Victor Villasenor Interview

The following video is an interesting interview with Victor Villasenor, author of the best selling "Rain of Gold" and "Macho" and many other books. He talks about his family history and his own life as a Mexican American in California. If you haven't yet read "Rain of Gold", take my word for it, it's a great book. It should be mandatory reading.

“I want to leave a body of work that's wonderful and inspires people. I'm not just a Chicano writer, or a Mexican writer I'm a writer as universal as Shakespeare or Confucius.” Victor Villasenor

Hispanic Heritage Month: is it Necessary?

Is there a need for a Hispanic Heritage Month? Do we really need a whole month set aside to recognize the accomplishments of Hispanics? I never thought so. But after reading about Ken Burns much vaunted documentary about World War II, I am beginning to change my mind just a little. Hispanics in general, and Mexican Americans in particular have served in every American war with distinction and honor, surpassing every other ethnic group in the country in garnering medals of honor, yet Burns chose to ignore this not so trivial fact. It’s not that he did not do his homework, because Burns is known for his attention to detail in everything he does. I don’t like using the term minority, but if we are to believe the numbers, then Hispanics are, at least numerically, minorities, and again, if we are to believe the facts and numbers regarding Hispanics in wartime, in terms of courage, bravery, loyalty and patriotism, they are the majority. A pretty hard fact for Ken Burns to ignore.

Not until Mexican American groups threatened to boycott both the documentary and the advertisers did Burns agree to add to his film. Considering the buying power of Hispanics in this country, you know he had no other choice. Under pressure he added 24 minutes of extra footage. Now I really do not have a problem with anyone telling a story from their own perspective. His film, his prerogative , however, just don’t call it a historical documentary, because that is deception, that is half truths and not factual, and I have a problem with anyone passing off lies and half truths as historical fact.

So do we need a Hispanic Heritage Month? I really don’t know. What I do know is that many people have never heard of Cesar Chavez, especially young people, and some of those think he was a boxing champion. I know that most Americans have never heard of Juan Seguin, a Texas patriot of Mexican heritage that fought at the Alamo along with Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, commanding a fighting force made up of Mexicans fighting for a free Texas. What I do know is that most Americans have no clue that Mexican Americans have been in this land for centuries. Hispanics, and again, Mexican Americans in particular have earned their place in America. They have made contributions in every field and will continue to do so. From the food industry, to entertainment , to law enforcement, to politics, and sports, Hispanics have made their mark. Every American, whether they are African American, Asian, Irish, Italian, Native American or Hispanic, should be able to wake up every day ready to face the day with confidence, knowing that they are a viable, contributing part of this country. We should settle for nothing less.

Cesar Chavez 1927-1993

By Randy De La O

After my own father, there are few men in this world, that I have personally met, that I truly look up to as heroic. Cesar Chavez was such a man. I remember listening to the evening news during the 1960's and listening to the struggles of Chavez and the United Farm Workers. I remember wondering what could drive a man to hurt himself, damage his body for a cause, as he did during his long fast, in his attempt to bring the struggles of the farm workers into the American consciousness. To this day it is still hard to fathom. Even as a young teen, I was aware that Cesar Chavez was someone special, someone deserving of our respect. Whether or not you agreed with his views, whether you are liberal of conservative, you would be hard pressed not to respect his dedication to his own beliefs. He never left the struggle. He remained living in the same small home with his wife, that he had lived in for years. He never commercialized his life, he never sold out to those that believed in him. It is important to me that Chavez is recognized as an American first and foremost, and this was how he presented the farm workers, as Americans deserving of better, deserving of respect.

My son Andrew and I were fortunate enough to meet this great man in 1992, about a year before his death in April of 1993. My friend Tim Rodriguez was the manager of Valdez bookstore in Uptown Whittier and gave me a heads up on Chavez' book signing, knowing how I felt about Chavez. It remains a moment in my life that I will never forget. Andrew and I had a chance to have a personal conversation with him, as he told us about the problems facing the farm workers. He was such a humble man, it belied his accomplishments, and he was surprised at the importance that Andrew and I put in meeting him and shaking his hand. He gave me a UFW flag that he personally signed for me, as well as a video that showed the results of harmful pesticides in vegetables grown in central California.

"I come here today to honor you for the long and patient commitment you have made to this struggle for justice. And, I come here to say that we will fight together to achieve for you the aspirations of every American: decent wages, decent housing, decent schooling, a chance for yourselves and your children. You stand for justice and I am proud to stand with you. Viva la causa!"-- Robert F. Kennedy, 1968

Chicano

Many newer Mexican immigrants are mistakenly called Chicanos, but the term Chicano literally refers to their American status. It was used as a pejorative in the early part of the last century by Mexicans against Mexican Americans, but soon became a badge of honor. The term Chicano quietly faded away but was resurrected for a short time in the forties during the Zootsuit era, and then emerged with a much stronger image in the sixties during the Chicano movement when young Mexican Americans were trying to find their place in American Society.

For the most part Chicanos have been very successful in realizing the American dream, becoming homeowners, small and large business owners, and politicians, authors and entertainers, both in acting and music, and serving with distinction in all branches of the military unmatched by any other ethnic group in the country, garnering more medals of honors than any other group. and in the world of boxing truly a force to be reckoned with. During the last half of the 20th century Chicanos have started migrating to many different states and have found it in themselves to stake their claim in this country. 

All chicanos are Mexican American, but not all Mexican Americans are Chicanos. Being Chicano is at its core, a state of mind. Some Mexican Americans shy away from the term. A Chicano at his very core is a rebel, someone who absolutely will not back down in any situation, which is both a blessing and a curse, but it is motivated by his desire to succeed in this country, despite the many obstacles. Perhaps the only other groups of Americans that could understand what being a Chicano is , would be Southerners, who after the Civil War, suffered prejudice and cruelty and scorn from Northerners, and remained rebels at heart, even to this day. The other group of course is the Irish, who have been who have been rebelling since time immemorial.

Chicanos and Mexican Americans in general, are unique and distinct from any other group that has migrated to America. We are the only people to have become citizens through annexation, and suddenly become foreigners in their own homeland. But still we persevere and seek the American dream. So as you can see, we are not illegal immigrants, we are Americans just like you. In fact blaming Chicanos for illegal immigration, is like being angry at Cajuns because of France's stance on the war. Chicanos and illegal immigrants are two separate issues. We can read and write and speak English quite well.