a publication of the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center
San Antonio, Tejas
November 2013 | Vol. 26 Issue 9
15 años
2013
LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • November 2013 Vol. 26 Issue 9•
y s a d n e r f O s a r e v a l a C
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La Voz de Esperanza November 2013 vol. 26 issue 9
Editor Gloria A. Ramírez Design Monica V. Velásquez Editorial Assistance Alice Canestaro-García Cover Art The Summoning by Stella Marroquin La Voz Mail Collective Mario E. Carbajal, Juan Díaz, Carolina Esparza, Angela M. García, Sylvia Garza, Kyler Liu, Ray McDonald, Lynn McWhite, Angie Merla, Davina Merla, Pájara, Luis Pérez, Kamala Platt, Marissa Rodríguez, Anthony Saldivar, Argelia Soto, Angélica Vargas, Isabel Velásquez, Damian Zapata y MujerArtes
La Katrina has not been happy with us. Fifteen years of making fun of la muerte simply does not sit well with her. However, we are not happy with her for she has, once again, taken some of our family and friends to the great beyond. In 1999, we began to highlight Calaveras in the November issue of La Voz de Esperanza in tribute to the Day of the Dead. The San Anto buena gente rose to the occasion sending in more and more Calaveras each year. We did more research on the tradition and in 2005, decided to try out a Calavera broadsheet, a centerfold that could be lifted out as a single long news page, like más antes. People had also begun to send in recuerdos of loved ones that had passed —so, in 2009 the November Voz issue became the Calaveras and Literary Ofrendas issue. Artists, too, have contributed wonderful images from the beginning. As such, we have tried to maintain a Posada-esque flavor by emphasizing the
Esperanza Director Graciela I. Sánchez
Esperanza Staff
LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • November 2013 Vol. 26 Issue 9•
Imelda Arismendez, Itza Carbajal, Marisol Cortez, J.J. Niño, Melissa Rodríguez, Susana Méndez Segura, Monica V. Velásquez
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Conjunto de Nepantleras -Esperanza Board of Directors-
Brenda Davis, Araceli Herrera, Rachel Jennings, Amy Kastely, Kamala Platt, Ana Ramírez, Gloria A. Ramírez, Rudy Rosales, Nadine Saliba, Graciela Sánchez • We advocate for a wide variety of social, economic & environmental justice issues. • Opinions expressed in La Voz are not necessarily those of the Esperanza Center.
La Voz de Esperanza
is a publication of Esperanza Peace & Justice Center 922 San Pedro, San Antonio, TX 78212
210.228.0201 • fax 1.877.327.5902 www.esperanzacenter.org Inquiries/Articles can be sent to:
lavoz@esperanzacenter.org Articles due by the 8th of each month Policy Statements
* We ask that articles be visionary, progressive, instructive & thoughtful. Submissions must be literate & critical; not sexist, racist, homophobic, violent, or oppressive & may be edited for length. * All letters in response to Esperanza activities or articles in La Voz will be considered for publication. Letters with intent to slander individuals or groups will not be published. Esperanza Peace & Justice Center is funded in part by the NEA, TCA, theFund, Coyote Phoenix Fund, AKR Fdn, Peggy Meyerhoff Pearlstone Fdn, Horizons Fdn, New World Foundation, y nuestra buena gente.
ATTENTION VOZ READERS: If you have a mailing address correction please send it in to lavoz@esperanzacenter.org. If you want to be removed from the La Voz mailing list for whatever reason please let us know. La Voz is provided as a courtesy to people on the mailing list of the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. The subscription rate is $35 per year ($100 for institutions). The cost of producing and mailing La Voz has substantially increased and we need your help to keep it afloat. To help, send in your subscriptions, sign up as a monthly donor, or send in a donation to the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. Thank you. -GAR VOZ VISION STATEMENT: La Voz de Esperanza speaks for many individual, progressive voices who are gente-based, multi-visioned and milagro-bound. We are diverse survivors of materialism, racism, misogyny, homophobia, classism, violence, earth-damage, speciesism and cultural and political oppression. We are recapturing the powers of alliance, activism and healthy conflict in order to achieve interdependent economic/ spiritual healing and fuerza. La Voz is a resource for peace, justice, and human rights, providing a forum for criticism, information, education, humor and other creative works. La Voz provokes bold actions in response to local and global problems, with the knowledge that the many risks we take for the earth, our body, and the dignity of all people will result in profound change for the seven generations to come.
political and using traditional and contemporary calaca images sprinkled throughout the issue. During the 15 years of Esperanza’s Calaveras issue, women have played a prominent role in the writing of these satirical death poems as well as contributing artwork. Much of it has graced the front page, as well. Few women during Guadalupe Posada’s time, the late 19th and early 20th century, engaged in either the writing or drawing of calaveras. In honor of our
quinceañera, the 2013 issue of Calaveras honors mujeres with Stella Marroquin’s calavera on the front cover, Liliana Wilson’s image celebrating our 15 years of Calavera covers and Celia Calderon’s image that begins the first page of text. We are celebrating a quinceañera of Calaveras because the calaveristas, Esperanza staff and buena gente have made it possible. You know who you are! Read and enjoy! — Gloria A. Ramírez
Calaveristas: Dulce Benavides • Lucia Bolanos • Alice Canestaro-García • Janie Cepeda • Nephtalí De León • Julien EkiakaOblazamengo • Norma Guzmán • Rachel Jennings • Josie Méndez-Negrete • Irma Mireles • Hilda Moreno • Timothee Khonde Ngoma • Kamala Platt • Enrique Sánchez • Elva Pérez Treviño • Rita E.Urquijo-Ruiz • Amelia Solsona Wilburn • Jerry Zertuche ~
Cuento: Anna Marie Sánchez ~ Literary Ofrendas: Lucille Morales Briseño • David Zamora Casas • Lola Cueto • Nephtalí De León • Rocio Delgado • Brenda L. Flores • Art Mantecón • Pablo Neruda
• Isela
Ocegueda • Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle • Rogelio
“Smiley” Rojas Moctezuma • Randy Romo • Sandy • Larry Skwarczynski • Joe U ~ Artwork: Raúl Anguiano • Celia Calderon • David Zamora Casas • Castillo family • Lola Cueto • José Chávez-Morado •.Anel Flores • Carlos Lowry • Stella Marrroquín • Leopoldo Méndez • Maricela Olguin • Pájara • José Guadalupe Posada • Ralfka • Cameron Vásquez Ramírez • Mary Agnes Rodríguez • Sandy • Rufino Tamayo • Elva Pérez Treviño • Liliana Wilson • Alfredo Zalce
LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • November 2013 Vol. 26 Issue 9•
Art: Liliana Wilson
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Ofrendas para A los vivos que están muertos
I went to learn how to grieve To let go of those who are dead To banish the memory of someone unknown A ghost I made up in my head. They cried for the men that they loved And wondered at how they’d move on. They hoarded their things like treasure unseen, And they prayed to their Lord to be strong. I sat still in my chair at the table Silent as an undisturbed tomb. The edges of shame crept into my heart But mostly a new kind of gloom. They wept for deep voices, strong arms Of men that were no longer there, But I was grieving the loss of a dream, My invention, an unanswered prayer.
LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • November 2013 Vol. 26 Issue 9•
Stood up to escape the somber space, Shook cold, wrinkled skin over bone, Walked into the heat of the street in my city, Pale sky above trees—I, alone.
