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Latino history kept alive
Photo by Dana Rene Bowler
Javier Gomez, local Latino activist and retired teacher from Oxnard, teaches traditional Folklorico dancing at the Inlakech Cultural Arts Center. Gomez is the Founder and Director of the Inlakech Cultural Arts Center that provides a place for youths to join his Mariachi group or learn to folklorico dance.
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Photo by Dana Rene Bowler
Margaret Cortese, 67, Executive and Artistic Director of the Teator de las Americas, hangs up poster at the Bell Arts Factory on Ventura Ave. in Ventura, for the new play titled Ceviche in Pittsburgh. Formally trained as a Psychologist, Cortese, fell into the position as the Director on accident after starring in A Doll's House 15 years ago. Cortese's main job as the Artistic Director is to research the next play and help advertise for the show. Teator de las Americas is a traveling show and they perform throughout Ventura County.
Several Latin American countries mark their independence from Spain in the month of September. On Sept. 15, 1821, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua all separated from Spain. On Sept. 16, 1810, Mexico recorded its independence from Spain, and Chile followed suit two days later, on Sept. 18.
Each country has a unique way to remember the occasion. In Costa Rica, people march through the streets with glowing homemade lanterns. Bullfighting, rodeos and traditional dances are part of the celebration in Mexico. In El Salvador, schoolchildren march in the streets wearing white and blue outfits.
In the U.S., Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 has been set aside as Hispanic Heritage Month, to recognize these individual traditions, the accomplishments of Hispanic-American citizens and to honor the contributions of people who keep that history alive. Featured here are five Ventura County residents who either volunteer their time or are employed to this end.
Hank Lacayo, chairman of Destino: The Hispanic Legacy Fund
Hank Lacayo, 76, has lived in Ventura County for 22 years and has volunteered for more than 50 years for groups that help the Latino community.
Something no one knows: He is an avid stream and lake fisherman.
Best advice received: "Listen before you speak."
Future plans: Lacayo hopes to continue helping others achieve their potential.
Recommended reading to better understand Latino culture: "Celebrating Hispanic Heritage" by Mimi Lozano.
Margaret Cortese, artistic director for Teatro de las Américas
Margaret Cortese, 67, has lived in Ventura County for 29 years and is currently the executive and artistic director for Teatro de las Américas.
Something no one knows: She loves playing spider solitaire.
Best advice received: "Be kind to yourself."
Future plans: Cortese hopes to ease into retirement but wants to keep her connections with Teatro de las Américas.
Recommended reading to better understand Latino culture: "El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha" by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra.
Reyna O'Neil, director of El Concilio del Condado de Ventura
Reyna O'Neil, 45, has lived in Ventura County for 12 years.
Something no one knows: O'Neil speaks five languages: Spanish, English, German, French and Italian.
Best advice received: From her father, "You can do anything in the world that you set your mind on. Don't ever forget that."
Future plans: O'Neil hopes to continue promoting immigration reform and better education for children.
Recommended reading to better understand Latino culture: "Bless Me Ultima" by Rodolfo Anaya.
Javier Gomez, founder and director of Inlakech Cultural Arts Center
Javier Gomez, 57, has lived in Ventura County for 35 years.
Something no one knows: Gomez plays a mean game of tennis.
Best advice received: "Don't be a grease monkey. Go to college and never give up," from high school counselor.
Future plans: Gomez hopes to "transform Oxnard into the gem that is it, full of life, culture and prosperity."
Recommended reading to better understand Latino culture: "I am Joaquin," a poem by Corky Gonzalez.
Francisco Romero, teacher and member of Oxnard's Committee on Raza Rights
Francisco Romero, 32, was born and raised in Oxnard and is currently a teacher at Haydock Intermediate School.
Something no one knows: Romero is an artist. He draws with charcoal, pen and ink.
Best advice received: "Always be humble."
Future plans: Romero would like to continue working closely with the Oxnard Educators Association Community Outreach.
Recommended reading to better understand Latino culture: "Occupied America: A History of Chicanos" by Rodolfo Acuña.
