Eighty Year Old Man Killed in Langley Park

April 27, 2011

            While crossing New Hampshire Avenue near Metzerott Road on the morning of April 20^th, Enrique Carl Paschuales was struck and killed by a hit and run driver, according to a Prince George’s County Police report. Paschuales lived on the 8800 block of Piney Branch Road.

It was around 9:45 a.m when Paschuales crossed the street from east to west and a vehicle travelling northbound on New Hampshire Avenue struck him, said police spokesman Cpl. Mike Rodriguez.

The crossing signal displayed the stop hand which indicated not to cross to the street Rodriguez said. Yet, Paschuales did not yield to the right-of-way of the vehicle.

After the medical team arrived, Paschuales was taken to a local hospital. He was pronounced dead later on Wednesday night.

Rodriguez and the police department did not have any information about the hit and run driver or the vehicle. And because of this he said no charges were filed.

Hispanic Pedestrian Fatality Rates Higher

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Hispanics suffer a higher-than-average death and injury rate from pedestrian accidents nationally compared to other races.           

“Here, people walk to everywhere,” Mario Quiroz, a spokesman for the Silver Spring-based immigrant-advocacy group Casa de Maryland, said about his predominantly Hispanic neighborhood in a June 2008 Washington Post article by Tom Ramstack entitled, Hispanics suffer highest pedestrian death rate; Area governments urged to act. “You go walking to shopping, your laundry, your bank. Some immigrants are not used to using crosswalks,” Mr. Quiroz said. Therefore roadway dangers are greatest for new immigrants

Nationwide, 4,784 pedestrians from ethnic groups were killed in traffic accidents in 2006, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics figures. More than 80 pedestrians are killed and 2,300 injured every year in the Washington area and pedestrians make up one-fifth of the region's traffic fatalities.

Income and Geography appear to be Factors

Anne P. Canby, president of the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership, an advocacy group for multimodal transportation planning, said in an interview in the Washington Post, “Quite often, people do not own a car, and they live in places that do not have sidewalk facilities or very poor ones.”

            “To get to transit, they have to walk,” she continued.

            However, Gloria Ohland, who has analyzed pedestrian safety for the Surface Transportation Policy Project, a Washington-based planning and advocacy group, said it is simply, “It's automobile culture clashing with immigrant culture,” in an interview for an article entitled “Fatalities Higher for Latino Pedestrians; Area's Hispanic Immigrants Apt to Walk but Unaccustomed to Urban Traffic” written by Sylvia Moreno of the Washington Post. “It's a cultural-social shock here."

D.R.E.A.M Act Faces Opposition

April 27, 2011

         After students and activists celebrated the passage of SB 167, also known as the DREAM Act (a reference to the federal Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2010), Republican delegates instantly began efforts to oppose and overturn the legislation. Maryland State Senate passed a bill on late Monday April 11, 2011 that would allow “undocumented students” to pay in-state tuition, increasing their chances of receiving a college education and degree. The bill will enable undocumented students who have attended Maryland high schools for at least three years, and whose families pay state taxes, to pay cheaper in-state tuition rates at community colleges. And after completing 60 credit hours at the community college, students could transfer to a four-year state college at the in-state rate.

            So far, eleven states, including Maryland, have approved in-state college-tuition for undocumented immigrants.

             Cheers of “Si Se Puede, Si Se Puede!” (Spanish for yes we can) exploded outside the Senate from hundreds of students who showed up to rally in support of the bill.

Struggle for Bill's Success

However, House Minority Leader Anthony O'Donnell (R-Calvert and St. Mary's County), Del. Neil Parrott (R-Washington), Del. Patrick McDonough (R-Baltimore and Harford) and Del. Justin Ready (R-Carroll) held a press conference in Annapolis on Tuesday April 26, 2011 to inform residents about the petition. The petition needs roughly 18,500 signatures by the end of May and about 56,000 by the end of June in order to sway the legislation, which has not yet been signed by Gov. Martin O'Malley. If delegates receive all of the needed signatures, the bill cannot be signed into law before the fall of 2012. During the conference, Ready argued the bill conflicts with federal immigration laws and takes away educational opportunities from state residents who are already struggling to afford higher education.

