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To our Latinos: We're proud to bring you the second edition of ¿Quo Vadis? It's still hard to grasp a hold of what has happened since our first issue was printed. We wish to thank all the people who have given us their support and enthusiasm. So much excitement has come out of the woodwork, and we feel it's only going to get even bigger. We were proud to see such a tremendous response to our premiere issue, and we were very happy to read the many letters and e-mail we received from you. Our favorite letters thanked us for showing the intelligence and diversity of Latinos and commended us for not allowing sex classifieds to be a part of the representation of our community. The Latino race on the whole is one big tamale, and it faces many issues. Latinos have an entirely unique set of ideas, beliefs and challenges that go on top of those that face the larger Latino community. With our first issue, we believe that the Latino community became a little bit closer. Through the stories, imagery and even through our advertisers, who all serve the needs of our community, we helped to create a new venue in which we can relate to one another. By supporting each other, we will be able to create a better future for all of us. Many of our brothers and sisters have asked us if we are going to write about different aspects of Latino culture. The answer is, "Yes!" With every issue, we promise to bring you the latest and greatest about the Latino, Chicano, Mexicano, Salvadoreno, Puerto Riqueno, and everything else under the Mexica sun. There are hundreds of thousands of issues, good and bad, about and within our culture that need to be addressed. If we miss one aspect in a certain issue, write to us and tell us about it. Let us know what you want to see in the next issue of QV. One of QV's many goals is to help our QV hermanos feel better about themselves and for our publication to be relevant to them. Doing this will be a challenge because we are all at different levels in our life. Some have taken a road of marriage and children, only to figure out that there is something inside that tells them they are different both mentally and sexually. Others are lost in a pool of guilt and embarrassment because they can't admit to their families, to God, and to themselves, that something deep inside them is not coexisting with what they perceive on the outside world. The idea that they could be that "faggot" that they've seen stereotyped on the Jenny Jones Show just doesn't appeal to them. Still, others are fully out of the closet and very comfortable with their sexualities. We want to be able to represent and inform everyone no matter where they are in their journeys of life. The issues at hand: religion, machismo, pride and familia are, for the first time, being covered by qvMagazine. Together, we are designing and developing a new ideology that fits who we are. We are creating events that have yet to be created. We are making a promise to ourselves to create a future for us and for our younger generation. Picture this, an East LA QV pride that not only celebrates the fact that we are QV, but intertwines the rich cultura that we've inherited from our abuelos and translates these precious events using our own QV Estilo. We envision QV cholos, (and yes, they do exist!) cruising down Whittier Boulevard with their vatos with no shame. QV rancheros dancing quebradita to the beat of the band that plays before them. Latinos, walking hand in hand, with no sight of guilt. These are our dreams. In order for us to do it, we need Unity. And when we do it, of course, we'll do it with Style. We have titled this issue "Style" as a means of reminding you to be yourself. Each of us possesses a particular style or a way that reflects our own individuality, whether we are at school, work, or play. By displaying our style and our talents, we will be able to understand not only ourselves, but those around us. And it is that understanding which will make us ascend into a culturally-rich and diverse community. In the meantime, the holidays have come upon us, and it's time to grab your homeboy, buy a tree at Target or Wal-mart and make that promise to yourself and to each other that, for the new year, you will reach out to your hermanos y hermanas! So promise yourself that you will make a difference in at least one person's life! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year! Feliz Navidad y Próspero año Nuevo! And welcome to the new year of ¿Quo Vadis? It will be a year of change and a year full of events never before seen in our community. >>Next Article>> |