Posted by TheSportsLogoPundit on September 17, 2007 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you for introducing us to some interesting folks who are making a positive difference in their communities. I know the Star didn't have much space to share a lot about them, but it's good to meet them anyway. There are a lot of people doing good around here but it's easy to forget about their accomplishments at times with all of the other noise that we are bombarded with each day.
Knowing the comments section like I do on the VC Star, my question is this: which troll is going to come out from under his bridge and have the nerve to say something negative about one of these people?
Posted by DontDieforGeorgeBush on September 17, 2007 at 6:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
.....and when is white history month?
Posted by AskingQuestions on September 17, 2007 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you for a great article! There are other wonderful people throughout the county who work tirelessly to expose others to the beauty of the Latino culture. In Ventura you have Veronica Valadez (artist and Azteca danzante), John Robles (harpist -- jarocho music) and others; in Oxnard: Councilman Andres Herrera (and his family of musicians Conjunto Huayapan), Debbie DeVries and Armando Vazquez (of Cafe on A) and many wonderful professional mariachi groups; in Santa Paula you have Xavier Montes (artist, harpist and founder of De Colores Art Show) and Luzma Espinosa and Ray Pinedo (both Azteca danzantes); in Fillmore Jorge Herrera and Tomas Herrera(brothers of Andres of Oxnard). And many, many more throughout the county. Thank you all -- through your contributions you are by example reaching so many and teaching about the beauty and diversity of the Latino Culture. Viva la Fiesta!
Posted by Freedom1 on September 17, 2007 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Latino culture doesn't have a problem being "kept alive" it's taking over every neighborhood, city and state in the United States.
Posted by VenturaBicycle on September 17, 2007 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Freedom1,
We are a nation with rising discrepancies between the real history of this nation and what is taught in school. Your post said Latino culture doesn't have a problem being alive, that's great. This country was founded on the freedom of all peoples. But this article is on the history... perhaps if you took the time to read it you may not have missed this central point. Also... history is something someone interested in freedom should concern themselves with. Causation is the answer for history... take a look at our American Culture from a sociological viewpoint and you'll see this society has a rainbow of colors because our founding fathers actually held our freedoms in high regard. Since you enjoy your freedom, and if you want it to remain, than your interest should be in securing it... for everyone.
I see a lot of posts from nationalists who claim to be patriotic... just rememeber, it's not always going to be your lineage that made the highlighted impact, the concern should lie in what, not who.
Latino history is just as much history as European history... and like high_society noted, it's in school year around that those euro-centric ideas are laid into our vulnerable young minds. So step outside yours to read mine. :)
Posted by Tom_Johnston on September 17, 2007 at 3:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A good article, if a bit fluffy. Certainly not deserving of some the previous negative comments.
This is what happens though when people start to let prejudice and fear help form their opinions.
Posted by DontDieforGeorgeBush on September 17, 2007 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
high_society
....we do??? ....you know the first slaves were brought to the americas by the spanish, who also enslaved the native americans....
Posted by Tom_Johnston on September 17, 2007 at 5:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
vcr does have one thing right, I've known many who have maintained that they are "full-blooded Spaniards" and not "Indians".
That being said, the article was about Latino culture wasn't it? Covers a pretty wide range there.
Wasn't one of those highlighted in the article named "O'Neil"?? The "Los San Patricios" (Those of Saint Patrick..my people) Irish battalion fought with honor for the Mexican people during their struggles against foreign oppression.
I'd guess that is a part of Latino culture too.
Funny...how when we look for it a bit...we are all pretty much alike.
Posted by FedUp on September 18, 2007 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the negative comments on here, stem from other cultures being shoved down our throats on a daily basis.
A lot of people on here have labeled me a racist, based on my comments on illegal immigration. of course, not one of these people know a thing about me, my family, my upbringing, my friends, etc.
I have an appreciation for all cultures. I am somewhat envious of the latino cultures rich history of family.
This article was about hispanic heritage month. I hope that everyone respects it.
with that said, I sure hope that we do not see any other nations flags being flown at the fourth of july parades next year. if you want respect, you have to respect others as well.
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