Hola!

I’m Federico Martinez, a reporter for The Blade. I’ve been called many things in my life: a migrant farm worker, a homeless teen-ager, a college professor and a news reporter.  What I am is a Chicano. Identity is important to me because I was born at a time, when speaking Spanish in public could result in expulsion from school, or denied employment; when brown skin made you an easy target for hateful, prejudice people. And still, I’m Chicano. 

The mission of Pulso Latino is simple: To record the “pulse” of the “Latino” community and provide "mi gente" (the Latino community)  an opportunity to be heard, recognized and celebrated.  We’ll be doing that in print and on this blog – chronicling our community’s achievements, our day-to-day joys and sorrows and yes, our challenges. 

If you have news, or an event - a quinceanera, a baptism, anniversary - for example, that you would like to be considered for publication please contact me at:fmartinez@theblade.com or 419-724-6154.

 Salud,

 Federico

 

Hola,

Soy Federico Martinez, reportero para The Blade. Se me ha llamado muchas cosas en mi vida: un migrante de fincas, un muchacho sin casa, un profesor de Universidad y un reportero de noticias. Lo que yo soy es un Chicano. Esta identidad es importante para mí, porque yo nací en un tiempo que hablando Español en el publico podía resultar en expulsión de la escuela, o un empleo negado; cuando tu piel oscura te hiso una marca fácil para la gente con odio. Y hoy todavía soy Chicano.

La misión del pulso latino para darle a mi gente una oportunidad hacer escuchado, reconocido y celebrado.

Si usted tiene noticias o eventos- una quinceañera, baptismo o aniversario- por ejemplo, que quieren que sea publicada por favor de contactar me a: fmartinez@theblade.com or 419-724-6154.

Salud,

Federico

 

Comments

[Dmurray]

Federico...Great blog idea. Toledo needs this.

[Larry Beach]

I looked up the definition of Chicano because, honestly, I didn't know what it meant. I now understand that you have parents from Mexico but you were born in America; which basically makes you an American. I'm curious, how many generations of your family have to be born in America to drop Latino and adopt American?

I ask this for a specific reason. I observe that most people who have a connection to Mexico consider themselves Latino regardless of how many generations have lived in America. However, There is never a reference to Spain, or being a Spaniard. I realize that many are truly decedents of Mexico, but for those that have Spanish roots, why stop at Mexico?

For instance, I traced my family tree back 6 generations to Ireland. I recognize that I have Irish roots, however I don't consider myself as Irish-American. I am simply an American.

I would love to hear your opinion.