Hola mis queridos Latinopianos!

This week–Turkey Day! And we have some great videos for you on Latinopia! In Literature, poet Sara Rafael García, reminds us of the importance of giving thanks to family and those people whom we dearly love in a remembrance of her father titled “In All My Memories”–reminding us of the importance of giving thanks as we sit across each other at the Thanksgiving Day dinner. Let’s remember our departed and embrace and appreciate those still with us (por supuesto, that includes ourselves!)  In Art, we visit once again with Chicana artist Elsa Flores Alamaráz. This time she tells us about her one-woman show at the Fremont Gallery in South Pasadena, California and her 30-year one woman retrospective. Stunning work! And in History we have a unique Moment in Time when two celebrated Chicano activist leaders, Dr. Ernesto Galarza and Reies Lopez Tijerina, met for the first time.

Mijos, the Thanksgiving holiday always inspires your Tia Tenopia to think about all those many things for which we need to be thankful. Yes, it’s true, de vez en cuando, I do get philosophical and thoughtful–no se rien! Now I don’t want to get overly sentimental here, so put away your handkerchiefs–no voy ‘pa ese camino.  But it does seem to me that in spite of the recession and harsh economic times in which we find ourselves, in spite of the continual attacks on us as a Latino community (yes, I’m talking about recent laws passed in Arizona and Alabama–I do read the papers!) and in spite of the long road still ahead of us before Latinos can claim equality across the board in American society, I think we’re allowed a little time to reflect and be thankful for the good things we do have.

Y eso que es?  You’re probably asking yourself. Well for starters, we can be thankful for the rich creative life force in our national Latino community–so many wonderful people giving of themselves, sharing their art with others and making us all proud to be who we are. And how about the amazingly talented and gifted artists, poets, writers, musicians, performers, actors, dancers, directors and creators you will find at Latinopia.com? Not to mention the many dedicated Latino doctors, lawyers, social workers, teachers, scientists, community activists and students who all give back to our community and make us all the better for it..  Viendolo asina, I’d say there’s a lot we can be thankful for and of which we can be muy, muy proud.

Okay, enough or your Tia’s soapbox soliloquies–on with this week’s videos. Enjoy! OOXX
Tia Tenopia