Latinx Visions

Latinx Speculative Narratives: Graphic Novel

In this episode we discuss the graphic novel Low, Low Woods. First, we provide a synopsis of the book along with brief introductions of its authors: Carmen Maria Machado and artist Dani. In the context of this graphic novel, Rojo conducts an ecological and feminist analysis of body horror, with particular attention to the different meanings and representations of sinkholes. Rebecca then focuses on gaslighting as a form of psychological abuse and considers how one of the protagonists, Vee, engages in what might be considered self-gaslighting, as a form of self-preservation, but also how water serves as a symbol for gaslighting from the men of the town.

 

Follow the podcast:

Twitter and Instagram: @LatinxVisions

 

Transcript

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Hosts: Rojo Robles and Rebecca L. Salois

Logo Design: Marcos Toledo

Music: Shawn P. Russell

Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell

Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois

Social Media and Transcripts: Jasmine Mojica

Latinx Speculative Narratives: Podcast - La Brega w/Alana Casanova-Burgess

Today, we are in conversation with Alana Casanova-Burgess, co-creator, host, and producer of WNYC Studios’ La Brega: Stories from the Puerto Rican Experience. 

This conversation was recorded on May 2nd, 2024 in front of a live audience of our students and colleagues and it was sponsored by The Harman Program at Baruch College. Special thanks to Esther Allen and Elena Martínez for organizing the event and inviting us to participate.

At the beginning, the conversation focuses on Casanova-Burguess’s podcast. Then, it explores the speculative sci-fi episode “The Moon’s Distance/La Distancia de la Luna” from the second season of La Brega, co-written with the Puerto Rican writer, editor and scholar Sergio Gutiérrez Negrón.

We also feature a guest co-host this month, our colleague, Dr. Harold Ramdass, a Lecturer in the English Department here at Baruch and Rojo's co-instructor for the Feit Interdisciplinary Seminar course Performing the Caribbean, which they taught during the spring 2024 semester.

Transcript

Follow the podcast:

Twitter and Instagram: @LatinxVisions

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Hosts: Rojo Robles and Rebecca L. Salois

Logo Design: Marcos Toledo

Music: Shawn P. Russell

Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell

Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois

Social Media: Jasmine Mojica

Latinx Speculative Narratives: Short Stories

Bienvenidas, bienvenidos, bienvenides! Welcome back to season 7 of the podcast! This season our focus is on speculative narratives. 

In this episode, we start by defining speculative fiction and speculative narratives. Then, we share some background information on each of the authors and collections of short stories we are analyzing today. During the main segment of the episode, Rojo explores how Chilean writer Roberto Bolaño uses the speculative genre to unpack and critique the influence of fascism en las Américas and Rebecca considers the ways in which monster stories can be re-written as a tool for women’s empowerment. And as we have done in past seasons, we wrap up with a section in which we connect the short story choices we have made to one another.

 

Follow the podcast:

Twitter and Instagram: @LatinxVisions

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Hosts: Rojo Robles and Rebecca L. Salois

Logo Design: Marcos Toledo

Music: Shawn P. Russell

Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell

Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois

Bonus: New York Comic Con - 2023

Bienvenidas, bienvenidos, bienvenides! Welcome back everyone. As mentioned in the previous student episode from July, today we will be sharing a bonus episode from New York Comic Con in 2023. 

The panel took place on Thursday, October 12th, 2023 and was titled, “Comics in College, Pop-Culture Pedagogy, and Fandom Final Projects.” Participants included professors Asif Saddiqi, Jennifer Caroccio Maldonado, Michelle Crowley, and your Latinx Visions co-host, Rebecca Salois.

Panel Slides

Student Special #9

In this episode we feature student projects by LTS 1003 students Jasmin Reyes and Jose Perez, and LTS 3012 student Ashanti Charon.

 

First is Jasmin’s episode on Gender-based violence in Haiti. She sheds light on some of the different forms of gender based violence in the country and addresses topics including intimate partner violence, violence after the 2010 earthquake and more.

Next, Ashanti discusses the prevalence of sexism within Hispanic folklore and the role of women in Latinx monster stories. She considers why women are more frequently portrayed as monstrous in these stories then are their male counterparts. 

Finally, Jose looks into the relationship between the US and Cuba and the effects of the US trade embargo on the island, specifically as they relate to Cuba’s economy, and the impact on Cubans during the Special Period after the collapse of the USSR.

