Why la política in latino fiction and poetry

by RudyG

March on The White House

Photos are of nationwide protests against Keystone XL Pipeline, of which my wife and I attended the Denver march and rally last week. More here.

One question raza writers and poets gets asked, usually by blancos, is why we "put" the politics of the Mexican-American War and other information about repression and rebellion into our fiction, like the latinoamericanos so often do. The easy answer is that culturally and politically we share in the history of U.S. corporate and governmental domination and exploitation.

This answer has always bothered me--not that some raza writers and essayists have not covered it well, but because it seemed to not go the final step, at least in my head. For some reason, this week jelled it better for me.

D.C. rally, 50,000

Below you'll read news and events from Califas, Nuevo Mexico, Tejas, AridZona and Latin America. The content obviously touches, if not more deeply examines, the historical exploitation of mexicano labor, Obama's so-called immigration reform, internationally illegal American torture camps, the ecologically devastating XL Pipeline, and the outlawing in Aridzona of Mexican American studies. How these things negatively affect latinos should be obvious; if not, you can click links to read more.

S.F. rally

What dawned on me was that the reasons for such news and events happen every week, if not day, in the latino communities. It's life for our gente. But do they not also happen every day for Anglos? Yes, but many don't see them as relevant to attend, support or learn about.

Which led me to a new conclusion: it's not that latinos "put" more politics about repression, exploitation and protest into their stories and poems. It's that most/many Anglo artists are behind us, historically, on the curve of learning about their own dire situation, and how and why they should in fact having been injecting la politica into their own fiction.

The result is that our fiction, because it includes the political, tends to be more realistic, and theirs (as a rule), because it excludes a big chunk of reality, leans toward idealism and romanticism in its portrayal of American life.

So, the next time you a latino get asked this question at a reading or conference, you might ask the questioner why his favorite gringo fiction writer doesn't include global warming, ripping the ecological guts out of America's Heartland with the XL Pipeline, exploitation of farmworkers by gringo agribusiness, school board repression of Mexican American Studies, the American gov't's illegal torture camps, for instance. I'm interested in hearing others' thoughts on this.

If you missed it, check Ramos's post yesterday about the film version of Rudy Anaya's novel, Bless Me, Última, that opened this week in theaters. He's got links to find venues an times.

I'm taking my young godson with me, making him put down the video remote and shut off his cell, so that he too leaves more knowledgeable about his gente. Take a kid of your choosing with you when you go, por favor. 

Es todo, hoy.

Farmworkers & Immigration Reform: The Forgotten Ones


The numerous discussions on immigration reform presently taking place between Obama and the Congress that would grant legal status to those living within the shadows of society include some form of legal residency with a possible path to citizenship. This proposed legal residency could take the form of either a visa or green card. The discussions pertain to the eleven million undocumented persons within the country, but the fate of the two million farmworkers is viewed differently by Republicans and some conservative Democrats. Read the entire Latino POV post of February 19, 2013 by Jimmy Franco Sr.
here.

Update: Arizona - The Battle Over Ethnic Studies

PBS's Ray Suarez of Need to Know traveled to Tucson, Arizona, to report on a long-running dispute over a Mexican-American studies program. Mexican-Americans have the second highest push-out / drop-out rate in the nation. That accompanied with the fact that they are the fastest growing demographic in this country with the lowest educational attainment is a crisis not just for the Latino community but for all communities.

Mexican American studies in Tuscon’s public school district, a program created to reach out to ‘at risk’ Latino students was an idea to improve academic performance by teaching literature and history they could personally identify with. Students who never had an interest in school started coming to class.

A University of Arizona study found that in 2010 students in the program were 64% more likely to pass standardized tests than students of a similar ethnic background not in the program. Ethnic studies programs like this have now been outlawed by the state of Arizona, forcing classes to be conducted in a youth center and not a high school. Read the entire report or watch the video here.

