Eastside Stories in San José: The Past, Present and Future of the Chicano Movement in San Jo

Chicano movement makers from various decades share their reflections and hopes for the future.

“I am Joaquin. I must fight and win this struggle for my sons, and they must know from me who I am.” – from Corky Gonzalez’ poem, “I am Joaquin”

This past year, this humble writer was honored to take part in a momentous series of platicas entitled “40 Years of the Chicano Movement in San José”. With dialogues on the history and impact of el movimiento Chicano here in the Valley of the Heart’s delight, from the voices and energies of our veteranos then and now, we hoped to strengthen ties between the generations of our community.

Over 400 people attended the discussions that centered on the history of community organizing, student movements, the powerful leadership of mujeres, the labor sector, and the important role of cultura here in San José. Many folks stepped up to support each event and donated venue space, time, art, food, and money.

These events were also an opportunity to share my love for my hometown, a love tied closely to my familia. Like many of us here in San José, I grew up the child of mexicano, immigrant parents. The stories and histories of my family that my tios, abuelos and parents shared with me were taken with typical teenage indifference until I grew older and realized that these stories — my roots — were quickly disappearing with each passing relative. Remembering their history, sacrifices, and achievements would be a way to recognize their legacy now and for future generations of our familia. It didn’t take long for me to see the same need to do so for my city’s history.

This lush valley, on whose green hills the indigenous Ohlone flourished for over 6,000 years, has a rich history of unity and struggle, with the civil rights movement of the late 60’s and 70’s affirming San José’s long-standing role and impact in the Chicano movement. Many of the leaders of this movimiento are still here today, and with the help of Adriana Garcia-Cabrera, who already had been trying to form a committee for over a year, we worked to produce these events that honor the history, sacrifices, and achievements of our hometown.

Some of the events, people and stories from the platicas that I observed, learned and appreciate:

• Sofia Mendoza and Dra. Consuelo Rodríguez overcoming health issues and making rare public appearances to share how they organized the student walkouts at Roosevelt Junior High School in 1968. Sofia’s story of a housewife turned organizer perfectly represents the grassroots participation still present today in San José.
  

• David Madrid’s (of Debug’s own “Block2Block” radio) emotional sharing of how he overcame the lure of eastside sanjo gang violence by taking to heart the stories of his relatives. Their tales of discrimination and barriers faced are samples of the need to address our historical wounds so that we may heal collectively as families and communities and use them as a source of strength.

• Meeting Doreen García-Nevel and seeing the archives of posters, photos and literature from local movimientos collected by her and her mother, Ernestina García (QEPD). Ernestina, another housewife-turned-organizer, founded Confederación de La Raza Unida in the 70’s, an alliance of over 70 groups that connected their diverse work to a specific agenda. With many current groups in SanJo working towards such issues as youth empowerment, immigrant rights and LGBTQ representation, a similar organization (MAIZ is one group attempting this) could further unite our historical roots.
  

• Watching Teatro Familias Unidas, a theater group of immigrant East side-based madres, performing “Somos Mujeres, Somos Vidas”, a piece about the sacrifices and strength of our immigrant mothers. Their presence is a reminder of San José’s legacy of Teatro as well as the importance of empowering and including our parents into the movimiento.

• Sitting down with Techicuauhtli (Ray Baeza), who was mentored while working with Bert Corona’s CASA H.G.T (Centro de Accion Social Autonomoa-Hermandad General de Trabajadores) to organize immigrant laborers here in San José. Still active as a danzante, SEIU labor organizer, and radio host, he is a great example of how our mentors can be sources of support for the new generation’s work.
  

• The poesia by pioneering SanJo poetas Roberto Tinoco Duran and Melissa Lozano. Hearing Roberto Castro speak about the history of Danza Azteca here in San José and its use as a way to channel youthful energy into roots and culture.
  

There are hundreds of individuals, organizations, events, stories, sitios, testimonios that make up the fabric of Chicano history in San José, and we as a community should take the initiative to research and promote it. Some of the creative ideas to continue these dialogos are radio interviews, a speakers tour at local high schools and colleges. Tenemos que contar nuestras historias pa que no se nos olvide y pa que no paremos de luchar.

It was an honor to be a part of these events, and hope it leads to more interest in the history of the movimiento. A movimiento that is part of a spectrum, a continuum of dreams and prayers by my relatives, by David Madrid’s, of our ancestors, a political manifestation by our elders and a necessity now more than ever by our children in the current climate and financial crisis. We wish these intergenerational gatherings contribute to the long tradition of looking out for the next generation. There is nothing more powerful than knowing who we are and teaching our children the same.

Much love to Adriana Garcia-Cabrera for her contributions to this articulo and for initiating these events. It is more important than ever to create a community and see social change. To get involved with the event organizers, please connect MAIZ at www.allianzademaiz.org, Teatro Visión at www.teatrovision.org or César Chávez Community Action Center at www.as.sjsu.edu/cccac/.