The Society for the Study of Gloria Anzaldúa (SSGA)

The SSGA provides a place for scholars, students, and community to come together with the intention of engaging in the continued study of the intellectual and spiritual work of Chicana feminist Gloria Evangelina Anzaldúa.

Who may join?

Scholars whose work engages the ideas and concepts of Anzaldúa
Students inspired by the work of Anzaldúa
Non-academics working with Anzaldúan ideas
In other words, anyone with an interest on Anzaldúa

First year (2007) of membership is dues-free. For more information and to join, please visit The Society for the Study of Gloria Anzaldúa (SSGA). The Women’s Studies Institute at the The University of Texas at San Antonio.

National Chicana/o Organization Denounces the El Paso Downtown-Segundo Barrio Plan

"The National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies (NACCS), the oldest and largest national organization of academics focusing on Mexican origin people in the United States approved a resolution denouncing the City of El Paso's downtown plan. The organization approved the resolution on April 7 after learning of the ways in which the City and plan supporters have ignored the devastating effects of the plan on renters, homeowners and business owners and washed aside conflicts of interest.

NACCS was founded in 1972 and just held its 32nd annual conference. Over 400 faculty, students, and community members attended the conference April 4-7 in San Jose, California.

The organization was founded with the belief, stated in its preamble, that NACCS 'contends that our research generate new knowledge about the Chicana and Chicano community. It should also help solve problems in the community. Problem-solving cannot be detached from an understanding of our position in this society. Solutions must be based on careful study and analysis of our communities. Concern with the immediate problems of our people, then, is not separated from a critical assessment of our conditions and the underlying structures and ideologies that contribute to our subordination.'

RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE El Paso Downtown Plan
Submitted by the Tejas Foco

Approved by NACCS April 7, 2007

Whereas the City of El Paso approved a downtown revitalization plan in October 2006.

And whereas the plan will result in the demolition of over 130 acres of historic South El Paso neighborhoods.

And whereas the plan will displace over 1,800 people in the Segundo Barrio.

And whereas the City has funded a report using racial images of Mexican people to justify the plan.

And whereas the City has failed to adequately address questions regarding the future of renters, homeowners and business owners.

And whereas the City has ignored clear evidence of conflict of interest.

And whereas the plan has divided the city.

And whereas the City and supporters of the plan have created and fomented a culture of intimidation against critics of the plan.

And whereas the city has sanctioned a plan that is part of a larger binational development plan that has resulted in violence and murder in Ciudad Juárez.

Therefore, let it be resolved that NACCS call on the City of El Paso to stop implementation of this plan, create a new planning process that is devoid of corruption and conflict of interest and truly utilizes the community's creative resources, talents, and priorities."

from http://www.pasodelsur.com/news/naccs.html

Texas Observer article "Eminent Disaster"

say pink peonies pink peonies pink peonies enough times and purple ponies with blonde hair appear in the television commercial of memory.

the fine print: "...few animals eat toads because they taste bad."

I-Outlaw: poetry from the wild wild e-west

I-Outlaw: poetry from the wild wild e-west. my prose poem "sweet metal sweet" (may 4, 2007 entry below) appears on the show.

thanks, bob, for all of your work. i enjoyed listening to the poets, your commentary, and the music.

Frog Lollipops

"Frog Lollipops."

Blasphemous Elegy for May 14, 2003

Javier O. Huerta, poet and scholar, posted one of his beautiful poems "Blasphemous Elegy for May 14, 2003" first published in 580 Split and forthcoming this fall (I believe) in his new book Some Clarifications (Arte Publico Press).

Some background info... several people died from asphyxiation and heatstroke in a trailer truck four years ago today in Texas. A NY Times article says, "The trailer, which was parked at a truck stop, showed signs that the trapped people had tried to punch holes through it so air could come in. It was not clear how and when the truck's door was opened."...

"Rogelio Nuñez, director of Proyecto Libertad, a legal services organization for illegal immigrants in Harlingen, Tex. said, 'This incident and others like it have come about because harsher U.S. policies toward the border has made it more difficult for people to come across, increasing the risks they're willing to take.'"

Read Javier's poem "Blasphemous Elegy..." .

I just learned about Tammy Gomez's blog,: XX Communicator. She posts poems on her blog... and here is Tammy's website too.

And a brand new weblog Latino Poetry Review - The weblog of Letras Latinas @ the Institute for Latino Studies, University of Notre Dame by Francisco Aragón.

it's one of those nights...