April Latina Flick Picks

Sister Outsider Entertainment - Flick Picks
By Elisha Miranda & Sofia Quintero

The 24 Hour Woman

Nancy Savoca wrote and directed this film which follows Grace Santos (Rosie Perez who also co-produced), the producer of a local morning show for women in New York City. Grace’s active professional life intersects with her personal life since she is married to co-host and aspiring actor Eddie Diaz (Diego Serrano.) When another chismosa co-host reveals on-air that Grace is pregnant, her executive producer Joan (Patti LuPone) seizes an opportunity.  The ratings climb as the show follows Grace and produces segments such as “The ABC’s of C-Sections” and “You & Your Epidural.” Although blessed with a new assistant Madeline (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) who has left her own young children to return to the workforce, Grace worries about how she juggle raising her child, building her career, and sustaining her marriage to Eddie who has ambitions of his own. During her daughter’s first year, her biggest fears are realized. and Grace must confront what it take to be a “24-hour woman.”

We chose The 24 Hour Woman because many Latinas lead lives on the go, working long hours both at work and home. For some being a 24-hour woman is a solo endeavor with little support. And for others support may be available, but we don’t know how to embrace it. Taking cues from the male-dominated television industry in which she works, however, Grace often resorts to replicating patriarchal norms or internalizing the sexism she encounters (e.g. participating in the cycle of chisme that sadly women sometimes run on each other.) Meanwhile, Grace would do better to come together with other women and forge healthier coping strategies rather than repeating those that keep us divided and oppressed. Our philosophy at SOE: don’t hate, create!

In your media journal, document your thoughts and reflections on the following questions as you watch The 24-Hour Woman and other flick picks. In fact, we also encourage you to share them here on the Powerful Latinas blog.

Questions:

1)    Choose a character in The 24-Hour Woman that you dislike.  Make a list of the traits that bother you about this character.  Have you or someone you care about been hurt or disappointed by someone who possessed these traits? Describe an experience with this person.

2) Now can you recall a time when you exhibited these same traits?  For example, did someone accuse you of displaying such qualities in a particular situation? What triggered your attitude or behavior? That is, why do you think you behaved that way at the time?

3) What strengths and other positive qualities do you have that you can draw upon the next time you are in a difficult situation? List them.  In what ways can you increase your ability to show yourself compassion for your shortcomings, real or perceived, and grow past and even despite them?

Latina Leadership Lessons: Storytelling with Archetypes

An archetype is a model of a person, personality or behavior. Strong archetypes in our culture have meaning for all of us and we use them in our stories, perhaps without even realizing it… Some archetypes include the mother, the king, the hero, the lover and the joker. Other archetypes include the betrayer, the victim, the temptress and the underdog.

We attribute characteristics to these archetypes and, depending on the strength of the ties between the characteristics and the archetype, often have strong judgments when these “definitions” don’t fit. For example, when we think of “mother,” we often think of nurturing, caring, kindness and tenderness. So when we see a mother figure who is the antithesis of these characteristics, we tend to react strongly.

We often use archetypes in our storytelling, and this can be useful at times and at other times it can undermine the storytelling altogether… La “chismosa,” in her worst incarnation, uses archetypes to twist stories and to change meanings. For example, if she repeats the stories of others without asking the questions about how they framed the story and adds archetypes that may not really be there, whose story is she truly telling? And why?

Often in our stories we assume there has to be some kind of conflict and, all too often, there has to be a “good guy” and a “bad guy.” But who is the hero and who is the villain? Are each person’s perspectives equally considered, or (as I discussed in the last blog post) is the camera only shooting from one side? And why does there have to be a winner and a loser? How does this dichotomy help or hurt us?

Is there a “sidekick” and a “jester”? Who is the fool and who is the wise sage? And at the end of the day, who rides off in the sunset and who gets punished?

Certain archetypes often resonate with some of us and not with others. For example, you might resonate with the dreamer, the romantic, or the warrior. Or you might shy away from the victim, the destroyer or the witch. The best storytellers embrace all these archetypes at different times and within each of us.

For example, many of our interviewees have been vulnerable enough to share both their triumphs and their tragedies. They have shown themselves at different times to hold the characteristics of many different archetypes — of the victim, the hero, the destroyer and the magician.