“Students are asking for an opportunity to make life better for themselves,” said Senator Victor Ramirez, the bill’s sponsor and a Salvadorian immigrant himself.  Ramirez, who is also the state’s first Latino state senator. “Voting against this bill won’t solve any issue you have with immigration,” he continued reported staff blogger on popular Latin American news blog site Latinovations.com. “I’m very proud of them because they haven’t given up. They’re very resilient, and I know they’re gonna do great things — that’s what the American dream is about.” Ramirez said, the tuition bill is expected to cost the state about $750,000 by 2014, and some have predicted the cost will run up to about $3.5 million by 2016. Ramirez also added undocumented students will be considered out-of-state students for the purposes of admission to state institutions so they will not take away spots from in-state residents.

"The question is why? Why do they want to overturn it?" Ramirez said.

Jose Centeno-Melendez, a senior American studies major at the University of Maryland College Park, who is also a member of the Latino Student Union and worked with CASA de Maryland, said "that's really disappointing news to hear, especially after celebrating what we thought was a pretty big victory; I'm a little overwhelmed," he said. "I think if Republican delegates are going to decide to make this move, they can definitely expect retaliation from student groups... A lot of people who will sign the petition to get rid of the bill probably haven't read the bill itself."

P.G County Councilman Visits Langley Park Boys and Girls Club

April 19, 2011

            Prince George’s County Councilman, Will Campos, arrived at Langley Park Boys and Girls Club early Tuesday morning around 5:30 am to speak with the children of a Karate class about the importance of being active and staying healthy.

            Born in El Salvador, Campos resides in Mount Rainer, Maryland, and is the current District 2 County Councilman which includes the constituent areas of Adelphi, Avondale, Brentwood, Carole Highlands, Chillum, Green Meadows, Hyattsville, Langley Park, Lewisdale, Mount Rainier and North Brentwood. Campos is in association with such organizations as the Counselor for Chillum Youth Project and Council Representative to the Prince George’s Community Foundation. Although Campos is not married and does not have any children, he is committed to the community and its youth. Therefore when asked by a local Hispanic newspaper to speak at the Langley Park Boys and Girls Club, he excitedly accepted the offer.

            The Councilman decided to the videotape his experience with the children at the boys and girls club and posted the video online for a local newspaper, hyattsville.patch.com.

            He encouraged the karate class of around 25 children to continue to stay active. When he asked the children who likes to eat pizza and burgers, all of the children raised their hands. Campos then explained why eating foods that taste good are not always good for the body and people must be careful about what they in their bodies.

            An enthusiastic girl raised her hand and said, “Yes, because you can get fat.”

“Yes that is why excursing and eating right is super important because if you don’t it can cause problems for you later in life,” replied Campos. He then encourages the children to encourage their parents and siblings to participate in activities with them as well.

            Childhood obesity has become a significant problem within the youth of America. With help of political officials like Will Campos and Michelle Obama, the nation will continue to fight against this issue.

Link for Video: http://hyattsville.patch.com/articles/will-campos-how-kids-stay-healthy#youtube_video-5711636

Stabbing Leads to Arrest

April 19, 2011

       After three individuals were stabbed on the night of April 18th at Millennium restaurant and club in Langley Park, Maryland, Prince George’s County Police have arrested a suspect, 21 year-old Pedro Emmanuel Lyles. Although police have not released a motive for the crime, as of Thursday April 21, 2011 the Prince George’s County District Court online records indicate Lyle was charged with second degree assault. Yet, no attorney information for Lyles was available.

However, Investigators did say that officers were responding to a report of an altercation. Around 8 p.m. officers arrived and found three individuals “suffering from stab wounds,” reported Cpl. Larry Johnson, a county police spokesman. All three individuals were transported to a local hospital where they were treated for what appeared to be “non-life threatening injuries,” Johnson told reporters.

            According to a local website, thenewave.com, Millennium is a Latino nightclub and restaurant east of the intersection of 1500 block of University Blvd. and Riggs Road. Millennium caters especially to the Hispanic and Latino communities and has become a popular place for people to party and dine.