The Latin American Exception -
How a Washington Global Torture Gulag Was Turned Into the Only Gulag-Free Zone on Earth by Greg Grandin - excerpts

Gitmo detention camp

Of 190-odd countries on this planet, a staggering 54 participated in various ways in the American torture system, hosting CIA “black site” prisons, allowing their airspace and airports to be used for secret flights, providing intelligence, kidnapping foreign nationals or their own citizens and handing them over to U.S. agents to be “rendered” to third-party countries. The hallmark of this network has been torture.

What’s most striking is that no part of its wine-dark horror touches Latin America; that is, not one country in what used to be called Washington’s “backyard” participated in rendition or Washington-directed or supported torture and abuse of “terror suspects.”  Not even Colombia, which throughout the last two decades was as close to a U.S.-client state as existed in the area. It’s true that a fleck of red should show up on Cuba, but that would only underscore the point of Guantánamo Bay Naval Base, held by the U.S. "in perpetuity."

How did Latin America come to be territorio libre in this new dystopian world of black sites and midnight flights, the Zion of this militarist matrix? After all, it was in Latin America that an earlier generation of U.S. and U.S.-backed counterinsurgents put into place a prototype of Washington’s twenty-first century Global War on Terror. Read the full story here.

Jan. 1948 disaster news

The Deportee Song memorial

From Tim Z. Hernandez comes this:
I’m currently working on a book surrounding the “Plane Wreck at Los Gatos” incident, in which 32 people died, 28 who were “Mexican nationals” and were being deported. This is the incident on January 28, 1948, that Woody Guthrie wrote his famous song The Deportee Song about, and was later recorded by Dolly Parton, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and many others. For details about my book project and the incident, check out the website.

In short, the 28 “deportees” were buried in a mass grave at Fresno’s Holy Cross Cemetery, and during these last 65 years their names have never been on that headstone. It simply reads “28 Mexican Nationals Who Died in a Plane Crash Buried Here.” A big part of my research has been to confirm the names of all 28 people, and with the help of Holy Cross Cemetery we have accomplished this.

We are now going one step further and working to erect a new memorial headstone listing all of their names. The memorial will be a public event at a later date. Right now we are working hard to raise $10,000. This is the total cost of the memorial. Again, if you click on the aforementioned link you will get the details on how to contribute. Also, I want to announce a new opportunity to contribute as well.

Fresno based musician, Lance Canales and I have recorded a new version of the famous song, which includes me reading the names of the passengers. You can now purchase a copy of this song, and all proceeds will go directly to the memorial. Simply click on this link,

Also, we’ll be organizing a concert fundraiser in Fresno, so please keep an eye out for that, too. If you have any questions at all you can contact me.
Thank you all, sincerely…
Tim Z. Hernandez 
e:tzhernandez@yahoo.com       web: www.timzhernandez.com

From Idle No More to Eagle Ford and Beyond: ...

Esperanza Peace & Justice Center
922 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio, Texas
Saturday, March 2, 2013, 10:00am–3:00pm CST


Idle No More is an indigenous rights movement that began in December 2012 in Canada, in response to the passage of Bill C-45. Most famously, Attiwapiskat Chief Theresa Spence undertook a 44-day hunger strike to protest the bill, which weakens treaty rights for First Nations peoples and national environmental protections, giving industry greater access to Native lands and to Canadian waterways. From its beginning in the actions of four Indigenous women, Idle No More has refused to be a single issue movement, with many observers comparing it to the Arab Spring and calling it an “Occupy movement with roots.”

Since it began, numerous solidarity actions have taken place across the world, including here in San Antonio on January 11th and 28th. These actions were organized by a group of residents from San Antonio, Tejaztlan who support the vision of Idle No More—recognizing that indigenous rights are human rights, and that the struggle to preserve indigenous sovereignty and knowledge is crucial to the struggle to protect the planet for its own sake and for all of our children.

In solidarity with First Nations peoples of Canada, our next step is to make urgent connections between the concerns of Idle No More and local environmental justice issues. Please join us for a teach-in March 2nd on INM, the Keystone XL Pipeline, and fracking.