I would encourage you to think about what archetypes resonate the most strongly with you and why. Throughout the course of the year, on the website we play with different archetypes – everything from the flirt to the betrayer. I write blog post, and choose interview subjects and our contributors suggest media and books that help us look at these archetypes. And I sincerely look forward to your comments on each of them.

And remember, the next time you hear from “la chismosa,” you now have the skills to be able to begin to figure out what she’s doing and why, and you may be able to really listen and connect with what’s going on with her and what happens in each of us when we “tell stories.”

Latina Leadership Lessons: How We Frame Our Stories

We’ve discussed the telling of the stories, why we tell our stories, why OTHERS might tell our stories, and the up side and the down sides of telling stories.  Although we often ridicule “la chismosa,” we all tell stories and we do so in different ways, at different times and all for our own (different) reasons.

Therefore, it’s important to consider how we frame our stories.  Where we start our stories, what background information we give, and from what perspective we tell the story all influence how people react.

I remember in a film class in college seeing the vast difference in how the camera angle, lighting and other decisions about what was included in a shot played such an important role in the “mood” of the film.  And of course, the music sets the tone.  The list of what influences a story goes on…

We do the same thing in our stories.  When we’re talking to others, we set the “camera angle,” if you will, and cast the lighting as well as play the mood music.

Once we set up the foundation, we then decide who plays what roles in the stories we tell.

As young children, we learn the pieces of a story.  We learn about the “set up” – we introduce the players and define their roles.  [Check out the next blog post where we discuss roles and the archetypal players in those roles.]

And we often make sure that all the foundational pieces work together to ensure the story comes out at the end the way we want it to.

But who are we fooling?  Anytime we tell a “story” it is always not the WHOLE truth, because how could it possibly be?  By the nature of a story, we only tell a portion of what happened.

I would strongly encourage you to look at your own “storytelling” and figure out what you learned about stories as a young girl and then find out HOW you frame your own stories and why.  And, most importantly, remember that not only when we tell our own stories, but also when we hear the stories of others, we never have the “whole story.”

And maybe if we can understand more about the framing of our stories, we can understand more about what’s behind them and maybe understand ourselves and each other better.  Because isn’t it all about connecting and getting closer?  And if that’s true, don’t we want to be telling the most honest stories possible?

To do that, you have to figure out the frame…

Maegan Ortiz

Maegan “la Mamita Mala” Ortiz gives voice to what she has been typing on her blogs for years: the intersection of Latina politics, identity and culture. Born and bred in Queens, NYC, La Mala grew her activist wings at age 17 with under the guidance of her mentor Richie Perez in the Justice committee of the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights.

>>  I’ll be speaking with Maegan about the development of her political consciousness, and how her creation of her media outlets are connected with her politics.

She is one of two children her father had with her mother. She has a younger sister three years her junior who is a pre-school teacher. Her parents separated when she was young and her mother had to work long hours to support the family, so in many ways Maegan’s younger sister looked to Maegan as a second mom.   (Her father has since remarried and had more children with his second wife.)

La Mala is co-owner of 2 Mujeres Media that publishes the popular daily Latino blog VivirLatino.com. She has covered events including the Democratic National Convention and has been featured in the Washington Post, Latina Magazine, Tu Vida Magazine. Maegan has lent her perspective and experience as Latina political blogger on National Public Radio and on HITN.

>>  What kinds of writing does she enjoy the most and what has she learned from the different kinds of writing she’s done?

La Mala is a member of SPEAK! Radical Women of Color Media Collective, that recently put out a CD and accompanying ‘zine and curriculum on women of color issues and activism.

La Mamita Mala is also a poet and spoken word artist, spitting her malaventuras as a radical ‘Rican living in the mami’hood in the Latino Cultural Festival and El Encuentro de Poetas en NY.

>>  I’ll be asking Maegan about her poetry, and maybe she’ll even share some of her spoken word with us!

Recognized as lo mejor de la comunidad by Comite Novembre, Maegan is currently writing a book about the politics of Latina mami’hood, while blogging, performing her poetry, and raising two hijas to become independent strong kick-ass mujeres.

Her hobbies, when she’s not writing/performing/presenting/protesting include dancing, going to museums and other such places with her kids. People are surprised to learn that she is an opera fan. She also enjoys cooking and likes watching movies, especially Latin American and Spanish art house/indy films.

>>  We’ll also be talking about Maegan’s various involvements and awards.

