Letter from the Editor

Felix Alvarado

Editor

February 8, 2015

Not too far back the thought that a Mexican American would someday represent House District 90 was unimaginable.  Yet, today Ramon Romero stands as the newly elected State Representative.  Ramon is acutely aware of the challenges he faces and we feel confident that he is up to the task.  We say “En buena hora y buena suerte!”

A special thanks to Enrique Garza of Garza’s Barber Shop in Singleton Blvd, for his contribution in our search of our Mexican roots.  Enrique told us about two individuals, Antonio Gonzalez and Henry Martinez Sr. that had powerful stories to tell.  They did.  Antonio Gonzalez tells us the story of a young private far away from his comfort zone who is suddenly thrust into fighting for the country he was born in.  Being in the advance element of the 3d Infantry Division he was one of the first GI’s to enter Jewish concentration camps.  This is a story that only Antonio Gonzalez can tell. 

There are people that talk the talk and those that walk the walk.  As you drive around the Ledbetter Neighborhood in West Dallas you see the memories and remainders of what was once an area called Eagle Ford and Cement City.  In the early 1900’s Mexicans came to work in the cement factory.  Henry Martinez’s father was one of those.  It was the railroad that brought him here.  It was the cement factory that kept him here.  Henry Martinez Sr. tells of his efforts to maintain the Mexican history of the Ledbetter neighborhood.

Marina Ruiz is a living testament that undocumented immigrants can be successful if given the opportunity.  She fought hard for the first amnesty program.  She took advantage of the program to become an American citizen.  In addition to social topics of interest to her listeners, her program Ecolatino is a must visit program for aspiring candidates and politicians.

We tell the tragic story of Johnny Tapia.  He could conquer opponents in the boxing ring but could not conquer the demons in his life.  Likewise in Aztlan we recall Reies Lopez Tijerina who ended up in prison trying to reestablish the mythical nation of Aztlan.  We will be discussing the meaning of Chicano in future articles.