Chicanx and Latinx RVers

More Latinos are enjoying the RV lifestyle. Just like you, Latinos enjoy traveling with their families and enjoying the great American outdoors. Taking the kids fishing, biking and hiking. My wife and I are prime examples of couple's campers. Latinos are building RVs too! From making, to purchasing and enjoying the outdoor lifestyle. Latinos are changing the RVing world. It's time to take notice America. #LatinoRVer #LatinoCamper

Poder Chicano

If you have the time or the interest, check out this interesting video produced by the folks at Borderzine.

Chicano Movement, circa 1968, subject of series talks in September

[Photo by Jesús Manuel Mena Garza. Click to enlarge.]

Chicano Movement: Subject of fall talks

This being the season of 40th anniversaries, a series of discussions on the Chicano movement for civil rights and its legacy will kick off Sept. 20 in San Jose.

The first of four panel discussions, "Community Based Organizing in the Movimiento, Then and Now, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Roosevelt Community Center near downtown San Jose. Admission is free to the public.

Participants from the movement will speak about how grass-roots organizers rallied Mexican-Americans to press for quality schooling, bilingual education, affirmative action, better labor conditions and improved policing. Younger activists will talk about extending the movement today to include women's and gay and lesbians's rights.

Scheduled panelists include Henry Dominguez, a longtime activist and current member of the Black Berets of San Jose; Adriana Garcia, a local poet and founder of MAIZ (A Spanish acronym for Movement Inspiring Service); Sal Alvarez, a former associate professor of social work at San Jose State University and officer with the national League of United Latin American Citizens; David Madrid, a youth counselor and member of Silicon Valley De-Bug, a collective of artists and community activists.

The series will continue on Oct. 14 and on dates to be selected in April and May of 2010. For more information contact MAIZ at 408-250-6965 or maiz_mex@hotmail.com.

Courtesy of San Jose Mercury News

The Invisible Chicano

[Click image of the printable PDF poster to enlarge. Copyright 2008 Jesus Manuel Mena Garza. All rights reserved.]

If you travel outside the Southwest, a strange phenomenon occurs. Chicanos* become invisible.

This ubiquitous phenomenon is most obvious on East Coast campuses. Chicano culture is not valued here. Chicanocentric art and history are dismissed with nary a thought.

[Click: To learn more about Chicano Studies]

They value traditional courses (you know what they are.) Occasionally they deliver a course on African-Americans or Afro-Latins. East Coasters know a bit (only a little bit) about the African Diaspora. Please don't ask them about Nepantla and Aztlan.

I am a strong proponent of more diversity. We need more classes on Asian-American, American-Indian, African-American and Chicano culture. Lord knows we are drowning in European culture, like it or not.

Here is an important fact. Today (2008), Chicanos are the largest minority group in the USA. Even with a new fence on the border, Chicanos will continue to expand their presence. Chicanos are migrating all across our country including Iowa, New York and Georgia. Yes, the Mexicano/Chicano Diaspora is changing the face of America. Some Americans don't appreciate the new paradigm. Do you?

The University of Minnesota understands what is taking place. Unlike those East Coast schools, they are hiring professors in Chicano Studies. Eventually, hopefully, some East Coast schools will consider expanding their knowledge base. In the interim, you can take classes on the Northern-Renaissance and the Crusades.

By the way you don’t have to be brown to teach Chicanocentric courses. In my opinion, all you need is a healthy respect and understanding of the cultural nuances. Admitting that Chicano culture is relevant in today's world is the first step towards creating a curriculum that effectively embraces the new American paradigm.

*Chicanas, Chicanos and Chicana/os

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Download Free César E. Chávez Wallpaper 1024x768

Download a FREE César E. Chávez wallpaper for your computer. The size of the wallpaper is 1024x768. Start by clicking on the image of Chavez. Drag the larger photograph to your desktop or folder. 

FYI: The image is offered at no cost to the general public for non-commercial use. The photograph (wallpaper) of César E. Chávez is copyright 2008 Jesús Manuel Mena Garza. 

The photograph of Chavez reminds us of the struggles of the United Farm Workers of America Union (UFW). It was through their determination that many of us enjoy the freedoms we take for granted today. As the leader from San José's Sal Si Puede barrio would say, "Si se puede!"

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Late July 2007 Trip to the San Francisco Bay Area

[Photos: Top photo, Jesús at Muir Beach north of San Francisco, next photo, Jesús and Ann Marie with their new grandchild Jacob in San José. Click on image to enlarge. Copyright 2007 Jesús Manuel Mena Garza. All rights reserved.]

Here are the requisite photographs from our trip to the Bay Area. We had a great time visiting our daughter Estrella, her husband Jimmy and the kids in San José. We stayed at my sister Carmen's ranch also in San José and enjoyed the great weather. It was a nice respite from the hot temps in the Inland Empire.

Later in the week we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge into the fanciful world called Marin County. There we stayed with Ann's friends in San Raphael. It was great to be in this beautiful and affluent part of the country. One day we spent playing in the pool on another we went hiking from the Green Gulch Zen Center to Muir Beach. When Ann and I lived in SF we enjoyed this short and easy hike from the Zen Gardens to the always (it seems that way) foggy beach.

The new photos include our latest grandchild (in the diaper) Jacob.

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