Maegan’s two daughters are a big part of her life and work.  Carolina Aysen is 11 and is named for two towns connected to her heritage: Carolina, Puerto Rico and Puerto Aysen, Chile.  She is half Mapuche (Mapuche are the indigenous inhabitants of Central and Southern Chile and Southern Argentina).  Maegan’s second daughter is Gabriela Paula, who is 2 and is named for the Chilean Nobel prize winning poets of Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda (Paula was their way of feminizing Pablo).  Maegan calls the two of them “ChileRicans” pero Carolina’s nickname is la Mapu, short for la MapucheRican and Gabi’s nickname is poroto.

>>  Join us as I ask Maegan about raising two daughters and the struggles and triumphs at the different ages.  What can we as Powerful Latinas learn from her?

Find out more about Maegan and her work by checking out her blogs at:  www.VivirLatino.com and www.mamitamala.com

Josefa Salinas

Known as radio’s “Angelita de la Noche” (Angel of the Night) Josefa Salinas’ sensuous, yet commanding voice has delighted listeners throughout California for twenty years. This breakthrough female Latina DJ, who continues to delight fans on L.A.’s HOT 92 JAMZ, has become a role model for women, and a powerful symbol for Latinos.

>>  I’ll be asking Josefa what initially drew her to radio, and what she’s learned from her different positions.

Josefa has extended her way of reaching people and changing their lives emotionally, psychologically and financially, by writing a first book entitled: 101 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU DATE MY DAUGHTER, MY BEST FRIEND OR ME.

This soon to be bestseller is a view of relationships and how they affect the different sexes. For years, Josefa collected information from both males and females of all ages, who would call her radio show and cry, beg, complain, give and receive much needed advice. Josefa’s listeners discussed issues and worries that both singles and couples deal with. After years of dealing with the various relationship issues, Josefa decided to compile the advice, and a book was born.

The format of the book makes it a very easy read for all ages. Each topic is a numbered statement offering advice to men and women on a variety of subjects related to relationships, all from Josefa’s experience and that of her listeners.

>>  What are some of the key messages of the book, and was there a defining moment that encouraged her to take on the project of becoming an author?

Two dollars from every book sold will be donated to the Heritage Begins Within foundation (among other causes). The various programs targeted by Heritage Begins Within are passionate causes to Josefa: single mothers who are interested in furthering their education and attending college, and programs providing single mothers or struggling families with down payment assistance for a home.

Ms. Salinas, who is herself a single mother, has been a relentless advocate for the underserved communities in Los Angeles, and is the director of Heritage Begins Within, foundation. In addition, Josefa has joined forces with the Denise Roberts Breast Cancer foundation, The Knowledge is Power foundation, The Barbara Davis Center for Children’s Diabetes, Fair Community Lending Services and the Hope for Life foundation, who will all be recipients of proceeds from her book.

>>  I’ll be discussing with Josefa how she finds time to volunteer for these various organizations, and how she chooses her involvements.

After undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, Josefa began working in juvenile probation. Frustrated with the constraints of government work, she felt the need to reach out to a profession that would allow her to affect a lasting change in peoples’ lives. While still working in probation she walked into KSOL in San Francisco asked for a job and got it. In 1984 she initially covered community affairs for 15 minutes every Sunday. Those 15 minutes turned into a one-hour show that lasted for 3 years.

>>  What did she learn from her time in juvenile probation, and why did she leave?

It soon became clear that she had a real talent in the broadcasting field. In 1987 Josefa approached #1 radio station KKSF for the highly sought after position for their “Lights out San Francisco” program. From 1987-1989, her show held the #1 spot in the ratings. From 1989-1990, she became a top mid-day jock at cross-town rival KBLX in the city by the bay.

During her career in San Francisco Josefa learned from some of the best programmers in the industry. One of her former bosses called one day offering her a chance to work in Los Angeles at Stevie Wonder’s radio station, KJLH. With a desire to take on new positions in the radio field, Josefa moved to the City of Angels and from 1990-1991, became a promotions director at KJLH along with air personality. From 1991-1993, Josefa worked at KACE. Working as promotions director and midday personality, she was responsible for helping create the first all day music festival, “JAM FOR PEACE”, a 12-hour urban concert that included 33 music groups, and was attended by over 15,000 fans.

From 1993-1997, Josefa became known as the “Angelita de la Noche” at L.A.’s POWER 106, and created the “KNOWLEDGE IS POWER” foundation. She produced the album “Straight from the Streets” which raised the first million dollars for the foundation. The foundation still provides much needed assistance to the community via computer centers, family shelters, job growth programs and more. While holding down this lead position, Power 106 placed her on both the morning show and her own late night “Slow Jam Show.”

