Mi Voto Latino

Ahhh yes the big day is coming and our voice is needed! It's pretty exciting actually. This has been one of the most interesting races to date.

Oh and today I just confirmed my "bilingual volunteerism" for November 4th! I had to call them up and they were like, "Oh wow you didn't receive anything?!" Luckily they scheduled my training for mañana a las 1:30 p.m. Then they'll probably give me a lot of paperwork and some training.

P.S. November 4th I'll be working from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Hopefully I'll be able to get in my vote.

Navaja's Journey Through Philadelphia

Here's a quick recap of my journey throughout Philadelphia for the Phillies championship. A once in a lifetime opportunity.



START TIME - 6:00 p.m.

1. Sixer's Game at 6 p.m. with my frat brother Rob @ Wachovia Center
   


2. Watch Game 5 of Phillies Vs. Rays @ AT&T Pavilion in Wachovia Center
   


3. Phillies WIN!!!!
   


4. Run to Citizens Bank Park
   


5. Enjoy the festivities with random people.
   


6. "Hey Rob, let's go to Broad Street and walk a few blocks." <----RIIIIIIGHT


7. Broad & Snyder, "Hey Rob, maybe a few more." <----- RIIIIIIGHT


8. Rob, "I'm gonna go grab a 6-pack." Me, "OKAY I'll wait right here." Sure enough one of my frat's FOUNDER'S came in. TOTALLY RANDOM!
   


9. By far the FIRST time I have seen people of all "races" not care and give each other hugs, high fives, etc. Everyone was smiling. Thank you PHILADELPHIA!
   


10. Broad & South, "Let's keep going, we're almost at Center City."
    


11. Broad & Walnut, "uummmm let's keep moving...there's soo many people out here."
    


12. Broad & Vine, "HEY FLIP!!! Join us?"
    


13. Broad & Spring Garden - The 1 and only car flipped over. I guess it was bound to happen.
    


14. Broad & Girard, "Aight guys this is where I leave you." <--Off to 5th & Girard


15. Thank you ANGIE for keeping me company on the phone.
    


16. 5th & Girard. All sober now and ready to SLEEP!
    

END TIME - 2:30 a.m.

THE END

My Night en Fotos

WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS 2008

PPRA y los Latinos

This morning I went to PPRA's board meeting and did a presentation on social media. It wasn't a big presention (nor did I use a computer) but it was a good one.

Everyone loved my presentation/comments. I recently started PPRA's Facebook page and am going to create their Twitter account. I've been getting more involved in PPRA just because...well actually for a lot of reasons haha. I not only work in the industry but also you get to meet a lot of people. It was actually the current president Yvette Nuñez who got me more involved.

The cool part is that Yvette is the first person of color to serve as President! It was really cool to see a Latina get to that position. Right now I'm the Web-Site committe chair...not really sure what that means but all I know is that I have to come up with cool ways to drive traffice to our web-site (like post this blog LOL).

Lambdas, Gammas and tigers oh my

Yep that's me con mi hermano...my blood brother that is. While he attending the University of Maryland, College Park and pledged La Unidad Latina/Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc., I took my own path to Temple University and pledged Gamma Phi Sigma "Hermanos Unidos" Fraternity, Inc.

Here are his "stats":

Fall '99
Alias: Rumble
Line Name: Los Poderosos
Line #: 1

Mine:

SP '04
Alias: Navaja
Line #: 1

So why did we pledge different? Why not. To this date I still hear it from both his org and mine. Hey we took our own path, get over it. Notice the cool shirt in the picture?? If not, here it is...

Hispanic Owned Fashion House (NYC)

Don't panic people, we aren't taking your jobs haha. Just got this from a frat brother in NYC. Latino's don't just wear FUBU or listen to Reggaeton, we are also classy :).

