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CNN news anchor, Soledad O'Brien was at the MTV headquarters this Monday with an exclusive screening of her upcoming documentary Latino in America, in which she explores the Latino experience in the United States. She herself is Latina as her full name suggests, Maria de la Soledad Teresa O'Brien. Her mother is Afro-Cuban and her father is from Australia, with an Irish and Scottish background - that explains the freckles on her face!

Last month, when Blogamole interviewed Soledad O'Brien at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's 32nd Annual Awards Gala, la periodista shared with us her parents' experience in the United States and how they were forced to go to Washington D.C. to get married because interracial marriage was illegal at the time in Maryland, where they met.  Now, 40 years later, there are a different set of challenges that lie ahead for people of color. In this 2-part documentary, O'Brien introduces us to Latinos of all different ages and across the U.S., who share their personal stories.

The first part of the documentary is called "The Garcias," which O'Brien tells us is the 8th most popular surname in the U.S. today.  In this portion of the story, we are introduced to a handful of Garcias from all across the nation, including Cindy Garcia, a student who is struggling to catch up on credits - taking classes from 8am to 8:30pm - in order to graduate high school. Two weeks shy from finishing her classes, Cindy discovers something life-changing that may keep her from completing her credits.

In the second part of the documentary, O'Brien takes us to different Latino communities, including Miami, where we meet Martha, a 15-year-old girl who came to the U.S. illegally by crossing the Rio Grande river on a tire tube, despite not knowing how to swim, because she wanted to find her mother. Although she finds her, she is faced with an unfortunate circumstance that lands her in court, facing deportation. We witness as she struggles to stay in the U.S. instead of being sent back to a country where no one can take care of her.

Inspired by the stories collected for her documentary, O'Brien decided to write a book with the same name, Latino in America, where she not only includes more revealing accounts and never-before-seen interviews and exclusive photos from the special, but also tells the story of her own life.  El libro esta disponible in stores now.

Here is a short clip of Latino in America where Soledad O'Brien interviews Eva Longoria Parker. Watch to find out why Eva Longoria's nickname was "the ugly one" growing up!

Photos via Getty Images

Tags CHCI 32nd Annual Awards Gala, CNN, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Cuban, Eva Longoria Parker, Latinos, Latinos in America, Soledad O'Brien, Washington DC

After a thorough hearing process and week's wait, Sonia Sotomayor has been confirmed for the Supreme Court today. The Bronx-born Latina is the first Hispanic to sit on the Supreme Court, the third female justice in U.S. history and the second-youngest member of the court.

The "Yeas" had it today; the vote to confirm Sotomayor was 68 to 31. Nine republicans cast their vote in favor of the 55-year-old federal judge. The Democrats "continued to praise Sotomayor as a fair and impartial jurist with an extraordinary life story" whereas many Republicans were still convinced that Sotomayor's personal views and ethnic background would cause her to be biased in federal judgements.

Sotomayor's confirmation has already sparked celebration in the Hispanic community (you can hear the piñatas busting open).  About the historic moment, Senator Robert Menendez (D-New Jersey) said "This is America!" The President of the National Council of La Raza, Janet Murguia, also shared en la emoción del día: "I can't think of a bigger milestone for Hispanics in this country."  [CNN, USA Today]

Los sueños really do come true.  From hard knocks in the Bronx to being a leading lady on The Hill?  Nicely played, Sonia!

Ahora bien, what's left to say?  Grab la familia, la comida, el tequila y ¡Celebremos!

Image via Getty Images

Tags 68 to 31, breaking news, bronx, CNN, comunidad hispanica, comunidad latina, confirmation hearings, democrats, hispanic community, hispanic history, historia, janet murguia, juez latina, Latina, latino community, latino history, momento historico, mujer latina, national council of la raza, obama nominee, republicans, robert menendez, Sonia Sotomayor confirmed, usa today, woman

Selena Gomez plays a brujita on television, but the "Wizards of Waverly Place" actress is a world renown hero in la vida real. How exactly does a 16-year-old chica conquer that role?

The Disney star remains a loyal advocate to a handful of organizations, including the political initiative UR Votes Count, the youth rescue foundation AmberWatch, UNICEF, and the animal rights group Conservation International, among others. Selena joined several Latina social activists like Cameron Diaz, Christina Aguilera, and Salma Hayek in honoring CNN's Top 10 Heroes of 2008 at Kodak Theatre in Hollywood yesterday.

We know our chiquita was secretly hoping to bump into her idol Salma again! She exclusively told Blogamole about the first time she ever met the Mexican actress:

I was actually having a heart attack not too long ago because I got to visit Salma Hayek at her office. I was so excited to meet her because when I was younger my family, and my dad in particular loved Salma. He always thought she was beautiful and even had a poster of her. I was like a little kid when I saw her…it was so exciting.

Yep, Ms. Hayek is a pretty big deal. That mamacita is the mother load of philanthropy! Sounds like Selena has learned from the best. [CNN]

Photos via Getty Images

Tags Cameron Diaz, Chisme, Christina Aguilera, CNN, Gossip, MTV, Salma Hayek, Selena Gomez, Tr3s, Tres

Who can you turn to when you want to gain attention for a pro-social cause?

Juanes of course! At least that's what MTV did for the BE BRAVE campaign. BRAVE (The Bill of Rights for America’s Veterans) was created to mobilize support for veterans rights. By signing this petition to support BRAVE, individuals are demanding that our elected officials advocate for our troops.

In order to raise awareness for the petition, MTV's Choose or Lose campaign and CNN put together a snazzy little concert called "A Night for Vets: An MTV Concert for the BRAVE." The concert features performances by activist extraordinaire Juanes as well as Kanye West, 50 Cent, Ludacris, Hinder and Saving Abel. The ladies will also be representing as we hear Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson may make a surprise appearance (you didn't hear that from us!)

Check out the fun for a cause when the concert airs on Friday at 8 p.m. ET on MTV and again Saturday on MTV Tr3s.

You can sign the petition aquí:

Photo via Getty Images

Tags "A Night for Vets: An MTV Concert for the BRAVE, 50 Cent, CNN, Hinder, Juanes, Kanye West, Ludacris, MTV's Choose or Lose, Saving Abel