Friday, December 16, 2005
Just when I say something nice ...
Torn between his loyalties to the "mother land" of the U.S., and his Dominican upbringing, A-Rod has instead decided to duck out of the World Baseball Classic next year, it is reported on MSNBC.com.
"After thoughtful deliberations with my family, I am announcing my decision to withdraw from the World Baseball Classic," A-Rod told The New York Post. "When faced with the decision to choose between my country, the United States of America, and my Dominican heritage, I decided I will not dishonor either."
This sounds like it was written by the guy who wrote TO's apology.
Come on A-Rod. Mike Piazza, born in Pennsylvania, is playing for Italy. Last time I checked we celebrate people's heritage in this country. If I ever see you dancing merengue at a club, you'd better be eating a piece of apple pie as well!
"After thoughtful deliberations with my family, I am announcing my decision to withdraw from the World Baseball Classic," A-Rod told The New York Post. "When faced with the decision to choose between my country, the United States of America, and my Dominican heritage, I decided I will not dishonor either."
This sounds like it was written by the guy who wrote TO's apology.
Come on A-Rod. Mike Piazza, born in Pennsylvania, is playing for Italy. Last time I checked we celebrate people's heritage in this country. If I ever see you dancing merengue at a club, you'd better be eating a piece of apple pie as well!
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
A-Rod to play with Dominican team
Born and raised in New York city to Dominican parents, Alex Rodriguez announced he will likely play for the Dominican Republic in next year’s inaugural World Baseball Classic.
This is a good example of how we Latinos associate with our home country, even if we weren't born there. This sense of pride or nationalism is very prominent, and is an effective emotion to tap into for marketers seeking to target specific Latinos. I've already mentioned the World Cup next year, which we will no doubt go crazy over like we always do.
What am I talking about? Heed this quote from A-Rod in the AP story picked up by MSNBC.com:
“I think the Latino teams are going to have a major advantage. I think that American team might take it more like an exhibition and these guys are kind of playing for their religion down there, the pride of their country.”
This is a good example of how we Latinos associate with our home country, even if we weren't born there. This sense of pride or nationalism is very prominent, and is an effective emotion to tap into for marketers seeking to target specific Latinos. I've already mentioned the World Cup next year, which we will no doubt go crazy over like we always do.
What am I talking about? Heed this quote from A-Rod in the AP story picked up by MSNBC.com:
“I think the Latino teams are going to have a major advantage. I think that American team might take it more like an exhibition and these guys are kind of playing for their religion down there, the pride of their country.”
Citibank jumps on the low-cost remittances bandwagon
The remittance industry has now exceeded $30 billion and banks are increasingly looking to offer low cost (or free in Bank of America's case) transfers as a way to lure Hispanics, who often have a lower propensity to use banks than non-Hispanics.
Citibank just announced their program. For example, they partnered with a bank from Ecuador and is offering transfers of up to $3,000 for a flat fee of $5. Using Western Union can cost that much just to send $100.
The article is in today's New York Sun.
Citibank just announced their program. For example, they partnered with a bank from Ecuador and is offering transfers of up to $3,000 for a flat fee of $5. Using Western Union can cost that much just to send $100.
The article is in today's New York Sun.
Speaking Spanish in School Student Sues
Lorenzo Rubio, the father of Zachariah who was suspended for speaking Spanish in school has sued the school district and its officials for violating his Zach's civil rights, according to an article in the Kansas City Star.
In the article, Chuck Chionuma, who is representing the Rubios, said Zach's constitutional rights under federal and state laws were violated when he was suspended.
“Zach was punished for being Hispanic,” Chionuma said. “He was suspended from school and lost two days of his education. His only offense was being Hispanic and speaking his native language.”
Buena suerte Zach!
In the article, Chuck Chionuma, who is representing the Rubios, said Zach's constitutional rights under federal and state laws were violated when he was suspended.
“Zach was punished for being Hispanic,” Chionuma said. “He was suspended from school and lost two days of his education. His only offense was being Hispanic and speaking his native language.”
Buena suerte Zach!
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Diabetes curbed through the "lottery"
Here is a good example of considering cultural relevance and not just language when developing something for the Hispanic community ...
An educational board game called Lotería de Diabetes, or Diabetes Bingo, and designed to help Latino children and adults learn about diabetes prevention has won the 2005 National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Communications Award for creative excellence, according to an article on Jackson County News.com.
Lotería de Diabetes is based on a traditional Mexican game of chance called Lotería - similar to Bingo - and was developed by the Oregon State University Extension Service.
Diabetes is the fifth-deadliest disease in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that 21 million people in the United States have the disease, which disproportionately affects Latinos. More than 8 percent of Latinos over 20 - about 2 million people in that demographic alone - have diabetes.
An educational board game called Lotería de Diabetes, or Diabetes Bingo, and designed to help Latino children and adults learn about diabetes prevention has won the 2005 National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Communications Award for creative excellence, according to an article on Jackson County News.com.
Lotería de Diabetes is based on a traditional Mexican game of chance called Lotería - similar to Bingo - and was developed by the Oregon State University Extension Service.
Diabetes is the fifth-deadliest disease in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that 21 million people in the United States have the disease, which disproportionately affects Latinos. More than 8 percent of Latinos over 20 - about 2 million people in that demographic alone - have diabetes.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Immigration hits 5-year high
Forbes.com just ran an Associated Press article about the boom in immigration -- legal and illegal -- based on a new report by the Center for Immigration Studies, the nation's only think tank devoted exclusively to research and policy analysis of the economic, social, demographic, fiscal, and other impacts of immigration.
The report found that 7.9 million people moved to the United States in the past five years, the highest five-year period of immigration on record. The report comes as the U.S. House of Representatives looks at a bill to curb illegal immigration by boosting border security and requiring workplace enforcement of immigration laws.
Of the 35.2 million foreign-born people in the United States, based on the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey from March, an estimated 9 million to 13 million are here illegally.
The report found that 7.9 million people moved to the United States in the past five years, the highest five-year period of immigration on record. The report comes as the U.S. House of Representatives looks at a bill to curb illegal immigration by boosting border security and requiring workplace enforcement of immigration laws.
Of the 35.2 million foreign-born people in the United States, based on the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey from March, an estimated 9 million to 13 million are here illegally.