Facilitators include:
Diane Wilson, a 4th-generation shrimper and longtime environmental justice activist who recently completed a 45-day hunger strike protesting Valero’s involvement with the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Krystan Bruce, a seventh generation South Texan from San Antonio who recently returned to her home state to join the fight against the oil and gas industry. In the past, she organized with Black Mesa Indigenous Support to help residents resist Peabody Coal's theft of their land, livestock and water.
Antonio Diaz, a Native rights activist from San Antonio and former Green Party congressional candidate.
For more info, go here.

The Handsome Pepper art show in San Anto
Saturday, March 2, 2013


6:00pm until 9:00pm CST

Born in Mexico D.F., Carlos G. Gómez found his first artistic expression in the “Tex – Mex” culture of the Rio Grande Valley in Brownsville where he was raised. “Brightly colored buildings and the surreal atmosphere of the Mexican border towns gave me the first appreciation of color, line, and the generalization that my chosen images would have to be bold and realistic," explains Gómez. He obtained his B.F.A. at Pan American University and attended Washington State University for his M.F.A. in painting and drawing. He is currently exploring multi-technique painting and drawing. 
A prolific artist with an extensive resume, Gómez is an active curator and currently is the Interim Chair and Professor of Visual Arts at the University of Texas at Brownsville. Gómez was included in Arizona State University Hispanic Research Center publications; Contemporary Chicana and Chicano Art Work: Artist, Works, and Education and Chicano Art for Our Millenium, among others. 

The Handsome Pepper is a celebration of the beauty that for thousands of years dominated the new world. The peppers like the original people of the Americas vary in nature. This body of work looks at the strength and determination of a people metaphorically and places them in typical situations common to all human beings. The pepper icon was chosen due to its impact globally when Columbus introduced it to the rest of the world. The intensity of its flavor and depth of varieties mimic the plethora of new world people. The Handsome Pepper was an idea that came about when a art connoisseur viewed it as an inferior symbol not worthy of hanging.
Gallista Gallery1913 S Flores St., San Antonio, TX.
(210) 861-3646
San Antonio, Texas

Denver's KUVO 89.3fm's Raza Rocks! anniversary

MeCha Reunion by Mecha de WNMU

Let's Get Ready to Create New Great Memories!
April 5-7, 2013 at WNMU
Events:
Friday: Tentative: Meet Greet at MeCha Building (T-Shirts)to be handed out!
Saturday: BBQ 11-2pm Location TBA
Saturday: Evening: Appetizers Location to TBA
Sunday Brunch: @WNMU
Please message back if you will be coming for the Great Event I will need you Names and addresses to send out proper invites by March 5th!
This event is brought to you by New and Old MeChistas and WNMU Alumni! This event will be $35.00 per person and the money will go towards the weekend and any money left over going towards the Club. If you would like information about the Event please feel to email me at angiereds08@gmail.com or call me at 520-227-9507.

Please let me know by the end of the Feb, 23rd, 2013!
Angelica Rojas, WNMU, Silver City, New Mexico

Five Reasons It's Great to be a Chicano in Denver

This post is motivated by similar articles I've read lately about why it's great to be a Latino in the U.S. or particular cities, etc. Lacking any brilliant inspiration for today's edition of La Bloga, I decided to steal the idea and give you my own list. No particular order, just how the pieces came to me. I have more than five reasons but I ran out of time. Maybe I'll continue with my list in future posts. If you have your own suggestions, send them in. Click on the comments link below.


1. Canción Mexicana - this radio program has been on the air for 24 years, an amazing run, and it's still as strong as ever. The show is broadcast on Denver's public radio jazz station, KUVO, 89.3 FM and on the Internet at www.kuvo.org. The show is hosted by Florencia Hernández-Ramos and Debra Gallegos every Sunday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm (Mountain).

