THIS WEEK ON LATINOPIA: POLITICAL SALSA Y MÁS WITH MY HEART SOARS LIKE A HAWK, BURUNDANGA BORICUA ON PUERTO RICO AND THE TRUMP VENEZUELAN GAMBIT AND RICARDO ROMO’S TEJANO REPORT ON THE VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE AND THE MATACHINES TRADITION AND MAKR GUERRERO’S EAST L.A. MUSIC STORIES WITH LOUIE MENDEZ.
This week Salomon Baldenegro returns with his Political Salsa y Más blog. This week he reminds us of past struggles as Chicanos have taken on assaults against their freedoms and have maintained themselves in spite of the obstacles put before them. Sal finds his heart soaring like a hawk because of the stance taken by today’s younger generations against the draconian sweeps by ICE on our Latino communities and how it reflects previous struggles and victories. Once you’ve read this summary of decades of struggle you too will become inspired by how long and how strong our community has fought back. No nos dejamos!
Also this week, José M. Umpierre’s Burundanga Boricua returns with a look at the history of the Monroe Doctrine and how Donald Trump is resurrecting it against the nation of Venezuela. The doctrine claims the legitimacy of “might is right” in the case of the United States dominating the nations of Latin America. The case is particularly relevant now with President Trump threatening Venezuela, ostensibly for its alleged drug trafficking but really an excuse to access its valuable oil reserves. Look for this blog in both Spanish and English!
Ricardo Romo’s Tejano Report looks at the tradition of the matachines dancers which goes back to the time of the conquest. Originally fostered by the Catholic Church as a means of converting the native populations to Christianity, the dance tradition has since morphed into various forms. Ricardo’s excellent photography highlights the dances and their colorful costuming. Check it out!
And Mark Guerrero’s East L.A. Music Stories looks at the music of Louie Mendez of Los Rock Angels who has also played with The Texas Tornados, Flaco Jimenez, and the “King of Latin Soul,” Joe Bataan. Check out this cool interview.
Enjoy your week on Latinopia!
Tia Tenopia