April 17, 2009
When James Scurlock warned about the impending credit meltdown in his 2007 documentary film “Maxed Out,” many economists and media experts were quick to dismiss his alarmist message. After all, access to credit had given Americans the benefits of one of the world’s greatest standards of living. And while old school messages of saving for a rainy day remained, the norm had long been ‘why put off until tomorrow what one readily could have today?’
James Scurlock & Graciela Aponte
But that wasn’t by choice, adds Graciela Aponte, wealth-building analyst for the National Council of La Raza. Many Latinos, says Aponte, were forced to operate on a cash economy. One of the issues NCLR has been championing has been wealth-building within the Latino community. Without full access to credit, says Aponte, Latinos had difficulty in sharing in the full benefits of the American standard of living.
We also hear from Latino USA contributor Lily Percy, who profiles one long-time undocumented worker who has, for the most part, been forced to survive in a cash economy.
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Want to hear more? Here’s a recording of James Scurlock reading from his book, Maxed Out:
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Share your thinking on the economy and the role of credit in our lives. How is your household coping with the economic downturn? Join us on the Latino USA Blog for the conversation online.
Think “Latin Music,” and electronica is a genre that generally does not come readily to mind. But RH+ is not your typical dance club fare. Critics have praised this Chilean band not only for its blend of beats, but for staying true to a dreamy smoothness as opposed to a techno-hard edge. Formed in 2004 under the original name “Rock Hudson,” RH+ has a new CD out titled “Quintana Roo.” Most of the tracks from this Latin American band are done in English. That’s not for marketing, say band members. That’s just how the music comes out. Band Member Fernando LaSalvia speaks to Maria Hinojosa from the groups studio in Chile.
James Scurlock is Director and Producer of the documentary and book both titled “Maxed Out.”