>>  I’ll be speaking with Josefa about her various experiences in radio, and the different kinds of shows she’s hosted, as well as the different positions she’s held.

Josefa soon gained the reputation as someone who could make things happen. A new recording artist asked her if she would take on the task of being his manager. Never missing a challenge, she accepted. A while later this same artist came to her with a sample problem in a song he had. The sample owner refused the use of the song. Josefa went to work and the rest is history. “Gangsta’s Paradise” (sample use of Stevie Wonder’s Pastime Paradise) went on to sweep the awards that year with a Grammy, American Music Award, Billboard, MTV Music Award and more for her client Coolio whom she managed for over 10 years. Although it was rumored the two were married, they were not, but they do share an 11 year old son.

>>  What can Josefa tell us about lessons she learned during this part of her career?

In 1998, the overwhelming demands of handling this international star caused Josefa to leave radio to focus on management and motherhood.

Josefa still had an intense love for radio and was delighted to join HOT 92.3 in the summer of 2001, where she currently holds the morning show news anchor position, as well as hosting a highly acclaimed talk show every Sunday morning from 7am-8am called “THE COMMUNITY REVIEW”, an investigative format that celebrates and investigates events in the community.

Josefa is one of the few air personalities in the industry that can boast successful runs in Adult contemporary, Urban, Urban AC, Hip-Hop, Jazz, News, Talk and Crossover formats. When asked about her philosophy, Josefa states, “It is my responsibility to be the voice of those who cannot be heard, to represent the listeners’ opinions, their voices, and concerns. Writing 101 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU DATE MY DAUGHTER, MY BEST FRIEND OR ME, and hosting shows on HOT 92 JAMZ has provided me with the opportunity to tackle the topics that affect our neighborhood, our streets, and our world. My dream is to continue to provide needed assistance nationwide and give the underserved a voice.”

Josefa stands by her personal philosophy and ends her weekly show with, “Stay strong, stay focused and most of all stay informed.” She is a current member of the HOPE Latina Institute class of 2007. Look for this Latina to bring her unyielding talent for tackling issues that affect the community to a television near you in 2008!

Learn more about Josefa also at her website:  www.josefasalinas.com.

Latina Leadership Lessons: Why DO we tell our stories?

There are so many reasons that we each choose to tell our stories, right?  We want to connect with each other, we want validation, we want support or understanding, or maybe we want to explore meanings…

We tell our stories to inspire others, to give them hope or to show possibilities.  This is one of the reasons I ask women to tell their stories in the Powerful Latinas Interview Series.  We also tell stories (our own or others’) to give examples and to show off.  We even tell stories to try to figure things out.

The reasons are so varied, and when we HEAR stories, we often do not ask ourselves WHY a teller is telling a story; rather we jump in with our own understandings and assumptions.  And, on the flip side, we often don’t even ask ourselves why we’re telling a story when we jump in to share.  What is the purpose for us telling a particular story and how are we framing it and why?

For example, when I tell stories about my son, I may be showing my pride in him, or thinking out loud about his future, or wondering how I can connect with him better.  When a friend tells me about problems with her boyfriend, she often wants understanding and support, or she wants to get validation or to ask advice.

When my sister in law tells me about family dynamics, she may be wanting to teach me more about their family history, or she may be wanting to just vent.  The reasons behind the stories are as important (or maybe more so!) than the stories themselves.

As Latinos, we are often known as “good story-tellers” and with magical realism, for example, we can bring in – deliberately – other characteristics to our stories.  We use sarcasm and humor to underscore points, and we throw in common meanings – such as cultural foods, songs or myths – to connect the listeners and to draw people in.

And yet, the word “chismosa” – the gossip – is used as a slur (or at the very least, not positively).  But isn’t the “chismosa” telling stories for her own purpose?  And what might that be?

I’d encourage you over the next few days to think about WHY a teller is telling a certain story and not just about the story itself.  Also, ask yourself why you’re telling your own stories (or those of others).  This weekend, I’m going out of town with a group of girlfriends, so I’m sure there will be much story-telling going on!  I’ll keep y’all posted…

Dr. Letitia S. Wright

Dr. Letitia S. Wright, D.C., is a celebrity, international speaker, talk show host, author and movie producer. As the host of the Wright Place™ TV Show, now in its 9th season with over 250 shows broadcast on television to over 4.2 million homes each week in Southern California.

