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Melissa Dueñas

How Chamorros in the Diaspora are Taking Back Their Culture

Chamorros are the native people of the Pacific islands, Guam (U.S. territory), and the Northern Marianas (U.S. commonwealth). Modern Chamorros, both on the islands and in the diaspora, are disconnected from their indigenous culture and language because of centuries of colonization. But Heidi Quenga, cultural practitioner and director of the Kutturan Cultural Foundation, is trying to change that. Ampersand's Melissa Dueñas has more....
CULTUREFrom Where We ArePODCASTS

Still Punk

“Just go with it, just feel it out,” Joey insisted. I tried, I really did, but I couldn’t keep up with the furied chords. The sound of my snare grew faint, the thud of my kick drum dulled. I looked up desperately for a saving gaze, but it was too late – my stiff arms and gnarled fingers said no more. I stopped playing. Now all eyes were on me. Flush-faced I whispered, “I’m sorry, I can’t do this.” My drum sticks clacked on the concrete garage floor. Nowhere to hide, I cried silently in my friend Kaitlin’s musty Taurus. She was the keyboard player for this band, as well as the instigator of this whole ordeal. On the car ride home she looked over and gave me a pity pat, “It’s okay, you’ll get it next time.” But she was wrong, I didn’t get it next time or even the time after that. I actually didn’t get it for a really long time....
ESSAYSOFF THE CUFF

Tijuana Nights: Crossing the Border to Porky’s

I forget whose house I told my mom I was spending the night at the first time I went to Porky’s. Someone whose family my mom trusted, I’m sure. I’m also sure that I did not sleep at said friend’s house. We all met and slept at Gabe’s house. Gabe, my friend who always smelled like patchouli and had better hair than any girl I knew. He had a nice home and a loving family who did not mind if loud and obnoxious teenagers came over to throw up in their backyard and pass out on their couch. Or so I think they didn’t mind. Then again, I never asked them. ...
ESSAYSOFF THE CUFF

Tribalism in the U.S.A.

My young adulthood consisted of punk shows and community college. I never had a friend that was in a fraternity or sorority. Greek life was a life I only saw played out in Hollywood. Now I see it in real time, a few blocks away from me on USC’s Frat Row. Not really knowing what I was getting myself into, one day I took a stroll down The Row with my audio recorder and decided to talk to some of my fellow Trojans....
CULTUREMUSICPODCASTS

Melissa Dueñas

Radio Producer and Audio Editor

Melissa Dueñas has been both a participant and observer in arts communities from San Diego to San Francisco, as a musician, DJ, documentarian and now journalist. She is the creator of the online radio show Lowrider Sundays and transmedia endeavor, East Side Story Project; both of which explore the affinity for oldies music within Chicanx culture. Dueñas is most interested in creating visibility for communities that have been historically overlooked and misrepresented in media.