EDITOR’S NOTE: Normally in presenting the news to you, the readers, we try to stay topical. But this week, in what was a coincidence, two stories were presented to us, from different perspectives dealing with the same issue, Holy Week. We are delighted to bring to you “El Penitente” and “The Deer Dancers of Mexico.” Stories about our Mexican heritage and culture. El Penitente was not written by a professional writer, but by a Mexican-American wishing to share his story. The Deer Dancers was written by David Bacon a regular contributor to La Prensa San Diego. We hope you enjoy them both.
by Johnny D. Marquez & Christopher Maestas
Tucumcari, New Mexico -- The following is an excerpt from the book “El Algodonero” (The Cotton Picker) by Christopher Maestas. The following excerpt is a first hand account of the life of “Un Penitente” in Nuevo Mexico during the last century. Written by Marcos Maestas in the 1970’s, it was handed down to his son Christopher Maestas in hopes that it would one day be published.
The book “El Algodonero” is the story of a poor Chicano in Eastern Nuevo Mexico rising to become a teacher and influential City Commissioner in a small New Mexico town. From the cotton fields to surviving discrimination, “El Algodonero” shows that anyone can achieve their goals if they put their minds and soul on the line:
Chapter 9
(Keep Away Strangers)
For the complete story please follow this link:
The Deer Dancers of Mexico by David Bacon For four days at the end of March, Rancho Camargo, one of five villages in the heartland of the indigenous Mayo in Sonora, Mexico, celebrates Easter.
Politicians to face the ‘Challenge’ Candidates’ stance on issues focus of plan By Lori Rodriguez Leaders of the League of United Latin American Citizens meeting in Houston on Tuesday announced a systematic plan to find out where major political candidates stand on issues critical to their fast-growing but socially lagging community.
Analysis Scrap the Pledge and Discuss Liberty, Justice with Students By Donal Brown SAN FRANCISCO — The decision by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on the Pledge of Allegiance did not go far enough. I say that as someone who spent 35 years teaching in California public schools.
Tomboctou Brings Latin American Folk Art to San Diego By Yvette tenBerge Stepping through the bougainvillea-covered doorway of Back From Tomboctou, a retail shop and wholesale warehouse that specializes in Latin and Central American folk art, is like stepping into the shoes of the village artists who carved, painted or sculpted the colorful crafts that decorate its shelves.
LULAC Supporting and Inspiring Students to Succeed The banquet room at the Handlery Hotel, this past Saturday afternoon, was overflowing with excited students, and some very proud parents, who were there to receive scholarship and incentive awards from the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). This annual event not only recognizes the successful student but also recognizes those students who have overcome personal obstacles and have shown growth and are on the path to success.
Maestra Latina de Matemáticas Rompe Barreras Culturales y Se Esfuerza Por Ser Un Ejemplo Para Sus Estudiantes Para muchas mujeres latinas con frecuencia resulta difícil romper con el papel tradicional de ama de casa. Eso le sucedió a Soledad Villanueva. De no haber sido por un papá moderno, quien la animó para que realizara sus sueños, hoy no sería maestra.
Líderes del Congreso y Estado se Reunirán el 1ro de Julio Para Enterarse Cómo los 12 Programas de California Abordan la Crisis de Atención de la Salud y Ofrecen Seguro Médico y Atención de Calidad a Millones de Hispanos LOS ÁNGELES – Líderes del Congreso y del estado se reunirán en el Biltmore Hotel el 1ro de julio para escuchar testimonios sobre cómo los innovadores programas de California para hispanos, incluso aquellos que carecen de seguro médico, ofrecen estrategias que pueden adoptarse en el resto del país.
Congressional, State Leaders Will Meet July 1 to Learn How 12 California Programs Are Addressing a Crisis in Health Care and Bringing Health Insurance and Quality Care to Millions of Hispanics LOS ANGELES – Congressional and state leaders will meet at the Biltmore Hotel July 1 to hear testimony on how California’s innovative programs for Hispanics, including those who lack health insurance, provide strategies that the rest of the nation can follow.
Community Notes: La CDC de Bronce del Triángulo Patrocina Reunión de la Comunidad La CDC de Bronce del Triángulo, una corporación de desarrollo de la comunidad que representa las áreas de Grant Hill, Logan y Stockton, está llevando a cabo un charrette* para los residentes de la comunidad el sábado, 29 de junio de las 8:30 a.m. a la 1:00 p.m.
Encienda Una Vela Mons. Jim Lisante Señales de humo El Internet tiene a mucha gente preocupada, y lo entiendo. Están preocupados especialmente por material de muy mal gusto que aparece, comúnmente sin ser solicitado, en la pantalla de las computadoras de muchos hogares. Mucho de ese material es pornográfico, y tiene una forma de arruinar todo lo que toca. Me gustaría que nuestros legisladores pudieran acabar con esta clase de desperdicios, pero sus esfuerzos no han sido suficientes. Y quien dude de ésto sólo tiene que mirar esos títulos en la pantalla para entender el problema.