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— Isela Ocegueda, UTEP
Agradecimiento Quiero agradecer Aquellas cosas que nunca pedí Pero, que estan a mi alrededor Con un idioma própio y universal; Aromas, sonidos y colores. La obra del hombre y el poder de dios, El equilibrio justo de los cinco sentidos La armonía natural de los cuatro elementos, El aroma de los colores, La textura de la vida, El monte, el árbol y yo. El perfume de la noche, La lúz sobre el olvido La música del atardecer, Los mensajes ocultos, El llanto de la niebla, la sangre de la tierra, Los espiritus del cielo, Los contrastes, Y por el hermoso amanecer de hoy. —Enrique Sánchez, “Don Calaveras”
dia de los
muertos
Dos Mil Trece
Me despierto en las mañanas y doy gracias a dios; luego, despues del almuerzo, leo el periodico. Mi siento contento porque mi nombre no se encuentra en la sección de los muertitos. En este año dos mil trece vuelvo a esribir calaveras teniendo en mente que calacas me anda pisando los talones; digo esto porque cumplí ochenta y cinco. Imagínense ustedes: Quince abriles más y cumplo los cien. ¡Qué esperanza!
—Enrique Sánchez “Don Calaveras”
¡Mucho cuidado! —Todos sabemos que la muerte siempre esta a nuestro lado vigilando nuestro camino y aunque el mundo haya cambiado ella sabe en que momento tienes que estar a su lado. —Cuando hagas tu trabajo tú ten mucha precaución si te resbalas tantito o te dan un empujón viene la muerte corriendo y te llevará al panteón. —Si te vas a divertir hazlo con mucho cuidado porque si luego te alocas y no cuidas de ti mismo llega la calaca flaca..... y te llevará hasta el abismo. —Lucia Bolanos Art: Celia Calderon, Mexican artist, part of Taller Gráfica Popular. Born in Guanajuato in 1921, she died in 1969.
Ofrendas
Remembering my father... Fernando Flores
08.12.1962 — 09.30.2011 People Come and People Go
M
y father worked here and there, but never anything stable. He liked to be free, so being a stay at home dad suited him well. Many considered him lazy since my mother was the breadwinner, but not in my book if you take care of kids. He was always involved with me and my sisters. At the table we would play games like Candyland, cards, and our all-time favorite, Monopoly. Monopoly was a game that we can play all day and night. We would even stay up until three in the morning just laughing and having a good time.
He found pleasure in alcohol and drugs. He said he would drink and do drugs to forget. To forget about life struggles and the family he lost. He talked about how he wanted to be someone important, and how one day he wanted to live with his family again. And for one last time he would have liked to dance with my mom. Fast forward! —He ended up dying from a drug overdose. With him went his dreams. To me, he will always be remembered as my loving father. Once you love someone; you will always love them, no matter where they go.
Esperanza Peace & Justice Center thanks the following buena gente for their donations:
Recordando...
Nasrin Piri, in memory of Michele Myers Edith Speert, in memory of John Stanford.
Casi un año que te fuiste Mi Choquito consentida Y te siento todavía A pesar de tu partida En una noche muy fría Te convertiste en estrella La más preciosa de ellas Que a seguir me ayudaría
People come and people go You got to let them know That you care for them That you need them What they mean to you People come and people go You got to let them know How special they are How they make you feel That they are beautiful and smart That you love them for them How their presence has impacted your world People come and people go Please, let them know Express your love Hug them every chance you get Show them, write it, and say it out loud It’s all about making memories People come and people go Don’t take things personal For people are fighting themselves When people come and people go Let there be no –would of, should of, could of, You got to let them know The three words that mean so much I love you
Ahora brillas cuán bella Y desde el cielo me miras Te extraño mucho, mi nena Y no termina mi pena Fuiste fiel hasta la muerte Tuve suerte conocerte Y otra vez tu companía Se disfrutará algún día
— Rocío Delgado
LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • November 2013 Vol. 26 Issue 9•
His life fell apart when he made bad choices. He wouldn’t come home sometimes. And when he would be home, sometimes he would mentally and physically abuse my mother. My brother got tired of it and found a place for us to move. My father didn’t even know this, since he would come and go as he pleased. That same year he lost his mother to cancer. It was a year of change for him. Losing something personal can make you feel lousy, and losing everything can make you really lose it. He slept at relatives’ homes, friends’ homes, and basically anywhere he could lay his head. He ended up living on the streets. He slept on cardboard boxes, under the bridge and outside of the homeless shelter. Other homeless men would pick fights with him and steal from him. Once, they even stole his prosthetic leg from him.
by Brenda L. Flores
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Ofrendas
LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • November 2013 Vol. 26 Issue 9•
¡Juancho Y JO PRESENTE!
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This departing shadow This Communist Courage Building Warmth Joined Free This Garden after LOVE This Fortitude of freedom Faced justiciable Junctures JUT ‹JO› Junction Journeymen FOR A JUST Jumbo revolution These juxtaposed Jewels Juniper minds Jimmied Jim CrowJackbooted Jabber Jackasses This Frantic Father jinxed by Jingoism Jumbled by jackal texas John n Jo Justifiable Jostling our Jerrybuilt system Jogged jigged Jeered This jagged jaded jingo Jacket These JasMine Jocund Janitors STOOD These jolly joyful JacobinS San Antonio Stanfords This garden after dark Honk for Peace* —larry-vfp-humanistGreengan ‘PEACE Vigils’ each/
Note: In 1961 Stanford began selling communist literature through a mail-order bookstore in his home called All Points of View. The business was raided in 1963 and Stanford was hauled into courtrepresented by his attorney, the late Maury Maverick, Jr. The case went to the Supreme Court, where it failed and all of Stanford’s material and literature was returned. —Larry Swarcynski
Homenaje a Juancho
“Blowing Red Kisses into Sky”
Art: Mary Agnes Rodríguez
¡ Ay mendiga pelona! ¿Qué hiciste? ¿Porqué el nueve-once eligiste? ¡Que chiste! Día de memoria trágica a Juancho eligiste. Hombre noble, sincero, obrador – qué triste. Sus hechos en esta vida resaltaban de su pecho. Fue, era y será siendo de la gente en todo hecho. Gente buena, gente agradecida, nunca olividen este fiel amigo. Él lucho por la educación y también por el enemigo. ¿Pelona, pelona, quién va ocupar su lugar? ¿Habrá otro ser que tanto su obra sepa amar? Él siempre portaba su periodico communista y el cartelón contra la guerra Ambos portaba para ver si lograba la paz en la tierra. Hombre de gracia, Huesuda te ha recogido. Pero en esta tierra y mundo siempre seras RECONOCIDO. —Joe U.
Our Brothers, who art in Heaven, Protect us who alive are still, Lesbian, TransGender, Bi, Queer. Death to Fear, Bigotry and Hate. Corporate systematic killing Mama pacha / clean air / water. Brothers, AIDS TOOK YOU So Quickly, Still I dance with Your Memory, Sing your favorite punk rock song, Lighting candles on your Altar, Blowing Red Kisses into Sky. Ofrenda & Art by David Zamora Casas
Ofrendas
Anna Marie Sanchez
Oct. 30, 1956 – Aug. 6, 2013
Photo by PRO
For Anna : Para Anna by Prechie
Beloved friend, loyal one, martyr Amiga querida, leal, mártir I’ll take a breath between drags if you give me a clue between drinks Respiraré entre tiradas si me das una pista entre tragos quick-witted, sufferer like Christ, rapido ingenio, sufridora como Cristo, your artistries grew into the darkness of a Mercedes Sosa song and went out with the greys sus artistries crecieron en la
oscuridad de una canción de Mercedes Sosa y salieron con los grises our secrets mystify the fragility of life and hold the surrealism of death nuestros secretos mistifican la fragilidad de la vida y sostienen el surrealismo de la muerte the full moon, the skulls, lust la luna llena, las calaveras, la lujuria a proud mother sitting in the smoldering August heat giving purpose to the waters of march una madre orgullosa sentada en el calor de agosto ardiente dando propósito a las aguas de marzo too heavy for the heart living within the haunting demasiado pesado para el corazón viviendo dentro de la obsesionate so compassionate, so ... pugnacious, the great cook tan compasiva, tan ... belicosa, la gran cocinera missing the laughter since you were taken by the same angels who brought you here faltando la risa desde que fueron tomadas por los mismos angeles que te trajeron aquí but we’ll remember ... for the time being pero recordaremos ... por el momento Bio: Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle is Anna Marie Sanchez’s friend of 40 years. Special thanks to Alicia.
