Latino arts, history and culture
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...]
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...]