Homicides in 2011:

            However with the recent rise of homicides and slayings in Prince George’s County, simple activities like going out to grab a bite to eat have become more and more dangerous as the months progress. There have been more than 20 homicides in Prince George’s County in 2011 according to the Prince George’s County Police Department. This statement was issued in a 2011 press release by the PGPD, “Violence in Prince George’s County will not be tolerated. I am proud of the efforts of our police department, and I feel confident in all the men and women protecting this community,” said Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III.

 The Gazette has compiled a list of homicides committed in Prince George's County during 2011 from press releases issued by the county police department. These crimes range from robbery homicides to simple acts of self-defense. The Washington Post has published a database of county homicides in 2010 with search engines enabled by the name of the victim, date of the crime, or city.

             

SAFER Latinos Project Addresses Community Problems in Langley Par

April 2011

            The SAFER Latinos Project is a program implemented by the Latin American Youth Center of Washington, DC, to address the youth about violence in Langley Park by focusing on the community and outside conditions that causes it. The “SAFER” in SAFER Latinos stands for Seguridad, Apoyo, Familia, Educacion, y Recursos, which is translated to Safety, Support, Family, Education, and Resources. The project is in partnership with many organizations like the George Washington University Department of Prevention and Community Health, the Latino Federation of Greater Washington; (the LAYC-MMYC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is funding the project.

LAYC Background

            According to its website, The Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) has over 40 years of experience providing a variety of services to youth and young adults in the District of Columbia. Its main office is located at 1419 Columbia Road in NW Washington, DC. In 2010, LAYC provided academic, employment and social services to 2,577 District residents and served residents in all eight of DC’s wards. It also sponsors many Maryland programs in Langley Park and Silver Spring. Its Langley Park office is located at 7411 Riggs Road in Hyattsville, MD.

            LAYC depends on donors to sustain its programs and facilities. Cynthia Diehm, a long time contributor of LAYC and its programs, had this to say about LAYC, “I trust its leadership to provide excellent services to young people.” Danya International Inc., an organization dedicated to making a social impact on child and family health and early childhood education has also been a longtime supporter of LAYC, says founder Dr. Jeffery A. Hoffman Ph.D.

Violence Statistics

            According to a report from CDC’s, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control homicide is the second leading cause of death for Latino youth between the ages of 10 to 24. Because of this, SAFER Latinos addresses youth violence, an ongoing issue of serious concern, specifically referring to violence perpetrated by youth ages 10 to 24 years. Few programs target broader community-level factors, including the prevalence of violent “street codes,” availability of weapons and the degree of community efficacy and advocacy. With this in mind, the SAFER Latinos program is an attempt to “build evidence for outcomes and impacts resulting from a multilevel, participatory model tailored to the specific circumstances of Central American immigrants and communities,” according to the report. In Prince George's County, where Langley Park is located, Latinos now account for 21% of all homicides investigated by county police, and were victims in 10 of the 24 homicides reported between March and May of 2008. Because of this, SAFER implements several initiatives like social promoters of safety, peer advocators, drop-in centers, as well as, community events and media activity efforts.

Testimonials

Anthony Young, a 19 year student at the LAYC/Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers (MMYC) in Silver Spring, seeking his GED said this about his experience at LAYC/MMYC, “Prior to my experience with LAYC/MMYC, it was hard for me to learn in a traditional high school and I often made poor decisions.  I dropped out of school and began drinking and partying with my peers. I realized I needed a change and something better for myself along with more individual guidance.  I enrolled in the MMYC program seeking more support. The staff were very supportive and have helped me set goals and structure for learning.  I see the MMYC staff as a big part of my life because they are present for more than just education; they help me with my career goals and they are there emotionally when I need them.  I have benefited tremendously.  Without the program I probably would not be on the path I’m on at this point.” 

Goya Foods and United Way Give Back to Community

March 2011

            As the country participated in many Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations throughout the nation, Goya Foods, a leader in the Latin American food industry, celebrated its 75th Anniversary throughout 2011. To commemorate its 75th Anniversary, Goya teamed up with United Way and launched several initiatives in support of the communities that have embraced the company throughout the years.

