The Latinx Collective 🙋🏽👨🏻👱🏾👩🏾👱🏻‍♀️: Unprecedented solutions for unprecedented times

Hey you,

It’s during times like these that we need positive stories to uplift us the most. The Latinx Collective was formed to empower Latinxers with stories, dialogue, and resources that sport a positive bent and we need these beacons now more than ever. Sure, our community has been hard-hit by the pandemic but we are resilient, and we’ll come out of this intact with firmer resolve and stronger community ties.

And now an announcement: I am proud to welcome my talented friend Bogar Alonso as a contributor to the newsletter, starting with this issue! Bogar is a poet, writer, editor, content marketer, and filmmaker who hails from mid-Mexico and the Midwest. His work has appeared on Vice, Gizmodo, Bustle, Splinter, The Huffington Post, and Complex. If you want to get in touch with him, hit him up about anything related to vegan Mexican food, deep-cut global tunes, and loud shirts. 🤗

For this issue, Bogar compiled a little collection of recipes, pastime ideas, chronicles, and virtual resources that will make passing the time a little easier for you. If you have anything you’d like to submit for a future newsletter, whether it’s a resource, a special recipe or a Latinx business or service we can all support, or to be a guest curator, send an email to Elisabeth: thelatinxcollective@gmail.com

Sending you socially-distant abrazos,

Bogar Alonso + Elisabeth Rosario

THIS WEEK’S SIX—PLUS A BONUS PUPUSA RECIPE

Edition #52 curated by Bogar Alonso

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1. Latino frontline workers are honored with new rendition of Spanish U.S. national anthem

Did you know that one of FDR’s biggest regrets was not being able to speak Spanish? Did you also know that under his direction, the U.S. State Department commissioned a Spanish version of the U.S. national anthem? Known as “El Pendón Estrellado,” this particular version of the anthem doesn’t quite get the air time its English counterpart does, but that may soon change with Jeidimar Rijos’s interpretation. Made to pay homage to the Latinx medical workers and food producers on the frontlines, this moving acknowledgement is a stirring reminder of the many contributions our community has made over the decades to the United States. www.hiplatina.com Tweet this article

2. Lotería, or Mexican Bingo, sees a social distancing boon

With all of us shuttered in and many of us riding the wave of nostalgia at max speed, the famous Mexican board game is seeing a bit of a revival. (Unless you were already used to playing it with the homies every weekend, of course). The game’s best played while in a small group but please play it with roommates, significant others, or family you’re already sheltering in place with. Or, better yet, organize a Zoom Lotería party, and invite the whole neighborhood. Aside from the nostalgic appeal, it really does make for the perfect pandemic pastime: 1) Many a Latinx household already owns a set 2) You can use your quarantine stockpile of rice and beans as game markers 3) Yelling “¡Lotería!” at the top of your lungs is one of the best feelings in the world, and will help relieve some of your sheltering-in-place stress! www.oprahmag.com Tweet this article

3. This year’s Los Angeles Latino International Film Fest goes virtual

What better time is there to indulge in the best feature movies, short films, and live music Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and the United States have to offer?Committed to letting the show go on despite social distancing measures, the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) is streaming a virtual edition from May 5-31, replete with some of the best work from Latinx filmmakers and creatives. Cinephiles can immerse themselves in this year’s programming without endangering their health or leaving their couch. As Edward James Olmos, LALIFF’s founder, tells it: “We are living in unprecedented times and we must find unprecedented solutions to continue to support our Latino filmmakers and provide them with a platform to showcase their work. Working together with our filmmakers, musicians, partners and sponsors we will be able to celebrate our festival virtually to continue to showcase some of the most inspiring and thought-provoking Latino films of 2020 and share with cinephiles everywhere, from the safety of their homes.” www.latimes.com Tweet this article

4. An online summit for side hustlers

Want to learn how to start a side hustle for under $100 while under quarantine? Then, The Side Hustle Summit was tailor-made for you.  Organized by Jannese Torres-Rodriguez, the week-long virtual summit will teach attendees how to use low-cost resources and tools to make extra money through the power of the internet. As Torres-Rodriguez explains, attendees will “walk away feeling inspired and empowered to create streams of income that align with their passions.” Plus, given the state of the economy and the extra time on our hands, this might be the perfect time for those with an entrepreneurial mindset to start that side hustle you’ve been daydreaming about. www.belatina.com Tweet this article

5. The new Latinx-focused Nuestro PAC will mobilize Latinx voters in key battleground states

Though Presidential candidate and Latinx darling Bernie Sanders has dropped out of the 2020 race, a Latinx-focused super PAC has emerged to take up the baton for Latinx voters. Bernie gained a healthy following amongst the Latinx community largely because of political strategist Chuck Rocha, who helped the Vermont Senator win Nevada and California in the Democratic Primary.  Rocha says: “Throughout Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential race, Solidarity Strategies showed how to build an effective strategy for Latino outreach and mobilization.” Through his firm Solidarity Strategies, Rocha intends to continue his trailblazing work by mobilizing Latinx voters in battleground states like Michigan, Wisconsin, Florida, Nevada and Pennsylvania. If successful, Rocha will force the political establishment to consider the Latinx voting bloc as they draft new political platforms and legislature. www.thehill.com Tweet this article

6. The power of food in the Latinx community: Restaurant owners, social media campaigns feed first responders and the needy 

Social initiatives across the United States are helping the Latinx community, including Latinx restaurant owners and first responders, during a time of need. The Dine Latino Take-Out Weekend initiative in Philly encouraged city dwellers to support their local Latinx-owned food spots by ordering take-out and delivery. Meanwhile, in South Florida, an Honduran immigrant is offering 150 free lunches on a daily basis to Latinx families who might have relied on public school systems for breakfast and lunch before. In Chicago, the Latinx owners of a small bar & grill donated meals to over 1,000 first responders working at Norwegian American Hospital, 14th District Police Station, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the National Guard. Apart from being amazing works of solidarity, the initiatives show just how much weight food has for us in the Latinx community, and how it can be used as a powerful healing tool when needed. www.philahispanicchamber.org Tweet this article

7. Sink your teeth into a homemade pupusa

As mentioned above, Latinx-owned restaurants around the country are coping with the crisis in their own ways. San Diego-based Salvadoran Restaurant Cuscatlan has shared their family recipe for pupusas as a token of neighborly love. Yum. If you’re in San Diego and want to help support a local establishment, Cuscatlan remains open for delivery and takeout orders Sunday through Friday, 10am to 8pm. www.remezcla.com Tweet this article

Appreciate you checking out this week’s issue. Forward this to friends or family so they can join you in celebrating the everyday contributions the Latinx community is making. Some other actions you can take:

• Check out our directory of Latinx business owners. Follow the instructions to submit your info if you’d like to be added. If you want to support the household economy of Latinx business owner, check it out and purchase directly from them. It’s free.

• Post this tweet and share any of the articles above and tag us on social media– we’re on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

• Keep an eye on our events page. If you’d like to co-host a virtual event with us or become a newsletter sponsor, reply to this email.