of interest to many Latino groups in the Miami area, as well as international, national, and regional news, cultural information, and services. In Spanish.

Puerto Rico: Reflections on the Oldest Colony
Digital radio news program from Pacifica Radio Network News focuses on the political status of Puerto Rico and its small island of Vieques, long the site of a U.S. military base whose activities have had a negative impact on the economy and health of local residents. In 1999, the military accidentally shelled and killed a Puerto Rican resident and wounded others. Recorded news features detail protests of the Puerto Rican people seeking to have the base and the U.S. occupancy removed. Requires RealAudio Player. Also includes facts and statistics concerning Puerto Rico and its people. In English.

Pocho.com
Chicano humor, comic art, and satire. Now includes many articles, opinion pieces, and in your face satire. In English.

La Prensa de San Antonio
Online weekly edition of this newspaper from Texas. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish.

QV Magazine
Youth-oriented magazine for gay Latinos provides good information and caring content. Includes many features and interviews with Latino celebrities regardless of gender or orientation.

La Raza On Line $$
Electronic version of this newspaper from Chicago features articles on regional and national US Latino issues and events, and Latin American news coverage, with an emphasis on Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Colombia. One of the most inclusive newspapers in terms of Latino groups covered. In Spanish, with parallel site in English; no search engine. (For more information about Latino news sites, see my published review from C&RL News.)

El Sol de Texas
Editorials, features, and cultural articles and graphics from the electronic version of this newspaper, the paper version of which has been in existence since 1966. As of this writing (May 2005), the publication's physical offices were being moved to Dallas, and the website publication was not available online. Stay posted.

SOL (Spanish in Our Libraries)
Online newsletter, each issue of which features numerous Latino and Latin American websites of note. Also includes real questions and answers from librarians regarding Latino library issues and services.

Urban Latino Magazine
Intelligent and flashy youth-oriented e-journal with long critical articles on music, culture, fashion, politics, and various manifestations of hip-hop ethnic pride, with a special focus on Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Colombians, Cuban Americans, and other Latinos. Includes online bodega that sells t-shirts and other items. In English.

Vista Magazine
The electronic version of the newspaper insert familiar to many Latino communities nationwide. Includes articles on prominent Latinos, music reviews, Latino success stories, parenting features, and other topics. In English and Spanish.

QePD - Qué en paz descansen

A listing of some of our now discontinued or radically changed favorites...

American Latino
Formerly called Político, and subtitled a "magazine for Latino politics and culture," this newsite culled current, Latino-relevant news stories from Reuters, AP, LA Times, and many other online news sources. Included useful links to other Latino news sites, mainstream (i.e., non-Latino) online newspapers, politial parties, and related links. In English.

Arena cultural
e-journal formerly hosted by Chicago's La Raza newspaper, and now missing. Included signed literary essays and profiles of Latino and Latin American authors, musicians, and artists. Back issues do not seem to be archived. In Spanish; no search engine.

The Azteca Web Page
A research clearinghouse of Chicano and indigenous Mexican historic and cultural facts, definitions, and information; includes a chat room. In English; includes search engine. Still online (as of May 2005) but apparently not updated since 2003; many dead links.

Boricua.com
Still online, but most of the previous content seems to have been removed. Previously a social clearinghouse that served mainly as a directory for Puerto Ricans on the Internet and links to their web creations; now this is primarily a site that sells a few Puerto Rican products such as candy and beach towels.

Chicano Online Document Index
Disappeared without a trace - the online index and links to full-text articles from the research journal Aztlán (vols. 1-23) and Julián Samora Research Institute full-text research reports. From the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Library. Also gone is Digital Aztlán, full-text articles from this important Chicano studies research journal, currently dating from Volume 1, no. 1 (Spring 1970) to Volume 23 (Fall 1998). From the UCLA Chicano Studies Library.

CLNet (Chicano/Latino Net)
Still online (as of May 2005) but dormant since circa 1999-2001. Main menu pages seem to have been updated in 2005, but include many dead links. Formerly, the most important Latino website site that pointed to academic research, creative arts, and community outreach materials. (For more information on what this site used to be, see my published review from C&RL News.)

Colombian Post
Another Colombian newspaper in the US bites the dust. Formerly, this site featured Colombian, Colombian American, and Latino current news hosted by Holanet and focusing on the Miami area. As of early 2001, slow load time noted; domain for sale as of 6/2001.

Crítica: A Journal of Puerto Rican Policy and Politics
Okay, I now accept (4/01) that this newsletter is offline and never, ever coming back. Online newsletter that focused on policy and identity issues, with no holds barred. Individual articles were accessible via IPRNet's online library, which is also gone now. In English. The IPRNet website has been offline for years, and promising - also for years - that it was being redesigned due to its merger with PRLDEF. Not much has happened since 1999.

El cuarto del quenepón
Still online (as of May 2005) but posting its farewell issue as of January 2005. What a shame that this super "hiper revista cultural caribeña" has called it quits. Formerly, a highly innovative Puerto Rican online creative arts and literary journal, with critical essays. In Spanish (some essays in English only).

