A student-published bilingual magazine released its first issue in a year Saturday night -- the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month -- with what the director calls a new, edgier, more risque feel.
Although Nosotros y Tu? has been around for four years, this issue will mark a new beginning for the magazine, said Marcelino Quinones, president of the organization and general director of the magazine.
"We want to cater to both groups [Spanish and English speaking], but we are aware that Latinos need a voice in the University," Quinones said.
The magazine touches on taboo subjects that many publications on campus and around the Valley shy away from, Quinones said. This issue has articles about race, immigration and abortion.
Any student interested in the publication can write an article, he added.
"Write about what you want," said Luis Avila, founder of the magazine.
Avila, an interdisciplinary studies senior, founded the magazine four years ago when he emigrated from Mexico. He wanted to work for a publication, but his English was not very good. Instead, he decided to create a bilingual magazine because he wanted the magazine to be all-inclusive.
He named the magazine Nosotros y Tu? - which means "us and you" - because he wanted a title that conveyed unity in both English and Spanish. The name has a question mark at the end to invite people to take action. It is a way of saying, "What are you doing?" Avila said.
The magazine does not have a consistent publication date and took the yearlong hiatus because of a lack of funds.
The magazine puts out 5,000 copies an issue at racks around campus and also offers the magazine online.
"It's hard to get a business to put money into something that isn't well known," Avila said.
Although he thought about merging with larger Valley magazines that cater to the Latino community, Avila said he did not want to jeopardize the concept of the magazine. He did not want someone telling him what could and couldn't go in his publication.
Quinones is hoping for another publication in February.
"We are a magazine for everyone," Avila said.
Reach the reporter at amanda.m.gonser@asu.edu.
