By SHIRLEY ROMERO OTERO As the Executive Director of the Move Mountains Youth Project Inc., I have been a supporter of the Chicano License Plate Initiative since its inception. Many of us testified before the Colorado State Legislature several times in support of this bill, which passed with bipartisan support. The fact that purchase of… Continue reading Move Mountains is more than a name
Category: Education
Proud to play a small role in the Movement
By St. Sen. JULIE GONZALES Over the past few weeks since Trump won re-election, I have listened to friends and family members speaking in hushed tones about the unsettling feeling of politics happening to us, instead of with us. In these complicated times, our society has become increasingly individualized, leading to greater isolation. How… Continue reading Proud to play a small role in the Movement
Chicana/o License Plate journey began with 2nd grade teacher
How EMS became involved In the 2004-2005 school year, a fateful relationship began. Mrs. Denise Torrez, second grade teacher at Eva R. Baca Elementary School in Pueblo, CO, welcomed a group of rambunctious second graders into her Dogpatch classroom. Among the scholars in that group was a wide-eyed, mischievous, yet intelligent little… Continue reading Chicana/o License Plate journey began with 2nd grade teacher
CHICANA/O LICENSE PLATE AVAILABLE IN JANUARY
“Help build our people with us” By TIM HERNANDEZ When you’re a State Representative, you are given only five laws you can try to pass in a 120 day legislative session. That’s the rule: five bills, no more. During my term, I ran bills on gun violence prevention, immigrant rights, strengthening unions, cultural rights… Continue reading CHICANA/O LICENSE PLATE AVAILABLE IN JANUARY
Christmas Extravaganza at Columbian and Minnequa
By Deborah Martinez Martinez The Bessemer Christmas Extravaganza for Columbian and Minnequa Elementary Schools will continue this year thanks to the supporters of the Ray Aguilera Pueblo Poverty Foundation, according to Andrea Aguilera-Hansen, Ray’s daughter. Although former City Councilman Ray Aguilera passed in 2021, his Poverty Foundation continued with help from Abigail Spillman, School District… Continue reading Christmas Extravaganza at Columbian and Minnequa
Native American Authors
By Deborah Martinez Martinez As Native American Heritage Month winds down for 2024, there are many outstanding authors to read. Among them are Pulitzer Prize winning N. Scott Momaday (Kiowa), James Welch (Blackfeet and A’aninin), Janet Campbell Hale (Coeur d’Alene, Kootenay, and Cree), Leslie Marmon Silko (Laguna Pueblo), Joseph Bruchac (Abenaki), Vine Deloria Jr. (Standing… Continue reading Native American Authors
My two cents…
Editor’s Note: This essay was written the day the results of the most recent national election were known. It was originally posted on FaceBook by the author and shared with La Cucaracha. Full disclosure — Neva Quintana is the daughter of La Cucaracha Editor Juan Espinosa and his wife Deborah. She was born into La… Continue reading My two cents…
Milagro Beanfield War – The Play
Nichols’ classic novel performed by novice teen actors The last performance of “Milagro Beanfield War – The Play” based on the best-selling novel by late John Nichols, was presented at Pueblo Community College’s Hoag Theater on Oct. 3 of this year. The stage production was written and acted in by youths ranging in age from… Continue reading Milagro Beanfield War – The Play
Dia De Los Muertos
PLAZA VERDE PARK, NOV. 2, 2024 At the beginning of November, Chicanx families come together to welcome ancestors back home for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Dia de los Muertos originates from Aztec culture and has survived despite colonization and religious conquerers. Historically, Dia de los Muertos was once a month-long celebration,… Continue reading Dia De Los Muertos
Prison Diaries: RICARDO ROMERO
By Dr. Priscilla Falcón Book Review By Deborah Martinez Martinez The late Ricardo Romero, well-known Chicano activist, was imprisoned because he refused to testify before a federal grand jury and was subsequently sentenced to three years in Federal prison for criminal contempt. Prison Diaries: Ricardo Romero includes two interviews that capture Romero’s commitment to internationalism and his… Continue reading Prison Diaries: RICARDO ROMERO