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Elizabeth_Espinosa's Blog

by Elizabeth_Espinosa from Los Angeles

Last Post 276 days, 3 hours Ago


Marches, protests, banners....those are all words to describe what has happened in Los Angeles the last couple of days. Of course I am talking about the immigration reform rallies we have seen across the country... My assignment has been "student walkouts"...I have to tell you the kids I have talked to so far (most from Roosevelt High) have been very reasonable. They are passionate about their beliefs and although most are not as articulate as they could be about the issue, you have to give them credit for having an opinion. Yes, some just walk out to walk out, that's clearly inappropriate, but there are those who want to learn and really make a difference. In that spirit, I want to share with you my award "Woman of the Year" by the Mexican American opportunity Foundation (MAOF) last week. Please click here to link up to the story...

Elizabeth is seen here with the First Lady of Mexico, Margarita Zavala.

Elizabeth is photogenic with Corina Villaraigosa.

I want to thank everyone who was kind and loving enough to congratulate me for this award. Even though the award was given to me, I believe it also belongs to every person who has touched my life and helped me get ahead in my darkest moments. Often times we think we are self sufficient and don't need anyone to get ahead, but as I stated so in my address at the MAOF luncheon, a crowd of over 1200 people , at one point or another we will all need one another. It's not rocket science, it's not charity, it's simply the way things are--like it or not.

So on this note...talk to me, tell me your thoughts on the student marches and what you feel students should do the effect change...

Also, who are you thankful for? And what awards have you earned that you are proud of?

Talk to you soon...

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Member Comments Total Comments: 36
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ddain read my blog view my photos
May 4, 2007 | 12:48 PM

First of all...I'm a little bit intimidated here. Normally I have no problem writing to Elizabeth, but she's got this title of "Woman Of The Year" now. I mean, that's big time. I'll be honest, I've won the "Man Of The Year" award often, but only in my own mind, where I'm a legend.

First off, congratulations E. To win a prestigious award is tremendous.

Secondly, I don't have a problem with students who march because it's a cause that they're knowledgeable about and truly believe in. But to walk out of school just to get out of school is stupid. Voting is a good way to make your voice heard and perhaps writing to these "leaders" will help them realize that things need to be changed.

MissJewels212
May 4, 2007 | 1:36 PM

Elizabeth! It was so great to meet you at MAOF! Congratulations once again on the award. It was definitely well-deserved. Not only are you beautiful and talented, but you are truly an inspiration to all Latinas who aspire to be something in this world. I agree with your thoughts on the walk-outs...I feel some of these students walk out just to miss school, but I have a lot of respect for those who are passionate about their beliefs...it takes a lot of courage. Again, it was great to meet you and thanks for being an inspiration to all of us! Un abrazo!

samo714 read my blog view my photos
May 4, 2007 | 2:54 PM

I’m so happy for you on getting such an amazing award. It’s something to be proud of. I’m just wondering if you’re going to put it on a necklace and carry it around you 24/7. Show it off to anyone who doesn't know that your "women of the year". I would. J/k.

I don't think it isn't cool for kids to be skipping school to go out and march. I feel this way for many reasons. One being that 1/2 of them is doing it to just skip school. I also think it's dangerous. They could be attack, ran over by a car, or even kidnapped and raped. Who knows? I also think if they really want to help, they could use the time they would have wasted on marching in creating posters, writing letters, passing out flyers. Anything to catch the attention of people that don't know what's going on. They need to show them why it's important they get involved.

I guess the biggest thing that I ever received was my degree in science in the field of computer aided design and drafting. That was pretty cool, plus I received it at the same place that Sebastian Bach just did the production of Jesus Christ superstar. Sebastian is one of my favorite singers.

As for people that I’m thankful for???? Not many there. I hate allot of people. J/k. well of course my cousin Jr. He’s the best. My lil sisters bean and Isa. my older sister bannana. and my two oldest sisters doorbell and Marissa. My mom and dad, ogie, Nina, Mimi, Julian. and of course my good friends Eileen, Ericka, Vicky, sal, dayana (aka changa, bloodstain Dana, my lil babushka),margy, and of course a extra big thanks to Sabrina (aka chippy, chippa,

samo714 read my blog view my photos
May 4, 2007 | 2:57 PM

part 2

) without any of them I would be nothing. I also like to thank myself for being so cool. I’m great, I know it, and everyone knows it. I’m the best from the west, the beast from the east. I am the people’s champion. I know I have millions and millions of peeps all around the world. I am the icon, the immortal one. I am the game. I am Mr. Monday night, the whole f'n show. Mr. Pay per view. The innovator of violence. The king of sting, the master of disaster. The colossus, the cerebral assassin. I’m just great. Too many great things to say about myself, but I’m thankful that I’m this great. I’m bigger then jebus (yes I called him jebus). Thank you, thank you, and thank you all. I don’t think I’m a bit all cocky.