 In early spring 2011, Goya Foods donated 75,000 pounds of food to the Capital Area Food Bank, 645 Taylor Street NE, United Way of the National Capital Area (United Way NCA).  The Capital Area Food Bank is the main distribution site for the donation. The donation was then split among 12 area food banks that serve the residents of the Washington area. 

One of the food pantries that received the donation was Arlington Food Assistance Center. Charles Meng, the executive director of the center, said the donation is enough to get through about one work week. Fairfax's Food also received a portion of the donation, but Deputy Director Liz Reinert said rising gas prices means need is likely to increase. "If gas all of the sudden doubles in price, and you are a waiter or a person cleaning houses, you didn't get a raise," Reinert says. "That's what's happened to our families.”

"Goya Foods also donated “1 million pounds of food nationwide as a part of its "Goya Gives" campaign to prevent hunger and improve nutrition,” reported Erica Redmond of the Washington Examiner.  

Brian Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way Worldwide said, “We applaud Goya’s commitment to fight hunger. Good nutrition is a key part of United Way’s commitment to improve people’s health and this generous donation will help ensure that children and adults in these communities have access to affordable, healthy food.”

“We look forward to sharing this important milestone in our company’s history with our family, La Gran Familia Goya, which consist of our employees, our consumers, our clients, and our communities. We recognize the significant role they continue to play in the success and growth of our company,” stated Robert Unanue, President of Goya Foods.

Langley Park Bridging Community and Education

March 3, 2011

            More than 10 years ago Langley Park, an area in the northwestern portion of Prince George’s County, Maryland, was known as an international community. However now, like many other communities in P.G County there has been a significant growth within the Hispanic and Latino populations. According to the 2010 census numbers, the Hispanic and Latino population in Prince George's County more than doubled to roughly 130,000 residents, who now account for 15 percent of the county's 863,000 population. This fact is most obvious within Langley Park McCormick Elementary School, located in Prince George’s County, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten to 6^th grade in the Prince George's County Public School District.

Past to the Present

In the 1980’s Langley Park McCormick Elementary consisted of a student body whose members spoke 17 languages and represented 33 countries. The foreign born students made up half of the total 611 student population. They originated from Central and South American nations, with many of the others coming from Jamaica, India, Cambodia, Haiti and Nigeria. Today, Langley Park McCormick Elementary is “85 percent Hispanic, 1 percent Asian, and 14 percent African American,” says Principal Amy Stout of Langley Park McCormick Elementary. Its foreign student body comes from various countries such as Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and many different African countries. Separated by barriers of language and customs, “Everything we send home is in English and Spanish…most of our Latino students come from Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala,” said Principal Stout. She continued by saying, “It’s a challenge…but my students and families know that I am always there for them…I am the bridge for them,” said Stout.

Principal Stout has prided herself in the development and appearance of the school, so that the students can feel their school is a place of safety and love. When asked how the school’s appearance before recent upgrades she replied passionately, “I was disgusted about the appearance of the building…no windows, roaches, mice…the building hadn’t been painted in years…no wow factor,” she ended. However, with their new edition, the library donated by Capitol One Bank, Principal Stout smiled and said, “The library was alike a breath of fresh air for the kids…ensures pride in and ownership of their school.” 

Progress Equals Success

Principal Stout not only assisted in the betterment of the appearance of the school, but also in its academics as well. There was also a need for a principal with a strong background in elementary and middle school education, and Principal Stout was the lady to help. “I have a lot of background in raising test scores and data,” said Stout. This is her 3^rd year at Langley Park and her efforts have brought the students a long way. The MSA reading test scores have increased by 9.8 percent from 2007 to 2010 for grades 3^rd to 6^th grades. The math scores have also increased from 2007 to 2010 of about 21.4 percent.

Although Principal Stout and the rest of the staff and faculty of Langley Park elementary experience different trials everyday Ms. Stout ensures that, “there hasn’t been one thing regardless of the challenge that I have said no to…I’m a fighter for my kids and my staff, that’s my purpose and its hard and you struggle…There are days I go home crying…But I try to make things better and do more and more.” Langley Park McCormick Elementary is surely ready to confront the challenges of the future and continue on the right path for the future.

