Latina in Nashville: L is for Liberal

The L-Club, a group of progressives who gather to discuss the issues and causes du jour, got together on a Saturday night at La Iglesia Catolica de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (after finding a place to park) to talk about New Americans and the Dream Act.

Amelia Post, Youth Organizer for TIRRC, the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, and a group of youth working with JUMP, Jovenes Unidos para un Mejor Presente, gave the L-Club an in-depth view of life as an undocumented student. Some of these young people were brought to the United States as young as 2 years old while others came a little older. But regardless of who brought them or how they got here the struggles they face every day are the same. The simple task of getting around the city can easily become a misdemeanor that can then turn into deportation. Finding a college or university that will accept them is one hurdle, paying for higher education with little to no financial assistance or loans is another daunting task. Many undocumented students not only face a myriad of fears and obstacles, they also have to deal with shame. For starters, one doesn’t admit that he/she is undocumented because of the legal ramifications. But not having a social security number can also make a person feel less than whole. The inability to obtain an identification card with your name and photograph, the inability to leave the country for vacation, the inability to vote, and the inability to work and give back to the community that raised you can leave a young person feeling trapped, disabled, hopeless and ashamed.

The encouraging news is that TIRRC and JUMP are fighting for undocumented students and offer solidarity and support to students dealing with this very complex and controversial issue.

I remember how excited I was when my shiny new driver’s license was handed to me for the first time. There is no telling when these students will get to experience that same privilege. They need our financial and moral support. From now on I will think of them every time I touch my driver’s license. I hope you will too.

Latina in Nashville: Music

On Friday night I headed South to the popular Latin dance club, Ibiza Night Club, to hear the tunes of Revolfusion. My date was an hour late and the band didn’t start until midnight so the old lady in me was considering calling it quits. But I couldn’t. These guys are too good to walk out on.

I’ve been following this group as Kazique, and watched them gain momentum as Conexion Americas utilized their talent under the name Rumba to win the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville’s Corporate Band Challenge earlier this year. That exposure opened doors for the group to perform during the CMA Music Festival, to be the opening act for Los Lonely Boys at Live on the Green and to perform at the gorgeous Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

This has been a year of tremendous growth for this group. They are doing their own music with a very unique style and great lyrics. The band members are more in sync with each other and with the audience and the crowd responds to their beats every time. It also doesn’t hurt that they are nice to look at.

I’m under the impression that along with the name change the guys are getting increasingly serious about their gift. They’ve hit the recording studio recently for their first record, Machete Desembainao. If you haven't seen and heard the fun and energetic music Revolfusion delivers you should make it a New Year's resolution. I'm sure you'll join the rapidly growing group of Revol-lovers. Se te meteran en el pecho poquito a poco. Enjoy!