THIS WEEK ON LATINOPIA: RAY ANDRADE ON THE FOUNDING OF JUSTICIA, SAL BALDENEGRO ON HURTFUL NICKNAMES, MATT SEDILLO READS THE POPE OF BROADWAY, AND SERGIO TRONCOSO ON FROM THIS WICKED PATCH OF DUST.
In the late 1960s Latinos first became conscious of the racist and stereotypical depictions of Latinos in American films and television. One of the first groups to openly challenge these negative portrayals and argue for more opportunities for Latinos in motion pictures and television was the group Justicia (Justice). Ray Andrade, founder of the group, talks about how it came about.
Regular blogger Sal Baldenegro delivers another insightful piece. This week he looks at nicknames and how they can be fun but also hurtful. Do you have a nickname that kids used to call you and was it a hurtful one?
Poet Matt Sedillo reads from his recent collection of poems, City on the Second Floor. His selection is “The Pope of Broadway.” referring to a mural depicting actor Anthony Quinn in a scene from the movie Zorba the Greek painted by muralist Eloy Torres.
Lastly, we post a short film showcasing author Sergio Troncoso’s book “From This Wicked Patch of Dust.”
Enjoy your week on Latinopia! And our saludos to the members of the Texas Institute of Letters who are convening their annual meeting this coming week in El Paso, Texas. The group is made up of Texas writers from throughout the state and comprises fiction, non-fiction authors as well as journalists, playwirghts and even songwriters. Of course, Latinopia will be there covering the proceedings.
Tia Tenopia