The picture above is a Hispanic owned fashion house called Zara, from SPAIN. NY Mag sums it up:

Each season, this affordable, fast-fashion retailer from Spain rolls out trendy, versatile collections with a global appeal. With stores in more than 50 countries, the Zara aesthetic focuses on chic, well-tailored items, many of which pay homage to runway looks by designers like Chanel, Calvin Klein, and Louis Vuitton. At each airy, split-level boutique, shoppers find sculptured blazers, slim trousers, and ethnic-edged pieces like breezy boho-chic tops and safari skirts for women; men can browse through the excellent selection of suiting, dress shirts, and knitwear. While most of the stock tends toward dressier, office-appropriate styles, casual sportswear like shorts, hoodies, and tees, as well as seasonal outerwear, occupies a solid chunk of the selling floor. — Carolyn Murnick

There's plenty more of these in NY but we'll highlight later, can't just spill the beans on one post.

Shout out to RUBEN for giving me the heads up.

The 1-Thing that Could've Stopped the Phillies

So all the Latinos in the Temple University area decided to watch the game at Maxi's on Temple's campus. So much fun, we were all in our little corner being (Latino) loud haha.

And as you can see we were all wearing our PHILLIES red (or as I like to call it the little people color).

However, sure enough the one thing that could stop the PHILLIES from winning the WS actually happened...rain! A Philly.com article says it best...Soggy Phillies fans upset over MLB's decisions

Mi Gente...what do we like to do?

People always think Latino's only like to do Latino things...wrong! We love to do everything! Yeah in Philly most of "us" are hiding around 5th & Lehigh with Taller Puertorriqueño, Raices Culturales, Centro Musical, etc. but come on people we love the history too!

Maybe it's the generation gap? However, I sure do enjoy learning about the reason why we are here today...Philadelphia, the birth of our nation! Although a lot of the older generation (parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc) don't speak English, they would still love to see the Liberty Bell, climb up the Rocky Steps, take their kids to the Please Touch Museum. That's why they have US, the children. We are the one's that speak English & Español...the one's that translate EVERYTHING! haha

The good part of my job is that we not only have tons of stuff to do, but we also have the Latino side of Philadelphia...PHILLY TE AMA! I just wish everyone had the knowledge of these resources...but that's why I'm here right? haha

Here's a surprise...Latino's love Elvira, I sure do haha. And did you know she'll be here this Friday for Halloween! Take a peek...

Gamma Phi Sigma "Hermanos Unidos" Fraternity, Inc.

Agghh yes, the never ending battle of Greek life. Wait there's a battle? Haha no there isn't but it sure as hell does feel like it when you hear little things about this organization or that organization. At least it's only undergrads, alumni know better.

Who is Gamma Phi Sigma you ask? Here's a little bit of history for you...

On April 16, 1992, eight Latino males came together to create a fraternity that would promote Community Service, Enhance Cultural Awareness, Excellence in academics, and above all, Brotherhood in college campuses across the western hemisphere.

Their goals were simple but precise; create a Latino fraternity which would promote and enhance the Latino culture through community service and excellence in education as well as pride in its cultural diversity. Because our many ethnic backgrounds vary through the Caribbean, Central and South America, European, and the African Diasporas, the founding Hermanos decided to build a positive image for Latino males to counter the negative stereotypes in this society. They spent years organizing and establishing the organization that would later become Gamma Phi Sigma "Hermanos Unidos" Fraternity, Incorporated. One of the premiere Community Service fraternities in the latino greek society.

Me...I pledged SP 04 at our Almight Alpha Chapter - Temple University. I was the Ace of the line and had my #2 & #3 to back be up during our journey.

Our journey started Februrary 16, 2004, 10 p.m. and ended April 10, 2004 3:40 a.m. Yep...that's 7 weeks 5 Days 5 Hours 40 minutes.

Memories...haha

Good Night Philadelphia

AND THE CITY WILL BE GOING CRAZY!

The skyline was pink for Breast Cancer awareness...but after tonight, we will be going red.

GO PHILLIES!!!

Proud to be Latino

So for the past couple of weeks I can't just help feel our presence. Maybe because it's Hispanic Heritage Month and everyone went crazy haha. There has been so much negative news in the past few days it's crazy to think something is good is happening right? Wrong!

