Thread: NC: Latinos feel a tug on welcome mat

Latinos feel a tug on welcome mat
Changing attitudes noted at celebration


Meralis Bile performs the Donkey Dance, native to Venezuela, at La Fiesta del Pueblo at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Organizers estimated about 40,000 people attended the weekend celebration.


Jezzette Rivera, left, an NCSU junior, helps Wanda Rivera (no relation) of Wake Forest register to vote at La Fiesta del Pueblo.

The traditional quinceanera is an elaborate party honoring a frilly-dressed Latina on her 15th birthday.

But the 15th Fiesta del Pueblo -- billed as the quinceanera for the annual celebration of Latino culture -- comes as few Hispanic North Carolinians are feeling honored.

Deportations, once reserved for a handful of hardened criminals, are becoming common after minor offenses. A recent move barring illegal immigrants from community colleges won praise from state politicians of both parties. And in counties such as Beaufort, in the eastern part of the state, local laws are increasingly targeting illegal immigrants.

The changing sentiment wasn't lost on Latinos who attended this weekend's event at the State Fairgrounds.

"People say they are against illegal immigration, but sometimes I think they're against all immigrants," said Serafin Meza, 29, of Henderson, a legal resident from southern Mexico who was at the event with his wife and 2-year-old triplets.

Public education booths at the event offered legal advice about deportations alongside health and safety information. Some had special information kits for deportees detailing how to do everything from transferring the power of attorney for a small business to making sure someone else can pick up their children from school in their absence.

At one booth, manned by students from UNC-Chapel Hill, people were asked to sign a petition seeking to overturn the ban on illegal immigrants at community colleges.

An American Civil Liberties Union representative at the event said there was an increase in calls about run-ins between immigrants and police.

Jorgelina Araneda, an immigration lawyer representing the N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers at the event, said more and more immigrants are feeling squeezed.

"There is a sense of fear, of insecurity," Araneda said. "People are deciding if it's better to stay here illegally or go back home."

Tony Asion, director of El Pueblo, the Hispanic advocacy group that sponsors the event, said he went on Spanish radio and television to reassure the community that immigration authorities would not be present. He said the group had gotten calls from people concerned about coming.

But the fear didn't dampen attendance. He estimated that about 40,000 showed up for the two-day party, easily more than last year, despite a rainy Saturday caused by the passing of Tropical Storm Hanna.

Asion also advertised the event to a wider audience this year in hopes of getting more native North Carolinians to mingle with their Latino neighbors.

"We want to show people in North Carolina that there is a lot to unite us," said Asion. "We want them to see us here with our families and know that we are not some scary group."

Concerns over policy were largely lost on the thousands who came to eat tacos and tortas, watch dancers from different countries or listen to the tunes of a mariachi band.

This year's event featured a court in honor of the quinceanera, with teenage couples dressed in tuxedos and lace representing different Latin American countries. One couple represented the United States.

Some of these teenagers were born in the United States, Asion said. But even those who weren't would feel totally out of place if they were to return to their home countries.

"They're all Americans," Asion said.

marti.maguire@newsobserver.com or (919) 829-4841
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1210703.html

Jorgelina Araneda, an immigration lawyer representing the N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers at the event, said more and more immigrants are feeling squeezed.

"There is a sense of fear, of insecurity," Araneda said. "People are deciding if it's better to stay here illegally or go back home."

For all those here illegally. Stop living in fear and insecurity and go home with all the rug-rats. Go home with what you have learned here about the American system and fix your own country.

