Latino arts, history and culture
“This is not who we are…” I keep hearing the refrain (or variations thereof) “This is not who we are…” in the context of the acts of domestic terrorism, such as the mass shootings we are experiencing … [Read more...]
Whose side are you on? Recent events – the massacre of shoppers in Buffalo, the Uvalde massacre of children, the outright refusal of Republicans to address gun reform – bring the old union song … [Read more...]
History surrounds us… Again, I will forego writing about political issues. Instead, I will try to do justice to a history maker, someone whose advocacy had national implications, someone I was … [Read more...]
Irish vs. the KKK: the Irish won… St. Patrick’s Day is nigh upon us. For many, St. Patrick’s Day is a fun day, a time to wear green, drink green beer, and eat corned beef and cabbage. But it’s … [Read more...]
Empathy takes on Evil… “As long as there is plenty, poverty is evil. Government belongs wherever evil needs an adversary….” Robert F. Kennedy We’re experiencing times in which our well being, … [Read more...]
Republicans and the KKK – an ugly coupling… It’s déjà vu all over again. American philosopher Yogi Berra Indeed, it’s déjà vu all over again. Fifty-six years after the passage of the Voting … [Read more...]
Stereotypes are not funny… A subscriber to a Listserv I am a member of recently criticized Jewish comedians from yesteryear for having invoked Mexican stereotypes in their routines. He’s right to … [Read more...]
The hypocrisy overwhelms… It’s discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit. Noel Coward, English playwright, composer, director, and singer Esa gente no … [Read more...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
Huelga! Huelga! Huelga! The United Steelworkers(USW) and several other unions—Teamsters, Boilermakers, Electricians, Machinists & Aerospace workers, Automobile workers, and Operating … [Read more...]
