Six months have passed since the last time I saw Jose Luiz-Lopez Sanchez. His home, a cubby in the underside of a bridge in Chapel Hill, remains intact. But as the seasons have changed, it seemed so had the man I found early in the spring planting his garden under the bridge. His 52 years […]
What is La Voz Translation Services?
I realized two days ago I haven’t been keeping my blog up to date on the program I have been working on. Truthfully, I’ve been too busy to be as diligent with my blog writing as I need or want to be, but I thought I had dedicated one blog to talking about the program […]
Boycott of big oil hits small business
While driving down the road the other day, I passed a BP gas station. I pass them often, but this one was noticeable. The gas pumps were tied down with bright yellow plastic strips, signs had been removed from the doors and darkness permeated the inside. That’s when it hit me. In the wake of […]
Don’t Postpone Rezone: Town Council Should Consider Rezoning Development
The Chapel Hill Town Council needs to advocate rezoning for the development of Aydan Court. The 5.8-acre lot is currently zoned for single-family homes, and is located along N.C. 54 and Jordan Lake. The local developer, Zinn Design Build, originally planned a 17-lot luxury subdivision, but would prefer to build 96 mid-range priced condos. This […]
Do I look Illegal To You?
Today I attended and participated in a march protesting SB1070, the new law in Arizona that will make it a crime to be illegal/undocumented and will make it legal to ask a person to show proof of their citizenship based on the way they look. This was the first protest I have ever participated in […]
Help the hungry: Food donations low, but students can help
For most of us, at least one of the meals consumed within the past week has had leftovers on one edge of the plate. In America, it seems unimaginable that people are starving or in need of food, but it is a reality, and one that is hitting us on a local level. Even with […]
Welcome back: El Centro Hispano should be commended for bringing Latino community services back to Carrboro
El Centro Hispano, a Durham-based Latino advocacy nonprofit, deserves praise for pledging to help bring Latino community services back to Carrboro after the closing of El Centro Latino. In order for the new branch of El Centro Hispano to be successful, it will need the support of our community in all forms. El Centro Latino […]
Carrboro & Chapel Hill, NC not interested in immigration status
When Officer Charlie Pardo approaches Hispanic residents of either Carrboro or Chapel Hill, he never asks to see their immigration papers. “I give them whatever advice I can give them. One of the first questions they ask is about being undocumented and I say we don’t even look at your documentation status, we are here […]