1960s Chicano Paper brought Back to Life
Friday, 10 December 2010 20:55
By Juliana Vasquez
Students from the University of Arizona’s Department of Mexican American and Raza Studies presented a revamped issue of the ’60s Chicano newspaper, El Coraje to the original creators at a conference on Dec. 2.
The conference, “Combating Hate¸ Censorship and Forbidden Curricula,” promoted Chicano culture and took place Dec. 2 to the 4 with a variety of panel discussions, a run to A-Mountain, and the unveiling and presentation of the 2010 issue of El Coraje.
The Spanish word, “coraje,” means “courage” or “anger,” which both might define the attitude of the founders when the first issues of El Coraje were published in Tucson during the Chicano movement in 1969 and 1970.
The original newspaper was used as a tool to help the Chicano community understand what the issues were within the community. Delivered door-to-door, it helped the Chicano community stand up and fight to change school systems, including the struggle to implement ethnic studies.
El Coraje petitioned administrations to offer Chicano studies and hire Chicano professors in their schools.
The current newspaper focuses on issues in immigration and education, and includes the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the death of Ruben Salazar, a Mexican-American journalist and former Los Angeles Times reporter who was killed by police during a Vietnam War protest. Roberto Cintli Rodriguez, a UA professor, oversaw the Coraje project and served as the advisor this semster.
“We are living through some historic times here in Arizona,” said Karina Salazar, editor of the 2010 issue. “Everywhere we go, we are followed with the thought that as students, we want our voices heard and taken into account.”
Salazar said this is why Coraje originally began—to make sure all voices are heard. That is the reason behind their efforts to publish it again.
As the “Elders” of the original Coraje were presented with the current issue, they spoke about how they now want to be able to follow the younger generation’s lead.
“My heart glows with pride with the knowledge that we’ve won the fights for Chicano rights every time,” said Salomon Baldenegro, an original Coraje staffer. “No matter how hard it is¸ we will win!” Baldenegro is now retired from teaching Chicano history for the UA Mexican American Studies and Research Center.
Today, Coraje is formatted as a magazine, with photography and poetry, but also contains journalistic articles and research reports.The original Coraje staffers are excited to see the younger generation acting on today’s issues like SB1070 and HB 221.
“I want to be right behind you on that street corner with you guys leading the movement,” said Cecilia Cruz, an original staff member of Coraje. “Seeing what you guys are doing makes my heart soar.”
Written by Kirsten Boele You are reading 1960s Chicano Paper brought Back to Life articles
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