Wasted Talent in Plain Sight: Universities, Latinos & Trump / Talento Desperdiciado: Universidades, Latinos y Trump / Noticias Telemundo

Friends: 

I encourage you to view this excellent Spanish-language documentary titled "Talento Desperdiciado: Universidades, Latinos y Trump," by Noticias Telemundo.

It looks at how colleges and universities are often seen as pathways to opportunity, yet that promise remains uneven for many Latina/o/x students.

Despite being one of the fastest-growing demographics in higher education, Latina/o/x students face persistent barriers such as financial hardship, limited institutional support, and immigration-related challenges. These obstacles prevent many from completing their degrees, resulting in a loss of potential that affects not only individuals but the nation as a whole.

The political climate during the Trump administration intensified these difficulties, particularly for students from undocumented or mixed-status families. Uncertainty surrounding immigration policies and programs like DACA created fear and instability, forcing students to balance their academic goals with concerns about their future in the country. This environment made it harder for many to stay focused, enrolled, and on track to graduate.

A big focus is on funding streams to Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) that benefit not just Latina/o/x students, but the universities themselves so that they can truly serve this population. Regardless, the Trump administration reduced HSI funding, resulting in a mix of continued baseline funding alongside significant cuts to key grant programs, together with shifts toward “race-neutral” policies that reduce targeted support, and ongoing uncertainty in how funds were distributed. Taken together, this meant that while some funding technically remained, the overall effect was a weakening and destabilization of dedicated support for HSIs, that obviously serve large Latino populations.

Changes in funding and policy directly affect the availability of scholarships, grants, and support services that many students rely on. When these resources are reduced, educational gaps widen, making it even more difficult for underrepresented students to succeed.

In places like Texas, Florida, California, Arizona, New York, and Illinois, where Latina/o/x students represent a significant share of the college population, the stakes are especially high. Their success is closely tied to the state’s economic and social future. If these students are not supported, the consequences will extend far beyond individual campuses—impacting workforce readiness, economic growth, and civic life. 

The documentary makes clear that this is not just an issue of access, but of national interest: investing in Latino students is essential, and failing to do so is a deliberate choice to leave talent, innovation, and opportunity unrealized.

-Angela Valenzuela, Ph.D.

ANNOUNCEMENT: "First They Came for My College" Documentary

A new documentary, First They Came for My College, is drawing national attention for its powerful portrayal of the transformation of New College of Florida. As it premieres at major film festivals across the country, the film invites us to reflect on a pressing question: What happens when political forces reshape the mission, governance, and everyday life of a public university?

-Angela Valenzuela

Dear friend,

First They Came for My College, our feature-length documentary about the “hostile takeover” of New College of Florida, just had its world premiere at the True/False Film Festival, followed by SXSW. And it’s getting rave reviews. The Guardian calls it “gripping” and “a cautionary tale.” This week, the film will have its Florida premiere in competition at the Florida Film Festival, before playing six more festivals, including the San Francisco International Film Festival (see below for more festivals and screening info). We’re constantly updating our website, NewCollegeFilm.com, where you can find details about our upcoming screenings, request a screening near you, see recent media coverage, and donate to help us bring this important film to campuses and communities around the U.S.

If you haven’t seen it yet, check out our three-minute trailer:

After three years of intense effort, this is a dream come true for all of us who worked on and appear in the film and for the vast network of alums who have supported us every step of the way.

For this inaugural issue of our newsletter to supporters—and as neat trick to outwit spam blockers—we’d be grateful if you’d take just one minute to write us back with what you think is the biggest threat facing higher education today OR, if you’ve seen the film, one scene that stuck with you. We’d love to hear from our audience!

At True/False, we sold out theaters as large as 1,200 seats and got standing ovations at every screening—sometimes two standing ovations. Dr. Pat Okker, the first woman president of New College, who was ignominiously fired by the junta appointed by Ron DeSantis, graciously introduced the documentary, saying,

This is a film that documents the history that could have easily been lost. Back in January 2023, there were a lot of people telling us things like, well, that could never happen on our campus. Is anybody saying that these days? Nobody's saying that anymore.

At the film’s premiere at SXSW in Austin, Texas, a leader of the American Association of University Professors praised the film as “a master class in organizing.” Check out the photos of Dr. Okker, our team, our protagonists, and some of our student filmmakers on stage!

