THIS WEEK ON LATINOPIA: TREVINO ON THE LOSS OF DON FELÍPE DE ORTEGO, SAL BALDENEGRO ON CARNALISMO IS ALIVE AND WELL, MARK GUERRERO’S CHICANO MUSIC CHRONICLES WITH THE LEGENDARY SUNNY OSUNA, ALFREDO SANTOS AND LA VOZ ON THE PASSING OF GUSTAVO “TAVO” GARCÍA.
Latinopia is sad to report that this week we lost one of our premiere bloggers and an extraordinary human being activist scholar, Don Felípe De Ortego y Gasca (1926-2018). Dr. Ortego was known to our followers for his monthly blog Brave Road. A true scholar to the end, he delivered his last blog to us just two months before he passed away on December 29, 218. He is survived by his wife scholar and librarian Gilda Baeza-Ortego. Jesús Treviño, founder of Latinopia and a long time friend of Don Felípe pays his respects in this week’s video: Latinoppia Hero Felípe de Ortego y Gasca.
Also this week we note the passing of another literary and activist giant, Dr. Leo Estrada. We republish Dr. Alvaro Huerta’s appreciation of his mentor and fellow urban planner and sociologist. In lastly, we also note the passing of Gustavo “Tavo” García, a pioneering activist from Austin Texas, who became the first elected Chicano Mayor of Austin, Texas. Blogger Alfredo Santos gives us a recuerdo in this month’s issue of La Voz in his Mis Pensamientos blog.
Tucson-based blogger Sal Baldenegro brings us an eye-opening report on abuses of immigrant children under the auspices of an agency operated by a Mexican American couple that has received community-wide reproach. Sal reminds us that, “carnalismo is alive and well” as Chicanos protest the abuses and demand the agency lose its license. Check out this month’s Political Salsa y Más column.
Also this week, Mark Guerrero returns with this Chicano Music Chronicles, this week focusing on Texas and national singer Sunny Osuna (do you remember “Talk to me?” ) As you know Mark has been chronicling interviews with leading Chicano and Latino singers and groups for years. You can find many of these on the Latinopia site. Or you can find them on Mark’s own podcast site: https://markguerrero.podbean.com/