Principal Stout ended and said, “I could talk bubble gum, and candy canes, and cupcakes, but is that what you experience everyday…you have to be real.” And what is real for Langley Park McCormick Elementary is its love and pride in each other and especially in their Principal, “My kids know that I absolutely love them.”

Adding a Dash of Spice

February 25, 2011

            With diversity and globalization on the rise, understanding the need to serve a mixed community with a large Hispanic and Latino influence is the key to unlocking the treasure of a great grocery store and/or supermarket. Shoppers Food Warehouse and FoodWay International, located in New Carrollton, Maryland, have not only found the key but have unlocked the doors to success.

Marketing to Latino and Hispanic Community

            In a report published in December, Packaged Facts predicted that Hispanic buying power would reach $1.3 trillion in 2015. "Considering that one in six Americans is now of Hispanic heritage, Latino consumers will remain influential over the ensuing years, especially because there are a significant number of high-income Latino households," says Don Montuori, publisher of New York-based Packaged Facts.

The report advised marketers targeting Hispanic and Latino consumers to recognize substantial regional differences that make up the Hispanic and Latino population. For instance, Latin Americans living in western and southwestern states tend to be of Mexican heritage, while those in the Northeast have a much more varied country-of-origin background. All of these differences are represented in the food choices of each individual country. According to the 2010 census numbers, the Hispanic and Latino population in Prince George's County more than doubled to roughly 130,000 residents, who now account for 15 percent of the county's 863,000 population.

Shoppers Food Warehouse Revamps for Community

Shoppers Food Warehouse has been one the leading grocery stores in the DC metropolitan area for many years. However, the growing diversity in the New Carrollton community especially with major growth in the Hispanic and Latino communities, Shoppers Food Warehouse found itself lacking in costumer satisfaction. Therefore its management made a vow to reach out to the community where it is located by stating, “SHOPPERS strives to give back to the communities that we serve,” on the community section of its website. Its vow is to try to understand its demographics and the people who live there, by providing the products that those customers prefer, whether they're from Mexico, El Salvador, or Guatemala.

Upon entering the Shoppers, one can see the revamped international food section directly behind the express item checkout lanes. The isles are stocked with different types of tortillas, salsas, and spices. Goya brand food seemed to be popular favorite amongst Latinos and Hispanics, as well as Non-Hispanic individuals. With fresh paint and a new design layout this section will surely meet costumers’ expectations.

For 18 year old Jose Gomez from Riverdale, MD, “Shoppers is very clean, organized, good quality, and fresh products.” However his sister, 20 year old Stephanie Gomez FoodWay was a better choice, “The prices where good. And you can find more Latin food there then you will at shoppers.”

Food Way Int’l

            FoodWay International is another store in New Carrollton that understands the importance of satisfying community wants and needs. After the Safeway closed in 2004, FoodWay began its sales journey.

When asked about FoodWay, 30 year old Robert Sanchez originally from Tennessee by way of California, said “a good variety of food and a focus on Hispanic food.  I picked up a small bag of chicharrones and a nice pina colada softdrink that I had not seen anywhere else… I would shop here often if I lived in this area.”

And in his online blog, “The Washington and Baltimore Area,” ‘JohnNB’ blogged, “Personally I never saw so many types of dried chile peppers, masa harinas, hot sauces, latino pastries, etc etc etc. in one place before. Worth a stop if you need Central and South American ingredients.”

Reinvigoration of Diversity in Maryland

February 18, 2011

Over the past decade, minorities have become the majority in many states, for Prince George’s County, Maryland, this fact remains true. Prince George’s County’s Hispanic and Latino communities are stimulating the county’s and state’s growth and matching the number of whites for the first time, according to the recent 2010 census numbers.

Facts:

  The 2010 Census figures show Prince George’s County as the second largest jurisdiction in Maryland, with more than 863,000 residents. Additionally, the Hispanic and Latino population, which in 2000 was at 57,000, soared to 129,000 last year. It more than doubled in size from 7 percent to 15 percent. Yet as the number of Hispanic and Latino residents increased, the white population shrunk from 24 percent down to a mere 15 percent today, according to the U.S Census Bureau State and County Population QuickFacts.

How do you feel about it?