dasvics read my blog view my photos
May 4, 2007 | 4:17 PM

First of all, congratulations on your award.
As a mom of two teenage girls, 16 & 15, I was so proud to learn that neither of them walked out the first time. At that time we didn't even know about the plan to do so. The second time, both my girls not only refused to follow the others, but tried to talk them out of it. See, I explained to my daughters, that there are good legal ways to express yourself that dont require you to break any school rules or state laws, like walking aout of your school does. Not only do these kids break the rules at school for being TRUANT, and DEFIENT towards teachers and principals-they are also breaking state laws that REQUIRE students to be IN school along with others I'm not even aware of. Oh please don't give me that excuse "it's for my cause". Their "cause" as young students should be GETTING AN EDUCATION, RESPECTING THEIR TEACHERS, POLICE OFFICERS, OBEYING THEIR PARENTS, PLANNING FOR THEIR FUTURE... not marching around BREAKING THE LAW AND BENDING SCHOOL RULES TO FIT THEIR ISSUES. If they REALLY want to help, then become an educated, law abiding citizen and teach others to do the same so that they wont have to suffer like those before them. But I suppose I'm the minority because I want young kids to be EDUCATED, RESPECTFUL, GOOD LAWABING MEMBERS of society that will lift this country up and make it the ideal place to live, instead of one of the WORST STATES IN EDUCATION- if not the worst- I haven't checked lately. Another thing, how can these kids learn the honor and true pride that comes along with being a LAWABIDING citizen, when their

dasvics read my blog view my photos
May 4, 2007 | 4:20 PM

Another thing, how can these kids learn the honor and true pride that comes along with being a LAWABIDING citizen, when their parents set the good example of breaking laws and then marching down the streets flaunting it like that is something to be proud of.

Gina_Silva read my blog view my photos
May 4, 2007 | 5:34 PM

Hola Chica!
What an honor, Woman of the year!!! That's totally awesome. Congratulations. Keep on setting a good example for all our young girls.
Hey, with that title, you can get away with a lot this year. Whatever the situation, just use the title: "Hey, I'm the woman of the year!" :-)
Gina

Jeano view my photos
May 4, 2007 | 6:44 PM

Ciao Bellissima,

Congradulations on your award. As Gina said, now you can get away with anything you want. You are the Renaissance Woman.

Arrivederci querida,

Jean Emmanuel

memoryjoe read my blog view my photos
May 5, 2007 | 12:17 AM

first of all congrads on your award, i think your truelly awesome

as for the students walking out , im ok with it if there truelly walking out for a cause , the ones from my daughters school just walked out to hang out with friends . they should be in class getting an education , this whole thing became a race issue and i think thats total crap , im tired of people saying its a race thing and we hate white people , what is that about? if we yell racism it is never heard ,and wene my daughter walked out for a cause she belived in i ended up with her in juvinille court and she got a fine and community service and that is TOTAL CRAP , there is racism for sure AND ITS COMEING FROM EVERY RACE , i get attitude because im white , when i like everyone no matter what color they are people should not yell racism , exspeacially wene its spewing out of there mouths also , THIS IS A VERY SAD PATHETIC WORLD , ....DEBBIE

Desert_Chicano read my blog view my photos
May 5, 2007 | 12:43 AM

Felicidades Elizabeth!

I'm sure it is very well deserved.

eddiefella read my blog
May 5, 2007 | 6:23 AM

Hi Elizabeth, I want to cogratulate you again on your award that you so deserve. It's Latinas like you that help us overcome the negative picture of Latinos that is presented far to often in this day and age. I work at a high school in a community that is primarily caucasion. The families are wealthy except for the latino community. This year the students did not show any sign of walking out. Last year during the marches I told the students that by walking the streets around this particular community, the results would not be favorable to them because of the racism that exists there. Staying in school to better their education shows more strength than walikng out. By gaining a better education the resistencse against racism can be a more positive one. Thank you for your time.

eddiefella read my blog
May 5, 2007 | 6:28 AM

Typnig error is walking not walikng on my previous response. Sorry. I would love to sit and talk sometime Elizabeth. Thank you again for your time. Take care.

DfDeportation read my blog view my photos
May 5, 2007 | 7:38 AM

Drop the Race Card! Americans don't care if your brown, black, white, or whatever. We want your thoughts and ideas on paper. We'll judge them on their own merits, not race or gender. Thanks.

dasvics read my blog view my photos
May 5, 2007 | 12:22 PM

OMG!!! I cant believe some of you- how can you possibly justify walking out of school for any reason? That is called DITCHING. Its WRONG. and yes parents should be held accountable and fined. Are kids now not taught about WRITING to your city leaders or senators or congressman? If the ADULTS- ONLY ADULTS- march thats ok, but not children!!! didn't you see them on the FREEWAY last year? It's not even safe. Young people don't understand the dangers they could expose themselves to if they create such dangerous circumstances. If we say this is ok to do, then they will find something else to protest agianst- just because it's a way to go agianst the norm. They are kids! TEENAGERS! I'ts in their job description to take advantage of a situation and rebel agianst all. You give them a hand they will take your arm. Maybe some of you don't have teenage kids or have forgotten what its like. That might be why we are among the worst in education. Where have all the rules gone? Are there any boundries left? Is there a difference between good and bad? No wonder so many teens don't have the first clue of what respect and honor are.