Pepe y los pingos
P
enando por perder en poker, Pepe montó a Pedro, su caballo, ya bien borracho. Pepe pensaba pensamientos de pobre. Se quedo dormido, pero Pedro siguía en camino a casa.
Los pingos le hicieron muchas cosquillas, y espantado, Pepe no pudo reir, pero estrujaba para librarse de los pingos. Firmemente en las manos de los pingos, gritaba Pepe: ¡Prisionero no seré, pinches pingos!
Pepe pataliaba y gritaba hasta llegar al fondo de la noria. Pegó al agua y despertó sorprendido que Pedro y él habian llegado a casa. Desmontando, Pepe le dijo a Pedro: ¡Ya nunca me lleves a tomar en el Día de los muertos! Pedro se rió como solos los caballos pueden. Colorín, colorado, este cuento se a acabado. —Anna Marie Sánchez, Westsider, artist, mother of three, abuelita of six
LA BORRADA Stella Sandoval
Born April 23, 1923 Died August 10, 1995
Painting to honor my mom who loved music, dancing, gardening, made tamales every single year and didn’t mind a “high ball” every now and then. —Art and ofrenda by Sandy
She had a gold tooth, a white streak down the middle of her hair. Loved high heels, bold colored jewelry and nails painted bright red. Her green eyes against dark skin were stunning. She brought with her — light.
Art: Pájara
LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • November 2013 Vol. 26 Issue 9•
A Pedro lo asustó algo y trató defenderse a pataliadas; Pepe se cayó al sacate y los pingos lo pescaron.
Lo movieron unos pasos y con mucha fuerza lo hecharon a una noria honda y oscura.
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Ofrendas
Yolanda García How could you die? Go off and fly?
My beautiful friend is gone. I always thought she looked like Raquel Welch. My sorrow and love for her, I will not squelch. When I was told of the death of my long time friend, Yolie, I said, “No, no, no”. Refusing to let her go. I don’t want it to be so. I can’t believe she’s gone. I’ll have to live without her from now on. I met her in our freshman year at Providence, through her cousin Isabel, Who was my friend since age six at Sacred Heart.
LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • November 2013 Vol. 26 Issue 9•
Isabel left us a long time ago. I know they are together and they glow.
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Yolanda joined her husband, John, the same year that he had to go. Although we are feeling very low, we know She is with her parents, young daughter and husband. They greeted her and took her by the hand To a place where there is no land. But choose to believe we will someday land. I wasn’t with you when your daughter died, Must have been in California or Germany. Wish I had been there with you. I’ll miss my triple comadre, who was in my wedding and I in her’s. She honored me by choosing me to baptize Tisha, her first-born It is for her mother we all mourn. Even though she lived far away, Friends forever we did and will stay. Love you forever, Comadre. —Lucille Briseño Morales
Art: Rufino Tamayo
Jimmie
May 17, 2005 Jimmie, Jimmie, you were supposed to linger with me. My big brother —he was like no other. First-born —for him, we mourn. He was the oldest, Some say the boldest. He became the elder of our family. Was King Midas of our tree. Te daba pena que no estudiaste ¡Aye! Pero, como trabajaste! Ayudaste a mucha gente. Porque eras muy inteligente. Ya no vas a estar conmigo. Tú, más que hermano, eras mi amigo. I’ll miss the Sunday phone calls Inviting us to break. (That’s what you called it). Oh! Anguished heart! It tore me apart. To learn you were leaving. Immediately, I began grieving. You are the man! A successful business you ran. Your accumulation was tremendous. To your family, you were very generous. Fuiste muy fuerte, Cuando se te cambio la suerte. Te moriste muy valiente. Ya no tienes dolor. Ahora estás con el Señor. Para mi es un horror, Vivir sin tu amor. Tu única carnala, Lucila —Lucille Briseño Morales
Calaveras 2013 Ven aquí, Beneby
Fukushima Calavera, 2013
Before death, Mr. Beneby, one very smart guy in the room, told his CPS employees, “Spread the word! ‘Low carbon’ coal.” Zoom!
en Tokyo los Japoneses se saboreaban los teses parientes de Hirohito se limpiaban los moquitos, se tomaban una foto cuando pegó el terremoto
From Fredericksburg to San Anto went the message : “CLEAN” energy: The Good News: “65% by 2020, reality!” “Why did you fiddle with the truth?” Lucifer asked of Beneby who said, “Please see it through MY eyes. Look in MY eyes, at THESE charts. SEE?” So with Beneby by his side, Lucifer sent HIS pingos, too. They spread the gospel far & wide LOW OR NO carbon in our poo. I mean, energy! Miracle? Count dirty carbon-producing energy as though it did not produce much carbon? Seducing?
“Ven aquí, Beneby, FOR-E-VAH we can rule the gas & oil guys, the fossil fools. Stall solar, wind, geothermal (while you boil). —Alice Canestaro-García
Vida Rascuache Verde #1 Said Katrina Greena on the last fin de semana de septiembre Let’s Round Up the numbers and head for Sustainability... So all piled into her old tercel headed to the great norte blanco... “We won’t go with less than ocho.”-- a rule borrowed from Bargarh taxi drivers...
en eso salió una flaca la Japonesa Calaca vamonos de la China vamonos del Japón y así se fue Fukushima con toda su radiación al atómico panteón ! —Nephtalí De León
She divvied out the gas per person in her mind: 48 mpg, 64 miles each way, ocho personas 2 & 1/2 gallons divided by eight people -- That’s 1/3 gallon each... carbono pedprint no fractions, fractoids, fracks, just facts... —Kamala Platt
A Volar Antes de a border un avión te registran de pie a cabeza. Sucedio que a un tipo poderoso no le parecio Buena idea. Se ingresó a una fila como res al matadero ¡Qué caray! Resultó un gran borlote; ya mero lo encueraban; Más por ser tan importante lo dejaron que pasara. La Catrina bien vestida con todo y su sombrerote. Lo acompañó en su viaje sin regreso y sin mitote. —Enrique Sánchez Artwork: Ralfka
Artwork: Raúl Anguiano
LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • November 2013 Vol. 26 Issue 9•
Greenwash magic! Or something like. “Clean coal”, nuclear, natural gas (snap!) are now low or no carbonemitting energy. Ha! ¡Zás!
Art: Raul Anguiano
y en la planta Fukushima se tostaron las gallinas tronó la planta nuclear nadie lo puede negar
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Calaveras Vladimir Putin
President Barack Obama
by Nephtalí De León
By Nephtalí De León
The Russian Vladimir Putin was eating a mutton leg and some kremlin crunchy toast when a thin lady in a troika with a big bottle of vodka made a pass at him with, –“Shorty! You look to me very worthy!”
President Barack Obama was enjoying his mañana with an English cup of tea planning his bombing of Syria by a beautiful wisteria… I can do it, I can do it, so excitedly hummed he when a strange flaquita woman said it just aint gonna be
“I’m short as an undercover,” said the intelligence lover… Impressed, the bulimic girl who trotted around the world, said, “Let’s go to where there’s no end… don’t snitch to your Snowden friend…” “Wait a minute!” said the leader, “I’m writing Mr. Obama a note in the New York times…” Right away, and quite thereafter he quickly began to snore as he left with the Pelona to the land of nevermore!
I’m the big wheel said Obama who can possibly stop me? when he slipped on a banana on his very last mañana didn’t even drink his tea
LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • November 2013 Vol. 26 Issue 9•
Mr. President, it’s fate that you gotta come with me so the Deportation chief found his life a little brief when he left with la Pelona to the cemetery zona !
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Senator Ted Cruz What causes a curse like Ted Cruz? Is it genetics or the booze? When he wins, the rest of us lose. With Old Harry, he tends to schmooze.* What causes a curse like crazy Ted? Is he cruel or sick in the head? Thinking of him makes me see red. My health insurance he has bled. His searing hate fills me with dread. With Old Harry I’ll dance instead. *Old Harry is a name for the Devil.
