Awaking the Xicano/Latino Leader Within — A Conversation with Efrén Paredes, Jr.

Chicanos y Latinos Unidos (CLU) is convening a workshop at Michigan State University on Sunday, November 23, 2008 from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm, to discuss the importance and need to awaken the Xicano/Latino leader within. Efrén Paredes, Jr. will be calling in to lead the discussion and invite attendees to be actively involved in this critical discussion.

The subjects covered will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Control of thought and behavior;
• Taking ownership for our actions;
• Overcoming insecurities and fears:
• Changing our perceptions;
• Creating mutual respect between the sexes;
• Empowering ourselves;
• Value of expression and communication;
• Developing positive self-image;
• Perils of reactionary behavior;
• Anatomy of conflict resolution;
• Forging alliances and collaborative efforts;
• Emphasizing culture, history and identity; and
• Need to pursue higher education.

Efrén will share two decades of intimate personal experience and research about these subjects. He has mentored hundreds of people and worked closely with them to equip them with the knowledge and necessary skills to thrive in a rapidly changing society.

An honest, articulate and motivational speaker, Efrén will teach people how to gain control over their lives and discuss the perils of refusing to do so. He will also provide a critical in-depth cost-benefit analysis of the group's dialogue every step of the way.

The work Efrén has done to combat social injustice and empower Xicano/Latino youth has been endorsed by Dr. Elizabeth "Betita" Martinez, Dr. Carlos Muñoz, Jr., and other highly respected members of the Xicano/Latino community.

We endeavor to generate widespread interest in the workshop and use this blueprint for personal growth and development to reach students at the college level and later at the high school and middle school level.

Ultimately we not only want to correct distorted thinking patterns, we want to prevent them from being engendered to begin with.

To learn more information about the workshop you can contact the event lead organizer, Xavier Gonzalaz via e-mail at gonza365@msu.edu or via phone at 956-739-5264.

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* The term "Xicano/Latino" is in no any way intended to exclude Xicanas or Latinas. We want it to be clear that Xicanas and Latinas are included in our usage of the term.

Presentation About Efrén at ACLU of Michigan State University Event

A member of the Lansing TIME Committee presented about Efrén's case yesterday evening, November 12, 2008, at a meeting on the campus of Michigan State University (MSU) about the imposition of life without parole (LWOP) sentences on juveniles. The meeting was convened by the ACLU of MSU.

An expert panel consisting of Shelli Weisberg, Legislative Director for the ACLU of Michigan, and Francisco Villarruel, MSU Professor and Senior Research Associate with the Institute for Children, Youth, and Families, presented about various issues related to juveniles sentenced to LWOP and juvenile incarceration. Both members of the panel were already familiar with Efrén's case.

Members of the ACLU of MSU and other local activists were also in attendance. Our representative distributed information about Efrén's case and gathered letters and postcards supporting his release. One of the events lead organizers expressed an interest in wanting to assist us generate support for Efrén's public hearing. We will work closely with him and appreciate his generous offer.

Our presentation garnered additional support for Efrén's release, and the meeting was productive for the campaign to abolish the imposition of LWOP sentences on juveniles as well. It is always a positive thing when we receive the opportunity to educate the community about both of these very important issues.

A special thanks to the ACLU of MSU for inviting us to present about Efrén and helping us increase visibility about the injustice surrounding his wrongful conviction.