“WORKERS OF THE WORLD…UNITE!” Okay that’s your Tia Tenopia’s way of saying Happy Labor Day Week-End! Whaaa? Well don’t you know that this week-end, besides the traditional bar-b-ques, department store specials, beer and TV football, is also about celebrating the victories that workers have fought for and won over many decades? Hey, why do you think we have an eight hour work day and week-ends off? Someone had to fight for that in the past and today we all benefit. Don’t believe me? Google it! So, in addition to our regular blogs and videos on contemporary issues facing Latinos in America, we salute the many people who have struggled for worker’s rights with two insightful videos, all about people who have put it on the line, getting arrested, beaten and even having their lives threatened for speaking out for worker’s rights. And who are these heroes of La Raza? Let’s start with Emma Tenayuca, who in 1936 led 12,000 pecan shellers to strike when the bosses decided to cut their pay. And what about Dolores Huerta, Vice-President of the Farm Worker’s Union, who talks about how Cesar Chavez advocated for non-violence at a crucial time and even undertook a public fast to drive home his point. Both Cesar and Dolores were threatened, arrested for their efforts. As you turn that hamburger over the grill this Labor Day, please take a moment to think of these courageous people!
Our bloggers this week are Puerto Rican-based José Umpierre, also known as the colossal Zocotroco, who brings us Part Three in his biting analysis of how Puerto Rico became to be what it is today AFTER the United States too it over allegedly for its own good This blog is so important that we offer it both in Spanish and in English. Don Felipe, hailing from the state of New Mexico, takes a considered and thoughtful look at the current rants of Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and frames his racist antics as part of a long line of anti-Latino scapegoating that began with La Leyenda Negra (The Black Legend). Hey, check it out!
And speaking of Trump, cartoonist blogger Sergio Hernández weights in on his take of the real reason why Trump thinks all those Mexicans like him. NOT TO BE MISSED! And, of course, no week would be right without a Photo of the Week from Angela Ortiz. This week look for “A walk along the Los Angeles River.”
Enjoy your week on Latinopia!
Tia Tenopia