Publications

La Voz

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Hispanic Culture and News from the Central Valley

A quarterly bilingual publication first published in June 2008, La Voz is co-sponsored by Bard College, The Resnick Foundation, and Paramount Farming Companies, in California’s Central Valley. In the same spirit of the original La Voz published in the Hudson Valley, La Voz in the Central Valley, empowers its Latino readership living in rural areas. The 28-page magazine provides information on legal rights, personal finance, health education and English learning. With a total circulation of 7,000 in Bakersfield, Delano, Shafter, Wasco, McFarland, Lost Hills, Earlimart, Avenal, Coalinga and Kettleman City, it also features inspiring stories, resource guides and a diverse selection of fiction writing and journalistic pieces written by college and high school students and faculty from both the East and West coasts.

Mariel Fiori, managing editor, recently wrote: “Almost three thousand miles separate New York's Hudson Valley and the Central Valley of California. Despite differences and quite a bit of distance, there is a great deal that unites the two regions: In my first editorial for the Central Valley La Voz, almost a year ago, I spoke about the similarities: both are agricultural regions in which the majority of workers are Hispanic. Many are Mexican and from countries in Central America. I also talked about the necessity of starting a dialogue from coast to coast, between the Anglo and Hispanic communities in both valleys. Little by little that dialogue is beginning to take shape. In previous editions we have offered the "American Dream" section, a space to reflect upon what this country has brought us, or has manifested at this stage in our lives. In this issue we present "From the East Coast," a section which offers a window to the Atlantic coast and stories the mainstream media tend to overlook.

Because the magazine seeks to be the meeting place for a diversity of voices to be heard, we invite professors, teachers, students, and anyone interested to submit short stories, testimonials, interviews, personal essays, cartoons, and other creative pieces, for publication in upcoming issues. Please, write to escribalavoz@yahoo.com for more information.