Here's what the KUVO website says about this very popular show that has become a cultural icon in the Rocky Mountain West: New Mexico, Colorado and Tejano music with information excerpts from Latino USA and News From Our Community. Canción Mexicana has dominated jazz89 KUVO's Sunday line-up in both audience and business support. The best of the best in Tex-Mex music, Canción Mexicana has been frequently recognized in Denver's major newspapers. The program consistently ranks in the top five slots on Sunday mornings in the Denver metro area and has enjoyed the number one spot. It's cumbia, it's rancheras, and a little bit of mariachi - it's all that and more; it's Canción Mexicana with the best New Mexico, Tejano and Colorado music. There's music on Canción Mexicana as well as reports from Latino USA with a glimpse into what's happening in the community. Get ready to dance!



2. La Raza Rocks - this show follows Canción Mexicana at 1:00 pm, Sundays, on KUVO. Pocho Joe and Gabe are the incredibly knowledgeable hosts of an hour of the best of Latino rock - new and old - Sunny & the Sunliners, Santana, Los Lobos, the Iguanas, Los Lonely Boys, and Dr. Loco and his Rockin' Jalapeno Band. Interviews and information are part of the show's presentation. Pocho Joe and Gabe dig deep into Chicano rock, coming up with groups like Thee Midniters, Tierra, Little Julian Herrera, El Chicano,War, the Blendells, Cannibal & the Headhunters, and the Premiers, but they also present the latest groups and singers. Over the years, this show has introduced Denver to Ozomatli, Quetzal, Alejandro Escovedo, the Blazers, and many more. As Pocho Joe likes to say, the show covers the "roots and branches" of Chicano soul music. It'll tear you up.


3. Su Teatro - this theater group sprung from the Movement more than thirty-five years ago (1971) as traveling agit-prop, consisting mostly of long-haired students. Today it is a well-established production company that every year amazes Denver audiences with the diversity and brilliance of Latino and Chicano theater. Under the direction of the long-haired Anthony Garcia, El Centro Su Teatro is about to enter a new phase with a multi-million dollar facility that promises to continue to enrich the Denver cultural scene with outstanding plays and events. In recent years, Su Teatro has presented remarkable theater such as Rudy Anaya's Bless Me, Ultima; Ollin; El Sol Que Tú Eres (Daniel Valdez and Tony Garcia collaborated on this Chicano version of the myth of Eurydice and Orpheus); Las Chicas de 3.5” Floppy; Death and the Maiden; and Catastrophe by Samuel Beckett. Annual events include the Neruda Poetry Festival (10 years), The XicanIndie Film Festival (11 years), and the Chicano Music Festival (12 years).


4. A bevy of writers and a strong literary tradition. Denver became the home for beloved poet Abelardo "Lalo" Delgado, author of one of the most famous Chicano poems ever published, Stupid America. Lalo probably is the best known Denver Chicano writer, but the city and the state have a long history of writers who have proudly preserved the story of Colorado's Chicanos and made a little of their own while they were at it. Names that immediately come to mind include Margie Domingo, Flor Lovato, Ramon Del Castillo, Anthony Vigil, Joe Navarro, and Corky Gonzales for I Am Joaquin, a classic bit of Chicano lit. (The Denver Public Library has arranged for a Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales Exhibit at the Central Library, June 2 through September 20, 2009. A special reception to honor the exhibit is set for June 18 from 7 - 9 pm at the Central Library, 10 West 14th Avenue Parkway.)

The tradition continues and there are young poets reading and writing all over the city, with readings and slams happening at places like the Taza de Café where Café Cultura did a regular thing, Cafe Nuba, the Chicano Humanities and Arts Council, the Neruda Poetry Festival, Art From Ashes, etc. We got fiction writers, too - Mario Acevedo, Aaron A. Abeyta, Rudy Garcia, Emma Perez, Angel Vigil, Reneé Fajardo, and yours truly, to name a few. Denver is a city that loves to read; it has great independent bookstores and many author events. Now if we could just get a permanent book fair.