—Rachel Jennings
El Premio de Vero Ya le otorgaron Su premio Por saber Moldear el barro. Y los Castillos celebrando Este reconocimiento Mientras los ángeles cantan Y ofrecen sus alabanzas.
Mira calaca inclemente Ni siquiera te imagines
Reconocen el legado Que se fundo con el barro.
Ya te llevaste al maestro A la Vero nos la dejas.
Vete paloma querida Dile a todas las calacas
Ya Puebla y San Antonio Y hasta Washington, D.C.
Que vayan por Peña Nieto Y dejes los artesanos. —Josie Méndez-Negrete
Edward Snowden By Nephtalí De León fhe NASA whistle blower was hiding behind a mower. fhe global network of spies was trying to catch like flies the trillion billion of lies Edward Snowden had unlatched … from Hawaii to Hong Kong? what if they think I’m wrong? who will take me under their wing with America’s dark sting to capture me anywhere like Bin Laden in the world…? don’t worry said a flaquita I’ve got the perfect hide out where u ain’t gonna be followed but because u did good things for commoners and for kings I’ll let u have a vacation I’ll postpone your termination he rushed on his lucky break and la Pelona just smiled I’m not making a mistake! Art: Familia Castillo
20 13 OBAMA (S)CARE The Republicans are peeved running and crying all scared shut down business in D.C. and they blame “Obamacare”
Here lies the loud mouth, The lawyer from Houston down South, The Senator from the Lone Star State, He spoke for hours and hours fighting on late.
Ted Cruz
20 13
¿Zimmerman? Mejor Killer-man. ¿Florida? Mejor Pistólida. Pero no importa los nombres… A La Catrina no le interesa.
¿Cómo paseas bajo el sol Todavía con pistola en mano? ¿Con la culpa en el corazón, Cómo vives seguro y sano?
¿Cómo duermes bajo la luna Con la muerte en tu lecho Con la rabia de la gente Por el asesinato que has hecho?
Calavera para G.Z.
Vino la Catrina por Cruz; el que no para de hablar mucho Causó el paro nacional y esta dañando a muchos. Este hombre sigue terco y sigue necio ¿Será porque aspira a la presidencia —a cualquier precio? Le preguntó la Huesuda –¿se te olvido quién ganó? “¡Y el que estuvo con las riendas –por poquito nos hundió!” Este morenito, a pesar del criticismo ha sabido borrar Con paciencia el destrozo causado por los poderosos, ¡Tanta muerte! La Catrina lo observa ahogado por tanto te que tomó! —Enrique Sánchez
Los Derrotados
La Voz de Esperanza
“—No government for you, honey” smiled the bunch of buffoons receiving even more money not from people, but from goons The poor, destitute, and hungry into their plans they don’t factor hard-working people are angry their reign will end ipso facto The government can’t exist with these idiots running free wanting democrats to exit and bullying all with glee Lady Death, who all observes grinning and greedy, arrived Boehner, Bachman, all the Reps of their lives they were deprived To Obama she said sternly “—better turn this thing around or before your term is over I will have you underground” —Rita E. Urquijo-Ruiz
Alas to address a long speech, Where the end was not in reach, With his voice that would not cease, He passed away dictating at ease, He caused his own death at last after fainting, After his mind became tired of debating. —Jerry Zertuche
La Calaca junto con Dios Para la gente fiel de Fe “A la una, a las dos
La Calaca predicando La palabra de Dios Usando a los cristianos, Sus hijos y su dulce voz Que los jotín son descarados Que pagarán por sus pecados Allí la gente sin control Y ministros sin console.
La Danza de la Calaca Bailando con los Jotín Hablando del Cristiano Y su fe en el oído sin fin
La Calaca, Los Cristianos y La Discriminacion
A la chan se le ocurrió hablar mal de su prójimo, ¡Que desgracia! A dividido a San Antonio con su lengua. Quizá esto sea un ardid para lograr puestos más altos en su vida politica hay tantas posibilidades... “La Catrina” ya le hechó ojos: al panteón o, a la mejor chicharrón —Enrique Sánchez
A La Chan
Where did all
Take Leticia Van de Putte: she is one fine legislator. She is hardworking and astute. Greg Abbott: a bloviator. When she speaks, the Abbott is mute. She’ll kick Satan out of Texas. Our red state will turn blue to boot. —Rachel Jennings
Senator Leticia Van de Putte
A good friend of Leticia and of Planned Parenthood’s Cecile, Wendy gave us cause to like her. For women’s choice, to her honor, she endured a filibuster without restroom breaks or water. Not one good pee for thirteen hours. The long ordeal was Hell for her. She outlasted points of order. —Rachel Jennings
Hurray for Senator Davis! Boon for Mary, Molly, Mavis. Bane of men who would enslave us. Her legs are strong, her head level— her stamina incredible. The Red Sneaker is her symbol. For Perry, she is the Devil.
Senator Wendy Davis
2013 La Voz de Esperanza
Art: Anel Flores
A muchas esquinclas destruiste con tus falsas atenciones. Despues desropada ¡y más triste! —¡endrogada! Te fuiste Twerkiando y con la lengua colgando. Quedaste tan quemada que hasta la pelona se quedo enojada! QEPD, la Miley Cyrus! —Janie Cepeda
Miley Cyrus
A la sin, boon, bah. Ehele.” —Elva Pérez Treviño
La Calaca ya nos dijo “¡Qué NDO, ni que nada, yo que ustedes ni me aflijo me los llevo a la tiznada!” —Rita E.Urquijo-Ruiz
Con Wendy Davis de jefa Van de Putte y Castro aliados y los “rojos” tras las rejas ya no estamos alienados
Téngannos miedo, malcriados que de azul vamos cubriendo ciudad, estado y condado serán nuestros, irán viendo
LA VOZ de ESPERANZA Nov 2013 • Vol. 26 Issue 9 • Page 13
Pero, Rosie, jamás dejando un desafío pasar, exclamo, “¡Ya veremos, huesuda, porque los votantes posible lo harán y el igualdad de salario de nosotras será!” —Irma Mireles
La huesuda se fue enrabiada gritando, “¡Eso es imposible porque los Republicanos no lo dejarán hasta que en tu ataúd tú y tu bolsa roja se encontrarán!”
Regresando a San Antonio la huesuda a Rosie con su bolsa roja trata de arrebatar. Pero mi comadre, Rosie, más fuerte pudo jalar, diciendo, “Es mi protesta hasta que las mujeres reciban un salario de igualdad.”
A poco tiempo la bolsa roja en los pasillos del congreso nacional va cuando a su otro orgullo –su hijo, Joaquín, va visitar.
En Tejas y en todos lados su rojo se va acabando la gente va atando cabos y a las urnas van llegando
Republicanos gusanos Republicanos comprados sigan así de inhumanos que su tiempo se ha llegado
En los sesentas y setentas la vimos por la raza pelear Enfrentando los políticos de esas décadas sin parar. Su compromiso por la raza no fue en vano porque hoy la bolsa roja por San Antonio va. Pronto a City Hall la vemos llegar visitando un orgullo de su vida—su hijo, Julián.
TEXAS A-ZU-LADO
La de la bolsa roja
On the corner of Cultura and Commerce Streets here lies the Co-Opt Food Truck, “La Calavera Gourmet!” Serving only the freshest cultural appropriations daily! La Cindy’s Gordita stand can’t compete with its cornmeal flapjacks; quinoa/black bean treat! Lengua tacos are not where it’s at …bearded hipsters love our Chitlin Wraps! Need something to wash it down with? How about a kale-infused Smor-chata, freshly whipped! How much? You ask, while waiting in line… Oh, the price you’ll pay is going to be way too high… —Dulce Benavides
the taco trucks go?