For 20 year old Mexican American, Stephanie Gomez this is a positive change for the Hispanic and Latino community. When asked her thoughts on the recent census numbers she replied, “I feel like it’s good because you have a variety of Latin people not just Mexicans but Salvadorians, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Hondurans, & etc. And we all learn from each other. But at the same time it’s a negative side to it because you have some people in gangs making the rest of us look like we are criminals and we all pay for that one's error. You also have some drunks that be harassing people, and being rude to those who walk by which gives a bad image to the rest of the Latinos.”

Outcome:

The county’s growth in the Hispanic and Latino population over the past 10 years has added to the diversity of its communities. With more grocery stores being replaced by international food markets and more predominantly Spanish speaking small business like a ‘tacoria’ becoming an everyday sight, the county has become a place of economic and international change. Yet, this change in growth in the Hispanic and Latino community in the county will certainly have consequences for the governmental and educational system. The Maryland General Assembly will be getting more diverse in the years to come. Particularly in Montgomery and Prince George's counties, which will be picking up a few additional legislative seats, the number of minority delegates could grow substantially.

“Before, my brother and I were some of the only Latinos in the school…Now the schools are majority Latinos around here,” said Gomez, who is a graduate of Bladensburg High School located in Bladensburg, Maryland.

In Hyattsville, one of the largest communities in Prince George’s County, the Latino and Hispanic population there almost doubled, gaining nearly another 3,000 residents as of today. Similarly in Langley Park, another multiethnic and culturally rich city, residency increased from 11,000 in 2000 to around 14,000 people today.

Yet, one thing is for sure. The diversity Prince George’s County, Maryland will only continue to grow and change. And it is up to the individuals of that community to challenge it or embrace it.

The Fight for Diversity and Equality

February 17, 2011

The Fight for Diversity and Equality

The state of Maryland, like many other states, has a rapidly changing population profile where an increasingly diverse number of Latinos and Hispanics have led to dramatic changes in the everyday life of neighborhoods and communities.

Progress and Publications:

The growth in the Hispanic and Latino community has soared over the past 10 years. According to the 2010 census numbers, the Hispanic and Latino population in Prince George's County more than doubled to roughly 130,000 residents, who now account for 15 percent of the county's 863,000 population. Dr. Judith N. Freidenberg of the University of Maryland of College Park in the Department of Anthropology is very familiar with this change and has dedicated her time to study these changes in Prince George’s County, as well as in Harlem, New York. She has contributed to and participated in numerous studies that helped promote positive dialogue about immigration and gave insight into the struggles of this growing sector of the population. In her book, “Growing Old in El Barrio,” as well as her other publications like, “Elderly Latinos of Langley Park: Retirement Issues,” she has found that the Hispanic and Latino communities are “usually not paid too much attention to” and have often felt “marginalized” by the outside community as well as the government.

Collaborations:

She also collaborated with the Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives and created an interactive virtual museum exhibit entitled, “Inside Out: Growing Old in the United States” which highlighted the impact of being an immigrant of the United States.  She established numerous other research programs aimed to project the voices of Latin and Hispanic Americans. And with her Anthropology of the Immigrant Life Course Research Program she has accomplished such goals.

Importance of Work:

Dr. Freidenberg, a native of Argentina, works every day to dispel the myths and negative stereotypes about Hispanic and Latino immigrants and to promote positive immigration discourse. When asked why she felt her findings were so important, she passionately replied, “a lot of the times we cover Latin Americans as a stereotype or in population studies…their personal experiences are not very well known...I get the personal experiences to share my findings.” With these findings, Dr. Freidenberg has become an activist for the Latin American community.

Others:

Yet for others like Dr. Freidenberg, this a change that is not only necessary, but well deserved. However, these thoughts are not shared by all individuals. When asked how he felt about the changes in diversity in Prince George’s County, Duane Hill Jr., a 20 year old black man who lives near Capitol Heights, he replied, “It’s ok…I just don’t like that they are taking a lot job opportunities for African American, especially young black African Americans.” This is an attitude shared by many individuals across the nation.

And although her work may not be able to change the hearts of individuals like Mr. Hill, her work is guaranteed to change the hearts of those in the Latin American community. Plus with an ever growing population and uniquely diverse society, change has become paramount.