We hope you’ll join us at a screening at one of five major festivals in April (with more festival announcements coming soon):

-the San Francisco International Film Festival (April 27);
-the Independent Film Festival in Boston (April 23), where we’ll be screening in the 840-seat Sommerville Theater; 

-the Florida Film Festival near Orlando (April 11 (sold out) and 16); 

-the River Run Film Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (April 23); and
-the Ashland Independent Film Festival in Oregon (April 23, 25, 26).

Professors, students, and regular folks from around the country have written to ask for screenings near them using our “request a screening” form on the “screenings” page of our website. All of this information, and more, can be found on our website or socials linked in the footer of this email.

Todd Wolfson, the president of the American Association of University Professors, recently told the Citations Needed podcast, “As goes higher education, so goes democracy.” And in a recent report, America’s Censored Campuses, former New College professor Amy Reid and her colleagues at PEN America described what’s happening in colleges and universities as “a catastrophe.” These publications and more media coverage of the film can be found on our “Press” tab on our website.

But the enthusiastic reception to First They Came for My College has convinced us that Americans understand the stakes and are ready to build a powerful movement to defend the freedom to teach and learn free of government censorship, a movement to defend universities as bastions of truth-telling and inclusion.

If you can help us in this urgent work, we hope you’ll support this project and spread the word. We look forward to seeing you at a screening soon!

Sincerely,

Holly, Patrick, Harry, and the whole film team

P.S. If you’re getting this email, it’s because you’ve signed up on our website, NewCollegeFilm.com, or because we know you’re a supporter of this important film. We’ll only send these newsletters occasionally.

Check us out onVisit our website for more.

URGENT MATTER. Anti-DEI bills SB 17 & SB 18 are getting heard in the Texas Legislature Tomorrow. Pls sign Petition & Share with Your Networks

To all Scholars, Students, Friends, and Colleagues:

URGENT MATTER. Anti-DEI bills SB 17 & SB 18 are getting heard tomorrow, Monday, May 8, 2023, in the Texas State Legislature—and refer to eliminating DEI offices and tenure, respectively. If you cannot make it to the capitol tomorrow, you can still provide commentary at this link: https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c290

It is not at all hyperbole to say that our state's DEI programs are under threat, and we need everybody's voice. These programs promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our schools and communities, and they are essential for creating a more just and equal society, on the one hand, a global competitiveness, on the other. However some lawmakers want to destroy these programs, putting so much of our civil rights progress at risk.

We can't let that happen. Join us in signing this petition to show your support for DEI programs in Texas. You can access it here directly or at the conclusion of our under 2-minute video.

Together, we can send a message to our lawmakers that these programs are important and that they must be protected. Let's work towards a future where everyone is valued and included. Sign the petition now and share with your friends and family.

We are making a documentary of this initiative. Like the legislation itself, it's a work in progress.

Thanks to Lana Husband, an award-winning documentarian for her beautiful work and for being with us in the struggle. Thanks, as well, to all of our super-talented Black Brown Dialogues on Policy Design Team for their phenomenal commitment to this project.

There will likely be a press conference tomorrow early afternoon on the matter tomorrow, too. I'll update the blog to reflect this once I have details. Please share with your networks.

-Angela Valenzuela, Ph.D., co-founder

(with civil rights attorney Gary Bledsoe, Esq. and Colette Phillips)

Black Brown Dialogues on Policy

Social Media Links:

• Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamBlackBrown
• Visit our Website: Blackbrownpolicy.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamblackbrown/
• Twitter: @TeamBlackBrown
• Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@teamblackbrown

#DontletDEIdie #teamblackbrown #SaveDEI #TexasForEquity #InclusionMatters

Important, must-see CNN documentary titled, "Deep in the Pockets of Texas"

Friends,

I am re-posting this important CNN documentary titled, "Deep in the Pockets of Texas," that might be something to do on this blistery cold day in Texas.

It's illuminating, to say the least, about the rightward shift of Texas Republican party politics—out of step, incidentally, with most Texans and the nation.

It's about "policy for sale" via the bankrolling of campaigns of extremist candidates—many of them, nobodies—who get funding pending their passage of a litmus test regarding just how much they oppose gays, transgender kids, women's reproductive freedom, and other signature issues of the republican right in Texas. To wit, according to a June 2, 2022 Navigator poll, Hispanics, who are stereotyped as conservative on such matters as abortion are largely pro-choice (61%) as opposed to pro-life (29%)—8 percent undecided.