CubaWeb
Still online (as of May 2005) - primary focus is now to facilitate sending cash or gifts to friends and family members in Cuba. Formerly a major site featuring viewpoints, articles, online bookstores, chat forums, classified ads, calendar of events, and other Cuban American and Cuban resources.

Daily Roots Stand
Alternative and innovative electronic newspaper from Brooklyn, NY featured "Apartamento 3A" column by Nellie Rosario, who frequently wrote on Dominican, Cuban, and Afro-Latin identity issues. Included interactive chat forum for reader feedback and conversations. In English. Another sad casualty of the new commercially-driven Web. Daily Roots Stand, a portion of the Café Los Negroes site, officially closed down mid-November 1998.

Del corazón
The link still leads to a live page at the Smithsonian website, but this Latino arts webzine written for educators and young students seems to be defunct. Formerly, produced by the National Museum of American Art and hosted by the Smithsonian's website. No new content added since circa 2001.

Desde Cuba
As of 4/01, this e-news site is officially offline and gone. Previously described as uncensored Cuban news; includes numerous links. In Spanish. For many years, there were signs that no maintenance was taking place on the site, though it was still online in summer 1999 as a sort of neglected, virtual archive of Cuba-related news stories from the mid-1990's. Many links were broken; a dead artifact in cyberspace.

EgoWeb: Felipe's Things Latino
Still online (as of May 2005), but apparently not updated since circa 2001 - includes many dead links. Formerly, a massive collection of unalphabetized and unannotated links from Felipe Campos, one of the Latino web pioneers. Focus on Chicano and Mexican sites; includes Latin American materials. One of the few sites that includes Latino gay and lesbian resources. In English, with some bilingual menus.

Frontera Literary Magazine
Essential literary e-journal with numerous critical articles and interviews in every issue; focus on Chicano / Mexican American literature and authors. Includes comments and discussion section, plus links elsewhere. In English; no search engine. Site offline in 4/01, optimistically promising a "Look for a relaunch soon!" A revisit in 6/01 found the same message; apparently dead.

GENERATION-ñ
After many ups and downs, this slick and humorous e-zine focusing on first generation Cuban American culture has finally called it quits. In English and Spanish.

Guatemala Cyberspace: Internet in Guatemala
An annotated list of numerous discussion and chat groups, directories, and news links, some of which include issues related to Guatemalans in the US, such as the new Cyberchapines de Chicago. In Spanish and English; includes search engine. Missing, as of 8/2002.

Guatemala: la tierra del Quetzal
Still online (as of May 2005) but with many dead links and lots of pop ups. Formerly called Guatemala: la página latinoamericana, and before that, Guatemala, la tierra del Quetzal, this website is still a long list of unalphabetized links with brief annotations, organized by broad subject area. Included some resources that looked at Guatemalan identity and issues in the US. Fully bilingual with parallel sites in Spanish or English.

Habaguanex Ciboney: Web Magazine of Cuba in Exile
Another artifact of the Web that for years seemed not to be maintained, and has now (4/01) disappeared. Previously included archived articles and some of the links are still useful. Includes articles, "factelitos" or little facts about Cuba, movie reviews, poetry, recipes and entertainment for Cuban Americans and exiles; includes extensive links. In English, includes separate Spanish section.

HispaNet
Some years ago, this website was a major Dominican site for politics, news, short stories, mailing services, products, and e-journals. In 1999, it began billing itself as a "Spanish learning center," while evolving toward coverage of all Latin American countries and losing much of its previous Dominican focus. In Spanish. Closed down sometime in 2000-01.

The Hispanic/Latino Telaraña
This website has been offline for some time. Formerly, it was a Latino web gem hosted by the University of Florida, Gainesville, and designed (as I recall) by webmaster and pioneer Gerir López-Fernández. When his association with the website ended a few years back, the website apparently dwindled. This formerly extensive site included links to creative arts, careers, cultural centers, e-publications, newsgroups and mailing lists, and organizations. Focus was on Latin American, peninsular Spanish, and some Chicano, general Latino, Cuban American, Puerto Rican sites. In English (bilingual main menu); no search engine.

Hispanic/Latino News Service
Well-organized abstracting service of current news articles and editorials on Latino and some Latin American topics from Web news sources. Includes partial archives dating back to late 1998, though links may no longer be active. Includes additional features such as Latin music charts, online polls, and homepage services. In English; smaller, parallel Spanish site features abstracts of Spanish-language news articles from the Web; search engine. (For more information, see also my published review from C&RL News.) This impressive website was created and maintained by a third year law student, who has apparently moved on to other things. 4/01

Latino.com / Latino Link
Major e-zine that transformed into a portal and fee-based information provider, with news, articles, entertainment with focus on many US Latino groups and various Latin American issues; included bulletin boards and chat forums. In English and some Spanish; included search engine. Announced its demise March 2001.

LatinoWeb
One of the most inclusive sites, and definitely one of the easiest to search and browse. This massive site originally collected and annotated links ranging from arts, business, jobs & bilingual classifieds, education, history, government agencies, non-profit organizations, newspapers & magazines, personal pages. Unique features included an interactive chat forum, talent directory, book advertisements, and a listing of Latino radio and television sites. Included information relevant to many specific US Latino groups; some Latin American and peninsular Spanish sites. In English and Spanish (some sections bilingual); included search engine. As of early 2001, website looked suspiciously lean on content, and (as of April 2001), home page featured news stories from Feb. 2001.