Los Tranvias Como el turismo en nuestra ciudad es importante, hay gente a favor y gente en contra de tranvias. A la huesuda no le importa si mueren bajo rueda o bajo llanta. Lástima que este medio de transporte no sea para todos. Tienen ustedes a las lanchas que pasean a la gente. Los precios son exorbitantes y los que no tienen dinero no se pueden pasear mucho menos nadar, Valgame Dios! —Enrique Sánchez
John Boehner Ese Juan Boehner aquel que la majoría escogió. Con la silla y el trono con mano dura reinó. No hacía caso a ninguno y nunca entró en razón. Era su lujo y dicha contradecir al jefe mayor. A Obama nunca lo respeto, quizás por ser contrahecho o por no acceptar su color. Ahora está bajo tierra y la Pelosi ahora sí ya sonrió! —Janie Cepeda
Art: Anel Flores
El GOP
—Gisela Oscegueda
El GOP, o sea los GOPen’jos, decian querer mucho a su América pero a cuál América? La Blanca o la verdadera multi-color? Cargando sus armas y embri’ga’os con te se fueron anihilando con sus mismas GOPen’jadas contra inmigrantes, conta Mujeres, contra gays, contra trabajadores, y conrtra todo aquel de color. Ahora, ya ni su rastro queda y afuera con su voz! Ojalá el Rey de las tineblas les devuelva su tiranía feroz. Hasta nunca GOP! —Dulce Benavides & Janie Cepeda
Reverend Charles Flowers
Rev. Flowers preaches hate. To bash gays, he is never late. He keeps only lies on his plate. Coupled mates, he claims, must be straight. For bigots, he is a magnet. He shouts such filth from the pulpit, Christians say, “We’re not all like that!”
At City Council, a ruckus. His army arrives on buses. His cunning tactics upset us. This strange preacher smells sulphurous. His hot prejudice is hellish. Why must this man be devilish? Like the pastor Harry Powell in Agee’s Night of the Hunter, he’s tattooed “LOVE” on his right fist and the word “HATE” on his left fist. —Rachel Jennings
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TAMUK Calaveras LA MUERTE DEL PROFE EKIAKA por Timothee Khonde Ngoma Caminaba en la escuela Parecía preocupado Porque la muerte lo esperaba Para pronto llevarlo En la solitud de la tumba Dejando en el escritorio Los libros que llevaba Pensando con miedo Que la calaca desesperada Lo encontrará saliendo Y atraparlo con prisa Con camino al panteón La calaca contenta Al profe se llevó Para que en paz dejara A su pobre alumnado Y que sólo usara Su segunda vida
ESTA MAESTRA – YA ESTA MUERTE por Hilda Moreno Me siento en esta banca Pero no entiendo nada ¿Será que no me importa? ¿Qué tendrá que ver conmigo? Si solamente le entendiera La muerte de mi ser. Me dice la maestra Piensa como yo ¿Tú qué sabes? Ponme atención No sabes lo que se ¡Preguuuntame! ¡Preguuuntame! Ésta maestra, ésta muerte No me deja vivir ¡Me estiró de patas!
LENTITUD A TODO DAR por Julien Ekiaka-Oblazamengo Es notable la lentitud con que operan Los trabajadores de “maintenance” en Tamuk En el “Rec Center” por mucho tiempo dejan Las máquinas con el aviso “Fuera de servicio” Un mes entero, nada cambia y sigue el aviso. Y ellos arman su teatrito y compadrazgo. No sé por cuál magia, el fenómeno se extendió Ahora en los baños del edificio RH, el anuncio apareció. Como si alguien ahí había martirizado o sacrificado, Va un mes entero, y sigue todo ¡“Fuera de servicio”! A los estudiantes esa situación molesta Andan cada caída para saber lo que adentro hay. Pero no contaban con lo el secreto que había ahí. La muerte apagó y nos dejó sin A punta de pie se acerca Mónica ¡Y la calaca lo jala por las patas! Viene al rescate Victor, ¡Y la flaquita lo lleva por el cabello! Se pasa por un Sansón Armando, ¡Y la Huesuda en la cabeza le da un cilindro! Y viene Ana para que a su tío defendiera ¡Y el “nyaka nyaka” lo jala por la cola–dera! Espantados y enfurecidos, los profesores Alocadamente corren a buscar a los trabajadores Que por su culpa la huesuda del baño se apoderó Los obligaron a reparar el baño Pero Tim, enojadísimo, a todos empujó “¡Que la huesuda los guarde en su desgraciada gloria! Por huevones, ¡que los lleve a huevonear con ella!” gritó.
¡Aqui se acaba el mundo! N. Guzmán Sin duda aquí se acaba el mundo Las Javalinas comen de la selva A nadie molestan Los estudiantes se ponen a beber de ‘Starbucks’ Cuando quieren —asisten a la clase. Los administradores, indican que quieren más alumnos Para poner trabajar a los profesores Les gusta cuando todo sale bien, Se ponen a platicar, planear, y modificar Mientras los profesores se ponen a caminar Hasta que ya no puedan más. Trabajando con los estudiantes, sin fallar Hasta que llegen al panteón, No les queda más Sin vida van a quedar!
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Art: Cameron
Texas A&M University @ Kingsville
OfrendasCuquita Wilton
O
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¡Precaución! Disfruta mucho la vida que dios a ti te ha otorgado sabes que él te quiere mucho y siempre estarás bien cuidado pero —si te agarra la locura y te pasas de la raya y empiezan las tentaciones aparece la calaca flaca y te dará de bofetones. Cuando salgan de su casa tengan muchas precauciones con tanto muerto que ha habido ya están llenos los panteones Dónde nos van a enterrar? ya no hay ni un lugarcito pero llega la muerte lista —y nos mete en un hoyito
A los viejitos La muerte calaca y flaca anda por todos los rincones buscando gente viejita pa’ llevar a los panteones Si quieres vivir más tiempo viejito ponte abusado— porque si te pasas tantito y te das un resbalón viene la muerte corriendo y te lleva hasta el panteón Si tu casa es de dos pisos sube los pies despacito y no te quedes atorado detras de ti anda la calaca para darte un empujón te manda a la funeraria y te espera en el panteón
Art: Maricela Olguin
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n August 19, 2005 the Texas Senate 79th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, adopted a resolution in memory of Maria del Refugio Wilton [Refugio Wilton Luna, sic]. The Esperanza Peace and Justice Center’s Fotohistorias program pays tribute to the memory of “Cuquita” with a few photos of her career. Cuquita died on July 29, 2005 at the age of 86 after a long illustrious career as a singer, actor, radio announcer and entertainer in San Antonio and Mexico. She was renowned for her powerful voice. At 16, she discovered her talent for singing. She joined radio station KCOR playing a character on a Spanish radio soap opera. She also sang product commercials for a variety of enterprises including the Pearl and Lone Star breweries. Cuquita was known as La Reina del Micrófono. She also served Texas as an ambassador to Mexico. Cuquita is remembered by her family as a devoted mother and grandmother who lived each day to the fullest and continued to sing throughout her life.
Subete a tu camita alzate el camisón ponte boca abajito que te pongo una inyección no quiero que te me mueras y te lleven al panteón - Lucia Bolanos Hernández, 80 años que preparo sus calaveras desde julio.
JOSÉ ERNESTO MONTOYA 1932-2013
Ofrendas
Editors Note: Jose Montoya, artist and activist, died September 25, 2013 in Sacramento, California. He was a teacher, poet and community activist important to the Chicano movement of the 60s and 70’s. Poet Laureate of Sacramento, Montoya was also a co-founder of the Royal Chicano Air force — an artist collective that helped to define Chicano art as a significant art genre.