 

Follow the podcast:

Twitter and Instagram: @LatinxVisions

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Hosts: Rojo Robles and Rebecca L. Salois

Logo Design: Marcos Toledo

Music: Shawn P. Russell

Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell

Editing: Rebecca L. Salois

Latinx Climate Activism: Public Lands and Water Equity w/GreenLatinos

Bienvenidas, bienvenidos, bienvenides. Welcome back, everyone! Today, we are in conversation with Olivia Juarez and Val Z. Schull from GreenLatinos. GreenLatinos is a national non-profit organization that brings together Latine leaders committed to addressing environmental and conservation issues that affect the well-being of Latine communities in the US. This interview was recorded on Friday, April 5th, via Zoom. Before the interview, we will share some background information on GreenLatinos, including the organization’s vision and mission, and brief bios on our two guests. After the interview, we will return to share our thoughts and key takeaways from the conversation.

Here are some links related to the information shared in the episode:

• Prescribed fire practices in Yosemite
• Azul 2022 US Latinos and the Ocean Poll
• Banda and Mazatlan
• Colaborativo40
• Justicia y Equidad fund
• GreenLatinos Urban Greening Initiative

 

Follow the podcast:

Twitter and Instagram: @LatinxVisions

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Hosts: Rojo Robles and Rebecca L. Salois

Logo Design: Marcos Toledo

Music: Shawn P. Russell

Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell

Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois

Latinx Climate Activism, Farm Workers and COVID-19 w/Jennifer Martinez-Medina

In this episode, we are joined by scholar and activist, Dr. Jennifer Martinez-Medina. We recorded this conversation on Friday March 22nd, 2024 over Zoom. Dr. Martinez-Medina is an Assistant Professor of Politics, Policy, Law and Ethics at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. Our discussion touches on various aspects of her research and work, with a focus on the effects of the climate crisis on farm workers in Oregon. Before the interview, we will share a bit of background on Dr. Martinez-Medina, her research, her public works, and the ways in which she engages in both simultaneously. After the interview has concluded, we will be back to share our thoughts and key takeaways from the conversation.

 

Follow the podcast:

Twitter and Instagram: @LatinxVisions

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Hosts: Rojo Robles and Rebecca L. Salois

Logo Design: Marcos Toledo

Music: Shawn P. Russell

Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell

Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois

Activismo climático latino y literatura con Xavier Valcárcel

Bienvenidas, bienvenidos, bienvenides, al segundo episodio de la sexta temporada centrada en el activismo climático. Hoy presentamos otro episodio en español, esta vez con un enfoque en la literatura y poéticas que se concentran en temas climáticos. Iniciaremos el episodio introduciendo a nuestro invitado, Xavier Valcarcel. Compartiremos algunos datos biográficos para darles una idea de su trabajo. Después daremos paso a la entrevista que tuvo lugar el 9 de febrero de este año, 2024, por Zoom. Terminaremos, como siempre, con nuestras reflexiones sobre la conversación.

 

Follow the podcast:

Twitter and Instagram: @LatinxVisions

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Hosts: Rojo Robles and Rebecca L. Salois

Logo Design: Marcos Toledo

Music: Shawn P. Russell

Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell

Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois

Latinx Climate Activism and Comics with Anthony Otero

Today we begin our sixth season of Latinx Visions. This semester we are considering Latinx Climate Activism and are speaking with different individuals and organizations about the connections between culture, community, and climate. We are speaking with writers, creators, and activists on how they engage with and bring attention to the climate crisis.

 

In this episode, we share a conversation we had with Afro-Latino writer and podcaster, Anthony Otero on Friday, February 2nd, 2024. Otero joined us at Baruch for an in-person conversation about his short-form comic publications and how they connect to the concept of climate activism.

 

Follow the podcast:

Twitter and Instagram: @LatinxVisions

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Hosts: Rojo Robles and Rebecca L. Salois

Logo Design: Marcos Toledo

Music: Shawn P. Russell

Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell

Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois

Student Special #8

In this special student episode, we feature projects by LTS 1003 students Samantha Lopez, Zittlali Tepezila Bonilla, and Fareha Othiye. First we hear from Samantha who considers the many different labels used by people of Latin American descent in the United States. She discusses the popularity of these terms, the generational expectations surrounding these terms, and the general awareness of words like Latinx within Latin American communities recognizing that there is no “one-size-fits-all” label. This is followed by Zittlali and Fareha’s conversation about the Mexican education system. In particular, they look at the overall structure of education in Mexico compared with the United States and some of the many issues affecting students in Mexico, especially as it relates to resources and accessibility for students of all socio-economic backgrounds.

 

 

Follow the podcast:

Twitter and Instagram: @LatinxVisions

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hosts: Rojo Robles and Rebecca L. Salois

Logo Design: Marcos Toledo

Music: Shawn P. Russell

Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell

Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois