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Home , American GI Forum, Joe Kapp, Lewis Simons, Pete Carey

CON SAFOS --A 'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN 51

.IOEKAPP avv1nner•

by David Sierra

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was written for the official program of the 3rd annual Barrio Alco­ hol I Drugs Conference at Elmwood Correctional JOE Facility in March 1994 when Joe Kapp was the KAPP keynote speaker. Al The 1994 Barrio Alcohol/Drugs Conference Youth Castellano Motivational Speech will be given by the dynamic Joe Photo Kapp, former Super Bow1 of the Minnesota

Viki ncrs0 and former football coach at U.C. Berkeley. ur special guest was born

to a Mexican mother and Just as he prepared to enter high school, the fami ly 0 a German Father, Florence movezd again, tills time to Newhall near Los Angeles and Bob Kapp, in Santa Fe, where he entered WilliamS. Hart High School. THREE SPORTS STAR on March 19, 1938. At Hart HS he starred in football, basketball and When he was two years old, the famjly moved to baseball. "I was very proud that I made All C.I.F. in California's San Fernando Valley, then to Salinas where basketball," he once said, "because I really thought that Kapp grew up in the Alisal section of the city. was my best sport! " EARLY VISIT TO CAL California's football glory days of the late 40's and The first time Joe set foot on the University of early SO's under legendary coach Lynn "Pappy" Waldorf California campus, he was 14 years old and on a field trip were fading to a memory of three consecutive Rose to watch the Bears play Missouri. Very curious about Bowl trips and three frustrating losses to Big Nine things even then, he asked his teacher if he could ever go teams. to UC Berkeley. California basketball was on the rise under innova­ "Yes," she replied. tive coach Pete Newell. Both coaches wanted Kapp but His next question was "How?" only Newell had a scholarsip available so Joe entered "You study," Mrs. Brunelli replied. And he did. UC on a basketball scholarship in 1955. 52 CON SAFOS --A CHICANo•s JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA

