El Clasificado celebrates Latino contributions with 'El Sueño Americano' publication

As America marks its 250th anniversary, the publication El Clasificado has published a collection on the American Dream from the Latino perspective in a new publication that highlights Latino contributions. 

The publication called “El Sueño Americano” profiles 10 Latinos’ stories and how they’ve accomplished their version of Sueño Americano, their American Dream. 

Co-author of “El Sueño Americano” and founder and CEO of El Clasificado, Martha de la Torre said in an interview with CALÓ News that the stories highlighted in the piece are not very well known stories, but they're stories that impacted her when she was growing up. 

“I wanted to put something out so that our community could also be recognized and how they contributed to the 250 years of celebrating this great nation,” de la Torre said. It's not perfect, but where else could we have what we have?”

One example de la Torre mentioned was Linda and Loretta Sanchez, two Latina sisters who come from an immigrant family and worked their way up to become the first sisters to simultaneously serve in the United States Congress. 

Others featured in the publication are María S. Salinas and Raúl F. Salinas, longtime Los Angeles community leaders; Dr. Jose Fierro, president of Cerritos College; and the late Danny Villanueva, a pioneer in Spanish-language television and an early leader in what later became Univision. The feature on Villanueva includes reflections from his son, Jim Villanueva. 

De la Torre said she believes the publication will allow for more conversations regarding the American Dream, despite which Latin American country one comes from. 

“It's really nice to have that heritage but how can we make the country where we live stronger and how can our country help other countries?” de la Torre said. 

During the interview, she shared a story from a trip to Africa that she said influenced her perspective on helping communities. 

“When I went to Africa, the bus driver said, ‘don't send us money, show us how to do things like you do things. Show us how to build factories, show us how to be better farmers.’ And I think that's what I want the U.S. to do,” de la Torre said. “Let's help our ancestors, our family still living in other countries. Let's find ways to share how you can better your lives where you are.”

A total of 10,000 printed copies of “El Sueño Americano” are being distributed throughout Greater Los Angeles. Digital editions are also available in English and Spanish at elclasificado.com.