Tracks, Translations, and Tacky Tributes

This week’s edition covers stories 
from May 16th to May 22nd, 2024.

Today’s issue is 917 words, an 8–minute read.

Hi hi, it’s Ebe!

Ah, it’s great to be back in the muggy and stormy Midwest! Nothing like the ear-piercing sounds of tornado sirens going off at a Target parking lot to make you feel like you’re home. I just returned from my definition of paradise a.k.a California – more specifically Santa Cruz. Although my stomach didn’t quite cooperate with me for most of the trip, it was spiritually rejuvenating to eat real Mexican food and fresh fruit, and lay on the beach watching the waves crash. Anyway, I’m back and have some things to tell you guys about!

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UW Madison Releases Lexicon of English-Hmoob Medical Terminology

In a world of fast-developing technologies and medical advancements, one resource is breaking down barriers for Hmong second-language speakers. The University of Wisconsin Madison’s School of Nursing just dropped its new Lexicon of English-Hmoob Medical Terminology, and it’s an invaluable resource for Hmong families everywhere.

The Lexicon of English-HMoob Medical Terminology addresses a critical need in Hmong-American healthcare, a need that has existed for generations. UW-Madison found that existing resources had failed to bridge the cultural gap in medical interpretation and understanding. This dictionary goes beyond translation by ensuring technical accuracy while respecting cultural sensitivities and incorporating traditional Hmong medical terms.

This collaborative effort involved Hmong community members, healthcare professionals, and linguists, and is intended for a wide audience including medical interpreters, healthcare workers, educators, and anyone interested in improving communication within the Hmong community.

As an immigrant child of non-English speaking parents who had to translate for them during doctor’s appointments as soon I was able to speak fluent English, a resource like this would have been a game-changer. Congratulations to UW-Madison for this pivotal milestone in more equitable health care! Download the dictionary here.

All Aboard the Borealis!

Good news for those suffering from the very chronic and very painful condition of wanderlust: earlier this week, Amtrak finally launched the opening of the Borealis, a train meant to travel from Saint Paul to Chicago in only 7 hours! This new service offers passengers a chance to travel in coach or business class, enjoy the view of the Mississippi River, and arrive in time for dinner at either destination. While some passengers noted the lack of modern amenities compared to other trains, others were enthusiastic about the increased travel options.

The inauguration of Amtrak’s Borealis service marks the second daily round-trip passenger train between St. Paul and Chicago. The midday train departs St. Paul at 11:50 AM, making several stops before arriving in Chicago at 7:15 PM. Tickets start at $41 one-way. 

How do you feel about the fancy new train? You guys wanna plan a weekend trip or what? 👀

Back to Black? More Like Back to Wack! *crickets*

If I haven’t mentioned this before (which would be a surprise to me if I haven’t yet), I’m a pretty big Amy Winehouse fan. So when I heard that the humble folks in Hollywood were going to make a biopic about her, I just KNEW what kind of movie it was going to be from the start, and according to YouTuber Joseph Fisher, I was correct.

Now, I haven’t seen the movie YET as it’s only been out in the US for a few days, but seeing the trailer for it just made me cringe, and teaser clips right before its release did not help the case for why this movie should be taken seriously. Why am I being so hard on it, you ask? Well, just take a look at how tabloids and media in the early 2000’s treated famous, successful women; constantly commenting on their bodies and love lives, making up lies for a quick buck and shoving cameras in their faces. Remember headlines like these?

Now think about how most people talk about Amy Winehouse now. We usually remember her as one of the greatest singers of all time but someone who died too young. A member of the 27 Club alongside icons like Kurt Cobain and Janis Joplin, everyone always talks about how she had demons she couldn’t conquer and how she died of a broken heart. While the first part of that sentence might be true, I’ve always found it so annoying how Hollywood pushes over-romanticized narratives of love, addiction, and fame. So, what, you guys (the music and entertainment industry) just get to tear someone down and then act sad that your star caved to the pressure? Then continue to exploit the fabricated story you made up? 

Folks in the UK were able to form their opinions a few weeks ahead of time, and as Joseph puts it in his video essay, this movie was made for people to say “Oh, isn’t that just so sad? Oh, what a sad, sad story. So heartbreaking.” And it gives off those vibes, for sure. Descriptions of the premise state that it focuses only on the portion of her life leading up to the release and success of her best-selling record Back to Black instead of her entire life, including her death. Joseph notes that Amy’s portrayal in the movie lacks depth and feels more like the creators of the movie wanted to see how accurately they could replicate her live performances. Amy’s IRL friends were not happy about it either, saying that she would have hated this film.

Am I still going to watch it anyway? We’ll see. For now, if you’re an Amy fan or just a music appreciator, I encourage you to watch A24’s 2015 documentary called Amy, a wonderfully raw depiction of her life and talent.

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Stay informed, stay connected. 

See you next week! 
Ebe and the NewPrensa team

Hit play on the Spotify icon below for the NewMusica playlist,
a playlist by the NewPrensa team that brings you NewTaste and NewVibes. 

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