Commentary AB 982 Will Help Health Access for the Latino Community By James S Grisolía, MD I´m a neurologist, but once I was called to see a man about a rash. He had long been treated for epilepsy in Mexico, and since crossing the border had not gotten his usual medicine. This landed him in the hospital ER with several seizures. The ER doctor loaded him with Dilantin, a medicine to stop the seizures, but I was called to switch his medicine when he blossomed forth with fever and a total body rash from the Dilantin.
Comentario AB 982 Mejorará el Acceso al Cuidado Médico Para la Comunidad Latina Por James Santiago Grisolía, MD Soy neurólogo, pero una vez me llamaron para ver un señor por sus ronchas. Tenía él una larga historia de epilepsia tratada en México, pero desde cruzar a los Estados Unidos no tenía medicina. Debido a eso, llegó en Urgencias con varias convulsiones. El médico de Urgencias le dio una fuerte dósis de Dilantin, un anticonvulsivo. Posteriormente me llamaron para cambiar su régimen cuando se le presentód fiebre, ronchas y comezón en el cuerpo entero.
Commentary Straight Talk on the Governor’s Budget By Assemblymember Charlene Zettel It seems to me that if Government does anything or the people of California, it should work to provide a balanced state budget that ensures the protection and safety of the citizens of the state. For all of us, family budgeting is a very basic principle that is practiced in every household. We budget because we care about our families’ security, future and quality of life. Unfortunately Governor Davis’ budget is a political gimmick that requires additional borrowing and more debt - jeopardizing our financial security, our futures and our quality of life.
Commentary Congress Raising the Debt Ceiling By Robert H. Linnell The dam has been breached. Total Public Debt Outstanding has now exceeded the $6 trillion level for the first time ($6.019 trillion on 05/31/02). We have now hit the debt ceiling, imposed by Congress, of $5.95 trillion (these numbers are different by about $34 billion, small by Federal standards, since this amount is excluded from the debt ceiling because of technical factors).
Commentary A Free and Independent People Fourth of July is a day to recommit ourselves to Declaration of Independence By Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy With all the fireworks and barbecues, it is easy to look on the Fourth of July as simply a pleasant mid-summer holiday. It is much more than that. It is Independence Day, a celebration not only of our nation’s birthday but also of our national character. Americans are an independent people, free and self-reliant.
Tezozomoc Speaks ¡Q-Vo mi gente! ¡Lo siento! But El Soccer FUTBOOOOOLLL has kept me up todas las noches. No time for nada, pero nada! Pos, you know that once you have “El Nopal” engraved in your corazon you have to pray for Mexico to win!
Roberto Castillo: Elamoroso Guaguaguá Por Pablo Sainz El lenguaje hablado en Tijuana es un lenguaje bien acá, machín, rápido, cantadito, de volada, inventado, mezclado, callejero, pero sobre todo, intraducible: o lo aprendes y lo usas y lo entiendas, o de plano no vas a captar del todo lo que te están diciendo.
Reseña Excelente Novela “Las Sabias Mujeres de la Habana” Por: Paco Zavala Esta enternecedora, conmovedora y apasionada novela narra la historia de dos perso-najes que se ubican en el paradisíaco y exótico mundo de La Habana allá por el año de 1937. Alrededor de estos dos personajes se desenvuelven otros personajes, todos de importancia vital para lograr un contorno adecuado que circunde y redondée la intención del autor José Raúl Bernardo.
Slowrider: Nacimiento By Pablo de Sainz Slowrider is part of the new wave of Chicano bands coming out from Los Angeles. These bands —including Ozomatli and Quetza— tend to blend several genres to create a unique sound: Caribbean and Brazilian rhythms with rock, hip-hop, and rap; English, Spanish, Spanglish, and everything in between; and regional Mexican music with a political and social consciousness.
Slowrider: Nacimiento Por Pablo de Sainz Slowrider es parte de la nueva ola de bandas Chicanas que está saliendo del Este de Los Angeles. Estas bandas —incluyendo Ozomatli y Quetzal— mezclan varios géneros para crear un sonido único: rítmos caribeños y brasileños con rock, hip-hop y rap; inglés, español y todo lo de en medio; y música regional mexicana con una conciencia política y social.
Mosaico de Actividades Culturales en Tijuana Por Paco Zavala La ciudad de Tijuana el próximo mes de Julio celebra un aniversario más de su fun-dación, así que los preparativos para esta celebración se aceleran a tambor batiente.