5. The Chicano Humanities and Arts Council (CHAC) and the Museo de las Américas. These two institutions sit on Santa Fe Drive in Denver's West Side. They provide art, artifacts, history, and venues for performance artists, poets, film-makers, and sculptors. CHAC has been around for thirty-one years, created by a group of artists who saw the need for their own space, devoted to their understanding of art and the creative process. That spirit still lives on at CHAC with ever-changing exhibits with themes such as Vida Artistica, the Poetry y Mas series of readings, and, returning this year, the Chile Harvest Festival (August 29 & 30).

The Museo has consistently presented world-class exhibits of Latino, Chicano and Latin American art, and has developed a national reputation for its adherence to its mission. As the website says, the Museo educates our community about the diversity of Latino Americano art and culture from ancient to contemporary through innovative exhibitions and programs. With the Latino population growing exponentially in the Denver and wider communities, the Museo plays an important role in building pride in the Latino community's heritage and promoting understanding among cultures. Other history and art museums in Denver cannot focus on one segment of the community in a sustained or comprehensive manner. The Museo was organized to fill this important niche in the cultural milieu. Under the leadership of newly-appointed director Maruca Salazar, a celebrated artist in her own right, the Museo should make an even bigger impression on the art-loving Denver residents.

The cool thing about this list is that you don't have to be a Chicana or a Chicano to enjoy the music, art, writing or history. We like to share.

Okay, send in your own suggestions for this list - is it really great to be a Chicano or Chicana, wherever you live? If so, why?



Later.

Voices

VOICES FOR JUSTICE
The following is from Acción Latina:

"Voices for Justice is a project to acknowledge and honor the 200-year legacy of Latino journalism in the United States. The story begins on September 7, 1808, with the founding of El Misisipi in New Orleans. It was the first newspaper by and for Spanish-speaking people in the U.S. El Misisipi set the stage for the thousands of publications, broadcast, and Internet news outlets currently serving Latinos. Yet, the story of Latino journalism - and the countless innovative publishing pioneers and courageous journalists - is little known. The Voices for Justice project will make their story known through a one-year national bicentennial campaign, a documentary film, a companion book, and an interactive website.

"Voices for Justice is a project of Acción Latina that chronicles the history and evolution of the Latino press in the U.S. The project will result in a documentary film, a companion book, and an interactive website based at the University of Houston’s Arte Público Press. The website will provide greater detail and updated information on the Spanish-language press, teachers’ guides and serve as a discussion forum for the public. We are also orchestrating a one-year national bicentennial campaign to celebrate 200 years of Latino press in the U.S. The bicentennial will begin with a kick-off event in New Orleans commemorating the birthplace of El Misisipí, the first Spanish-language newspaper founded on September 7, 1808.

"For more information on the Voices for Justice project, contact: Juan Gonzales, jgonzales@accionlatina.org Eva Martinez, emartinez@accionlatina.org (415) 648-1045
Voices for Justice c/o Acción Latina 2958-24th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

"Acción Latina is a San Francisco-based non-profit organization founded in 1987 to promote social change and cultural pride in the Latino community. We produce a bilingual newspaper (El Tecolote), an annual Latino music festival (Encuentro del Canto Popular), and coordinate a journalism project for community youth (Fuerza Joven) Our projects are a training ground for young people educating them on cultural traditions, increasing their social awareness, and inspiring them to serve the community. We are a volunteer-based collective committed to excellence in Latino education, art and culture. Our office is located in the Mission district, San Francisco's Latino community."

It's worthwhile to browse El Tecolote's website for a variety of reasons, one of which is the Timeline that quickly traces the history of Latino journalism in the U.S. Click here.




The National Steinbeck Center celebrates the 28th Steinbeck Festival with a tribute to the writer's persistent and frequent references to Mexico and the Mexican people. Steinbeck provided a voice for the forgotten and disenfranchised, and a festival centered on his work seems only right. From the website:

"Steinbeck Festival 2008 will explore Steinbeck’s regard for Mexico in broad cultural contexts. The Mexico that so inspired Steinbeck’s work will come to life at Festival 2008 through presentations on Mexican and Mexican American culture and heritage.