Hoy enterraron al jefe --el comandante general-and the earth will enfold ese vato, a vato who sang in baritone, vernacular bardic strophes of the lowly and despised those who labored, thieved, loved drank, smoked, spat profanities and worshiped beneath an indifferent sun.
of the put upon, of those put on guard from the age of reason… But the mouthed beauty of the phrase, the words so liquid as to not be dammed upon the page, the words that were meant to be heard, palabras líricas that were as nothing, without that voice… It did not matter what he said! But what he said mattered with a switching of codes with the lightning of the syntactical synapses between castellano, inglés y caló, the three-cornered wit of our fathers, the incomparable beauty of the plenty of our language, the mercury of our words. Hoy enterraron al jefe. Hoy enterraron al jefe. —Art Mantecón, Sacramento Valley
Aaron Swartz Genio desde niño, Pediste libertad de información. Pero tomaste tu propia vida A manos ciegas de la nación. A tí también te tocaron Los del gobierno, sin compasión. Enfocados en las reglas, Ignoraron tu gran visión. Art: Tribute to José Posada by Alfredo Zalce
Perdimos un visionario Por acciones de legislación. Pero también a los fiscales Trae La Catrina finalización. —Isela Ocegueda Editor’s note: Aaron Swartz was a young computer programmer, writer, and cyber-political activist. He died in January, 2013.
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Hoy enterraron al jefe, and these streets and avenues de Sacra that shade under dark wooden bones will no more feel his tread. Los callejones y las cantinas de oro will ever be haunted por un fantasma con disembodied horn-rimmed, tinted lentes y stingy brim. ¡Águila! Que ahí va el espíritu de nuestro poeta en busca de suaves licores, amables pláticas y un tazón dominguero de tripitas y pata homeopathic pancita for belly remedy for the hanging miseries of late Saturday revels. ¡Dale paso al jefe! Dale paso,
for here he comes singing, a derelict upright dog with his hunchback vihuela chiming in tenor accord with that unforgettable vozarrón que tenía when he was young. When he was young… Nothing but pity for you if you only saw the man of four score. Como gato and ligero on his athlete’s legs he was. Era un galán con élan. He strode through the world confident but wary just the same. The stage was his world, and every stage was his the instant he took it. He was a Greek creature for panic, a companion of nymphs, a bucking capricious, goateed fulano de tal. Quick era su salero. He punned like a chuked-out Gertrude Stein, arroz es arroz es arroz. Too much folkloric irony perhaps… Too much self mockery, certainly… the weaponry of the assailed,
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Ofrendas
Canto A Los Muertos Y Vivos En San Anto by Rogelio Smiley Rojas Moctezuma, San Anto, Tejas 2013
Caaalaca, calaca, calaca, calaca…. los muertos andan calaqueando en El Cementerio San Fernando, mientras los vivos se la pasan cabuleando en un gran espíritu con la energía de la materia echándose una Polkita con vueltas y vueltas en El Conjunto Festival en El Rosedale Park mi Raza Chicana brincan y bailan cruzin’ la dance floor bién suavecito con la Música Del Acordeón y El Bajo Sexto moviéndose con El Zapateado al estilo Tacuachito en la tonada de “El Sube Y Baja” para arriba y para abajo se ríen gozando el día y disfrutan el amor en la noche….
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¿Y qué onda con los muertos Carnalas y Carnales?
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Pues andan calaqueando en El Gran Chancleo Universal echándose su ritmo del taconazo y quemando hule con nuestros Ancestros que siguen tocando sus rolas y cantando bién suavemente con las voces de ángeles en armonía. Miren nomás hay está la Lydia Mendoza, “La Alondra de la Frontera” muy mona en su vestido Mexicano cantando “Mal Hombre”. También el Don Santiago Jiménez canta “Ay Te Dejo En San Antonio”. Y “El Rey de las Polkas” Tony De La Rosa se avienta “El Circo”. Entonces los tocayos Rubén Naranjo con su “Preso Sin Delito”y Rubén Vela se avienta la sabrosa cumbia, “El Coco Rayado”. Narciso Martínez, “El Huracán Del Valle” agarra vuelo con “La Chicharronera Polka”. Luego, el Valerio Longoria está floreciendo pasiones en “El Rosalito”. El Bene Layton en su partida canta “Llorarás”. Then straight from Saluté International Bar in the heavens comes“El Parche,” Esteban Jordan,
según “El Jimi Hendrix del Acordeón” nos recuerda que “Soy De Tejas” y tú nunca vas al cielo “Si Te Portas Mal” como el Juan en el “Corrido De Johnny El Pachuco”. Hay tántas más leyendas del Conjunto que brillan con su Luz en El Congal Del Sol Tata Tonatiuh y El Cantón De La Luna Nana Coyolxauhqui para que siempre digan todos “Dale Gas Y Dale Shine En El Hueso” para que siga La Polka Cósmica moviéndose en La Pista Universal Celestial dándose vueltas infinitas con Rayos De Luz Solares en el San Anto Conjunto Estyle in C entre miles de estrellas bailando y rodeando, y con chingos de Cantos y Gritos a Los Cuatro Vientos! ¡Ajúa!—¡Ajúa!—¡Ajúa!—¡Ajúa! ¡Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay!
Art: Maricela Olguin
JOSÉ ÁNGEL GUTIÉRREZ José Ángel Gutiérrez en Texas nació y Siendo un hombre muy cabal Sólo en su raza creia –no en el gobierno estatal Llegó el día cuando del racismo se cansó En su pequeño Cristal al los jovenes organizó y Hasta los padres unió y el walk-out resultó Muy pronto como lumbre la voz corrió y la raza En el resto de Texas se alborotó. A San Antonio una chispa llegó y pronto la Escuela Lanier tambien salió. Organizó MAYO en los sesentas La Raza Unida Party en los setentas Y tanta esperanza en la raza nació
Aunque unos temorizados estaban Otros mucho orgullo tenían En un joven que tántos huevos tenía A los gobernantes sus verdades les decía El tiempo pasó y Jose Ángel con el RUP la política en Texas cambió El día que la huesuda se le acercó Él le contesto, “ni miedo te tengo, olvidas que hasta a los pinches rinches confronté y al gringo asusté cuando ‘¡Kill the Gringo!’ proclamé”
Art: Guadalupe Posada
La calaca se fue coliandoy a José Ángel amenazando, “En Aztlán un pozo te esta esperando!” —Irma Mireles, 10/2007
N E W I n t e r n a t i o n a l V en d o r s !
