Check out this chat we had with Rodrigo about the duo's influences and aspirations for their new album and tour. Guitar wonders Rodrigo Y Gabriela start their world tour today!

Isn't everyone excited! So many great minds coming together to finally put Cesar Chavez' life on the big screen!

(flickr: FatimaMINT)

via Huffington Post

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After a week of losing heavyweight corporate sponsors like Coca-Cola and Wendy's, the American Legislative Exchange Council has disbanded its Voter ID and 'Stand Your Own Ground' task force. It stated it wants to focus on economic instead of social issues. 

(Flickr: watchingfrogsboil)

via The Nation

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Joe Arpaio has recently revived the birther movement. In a press conference Arpaio stated that President Obama's birth certificate is likely a fake. Ridiculous, we know. 

But all this seems like a strange strategy for Arpaio as the Department of Justice's patience is running low. Arpaio has refused an independent investigator into his office to investigate complaints of civil rights abuses. Thus, the Dept. of Justice has cut off negotiations as is threatening to sew.

It has recently been reported that Mexican undocumented immigration to the United States has reached net zero, that is that amount of people leaving equals the amount of people entering. Heightened border militarization and a shaky economy have forced many immigrants reconsidering life in the U.S. The net zero reality isn't much reflected in the persistent moral panic about immigration. Does the murder of two undocumented immigrants by armed vigilantes in camouflage garb reflect an reasonable American concern about the effects immigration or perceived fear founded on racism?

(flickr: allen ormond)

via Phoenix New Times

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There's been a lot of buzz about the latino voter influence in the november elections. Yet it's hard to really tell how much influence it will have. Latino voter registrations are super low and dissilusionment pretty high. A group of political scientist have taken all of this and more into account and may have come up with a formula to to measure the latino influence. Read the poll report and projections here.

via NBC Latino

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The awesome Colbert Super Pac has produced a commercial to help the GOP "capture the Latino vote instead of their current strategy of capturing Latinos." Hilariously accurate in highlighting the absurd strategy of the Republicans.

How do you self-identify? Latino/a? Hispanic? By race? By nationality? A new Pew Hispanic Center report says 'Hispanic,' and 'Latino' labels are not embrace by those it seeks to identify. Nationality much more preferred. 

via PewHispanic.Org

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We then have some special goodies for the highest monthly point earners!

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Gun Hill Road is the bold story of an ex-con father coming home to Latino Bronx after some years. With gusto and clarity the father is ready to rebuild but he hits a stalwart challenge when he finds out his teenage child is transgender.

Recently the Justice Dept. blocked voter ID laws in Texas and Wisconsin, citing history of voter discrimination in each respective state. These are great victories, BUT there are currently other states with voter id laws or states that are moving forward with voter id legislation! These states are preventing lawful voters from practicing their right! Are you eligible to vote in your state? Visit campusprogress.org/voter_id for news and resources! - ¡Cuentame!

Gay siblings, Samantha and Guillermo, sit down with their mother and let us in on their honest conversation. The intricacies of a gay family member has an important impact on the whole family; being gay is a family affair. The Moreno family presents a framework that does not hold Latino family culture and homosexuality mutually exclusive. Challenging yet hopeful, the Moreno family is an example of how an honest conversation changes the family dynamic, for the better.

Discuss: Facebook.com/Cuentame

Latinos took a big hit during the recession. Immigration reform is on the back burner. Latinos have been violently targeted. And that's with a Democrat in the White House. Will disillusionment keep Latinos from the poll or bring them to the polls?

(Flickr: remydwd)

via Univision News

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Univision, Telemundo, Mun2, and MundoFox oh my! So much new Latino programming and networks in Spanish, English, and Spanglish. Between 2011 and 2012 upfront season Latino networks brought in $88 in new business.

Could this be the beginning of a golden age in Latino representation or will non-Latino executives and corporate models be an issue?

(Flickr: panamamusic)

via Variety

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Corporation can really suck. Money hungry politician can aslo suck. Corporations and money hungry politicians, the sucking is at black hole proportions. Case in point. The American Legislative Exchange Council is a partnership between state law makers and corporations. They're behind anti-immigration laws, voter ID laws, AND as is reported here, "stand your ground laws."

(Flickr: werthmedia, donkeyhotey)

via The Nation