Category: culture

culture, Writing

Unlearning Patriarchy: The Deconstruction of Traditional Gender Roles

  The emotional, sexual, and psychological stereotyping of females begins when the doctor says, “It’s a girl.” ― Shirley Chisholm When I was about 11 or 12 I saw my cousin get her face punched in by her husband in front of an abandoned gas station. It was a warm summer night and the normally loud Brooklyn neighborhood was uncharacteristically quiet save for two crack … Continue reading Unlearning Patriarchy: The Deconstruction of Traditional Gender Roles

Nancy Arroyo Ruffin3 Comments
culture, Current Events, Events, Politics

Habla Y Vota: The HBO Documentary On the Power Of Voting in the Latino Community

What I appreciated most about this documentary and the way it was presented is its willingness to showcase how one vote does indeed matter. By allowing us to look at the challenges others in our community face, albeit coming from celebrities, it revealed that when it comes to things like immigration, healthcare, and employment we are all equally impacted by the decisions and policies put in place by our government officials and lawmakers. There are 27 million registered Hispanic voters in this country. Could you imagine if you put 27 million people in one room how loud we would be? That’s what your vote does. It allows you to be heard. So the more of us who vote, the louder we are, and the more they cannot ignore us. Continue reading Habla Y Vota: The HBO Documentary On the Power Of Voting in the Latino Community

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culture, Current Events, Personal, Writing

#NoALaJunta: Puerto Rico’s Government Appointed Fiscal Control Boards Meets for the First Time in NYC Amid Protests

  It’s a wet grey morning in New York City. It’s raining. I’m cold and I’m tired. Despite the dreariness of the day I trudge on and don’t allow these things to stop me from attending Comité Boricua’s call to action against Congress’ decision to impose the Puerto Rico Oversight Management and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) on the Puerto Rican people. This morning the government … Continue reading #NoALaJunta: Puerto Rico’s Government Appointed Fiscal Control Boards Meets for the First Time in NYC Amid Protests

Nancy Arroyo Ruffin4 Comments
culture, Events, Fashion

Latinas of the New School: How Millenial Latinas Connect

What do you get when you combine some of today’s dopest millennial Latinas, a chic industrial loft-style space overlooking the Brooklyn waterfront, and sponsorships from some of the best brands in the business? You get the Latinas of the New School Dinner hosted by the founders of The Latina Connect. Verky Arcos Baldonado (Editor-At-Large for Latina Magazine), Ericka Tapia (founder of Brooklyn Jewelgasm), and Qiana … Continue reading Latinas of the New School: How Millenial Latinas Connect

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culture, Current Events, Inspirational, Real Talk With Nancy, Spotlight Latino

Angie Martinez: How the Voice of New York Found Her Voice

The book begins with a foreward by rapper J. Cole and while some criticized Angie’s decision to have a relatively new artist open up the book I can understand why she chose to go with J. Cole rather than with someone more seasoned. Through his perspective, Cole looks to Martinez as the hip-hop icon she is. He recognizes her contribution to the culture describing her as being “cut from the original cloth”, a cloth that was “more honest, more curious, more genuine.” He refers to a time when hip-hop was brave and fearless and not at all consumed by first week album sales. A stark contrast to the big business money machine it has become. It is a description of an era that made Angie, myself, and many other inner city kids fall in love with hip-hop. Continue reading Angie Martinez: How the Voice of New York Found Her Voice

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