Well.....it's not an American tradition....just like the "comming out galas" and fancy balls of Europe aren't either. We aren't in Mexico etc. and not ALL of your traditions and culture fit in here in the general public rhelm. People can and do celebrate parts of their traditions without making it a public city 2 day event.....like barmitzvas (sp), Sweet 16 birthday party etc. Those are usually handled privately and with family and friends. Remember.....it's YOUR culture, not OURS. Rent a hall, have a BBQ.....not every single solitary hispanic event and cultural tradition HAS to be a a huge city event. We tone down these events since it's not the norm for everyone and gives people the chance to still respect it without making it an event forced on everyone else

America isn't in some remote place on the planet that has been out of sink with the world since the beginning of time. The Latino culture, music, dance is NOT NEW!!! You aren't "turning us on" to something we don't already know about. And.....we all don't love it as you do.....or want to live it 24/7 or have yet ANOTHER LATINO EVENT this month, every month. It's called being pushy and over-bearing. In some cases down right rude and disrespectful. Might behove you to discover the American traditions for change instead of shoving Latino down our throats.

Meralis Bile performs the Donkey Dance, native to Venezuela, at La Fiesta del Pueblo at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.

All illegal latinos should "donkey dance" their way south across the border and all other illegals of any other origin can dance any way they choose right on outta here!

"There is a sense of fear, of insecurity," Araneda said. "People are deciding if it's better to stay here illegally or go back home."

You would think a LAWYER would know better, especially one that specializes in immigration law.

But the 15th Fiesta del Pueblo -- billed as the quinceanera for the annual celebration of Latino culture -- comes as few Hispanic North Carolinians are feeling honored.

How darn many annual Latino events honoring their culture must one have? This is definately a private, relegious, celebration for family and friends.....not a 2 day city wide event with political booths set up.

[quote]

Today's ceremonies embrace religious traditions, and the virtues of family and social responsibility. The custom is a celebration of the young girl (la Quinceanera), and a recognition of her journey from childhood to maturity. The celebration highlights God, family, friends, music, food, and dance.







In the Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central and South American traditions, the custom can be referred to as a Quince (XV) Años, a Quinces, a Quinceanera, a Quinceanero or a Fiesta Rosa. The celebration traditionally begins with a religious ceremony. A reception is held in the home or a banquet hall. The festivities include food and music, and in most, a choreographed waltz or dance performed by the Quinceanera and her court.

The Quinceanera's court can be comprised of young girls (called a Dama), young men (called Chambelán or Escorte or Galán) or a combination of both - traditionally up to 14 persons in the court, which with the Quinceanera, would total 15 young people.

The Quinceanera traditionally wears a ball gown, with her court usually dressed in gowns and tuxedos. Guests usually receive small tokens, cápias and cerámicas, to commemorate the celebration.

It is customary for the Quinceanera to receive some or all of the following items for her ceremony:

tiara
bracelet or ring
earrings
cross or medal
Bible or Prayer Book and Rosary
scepter
Other accessories for this special occasion might be:

flower bouquet
cake decoration
cake server set
champagne glasses
the last doll
guest book
photo album
invitations/reception cards
ceremony pillows
There are many traditions throughout the celebration. One of the most popular is the Changing of the Shoes. The father or favored male relative ceremoniously changes the young girl’s flat shoes to high heels. This is a beautiful symbol of the Quinceañera’s transformation from a little girl to a young lady.

At the church ceremony, a special Kneeling Pillow, sometimes personalized with the Quinceañera’s name, is placed in position for the young girl to kneel on during the ceremony. And, a touch of elegance is added with smaller decorated Ceremony Pillows for the presentation of the Quinceañera’s ceremony gifts, such as the Tiara, the Scepter and the Shoes.

At the reception, there is always the toast to the Quinceanera, known as the brindis. With decorated Champagne Glasses, the guests are invited to offer their congratulations and best wishes.

The Last Doll is used as part of the ceremony or as decoration and keepsake. In some customs, the Quinceanera doll represents the last things of a child now that the Quinceanera will focus on the things of a young lady. In some Hispanic cultures, the cápias (printed ribbons with the Quinceanera’s name and date) are pinned to the doll, and the Quinceanera circulates among her guests, thanking them for their presence and presenting them with a memento taken from the doll.