@
W
e are happy to announce the return of many international artists for the 2013 Mercado de Paz —plus a number of new artesanos. White clay artist and amate illustrator, Angélica Morales Gamez of Tzintzuntzan and award-winning ceramicist, Enedina Seferina Vásquez Cruz known for clay minatures and clay virgenes —both will be back this year. Continuing their yearly hiatus to the Mercado are famed Zapotec rug weavers Guadalupe Vásquez and family; prolific wood carver, Cristina Herrera; one of the famous Aguilar sisters, master clay sculptor, Irene Aguilar; Juchitán huipil and embroidery master, Teresa López Jiménez; and members of the reknown Castillo family of Puebla, Doña Martha Soledad Castillo and Patricia Castillo who work on polychromatic pottery and sculptures. The Castillo family arrives fresh from a trip to Washington D.C. where Verónica Castillo received the NEA National Heritage award. In addition, La Red, Niu Matat Napawika, a cooperative from Puebla, returns with products from 11 regions of Mexico that include textiles, weavings, dolls, palm leaf figures and more! Angélica Morales Gamez
Verónica Lorenzo
Traditional weavers of the Amuzgo community
Magdalena Pedro Martínez
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Cecilia Bautista
New vendors from Mexico will include Cecilia Bautista from the Purépecha de Ahuirán region in Michoacán who brings rebozos with ancient cultural designs and techniques including the use of feathers. The Kuanaua association of Tenancingo also brings rebozos and items made from rebozo cloth including shoes, ties, handbags and more. Martha Santiago Alvarez of Arrazola Xoxocotlán, Oaxaca, a part of “EcoAlebrijes,” a fair trade association, will bring wood carvings known as alebrijes.The group works towards conservation and reforestation of the Copal Tree and uses a traditional operating system called “Usos y Costumbres” based on the concept of serving community and promoting justice and peace. Another award-winning ceramicist, Magdalena Pedro Martínez, from San Bartolo, Coytepec, Oaxaca who is also a doctor will bring her black clay figures of women in traditional dress. Finally, Verónica Lorenzo, weaver from Mixteca Baja de la Costa Chica in Oaxaca brings her special Huipiles and textiles made with the ancestral and magical color, purpura, found only in a special seashell of the region. Veronica represents back strap loom weavers in the cooperative, Jiñi Ñuu, and helps others organize workshops, also. Her group works to rescue the Mexican Coyuche cotton that is a unique dark color said to be used for Spanish royalty in Pre-columbian times. These are all confirmed international vendors for the 2013 Mercado. There will be more! Plus, of course, our own local vendors who keep Peace Market afloat each year. This promises to be the best year yet! Light candles and pray for good weather! Remember, November 29th and 30th are the 2013 Peace Market days! (see back ad)
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The screen door slammed shut a rifle crack of sound that split the air…creating a silence so profound it was as if the earth and all she carries upon her face had together of one accord… stopped breathing
The Night You Disappeared - When Dead is Dead But Isn’t as you disappeared into the gaping maw of a white, red bubble topped vehicle that flashed and screamed you away from me / from us into the void of night
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I didn’t understand an agony that could make you want to disappear…forever
I sit up high in my crow’s nest of a strange man’s arms peering over his shoulder heady with the scent of his aftershave Old Spice, I think… not really knowing what the tableau before me means
For a long time about that night I didn’t remember the ceremony of your preparations to leave us how you bathed us and dressed us all up in our Sunday best my two brothers and I
Ya los esqueletos,
practican su danza. Cantan y rien llenos de esperanza! Por noche y por la mañana van corriendo por la calle, pero como están tan flacos es facil que se desmayen! Los siguen los gatos, tambien los perritos. Porque por la calle van tirando gritos! Comen dulces todo el día las libras les están subiendo
20 Art: Anel Flores
Art: Lola Cueto
I didn’t know then the hurt that you carried so deep that it was ground into the DNA of your bones, your blood and your brain…all tiny silvery razorblades of pain that cut away your smile a little more bit by bit until your teeth no longer saw the light of day
And then the crickets begin again and a man at the front and one at the rear carries you across the porch their breath coming hard as they lift you up over the step and you’re so beautiful eyes closed peacefully hair a shining black halo framing your silent face stark against the white of stretcher sheets
how you sat us upon the sofa all in a row so shiny and perfect while you took yourself in your finest raiment behind the bathroom door where with the click of a lock you embarked upon your journey…no luggage needed as you swallowed your one way ticket You came back one day but not really…the absence it was there…in your eyes for a very long time I missed you so much —Randi Romo
parece que no les importa porque siempre están sonriendo! Les gusta el café caliente, y la cerveza bién fria pero llegando la noche les carga la meláncolia! Comen frijoles y sopa, con tortillas bien calientes pero todo el aguacate se le queda entre los dientes! —Amelia Solsona Wilburn, an elder who grew up in the Westside wrote for the Lanier High School newspaper, El Nopal
a los inmortales ~ Cantinflas © by Nephtalí De León, San Anto Se le caían los bigotes y también los pantalones. Sporteaba su three-piece-suit. It was always half-a-vest y zapatos de goodwill... He was beyond tortilla flat. Beyond – el Charlie Chapulín (el Charlie Chaplin) Can you imagine him in silent movies? He loved to talk a storm and in the end he said nothing at all, or maybe nothing needed to be said. He said it all in his Cantiflas walk. While shining shoes in a cantina alguien le gritó torero ¡ en la cantina tú t’ inflas ! y asi comenzó “Cantinflas.”
La flaquita dijo, ¡wow! Vámonos bigotitos quiero que les cuentes cuentos a todos los difuntitos. ¿Cuantos cuentos cuento? porque soy de sentimiento… y al notar bien a la guapa pensó que era la Calaca y Cantinflas nomás dijo – ¡a caray! Y la guapa le responde ¿Cómo la ves desde ay?
Pedro Infante
el más famoso cantante era el actor Pedro Infante el idolo popular no dejaba de cantar le cantaba a las preciosas le cantaba a las ingratas en la cantina eran diosas y aveces andaba a gatas
Art: Liliana Wilson
por ser tan alegre y fino le dijo una caprichosa trae tu botella de vino vamonos a mi chosa
Artist: Carlos Lowry se crio en Chile y ahora vive en Austin.
Conmemorando 40 años de la muerte de Pablo Neruda
Sube a nacer conmigo, hermano. Dame la mano desde la profunda zona de tu dolor diseminado. No volverás del fondo de las rocas. No volverás del tiempo subterráneo. No volverá tu voz endurecida. No volverán tus ojos taladrados... — excerpt of Neruda’s poem
a la isla del eden? dijo el simpatico actor y ella dijo como flor vamos donde no nos ven por ser tan fino tesoro le dijo la peloncita ven conmigo que te adoro y asi se nos fue el cantante con la pelona truinfante el famoso Pedro Infante - by Nephtalí De León ©
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Y le dijo a una flaquita, aunque estaba peloncita, uste’ creé que uste’ y yo… pues mire usté, pues yo decía pues ya ve, no vaya decir la gente… pues no crea… ya ve, lo agarran y l’agarran a uno y pues, luego no lo sueltan y pues, no hay que ser ¿verda’…? y pos yo nomás decía que usté’ y yo .. por que pos no somos chiquitos ¿verda’…? pero… ya ve los niños, digo … pues, ¿cuántos niños quiere tener?
Por que pos ya ve ..uno de tierno.. pos lo agarran así muy de repente, ¿no? y luego pos.. pos… ¡ah! eso sí, no se deje... ¡ay no! por que … porque pos ya ve la leche, ya es más agua que leche ahora si quiere pos, pos … mejor no nos casamos… verda’…?
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* community meetings *
Amnesty International #127 info. Call Arthur Dawes, 210.213.5919. Anti-War Peace Vigil on Thurs. (since 9/11/2001) from 4-5pm @ Flores & Commerce. Contact Tim 210.822.4525 | timduda@aol.com Bexar Co. Green Party info@bexargreens.org or call 210.471.1791. Celebration Circle meets Sun.@11am @JumpStart@Blue Star Arts. Meditation, Wed.@7:30pm @Quaker Meeting House, 7052 Vandiver. 210.533-6767 DIGNITY S.A. gathering at 5:15 pm, mass at 5:30 pm, Sunday @ Beacon Hill Presbyterian Church, 1101 W. Woodlawn. Call 210.340.2230 Adult Wellness Support Group sponsored by PRIDE Center meets 4th Mondays, 7-9 pm @ Lions Field, 2809 Broadway. Call 210.213.5919. Energia Mia meets 3rd Saturdays every other month starting Nov 2013 at 1pm @ Oblate School of Theology, 285 Oblate Dr. Call 210.849.8121 Fuerza Unida, 710 New Laredo, Hwy. 210.927.2294 www.lafuerzaunida.org Habitat for Humanity meets 1st Tues. for volunteer orientation, 6pm, HFHSA Office @ 311 Probandt.
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S.A. International Woman’s Day March & Rally planning committee meets year-round. www.sawomenwillmarch.org or 210.262.0654
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PFLAG, meets 1st Thurs. @ 7pm, University Presbyterian Church 300 Bushnell Ave. 210.655.2383. Parents of Murdered Children, meets 2nd Mondays @ Balcones Heights Community Ctr, 107 Glenarm | www.pomcsanantonio.org Proyecto Hospitalidad Liturgy meets Thurs. 7pm, 325 Courtland. The Rape Crisis Center, 500 US Hwy-90W Hotline: 210.349-7273. or 210.521.7273 or email: Drominishi@ rapecrisis.com 7. The Religious Society of Friends meets Sundays@10am @ The Friends Meeting House, 7052 N. Vandiver. 210.945.8456. San Antonio’s Communist Party USA meets 3-5 pm on 2nd Sundays. Contact:juanchostanford@yahoo.com S.A. Gender Association meets 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 6-9pm @ 611 E. Myrtle, MCCSA The SA AIDS Foundation offers free HIV testing at 818 E. Grayson St. 210.225.4715|www.txsaaf.org.