Latina Leadership Lessons: When Others Tell Our Stories

Sometimes others tell our stories when we don’t want them to.  I love my mom dearly, but she can, at times, tell my story in ways and to people that I would prefer she not tell.  And this strained our relationship for a while.  I finally told her that, while I love sharing pieces of my life with her, if she continued to tell others what I told her, I’d choose not to share so much with her.

Since that conversation (over a decade ago now), things got a lot better.  However, I am still cautious now and then about what I tell my mom, and there are times when I specifically ask her not to share what I’ve told her.

I know that when my mom talks about me and what’s going on in my life, it’s because she wants to share with others the latest news.  She enjoys having the connection with others that care about me and she strives to keep close ties among the different folks who are close to her.  One of the ways she does this is by telling stories.  And sometimes, these sharing of stories is completely appropriate and wonderful.

However, other times they’re frustrating or downright hurtful (even if they’re not meant to be).  For example, when I was away at college, my mom would tell my friends all the “latest” about me, when in fact I wanted to tell them myself!  I don’t know about you, but the manner in which I tell a story, and the details I insert, may be different when I’m telling a story to my friends versus my mom.  I wanted the opportunity to be able to frame my life with my friends and, at times, my mom took that opportunity away from me.  This was frustrating.

And at other times, something happened in my life that I was not READY for others to know, or I didn’t want to hear their input or receive their judgment.  When I became pregnant at such a young age (15), I didn’t want to hear what all my mom’s friends had to say.  It was a difficult and confusing time and I had all the “information” and didn’t need any further advice.  Rather, what I needed was a little time and peace to be able to figure out what choice was going to be right for me.

At other times, though, it’s been delightful that my mom talks to so many people and that she keeps us all in touch, even to the point of sharing the details of our lives, and helps many of my family members (as well as my friends!) stay more closely connected.

And I never have a doubt that when my mom shares others’ stories it’s with the best intent.  My mom is a kind soul, and does so much for other people; she never intends to hurt them.

So for me, the sharing of stories is not about the INTENT, but rather about the CONSENT.  When do you (or I!) share stories of others without their consent?  And would it be better to allow them to tell their own stories?  Or did you receive permission to share the stories?  Ponder when it’s OK with you that others share your stories, and when you’d prefer they didn’t.

Next time we’ll talk about WHY we share our own stories…  Until then, cuidense!

090401_ochoae_mp3

As a doctoral student at Stanford, and later as a researcher at Sandia National Laboratories and NASA Ames Research Center, Dr. Ochoa investigated optical systems for performing information processing.

Interview Date: April 1, 2009

mp3 Download Link: Ellen Ochoa

Latina Leadership Lessons: Listening is the Secret to Connecting

How well do we listen? I’ve found, in my experience, that we don’t often listen very well to those around us. When someone is telling us about where they are, we always relate it back to us, and overlay our own meanings on their story.

We look for ways to connect their experiences to our own, or make judgments about what their experiences mean, or give advice or tell the speaker how they should feel, etc. We want to connect and contribute, but often how we attempt to do so actually moves us away from the person we’re supposedly listening to.

For example, have you heard things like, “Well, you can’t let him/her get away with that!” “You should let yourself cry.” “Why aren’t you happy with that? That’s terrific!” All of these comments are not about connecting with what the speaker is truly saying – they evidence the listener making their own judgments.

We often listen to another person’s story and don’t connect with where THEY are. We all go through both difficult and joyous experiences in our lives. But how often do our friends allow us to simply tell our stories and just BE with us?

It can be difficult to find the kind of listener that will really try to understand exactly where you are and what you need, without any other agenda. And when we reflect on our own experiences of not being heard we can also identify how we, ourselves, don’t often offer that simple, but profound, kind of listening.

I am also guilty of this, even though I teach on this subject! Part of it is that we’re taught to listen in a way that doesn’t allow us to just be present with another. A true listening simply allows a speaker to be with their emotions, to live their experiences with the telling and to tell US what they want from us as a listener.

This week, observe how often you allow yourself to just be PRESENT and listen to where another person is at? (no judgments, no jumping in, no advice) And how often to receive that kind of listening? (I will reflect on this in my own life, too.) Being a better listener allows us to connect at a deeper level and opens so many new possibilities…

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