LATNN.com: Latino On-Line News Network
A terrible loss! Formerly, this site provided news articles of interest to Latinos, in English and in Spanish. Sources of the news include LATNN's wire news service and their superb electronic journal, Gráfico, which includes author interviews, in-depth essays, and opinion pieces. Focus is on many Latino groups, and includes relevant articles regarding Latin American events. In English and Spanish; includes search engine. (For more information about Latino news sites, see my published review from C&RL News.)

mxch@nnel (MexicoChannel.net)
Still online (as of May 2005) but with many dead links. Formerly called Mexico's Index Channel, this website was a portal-like collection with a strong focus on Mexico and Latin America. (Before that, the site was a numbered list of unalphabetized, unannotated links that focused on Chicano and US Latino issues, including immigration, Proposition 187, NAFTA, and news. Much of the previous coverage on specifically Chicano and U.S. Latino issues seems gone for good. In English.

New York Semanal
All the major portions of this weekly news service link unexpectedly to well-known sites such as CNN en español and PBS Online, but it also includes major sections of En español.com and other resources. Worth exploring. Mostly in Spanish, some English; no search engine. Unable to access 4/01 and 6/01.

Nueva Vista: Latino/Puerto Rican Issues & Views
Update: Officially defunct (4/01), but replaced by an advertising firm called Alegre Advertising. QPD. Formerly, this site presented news, viewpoints, and partially annotated links on many topics. Puerto Rican, Chicano, and general Latino sites; also includes some Latin American information. Later, it began billing itself as "Latino Perspective," had several major overhauls, and went offline. In English; no search engine.

Picosito.com
Bilingual portal site from San Francisco with full-text news articles, plus business news, health, immigration, culture, and sports. A "quizito" offers lowest-common denominator quizzes on Latino culture and issues. Also offers e-mail services; home pages, a discussion forum, and other interactive features were also being planned but not available during our initial 8/99 visit. Overall, the site seemed low on content, both Latino-centered and otherwise. Worth a browse, but not recommended. In Spanish and English; included search engine. Portal went under early 2001; as of 6/01 no reappearance.

El Pueblo Magazine
From Houston, this online magazine described itself as "...dedicated to all issues in the Houston metro-area Chicano, Latino, and Mexican community. Issues from entertainment to politics and an array of issues in between are covered." Bilingual in English and Spanish; no search engine.

Puerto Rican Legal Defense & Education Fund (formerly, Institute for Puerto Rican Policy Network (IPRNet)
A disappointing loss! Our last visit (11/07/01) shows merely an advertisement stating that the URL has been reserved, and the website is coming soon. Formerly, this website was a major Puerto Rican research and policy site that included articles, publications, news, statistical releases, events, the online newsletter Crítica, and other resources; it also sponsored the now defunct Internet mailing list IPR-Forum. Many Puerto Rican sites consider only PR island culture and issues; IPRNet looked also at US-specific Puerto Rican identity and policy issues. In English; no search engine. Since 7/99, website began redesign due to merger with the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund (PRLDEF). As of April 2001 & June 2001, still not much content available. (For more information about IRPNet, see also my published review from C&RL News.) Perhaps something will still develop?

QuéPasa.com
Update: This portal now closed, as of March 2001.
Formerly, a Yahoo-like directory and search engine dedicated to mostly Latin American and some US Latino website retrieval, from Phoenix, Arizona. Crisp organization, but retrieval often slow and contents quite uneven and definitely not comprehensive. For example, a search for revistas or journals pulled up numerous Colombian medical journals, but few titles from other Latin American countries or from the US. Bilingual with parallel sites in Spanish and in English.

El sitio
This former Latino portal is now little more than superficial chat, "dating," and fashion features. Formerly, a very busy, cluttered design with the usual portal services and information features, with a focus on popular leisure interests in entertainment, fashion, current events, and technology. This latter section provides some very useful buyer's guides and tutorials in Spanish. In Spanish; included very good search engine - perhaps the best search of all Latino portals circa 2001.

StarMedia.com
Still online (as of May 2005), but there has never been much Latino or Latin American content any time we've visited this site since 1999, yet it has been billed as a "Latino portal to the Internet" because it's in Spanish. Collection of selected world news stories and miscellaneous services such as shopping, interactive chat sites, Internet guides, games, and related ephemera.

Yupi.com
From Miami Beach, another Yahoo-like directory WWW search engine, this one was obviously named after Yahoo as well. Although the emphasis was on Latin American websites and information, a search feature allowed searches for US websites only. Like early versions of Yahoo en español, only Spanish-language materials are retrieved. Organization of Yupi.com was clean, and retrieval was fast. Its weakness, like that of QuéPasa.com, is the uneven and unrepresentative selection of sites included in the directory itself. Formerly included links to country-specific versions of Yupi, including Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, U.S., Spain, and Mexico. In Spanish.