Journal 1: What is this? What is ahead?

Multi-Ethnic reporting seemed to be an interesting course to take. After a few weeks of class, I can say that it is composed of an exiting project, but also a very challenging one. Reisner applies his expertise in pushing everyone to his or her own limits and beyond. This may be the worst experience for many, but I think that after getting over the possible intimidation exercise by the professor, you realize that it is all about challenging views based on good argumentation and facts. I also believe that example is the best way to teach, so we are probably going to be constantly put on the spot just to learn our journalism craft.

All this said, the most challenging part of the class is getting familiar with your unknown places and people. It is much easier to say it than to do it. I present myself as someone that can be anywhere in the metro Miami area. I didn’t do this to show off, but because I truly feel sometimes that Miami can be my patio, but the truth is that I am very far from that reality. I may know a few places and even consider myself an open-minded person not afraid of diversity. However, I am finding out that I am still new in Miami. This reflection has a direct relation with my ongoing project.

I choose a lesbian bar as my listening post because I have never been in one. Also because, I am subconsciously, or even consciously bias about gays and lesbians. A third reason is that strong character women tend to intimidate me, and I don’t know if every lesbian is tough, but at least I have that perception.

Anyway, this is not suppose to be about me, but about what I see and whom I find. Hopefully, it will be a new reality that teaches me something that can be useful. We’ll see. So far the class is more than attractive.

Opinion: Xenophobia at FIU?

Xenophobia is described in the Webster dictionary as “Fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything that is strange or foreign,” and FIU stands for Florida International University. So, my question is, can xenophobia and FIU be compatible? According to Diaz, columnist of the Beacon, yes, they can. You can read the article on your own to understand this reasoning. I know that it is on the opinion section of the Beacon, and I know to respect everyone’s opinion. However it is, at least, interesting to find a student of this “international” university to advocate against immigrants. Xenophobia is not racism, he points out, but isn’t the only difference that one discriminates by color of skin and the other by the place where you were born? I understand that everyone has its own political ideology, but is it necessary to glorify the leaders you choose to follow even when they seem to go against your own roots? I am not in favor of illegal immigration, but I cannot pretend to solve that problem with fascism chants that are very far from reality. And especially if your last name is Diaz, if you look 95 % Hispanic and you study at an “international" university.
Ps: I just hope your piece was entirely satirical. Ha, what a bad joke.

http://fiusm.com/2010/09/01/pearls-of-wisdom-inspired-by-captain-j-jingo-xenophobia-the-new-amercan-ideal/

Opinion: From the taco stereotype to the price of meat, the history of ranchos and everything else that matters

“By the eye the food gets eaten,” used to say my grandma right before placing on the table a dish of Peruvian beans and pork with a mountain of white rice and a splash of red onions. I knew it was delicious without even trying it. Today, I apply that same concept to “by the food the culture is known,” and this can be a problem, especially if you don’t know the cook. My grandma could be trusted any day in the kitchen, but could I trust a white American reporter writing about Cinco de Mayo or any outsider’s celebration? Well, the real question is, do people want to know anything else than nachos, pinata and tequila on Cinco de Mayo? And who knows better about drinking Coronas and eating at Taco Bell than...pretty much any American? Nothing wrong with the cold beers but the image of Mexico as a big cantina expands, penetrates and stays. So, every time it’s the same story--one with jalapenos, one with corn tortilla, one with tacos al pastor-- and the image of a culture gets printed in salsa and cheese. And what about Montezuma and Pancho Villa? Who are those guys? Just get me a quesadilla. Puebla? Where is that? This is Cinco de Mayo and what were the French doing in Mexico anyway? President Calderon? Yeah, I heard of him, but I prefer the chicken burritos. And here is where the problem is: it is easier, faster and maybe more accessible to write about enchiladas than Mexican politics or history. However, the food is great to get us at the table, then should come the talk. I know the guacamole is very good, but why don’t you tell me if Mexico produces a lot of avocados, if the corruption has declined in the last year, or if the education system benefits from the drug cartel’s money? Well, my grandma used to say “after good food, good conversation is the desert.”