Desert_Chicano read my blog view my photos
May 5, 2007 | 2:21 PM

I agree with you dasvics!

Our youth should not be walking out of school to protest, pero it is important that they be involved in the situation. Teenagers approaching their congressman or woman is the best way to go porque they will see how this is effecting our youth and how they are wiling to take a stand for what they believe in.

Education is our best weapon of defense just as a T-shirt I have reads "The Most Dangerous Weapon Is An Educated Chicano" Studenst walk out because the administrators lets them. They can really prevent it if they wanted to. Just as the Principal did here by telling students, if they waited till after school administrators would walk with them. It's that easy.

dasvics read my blog view my photos
May 5, 2007 | 3:57 PM

Desert_Chicano - my hat goes of to you sir. well put. EDUCATION IS THE BEST DEFENSE AGIANST ANYTHING. If you're an educated, respectful, humble, honest, and honerable person, people will listen and respect your opinion. When they go home they will think about what you said and you might be able to help them see the errors of their ways. The COMPLETE OPPOSITE effect is generated when people choose ignorance, arrogance, and DEMAND in a pushy manner. There are proper chanels for everything now, we no longer live back in the day when change was brought on by violence. We can achieve much more in a diplomatic approach.

DfDeportation read my blog view my photos
May 6, 2007 | 3:50 PM

Born and raised here in the City of Angels (Los Angeles). Miss Espinosa's Mexican and Salvadoran heritage gives her an uncanny ability to appreciate diversity in all areas of life. She is very involved with the community, and believes in the sage words of Mahatma Ghandi..."Be the change you wish to see in the world".

Uncanny ability? How so? You're an American?

Lupe_H read my blog
May 6, 2007 | 3:55 PM

Elizabeth,

You are a role model for us all, what a wonderful honor to be "Women of the Year" You are an awesome women...keep it up.

JackTheWhiskeyBandit
May 7, 2007 | 12:25 PM

Elizabeth,

First let me start by congratulating you on your achievements. As an aspiring journalist and Hispanic American I take a lot of pride watching Hispanic journalist such as yourself and Christina Gonzalez report on various stories and investigations. It also makes me happy to see that you ladies are being recognized for the great work that you do. As far as my thoughts on the walk outs and rallies, I want to stress that I am all for the marches and political rallies that will help benefit our relatives who still live and work hard here in America. I also support those individuals who decided to march out of school during the May rallies; age has nothing to do about standing up for what you truly believe in.

My only gripe, comes from the stations decision to air footage with students who most fit the stereotypical broken English Latino who clearly has no idea why they are walking out. I am well aware that many students might be interviewed and of the dozen or so that are looked at, it seems to never fail that the most illiterate of the bunch is the one that gets air time. While those who can actually speak clearly and form cohesive sentences and thoughts are discarded for the more viable kid who says things like " Well, Umm, like I know dat my parents had tolded me not to be of the ditching, but like I dided it for dems, so dat like my parents won't have to be all scarreded anymores".

I mean come ON!! Things of this nature only work to promote the ideal that Hispanic kids are not competent or even remotely intelligent and have horrible command of the Eng

JackTheWhiskeyBandit
May 7, 2007 | 12:26 PM

(continued...)

English language. Now granted when your going to schools that reside in the lower lying counties of L.A. you will undoubtedly have a vast majority of students who speak in this manner. But even myself who was born and raised in Compton and went to school in the surrounding areas knew of many people who could not only speak intelligently but new why and for what they might be protesting.

It can make one wonder why the child is walking out of class when they clearly need to be getting as much education as possible. I know many of the kids who do these walk outs are doing it because “Hey, it’s a day off of school!” but we can not let that undermine those few individuals who have matured beyond there fellow students are truly motivated by political and ethical reasons. It’s like blaming those few individuals who started the whole melee at Mc Arthur Park and applying that stigmatism to everyone that was attending the entire rally. I can only pray that who ever does the editing for the footage will in the future try and weed out the one that will do more harm than good. This goes for interviews of people of any race, African American, Hispanic, Asian. When we show the worst of ourselves to the world, that’s the image that sticks leaving those who are truly worthy or remembrance fighting all the more harder against the social prejudices of our day.


(phew….that was a rant…)

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