I want to start of by saying CONGRATS to Taller Puertorriqueño...they were recently nominated as one of the recipients of the 2008 Governor's Awards.

While working with them I learned so much about the Latino culture...yes they do more than just Puerto Rican outreach :-). One of my favorite events has always been FERIA DEL BARRIO because it brings out sooo many people and it's just good times.

And speaking of art galleries, a new one opened this past September. Check out Afro-Latin Art!

I was also recently forwarded a letter from Mayor Michael Nutter and I wanted to quote him: Latinos have always played an integral role in helping to shape the City's legacy. They represent an ever-increasing share of workers and taxpaers who make significant contributions to the City's labor force and economy. They have persevered and excelled in every sector of socity, including public service, business, industry, education, the arts and sports. This really makes me happy that Mayor Nutter understands the importance of our people. However, some people don't. *sigh*

And kudos to Temple's Latino community. They have done so much after I graduated and have come up with one of the best marketing ideas ever! First, look at the flier for their Latino Heritage Month:

That just makes a statement, especially this year's theme: La Voz de Nuestro Futuro. Now let's look at one of the greatest ideas I've seen yet, the Latino/a t-shirt:

Congrats on making this happen, I know it was difficult times.

And now let's move on to a very important event ...AIDS Walk Philly

Yes it's an 8 mile walk but it was for a very important cause. This disease is killing people every day and we think it's a joke. I was recently tagged in a note about someone uncle passing away and I felt sorry. You never know what can happen or who you can lose at any moment.

Anyway, that's my rant for now :-). I leave you with some stats:

1. did you know that in 2050 1 in 3 US residents will be of Latino descent? ;)
   


2. Africa and Asia are the highest growing population and will surpass the European Latin American and Oceania Population by 2050


3. By 2050 The demographics of the US will be: 53% White, 14% Black, 11% Asian, 23%Latino

Latinos use social media?!

We do use blogs, social networking sites, etc.

There's ME for example. My first intro into social media was Facebook. I didn't think anything of it. I just thought it was something cool to do and look where we are today. I tend to go comment crazy if I see something I'm interested in and always seem to be good at it. I'm not like those other commenters out there who hide behind a silly little screen name and curse the author out...nope not me.

Take this blog for example: Latina Lista by Marisa Treviño. She's a Syndicated journalist and local public radio commentator writing about family, education and other social justice issues for over a decade. Dedicated Chicana, playwright, and citizen. I tend to follow her blog every now and then. Through her blog, I found these 2 great links to articles on the topic of Latinos & social media:

1. Hispanic Magazine
2. Hispanic Business
   

Check me out:

Navaja on Facebook
Navaja on MySpace
Navaja on LinkdIn
Navaja on Twitter

About Navaja & the hisPANIC

Buenas noches everyone! My name is Eric Cortes (currently 24) and I live in Philadelphia, PA! Yes Philly, not New York, not L.A., not Chicago but PHILLY!!

I first attended Widener University in Chester, PA but transferred to Temple University. Majored in Journalism and minored in Latin American Studies.

Why did I create this monstrosity called hisPANIC? Well I realized I've needed to create one fast before my thoughts go nuts. I usually go comment crazy on other blogs and tend to write Facebook notes every now and then. At the same time I've been reading Geraldo Rivera's Hispanic: Why American's Fear Hispanic in the U.S.

After reading a few chapters I was hooked! I just had to express my thoughts and what better way than through the wonders of the internet.

For more info on Geraldo's book click here.

So who is Navaja? Navaja is the type of guy that will do everything and anything possible to help YOU out...yes you! Although a lot of my frat brothers think of me as an a**hole, I'm really a nice guy. I go out of my way to help them and anyone else. I love my fraternity and always will. Check out those Gammas. Most importantly, however, is mi familia. I will always love my familia and be proud of where I come from. I may have been born in Plainfield, NJ but my roots are from Colombia.

So get ready for Navaja at his best...p.s. I'm Navaja haha. Only my frat brother's know how I got the name Navaja. You can assume if you want but all you have to do is just ask, maybe I'll tell you.

2050 - Here we come!