THIS WEEK ON LATINOPIA: 250 YEARS OF JULY FOURTH! Dr. MAGGIE RIVAS RODRIGUEZ, DAN GUERRERO AND JOE HERNANDEZ-KOLSKI ON WHAT DOES JULY 4TH MEAN TODAY? SAL BALDENEGRO ON CELEBRATING JULY FOURTH, ALBERTO “TITO” RIOS ON JULY FOURTH AS THE DAY OF REFUGIOS, AND RICARDO ROMO ON RECOMMENDED SUMMER READING.
This week, throughout the United States Americans will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the nation. But at a time of historic national division among its citizens, one wonders what the true meaning of the Fourth of July is today? In 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, Latinopia asked this question to three distinguished Latinos: Dr. Maggie Rivas Rodriguez, professor of Journalism at the University of Texas at Austin. Dan Guerrero, a prolific actor , producer and creator of the stage play Gaytino, and Joe Hernandez-Kolski, an actor and comedian. Their responses dwelt on how right wing activists have claimed the celebration of the flag to advance racist and homophobic ideology and the need for Latinos to reclaim the flag for the purpose intended by the founding fathers. We report this discussion as we consider it still very relevant today.
Also this week, we report Salomon Baldenegro’s Political Salsa y Mas blog on the way in which Americans celebrate the 4th of July and other holidays, often ignoring the purpose for which these holidays were intended.
Arizona author Alberto “Tito” Rios reminds us that for some Latino Americans the Fourth of July has another meaning. It falls on the Dia de los Refugios, the Saint’s day of people who are named “Refugio.” Tito lets us in on how this tradition has personal meaning for him.
And Ricardo Romo’s Tejano Report looks at a number of books by Latino authors that make for great summertime reading. Check out his list of books!
Enjoy your week on Latinopia and please take your pets indoors or to a safe place before the fireworks begin!
Tia Tenopia