Latino arts, history and culture
It’s déjà vu all over again. American philosopher Yogi Berra The Know Nothings are back! Indeed, it’s déjà vu all over again. The Know Nothing Republican Party is rearing its ugly head again. … [Read more...]
On the term Chicano/a … The recent UCLA broadcasting of Jesús Treviño’s 1972 documentary “Yo Soy Chicano” (I am Chicano) precipitated much interest in the Chicano Movement as well as in the term … [Read more...]
Honor the historians… “The study of history is the beginning of political wisdom.” Jean Bodin, French political philosopher The observation “What’s past is prologue,” from Shakespeare’s “The … [Read more...]
There once was a Republican Party. It had a set of principles that formed the basis of a defined ideology. To be sure, I didn’t subscribe to those principles nor agree with the ideology they … [Read more...]
“César Chávez fought Scabs, not immigrants…” Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar is sponsoring a bill to create a commemorative coin minted in César Chávez’s honor. Hopefully, his bill will die a quick … [Read more...]
Mexican St. Patrick’s Day… I’ve written on Los San Patricios before in this space, but the topic continues to be relevant, so this blog elaborates on my previous writing. St. Patrick’s Day is nigh … [Read more...]
Trumpism: A Death Cult… “The (Republican) party is his. It doesn’t belong to anybody else.” QAnon Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) Whom are you not allowed to criticize? Following the … [Read more...]
Decency is not transactional… Again, by your leave, I’m going to deviate from my usual diet of politics and such and focus on a topic that is more personal, more intimate, yet just as important as … [Read more...]
History matters… History instructs. History inspires. History matters. Ignoring it is problematic and causes discord. A couple of recent events bring this to mind. One has to do with César Chávez … [Read more...]
Activism is the foundation… “My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.” Incoming POTUS Gerald Ford, August 9, 1974 on the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Ford’s words … [Read more...]
Undocumented workers more patriotic than Trump… If we had a microphone that could hover over the United States during tax time, the collective mumbling and grumbling—not to mention the ear-reddening … [Read more...]
Trump lied, people died… That sign is ubiquitous at civil-rights marches and other rallies. But the sign is more than a clever slogan. It’s a four-word essay reflecting reality. Some people have … [Read more...]
Corridos: “singing newspapers” and community organizers… The corrido, which tells a true story in song, has served us well over the years. It has informed and inspired us and has moved us to … [Read more...]
The pandemic and racism… We’re living in dangerous times. Much of that danger is either created or facilitated by Donald J. Trump, the president of the United States, an inveterate liar, virulent … [Read more...]
Truth-telling—Mexican American Studies… Mexican Americans have not lived in a vacuum; they have left footprints in terms of history, literature, and interactions with the legal and educational … [Read more...]
“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.” Shannon Alder, Therapist and Author True friends are a real treasure. … [Read more...]
Coronavirus and culture change In addition to the known damage the Coronavirus pandemic is currently visiting on us, it can potentially wipe out an important feature of Mexican American—actually, … [Read more...]
Let us forgive… By your leave, I’m going to deviate from my usual diet of politics and such and focus on a topic that is more personal, more intimate yet just as important as (community-based or … [Read more...]
Bring back decency! All politics is local. Former House Speaker Tip O’Neill Restoring decency into our politics should be our community’s political priority for 2020. It is a moral imperative to rid … [Read more...]
Draft boards, one of the least visible governmental bodies, have had an immense effect on the Mexican American community over the years. Draft boards oversee the registration and selection of persons … [Read more...]
“Hypocrites chasing windmills…” It’s the Christmas season, and, predictably, the right-wing “war on Christmas” nonsense has begun. Former Wisconsin governor Scott Walker and other Republicans are … [Read more...]
