President Obama condecorates Dolores Huerta. (©HIspanic Link)

Dolores Huerta receives nation’s highest civilian honor

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WASHINGTON – Dolores Huerta, pioneer civil rights advocate of the farm worker movement, received the nation’s highest civilian honor May 29. As 300 persons, including two of her 11 children and countless beneficiaries of her courageous work packed the White House East room to acknowledge of her legacy. President Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Supporters from as far away as Los Angeles applauded as President Barack Obama draped the medal on the 82-year-old Huerta. The award recognizes individuals who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

She led grape boycott

President Obama spoke personally about the inspiration each recipient has made in his life during the ceremony.

(Raymundo Aguirre/Borderzine.com)

Mexicans seeking asylum: A facet of U.S.-Mexican political entanglements

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EL PASO — A young policewoman feels trapped living in abysmal despair after fleeing a Mexican town near the border. She attempted to uphold the law in a society fed by narco-violence, but faced insurmountable opposition. Now, her only escape hinges on the uncertainty of the U.S. legal system. “You have to run away like a rat because you don’t know who to be careful from,” she said in resigned desperation. “You feel like everyone wants to kill you.”

This woman, who refused to provide her name because her life is in danger, has seen the worst of her society from the known criminals and those who are supposed to uphold justice.

Proposed Texas education cuts imperil Latino students’ future

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Impending massive budget reductions in flat-broke Texas are about to slam education’s door on its Latino youth, who at 2.34 million now comprise about half of its public school students. Experts and community advocates across the state agree on the danger it portents to the state’s economic future as well. Once among the nation’s wealthiest, the Lone Star State has become the Loan Starved State. It is grappling with a budget shortfall somewhere between $15 billion and $27 billion. The proposed solution by Gov. Rick Perry, with traction offered by conservatives within the GOP-controlled legislature, targets the schools.