Latino arts, history and culture
When are we Mexican … indigenous? Recently I’ve witnessed two spirited debates. One revolved around terminology, that is, what do we call ourselves? The other one revolved around the question of … [Read more...]
Are pickets, marches, etc., effective? Were the demonstrations, pickets, marches, etc., of the Chicano Movement effective? During an interview (by a college student for a term paper) I was asked that … [Read more...]
In 1970, the Mexican American communities of Tucson, Arizona, came together to fight for a public park for the children of two of the poorest barrios in the city. What began as a struggle for a local … [Read more...]
"Safe" events don't create real change... It's the season to honor César E. Chávez and his legacy of labor activism on behalf of farm workers. However, many of the contemporary Chávez celebrations … [Read more...]
Sanctuary cities-a civil initiative... A local activist coalition, Tucson Families Free and Together, has launched a petition drive to change our city's status from being an "immigrant-welcoming" … [Read more...]
Carnalismo is alive and well… “Si sangra mi hermano, yo también sangro … la herida es igual…” (If my brother or sister bleeds, I too bleed … I also am wounded) Chicano Movement song “Yo soy tu … [Read more...]
Where is the love? And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Saul of Tarsus, aka Paul the Apostle (First Letter to the Corinthians) “Charity,” which … [Read more...]
Spanish is a lovely tongue... Some recent incidents involving the use of Spanish (more on these below) brought to mind an essay entitled “Saints and sinners all agree…” I wrote several years ago. I … [Read more...]
Democrats-liberals and Republican-conservatives may be on opposite sides of the political spectrum, but if the dozens of political emails I receive daily are any guide, they seem to use the same … [Read more...]
A “warrior nation” produces a warrior legislator… Today’s politics are simultaneously depressing and infuriating. From President Trump on down to Republican-dominated state legislatures, right-wing … [Read more...]
Trump focuses his racist tendencies on American Indians The racist tendencies Donald Trump brought with him to the presidency are still alive and well. Just this month Trump enthusiastically endorsed … [Read more...]
Standing with the unions My wife and I recently participated in a rally and picket on behalf of the United Steelworkers and other unions representing nearly 2000 employees who work in ASARCO copper … [Read more...]
Barrio self-determination An underlying principle of all Liberation movements—labor, women, civil rights, etc.— is the most fundamental civil right, self-determination: the right of people to … [Read more...]
HISTORY MATTERS IN POLITICS. Historian Rudy Acuña periodically reminds us that history matters. Indeed it does, and it behooves us to remember that during the political season. Our history teaches … [Read more...]
CHANGE THE NAME...CHANGE THE MASCOT. The movement to get the Washington NFL team to change its racist logo and name has come to Arizona. On October 12, about 150 people—members of tribes from … [Read more...]
CÉSAR CHÁVEZ TAKES ON SCAB-LOVING GOVERNMENT. Coinciding generally with César Chávez’s birthday (March) and the anniversary of his death (April), a movie about Chávez’s life and work will soon be … [Read more...]
WRITING OUR OWN HISTORY! Alfredo Gutiérrez is doing what many of us should be doing. He not only made history, and is continuing to make it, he is also writing history. His memoir, “To Sin Against … [Read more...]
MINERS STAND UP TO GOV. "SCABBITT." The 1983 copper miners’ strike in Clifton-Morenci, AZ, happened 30 years ago last month. But reminiscing about the strike conjures up powerful memories and … [Read more...]