"Over a third of John Steinbeck's work is either set in Mexico or features characters of Mexican descent. From 1932 until the mid 1950s, he wrote often about the environment, history, culture and politics of Mexico. This is some of his best work: Sea of Cortez, an environmental classic written with Edward F. Ricketts; The Pearl, a novella about aspirations of poor fishermen; Viva Zapata!, a film about Mexican revolutionary hero Emiliano Zapata, directed by Elia Kazan. Mexican American characters appear in Tortilla Flat, Sweet Thursday, The Wayward Bus."

Speakers include author Francisco Jiménez, actors, playwrights and experts on Steinbeck and Mexican art and culture.

- Mercado Marketplace Friday, Saturday and Sunday with regional food for sale and cultural demonstrations
- Fiesta at the Fox & mini-film festival at Maya Cinemas
- Children's Art Activities
- Community FREE DAY with dance, art, and music on Sunday, August 10th.
CLICK for a full schedule.

Events held at National Steinbeck Center, 1 Main St. Salinas and at selected locations in Monterey. Call (831) 775-4721 for tickets and information. Individual event tickets, day passes or Steinbeck Festival Passports available.

NOTE: admission is charged for most of the events, but Sunday is a free day for Monterey County residents. The program looks great - if you are in the area and have any affinity for Steinbeck's writing and his impact on Twentieth Century literature, this might be the place where you want to be in what remains of the weekend.

POCHO JOE AT POETRY Y MAS
Denver radio personality Pocho Joe will be the center of attention at the 2nd Saturday Poetry y Mas celebration at CHAC, 772 Santa Fe, Denver, at 2:00 PM, August 9. Pocho Joe and Gabe host La Raza Rocks every Sunday on KUVO radio (89.3 FM). Suzanna Vega, poet and artist, will host the celebration while Pocho will discuss the history behind the radio program. Suzanna will read KUVO Radio Rocks My Soul and field questions and discussion from the audience. For those not familiar with La Raza Rocks, you should listen on Sunday, 1 - 2 PM. Here's the station's brief programming note about what happens in that magic hour:

La Raza Rocks became part of jazz89 KUVO's Sunday diverse program line-up in September of 2002. Playing the best of Latino rock, new and old, from Sunny & the Sunliners to Santana to Los Lobos and Dr. Loco and his Rockin' Jalapeno Band. Interviews and information are part of the show's presentation.

There's a lot more to this program than oldies, although that would be good enough for me. Pocho has an incredible wealth of knowledge about Chicano music, culture, and politics. And Gabe is developing his own expertise. These two radio voices dig into the vaults but also showcase the up-and-coming, all the while providing tidbits of info about musicians, songs, shows, and social context. If you can't make it to the CHAC event, at least listen to the program, radio-wise or online.

NEW FROM DANIEL OLIVAS
La Bloga's exceedingly prolific writing comrade, Daniel Olivas, has a new story at the esteemed literary blog, Exquisite Corpse. Daniel's story is entitled How To Date A Flying Mexican. Not only is it a choice slice of life portrait of a woman who finds love late, but it also has handy rules for interacting with one of those Mexicans who has learned how to manipulate the law of gravity. You know the kind. Daniel informs that the story is a chapter from his novel-in-waiting, The Book of Want. Check it out.

CHICANO MUSIC FESTIVAL
A reminder that the 12th Annual Chicano Music Festival and Auction continues all weekend at El Centro Su Teatro's Outdoor Performance Space, 4725 High Street, Denver. Musical guests include Fuga, Izcalli, Nueva Sangre, Zydematics, Mariachi Vasquez, and many more, plus art auctions, food, and puro party under the Summer stars, as they say. I'll see you there, and meanwhile you can see the schedule here.

Later.