Really wealthy evangelical white people on a mission are behind this. Wealthy people. We totally need to reform all this very influential dark money in politics. This begins with voting, as well as the passage of laws that open up the vote to all Texans.

This is the long game. A first step for me today is supporting Blue Texas that represents a collaboration between Power the Vote the proved influential in Georgia, and Every State Blue that has inspired grassroots efforts, providing resources to state legislative nominees together with resources to secure the vote in every district everywhere. Particularly with a great ground strategy, there is always hope. Plus, we really have no choice but to organize.
-Angela Valenzuela


@powerthevote







Texas: Two Billionaires Want to Destroy
Public Education and Replace It With
Christian Schools

John Lewis: Good Trouble Trailer #1 (2020) | Movieclips Indie

Here is a link to how we can all see this documentary on John Lewis' life titled "Good Trouble," from home. Below is a trailer you can view.

-Angela Valenzuela

How Colleges Manage and Spend Their Money

This is a must-view, mini-documentary from my colleague, Dr. Tony Baez.  

This video is a very good exposure of Ivy League college endowments and how they are an instrument of social stratification...  

Ivy League colleges hold some $616 billion in endowments, and were the principal investors through their money managers in the economy and debt of Puerto Rico. They are now the primary sustainers of the Island’s colonial status, insisting that they be paid first while the Congressional Puerto Rico Financial Oversees Board (PROMESA) slashes schools and social services to shift the savings to pay Ivy League College investments.  

Close to 300 schools have been close in PR, and it’s public university just had to cut another a huge amount from its budget while raising tuition for the working class!  

This is huge! See the link!  

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2019/03/29/cnbc-explores-616-billion-dollar-system-of-college-endowments.html

This is an eye-opener. This excellent reporting pulls down the curtains on the university endowment process that has assumed a life of its own and how the rich get richer, as a consequence.

-Angela Valenzuela

College is expensive, but there is one place in higher education where there’s no shortage of money — endowments. There’s more than $616 billion worth of endowments assets in the U.S., and lawmakers are starting to question why tuition is still rising if some schools have so much money. Wealthy universities have a lot of purchasing power, and it draws the eyes of both investors and activists. Watch the video to learn how college endowments helped fuel the rise of wealth in higher education.

PBS Animated Documentary: Frontera! Revolt and Rebellion on the Rio Grande

Friends,  

Check out this award-winning, animated, PBS Video documentary titled,  

Frontera! Revolt and Rebellion on the Rio Grande, which was produced by Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Mexican American Studies professor Dr. Aimee Villarreal.  It captures the greed, hubris, and brutality that drove settler colonialism that established a legacy of majority-minority relations that are taken for granted as "normal" today.  

Teachers, compliments of Dr. Villarreal, you may find pertinent curriculum here that you can use in the classroom in the teaching of this history.

As someone said today here in Corpus Christi at the annual meeting of the Texas State Historical Association (paraphrasing), everyone, regardless of profession, job, or career, should know history—and in particular, the history of the Southwest.  It won't make you a nurse, doctor, or engineer, but it will make you a better one.

Congratulations to Dr. Villarreal and others credited for this documentary for their powerful contribution to history and for making us all a bit better, as a consequence.

-Angela Valenzuela

Frontera! Revolt and Rebellion on the Rio Grande

Special | 19m 10s

The first American Revolution occurred along the Rio Grande in northern New Mexico when the Pueblo Indians broke from the Spanish Empire. The 1680 Pueblo Revolt has shaped the deeply contested territories of the US-Mexico borderlands even today. Native and Chicano narrators recall this living history through humor, music and cartoons.

Are you a Chingona? Check out this video to see if you are!

Mujeres/women, 

Martha P. Cotera

For a boost to your self-esteem, check out a great video by Denise D. Hernandez on what it means to be a "chingona." Just after the 8-minute mark, Chicana feminist author and scholar Martha P. Cotera provides a historical explanation for the very positive meaning implied in the widespread, if irreverent, use of the word, "chingona." While it is a variant of "chingar," which from a masculinist standpoint in the context of the widely-used expression, "chinga tu madre" that harkens back to the conquest of Mexico, Chicanas have rescued this expression in a life-affirming, values-based way.

According to Martha Cotera, "a chingona is a woman that accepts the vulnerabilities that we have had to overcome and they make themselves strong.  And they make sure it doesn't happen ever again to a woman and they become chingonas."  She's a warrior without which our communities would not be strong.