From Sept. 1 – Dec. 15, all federal and state employees will be able to donate through the combined federal campaign. If you take part in the CFC workplacegiving campaign, please consider designating the Esperanza (#7773) as your organization of choice.
Make a Gift for the Future:
SA–NOW is back! Call 210.887.1753 or see womansa.com for info.
A bequest is one of the simplest ways to support the Esperanza. A bequest from a will or a trust distribution is fully deductible for federal estate tax purposes, and there is no limit on the deduction your estate can claim.
SGI-USA LGBT Buddhist group meets 2nd Sat. at 10am @ 7142 San Pedro Ave., Ste 117. Call 210.653.7755.
Metropolitan Community Church 611 East Myrtle services & Sunday school @10:30am. Call 210.472.3597
Shambhala Buddhist Meditation classes are Tues. 7-8pm, & Sun. 9:30am-12:30pm at 1114 So. St. Mary’s. Call 210.222.9303.
Overeaters Anonymous meets daily in English & MWF in Spanish. See www. oasanantonio.org or (210) 492-5400
S.N.A.P. (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests). Contact Barbara at 210.725.8329.
The People’s Power Coalition meets last Thurs. Call Marisol 210.878.6751.
The United Way Combined Federal Campaign is Here!
Voice for Animals: 210.737.3138 or www.voiceforanimals.org for info
For more info: call 210.228.0201 or email esperanza@esperanzacenter.org
Make a tax-deductible donation. La Voz Subscription $35 Individuals $100 Institutions
for more info call 210.228.0201
Please use my donation for the Rinconcito de Esperanza
Notas Y Más November 2013
Brief news items on upcoming community events. Send info for Notas y Más to: lavoz@esperanzacenter.org or mail to: 922 San Pedro, San Antonio, TX 78212. The deadline is the 8th of each month.
Call for submissions for the Guadalupe Frontera celebrates its 10th year Nov. 23 & Cultural Arts Center’s 36th Annual San 24 in Austin, 10am-6pm @ the Old School, Antonio CineFestival. Deadline: Nov. 1 | 1604 E. 11th St. Check Facebook. www.guadalupeculturalarts.org The NACCS 2014 Tejas Foco Join the Martinez Street Women’s Center Conference, Chicana/o Studies in Tejas: for the 2013 Annual Bling Bling Fling: It’s Transforming Our Communities will be a Happy Thing! on Thursday, Nov. 7th from held Feb. 20-22, 2014 at Northwest Vista 7- 11pm at The Bonham Exchange, 411 College in San Antonio. Call for papers Bonham Street. In its 10th year, the event deadline: Nov. 30, 2013. See http://www. will honor the legacy of Hap Veltman. alamo.edu/main.aspx?id=33219 Tickets are $25 and available online at FemTechNet is an activated network of www.mswomenscenter.org scholars, artists & students who work The Texas Commission on the Arts is at the borders of technology, science accepting Young Masters Applications and feminism in several fields. The from 8th -11th grade advanced students who FemTechNet ¡Taller!–Dialogues on can get $2,500 yearly for 2 years to study Feminism & Technology meets Tues. 6:30an art discipline. See: http://tinyurl.com/ 8:30pm, thru Dec. 3 @ Weston Center, 112 youngmaster or contact ym@arts.texas. East Pecan St., (free parking) See http:// femtechnet.newschool.edu or Facebook. gov Deadline: Nov. 15, 2013. The Women & Fair Trade Festival organized by Austin tan Cerca del la
Texas Foco of NACCS is asking for Nominations for the Premio Estrella de Aztlán to honor individuals who have contributed their life’s work towards
the betterment of Chicanas/os in Tejas. Deadline for nominations is Dec. 31, 2013. E-mail nominations to Jesús: chano6_@ hotmail.com Premio(s) will be presented at the NACCS Tejas Foco Regional Conference, “Chicana/o Studies in Tejas: Transforming our Communities,” Feb. 2022, 2014, Northwest Vista College, San Antonio, Tejas. | www.alamo.edu/nvc/ tejasfoco The Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA) conference will be held in Irving from March 9-13, 2014. The theme is “Break the Box: Collective Action Against Sexual Violence.” | http:// taasaconference.org/speakers/ Nakum, an on-line journal published by the Indigenous Cultures Institute of San Marcos, Texas, is seeking scholarly and creative works for its upcoming issues. Visit: indigenouscultures.org/nakumjournal/callfor-papers for submission guidelines or contact lydia.french@indigenouscultures. org with inquiries.
Corazones de Casa de Cuentos invite you to come share historias, memories, coffee and laughter with us every 2nd Saturday!
Submission deadline: fri, dec 6, 2013 Notification: Fri., Jan. 3, 2014
LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • November 2013 Vol. 26 Issue 9•
Want to help plan the exhibit? Come to a Frackaso committee meeting Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 6pm @ Esperanza. Call Marisol at 210.228.0201. Exhibit opens Jan. 25, 2014
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Check out our new blog!
This month’s topic:
Food & Family in the Westside. Bring family recipes!
Saturday, November 9th 10am - 12pm @ Casa de Cuentos, 816 S. Colorado (at Guadalupe St.)
Actos de Corazon: Honoring the Historias of San Anto’s Westside www.corazonesdelwestside.blogspot.com or call Cynthia at 210.396.3688
frack-aso: Portraits of
Extraction in Eagle Ford and Beyond
Call for entries
for an
fracking and its effects on communities. Photos, video,
exhibit on 10pm-2am
artwork, performance + other creative works invited. Submit a concept of your work in a one-page info sheet with the title, type of work (photo, painting, etc.), brief description (including size), and personal info (name, address, contacts). via email: esperanza@ esperanzacenter.org or via mail: 922 San Pedro, San Antonio, TX 78212.
LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • November 2013 Vol. 26 Issue 9•
Noche Azul de esperanza Friday, Nov. 15 Mujeres en la Canción Mexicana Pt. 2
Friday, Dec. 13 Tonantzin Guadalupe
Concerts start at 8pm @ Esperanza | $5 La Voz de Esperanza
922 San Pedro San Antonio TX 78212 210.228.0201 • www.esperanzacenter.org
Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID San Antonio, TX Permit #332
Haven’t opened La Voz in a while? Prefer to read it online? Wrong address? TO CANCEL A SUBSCRIPTION EMAIL lavoz@esperanzacenter.org CALL: 210.228.0201
Fri & Sat, Nov 29-30 | 10am-6pm @ Esperanza, 922 San Pedro
LA VOZ de ESPERANZA • November 2013 Vol. 26 Issue 9•
see pg 19 for more info
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nos(otros) ¡somos! a bilingual multimedia performance that presents multiple facets of the immigration experience by first voices.
Saturday, Nov. 16 | Doors Open at 6:30pm Sunday, Nov. 17 | Doors Open at 2:30pm Both shows followed by a discussion with performers @ Esperanza | $7-10 Donation | www.esperanzacenter.org
Join us for a
Dia de los Muertos dia Celebration de los muertos Friday, November 1st 6PM
@ Rinconcito de Esperanza 816 S. Colorado St. (at Guadalupe St) Performances by Santos Soza y sus Estrellas, Las Tesoros de San Antonio con Mariachi Durango, Urban 15, y Las Calacas de San Antón + calavera readings + + community altares, kids activities, + + tamales, pan de muerto y más + Rinconcito will be open for altares’ viewing Sat, Nov. 2 from 10am-6pm and M-F, Nov. 4-8 from 10am-7pm