Chicano Heaven
- May 6
- 2 min read
By A. Govea
February 10, 2015
During the Chicano Civil Rights Movement Reis Tijerina, Corky González, Cesar Chavez and José Ángel Gutierrez were often referred to as the Four Horsemen of the Chicano Movement. On January 19th 2015 Reis passed in El Paso Texas, thus completing a trifecta of movement leaders to leave us. What instantly comes to mind is the 70’s song Rock and Roll Heaven, with the lyric “If there is a Rock and Roll Heaven you know they got a Hell of a Band.” In the case of the movement leaders I have to feel the same.
In our next several issues we will be profiling the legacy of all above mentioned iconic figures of our community’s struggle. However, I will offer a brief introduction for those that may not know their history or perhaps, has become fuzzy over the years.
Reis Tijerina, 9/21/1926 to 01/19/2015, was a Pentecostal Preacher turned activist. He founded La Alianza Federal de Mercedes with a mission to reclaim Mexican, Spanish and Indian land grants that were in place before the Mexican-American War. He is perhaps more widely known for conducting a raid to arrest a New Mexico DA that ended in violence.
Corky Gonzalez, 06/30/ 1928 to 04/12/2005, had many careers in his lifetime including a boxer but he is best remembered for being a Political Activist and Poet. He held the first National Youth Unity Youth Conference in March 1969 where El Plan Espiritual de Aztlan was created. His plan called for a National movement of self-determination. Corky stood for non-violent resistance the accepted norm of the time. His Poem “Yo Soy Joaquin” crystalized the sensibility of the Chicano Civil Rights Movement.
Cesar Chavez, 03/31/1927 to 04/23/1993, early in life he realized that there was a great divide between the haves and have not’s. He became a labor leader to help the poor and disfranchised, especially in the agricultural fields. He along with Dolores Huerta founded the Farm Workers Union. In the process he became perhaps the most recognized leader in the Chicano Civil Rights Movement. While many cities in Texas honor his legacy with a prominent street named after him, Fort Worth has not done so yet. We need your support to make this happen.
Jose Angel Gutiérrez, 10/25/1944, grew up in Crystal City where he soon learned of the social disparities in his home town. He was best known as founder of MAYO (Mexican American Youth Organizion) and a 3rd Political Party, La Raza Unida. He is currently an accomplished attorney and professor of Chicano studies and the University of Texas at Arlington.
Again, look for our Chicano Civil Rights Series starting in next issue and please feel free to contact us for comments or suggestions visit www.nuestravozdetc.com or email me goveaalberto215@yahoo.com.
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