In the context of a discussion on the movie, Roma, Martha Cotera spoke to me this morning about the strength that we as mujeres Latinas bring to families and society. "It hasn't quite caught on in Mexico," she quipped.

You must see the movie and then read my blog, particularly Enrique Krauz', editorial to feel inauspiciously affirmed by the view that as Latinas, Latina mothers, we're always left to pick up the pieces. 

Families dissolve, crises hit, and we're there. And that doesn't mean that we're screwed. It means that we're "chingonas." 

This is not at all about shame, but redemption. 

As the gender that births a mestiz@ race, we are not "chingad@s," or "hij@s de la chingada," but "chingonas."

And THAT'S a powerful and reliable, time-honored resource!  Enjoy the video!

-Angela Valenzuela

FemBeat: Chingonas

Documentary: The History of Bilingual Education in Texas

Thanks to Dr. Rudy Rodriguez who reminds us that 2019 is the 50th anniversary of the original Federal ESEA Title VII legislation.  Texas A & M University Professor Carlos Blanton cites the importance of bilingual education to European-origin groups in Texas, dispelling the myth that bilingual education was or is only for Latinas/os in Texas.  

Dr. Rodriguez' email correspondence explains the importance of the original Federal ESEA Title VII legislation:

Why is this legislation important???  This federal act provided the impetus for the implementation of the original federally funded 76 bilingual programs in the U.S.  Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, El Paso were among the 17 original programs in Texas. It also led states such as Texas to repeal the English-only laws approved as early as 1918. 

In the 1976, the legislation was amended to include federal funds for teacher training, including the fellowships for master’s & doc study in bil ed- related specialty areas.  For more on the history of the legislation & Texas bilingual ed, click video link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWbN_Y8aa5k Please distribute further to interested colleagues.  RudyR Rodriguez

Glad to see the late Senator Carlos Truán, the late Dr, George I. Sanchez,  the late Senator Ralph Yarborough, Maria Seidner, Dr. Guadalupe San Miguel, José Ángel Gutierrez,  Dr. Ángel Noé Gonzalez, Dr. Cuca Robledo Montecel, Dr. María Gonzalez Baker, among others, in the video, too. Crystal City also gets featured as a pivotal point in the bilingual education movement.  The Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA) is another important institutions that has been instrumental in leading the struggle for bilingual education.

You will also hear expressed support for culturally relevant curriculum, too—which is what we term, Ethnic Studies today.  Pride in one's heritage, as well as Spanish language maintenance is what the Mexican American community has desired forever and a day.

Great video!  Thanks to Rudy Rodriguez for this important reminder to our embattled history for bilingual education.

-Angela Valenzuela

Film: A Strike and an Uprising (in Texas), directed by Anne Lewis

Friends, Consider attending the screening of this documentary by director, Anne Lewis, a treasure in our community. It represents an opportunity to address Black-Brown relations in Texas, particularly shared histories of oppressive labor conditions.  It features the legendary Emma Tenayuca. 

Teachers, this film is good as an companion to Carmen Tafolla and Sharyll Teneyuca's (2008) children's book titled, That's Not Fair! / No Es Justo! Emma Tenayuca's Struggle for Justice/La Lucha de EmmaTenayuca Por la Justicia. 


-Angela Valenzuela

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  Monday at 6 PM – 9 PM Next Week · 73–90°F Partly Cloudy

• pin	Steve Hicks School of Social Work 1925 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, Texas 78712 Show Map

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  Hosted by Social Workers United - ATX

Social Workers United - ATX invites you to attend a film screening on labor organizing in Texas and to meet other social workers interested in unionizing here in the heart of Lone Star State!

A Strike and an Uprising! (in Texas) shows a working class history of Latina and Black women fighting for wages, respect, and liberation, and of the continuing struggle against Confederate rule in Texas. A Q&A session with filmmaker Anne Lewis and members of Social Workers United - ATX focused on labor organizing in general and the importance of unionizing for social workers in Austin will immediately follow the film. 

IMBD page for film:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7363764/

Trailer for film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQWVwv9c6ss

6:00 P.M. - Food and Refreshments 
6:30 P.M. - Film Screening
7:45 P.M. - Q&A with filmmaker Anne Lewis
8:15 P.M. - Meet and great with other attendees to talk unions!

The event will be held at the Utopia Theater (Room 2.106) in The University of Texas Steve Hicks School of Social Work. Sponsored by Social Workers United - ATX, Steve Hicks School of Social Work Committee for Diversity and Inclusion, Solidarity 6.04, and POCKET.