Maegan la Mamita Mala Ortiz

Name: Maegan la Mamita Mala Ortiz Location: Corona, NY I have been running VivirLatino, a blog for/by Latinos for over 5 years now, specifically covering immigration & other issues important to my community, from a shamelessly radical perspective.

A little about me

I'm a radical Nuyorican single mami media maker, with over 15 years as an activist online and offline. I was one of the first radical women of color bloggers online, and continue to make radical media to support self-determination and justice.

I would describe myself as a

blogger

Why I deserve a Netroots Nation Scholarship

As a single mami radical Nuyorican independent media maker there is no non-profit entity to fund my participating in Netroots. I have attended twice thanks to generous support. It is the only way I can attend. While Netroots hasn't always been the most comfortable place for me, I look forward to the opportunity to connect with people who share the goal of speaking truth to power and moving our struggle(s) forward.

I manage these blogs

VivirLatino

What first inspired me to get involved

I was 16 when I met my political mentor, former Young Lord, Richie Perez (RIP). It was an epiphany that left me crying from anger at how Latinos were being killed for who they were. That anger opened my eyes to the need for participation in seeking justice and building community. 16 years later, I have never stopped

How I've gotten others involved

I would like to think I have served and that I serve as an example of different ways to engage, protest, and keep it real about how we build community and work collaboratively with others. I would also like to think that I serve as an example of not selling out and always keeping it real.

The blog post I am most proud of

http://vivirlatino.com/2010/02/22/when-it-comes-to-immigration-talk-and-action-women-and-children-last.php

Why I think participation in the blogosphere is important

I don't know if I think participation in the blogosphere is important. I think participation in your community is important. That happens on different levels and in different spaces.

More about my volunteer work

My community is my campaign. I work on building support networks for other radical mamis m/others of color and currently I am the immigration editor for Progressive Congress News.

My Twitter manifesto on online activism

Online activism only works if you are actively engaged in community. RT'ing, commenting is not activism in my mind. How are you living your life. Activism is not a job. It is not a marketing campaign. It is a vision for the world you want to live in and m