Welcome once again to La Voz Newspaper. This month starts off our 34th year of publishing newspapers. When we started back in 1990, we didn’t even have a computer. We didn’t have layout tables but what we did have was a desire to tell stories and share them with others. I believe we have accomplished that goal. My mother, Molly Santos, whose idea it was to start La Voz, is no longer with us. She passed away in November of 2019. Mama was always the heart and soul of the newspaper.
One time we went to eat at a restaurant in Clute, Texas. She asked the person at the register if she could leave some newspapers by the counter and the person said yes. After we finished eating we got up to go pay and my mom noticed that the newspapers we had left on the counter were now in a trash can. Furious, my mom reached into the can and took them back all the while exchanging words with the person at the register. Mama was always very protective. I think of her every day and every time I am out distributing the paper her spirit is with me.
Cambiando de Tema
In this issue of La Voz we have on the cover a up and coming writer. Jose Onofre Gonzalez is originally from Laredo, Texas and has lived all over the United States. We made contact several months ago and he has submitted pieces which we have published. The one in this issue is his most creative work. As a young he struggled growing up and one of the ways out of the barrio was boxing. He has revived that time in his life and shares with us the two voices that helped him to grow and find his way. We hope you like his story.
Cambiando de Tema
We want to call to your attention the tribute from the United Farm Workers Union of America to Josefina Flores. She passed away last month at the age of 92. In addition to being a farm worker, Josefina went a step further and became one of Cesar Chavez’s strongest loyalists. She was a Chavista de Hueso Colorado.
At the drop of a hat she would take off from work to join us on a picket line, make a day trip to Sacramento to protest anti-union legislation or participate in a march. She was a believer until the very end. Being a member of the United Farm Workers
Union of America gave her a great sense of pride. She proudly wore her union buttons and knew both Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. With the tribute on page 5, we join with others in saying good-bye to Josefina Flores.
On page 11 you will find a story by Magdaleno Avila on the organization called Fierce Madres. This one of the groups that came out of the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, Leno, as he is known, makes the case their voice and action is both needed and welcomed.
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Copyright 2023 by Alfredo Santos. La Voz Newspaper.