The Quince Años is a glorious celebration that remains a cherished and honored tradition.




The Traditional Ceremony Gifts have special meaning for the Quinceanera celebration, and their honored significance relates to the Quinceanera's coming of age. The Traditional Gifts are special signs of loyalty and commitment to God, family and the community. Where the celebration includes the Mass of Thanksgiving, the gifts are presented to the priest for special blessing. These ceremonial items may include:

TIARA
Denotes a "princess" before God and the world; a triumph over childhood and ability to face the challenges ahead.

BRACELET or RING
Representing the unending circle of life, it symbolizes the unending emergence of the young woman's abilities and future contributions to society.

EARRINGS
A reminder to listen to the word of God, and always hear and respond to the world around her.

CROSS or MEDAL
Signifies faith - in God, in herself, and in her world.

BIBLE (or PRAYER BOOK) & ROSARY
Important resources to keep the word of God in her life.

SCEPTER
Symbolizes authority, and more importantly, responsibility for her life, that is now being given to the young woman.

In some Hispanic cultures, the gifts are given to the Quinceanera by "padrinos" (also called godparents or sponsors) specially chosen by the family. The padrinos who give the Traditional Gifts are formally recognized, and often are part of the procession for either the church or reception ceremony, or do the presentation of the gifts to the priest for the blessing.

The TIARA also plays a role in the actual Quinceanera ceremony. It is traditional for the headpiece worn by the Quinceanera to be ceremoniously replaced with the TIARA. The "crowning" is done either by her parents or the godparent presenting the gift. The scepter is also presented to the Quinceanera at the same time. This ceremony usually takes place at the reception.

The Traditional Quinceanera Gifts are the distinctive, precious treasures for the ceremony; a cherished custom that highlights the Quinceanera celebration.



The mix of family and friends, young and old, near and far – all combine to make the celebration unique and special. Guests experiencing this beautiful tradition for the first time, frequently ask us, “Is a gift appropriate?â€

I grew up with German food and expressions, but we never dreamed of making them part of accepted American public culture. If you say "outen the light" to me, I will instantly know what you mean, but I don't expect to find it in a text book or newspaper! When the Katzenjammer kids comics say "Ach!" I know how to pronounce it, but I don't expect y'all to. You know what 'floosels' or 'fressen' means? No? Gut! I mean good!

"We want to show people in North Carolina that there is a lot to unite us," said Asion. "We want them to see us here with our families and know that we are not some scary group."

Hey Asion, if you'd get your head out of your arse you would see that this festival has nothing to do with illegal aliens. That is, unless you are fond of pushing as fact that if one is hispanic/latino/spanish, then they must be illegal aliens!?

The issue is ILLEGAL ALIENS, they don't belong here, we don't want them here...BEGONE!

Why do they use the generic term "Latinos"?

There are American Latinos and then there are Latino immigrants. The two are two totally opposite groups. Why doesn't the press differentiate them?

I grew up with German food and expressions, but we never dreamed of making them part of accepted American public culture. If you say "outen the light" to me, I will instantly know what you mean, but I don't expect to find it in a text book or newspaper! When the Katzenjammer kids comics say "Ach!" I know how to pronounce it, but I don't expect y'all to. You know what 'floosels' or 'fressen' means? No? Gut! I mean good!

Exactly.....every cultural group has thier things, but you don't see them all being shoved down everyones throats or an event around every single one. I have a feeling, since Latinos have been here all along, they have celebrated all their traditions all along. Why this constant push for everything Latino? Why do political booths and a 2 day event need to be set up for what is a private celebration? I have Latino friends. Some celebrate this passage and others don't. Those that do, it's NOT an annual 2 day event. It's a private party on the girls birthday. More like a wedding reception without the husband.....one told me it's usually only done by the wealthy to such a grand scale. Some of these Latinos are using any and all excuses to shove everything they can down our throats and mix it with illegal immigration, immigration and everything hispanic.