''We had 3 Cup Game (Canada's Super Bowl, and in on that 1964 were Champions! Rose Bowl team" "Joe Kapp H he had not played football and led his team to the conference title and the Rose didNOTrun Bowl he would have been a member of the Cal out of bounds'' team that defeated West Virginia for the 1959 NCAA basketball title. In eight seasons of Canadian football, he passed for In case you ever get on JEOPARDY and the ques­ 22,725 yards and 136 , and remains to this tion comes up, the other two Chicanos on that Cal RB day one of the best ever to play in that team were center Bob Gonzales, former SF County country. supervisor; and halfback Hank Olguin, a graduate of Pokey Allen, who played with Kapp at Vancouver, Lincoln HS, San Jose. once said, .. I rate quarterbacks by what they do after an HISTORY OF BEATING STANFORD . Not too many of them want to make the s a sophomore, Kapp quarterbacked the tackle. Joe went for it, and with a vengeance! .. Bears to a 20-18 victory over hated MOVES TO N.F.L. A rival Stanford and their All American QB In 1967, after the merged John Brodie. After the season, coach Waldorf retired with the older , and after a long and became the California coach. series of negotiations and court appearances, Kapp As a senior, Kapp led the Pacific Coast Confer­ signed a 3-year contract with the . ence in rushing with 616 yards, including a 92 yd. "Other quarterbacks run out of bounds," said run against Oregon. his Vikings coach , "but Joe Kapp turns Surprising the experts, Kapp led Cal to the league upfield and looks for someone to run into!" title and into the Rose Bowl where they lost to a vastly By then the NFL had taken notice of the courageous superior Iowa team 38-12. and determined Chicano whose flamboyance always ALL AMERICAN HONORS got his teammates to play better. Kapp was voted to two All America teams SEVEN TOUCHDOWNS! and won the Voit and Pop Warner awards as the In 1969 Kapp homed his way into the best football player on the Pacific Coast. He NFL record book when he threw 7 touch­ finished 5th in the Reisman Trophy balloting. down passes in a 52-14 rout of the defend­ But the NFL was not impressed with his passing statistics, just 64 completions in 114 attempts for 3 ing NFL champion Baltimore Colts. touchdowns. He was drafted in the 17th round by the KAPP TO THE SUPER BOWL Redskins. Kapp looked north to Canada, The Vikings won 12 and lost 2 in 1969 and moved determined to prove that he could play professionally. into Super Bowl IV against the City Chiefs on He signed with Calgary of the .. Jan. 1, 1970. They lost 23-7. Late in the game, he took HAVE NO FEAR, JOE IS HERE a hard hit by Chiefs defender Aaron Brown, injured his He quickly established the Joe Kapp mystique by shoulder, and ended the game on the bench, a beaten completing a league-leading 196 passes for 2,990 warrior. yards and 21 touchdowns in his rookie year. Chiefs end Jerry Mays said, .. He•s a great leader. I The following year he passed for 3,060 yards, then hated to play against him. He hated to lose, and really was traded to the British Columbia Lions. The Lions had challenged you! .. a 1-13-2 record in his first year. N.F.L. PLAYER OF THE YEAR Two years later they played in the Grey Kapp was the NFL Player of the Year in CON SAFOS -- A CHICANo·s JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 53 five different polls. Selected Most Valuable Player by the Vikings, he rejected the award at the team banquet saying, "I cannot accept About Time this award. There is no ONE most valuable Viking!" In 2004, Joe Kapp was oing into the 1970 season, after taking voted into the College his team to the Super Bowl, Kapp was G traded to New England for two #1 draft Football Hall of Fame, choices. At the end of the season he was notified by the NFL that he would have to sign the traditional NFL 45 years after leading the players contract. His attorney advised him to fight it in the courts, and a long legal battle began. On Dec. 20, 1974, U.S. District Court Judge Will­ into the Rose Bowl. The iam T. Sweigert in issued a judgment Bears have not been back which found that the standard NFL players contract and the reserve system were unreasonable and illegal. since. While waiting for the appeals to wind their way through the judicial system, Kapp worked in Holly­ wood. He played a role in "The Longest Yard" which featured Burt Reynolds, Eddie Albert, and a half dozen Kapp has been president of the Joe Kapp Company former NFL players. since 1962, and has been involved in many business RETURNS TO BERKELEY ventures, both in Canada and the U.S. On Dec. 5, 1981, UC Berkeley athletic director His Team Dynamics, Inc., based in Sunnyvale, Dave Maggard shocked the sports world when he an­ gives him a platform for doing what he loves to do, nounced that Joe Kapp, the former Cal QB had been motivational seminars for youth. He has been retained signed to a five-year contract as the new coach of the by high schools and businesses to train and motivate Golden Bears. their students and employees. Fame seems to follow Kapp. Winding up the JOE KAPP ROASTED 1982 football season, the Bears unraveled the fa­ A "Spirit of Life" awards dinner in San Francisco mous five laterals play, beating Stanford and their last December established the Joe Kapp Research Fel­ All American QB 25-20 in the most lowship at the City of Hope National Medical Center in famous finish in American collegiate football his­ Duarte, Calif. The center conducts research in leukemia, tory! cancer, heart, blood and lung diseases, diabetes, heredi­ COACH OF THE YEAR tary and metabolic disorders, and AIDS. The Bears finished with a 7-4 won-loss record, and Bob Steiner, former California sports information Kapp was named PAC 10 Conference Coach of the director once said, "Joe Kapp is the most extraordinary Year. person I have ever met in sports. The university should In five seasons at the helm, Kapp beat Stanford three be as proud of him as they are of any nuclear scientist." times and recorded a stunning 14-6 upset of the hated oe and his wife, Jennifer, live in Los Gatos Southern California Trojans. with their three young children; Emiliana, BUSINESS INTERESTS J6, William Lorenzo, 4, and Gabriella, 1. Kapp·s eldest son, J.J., is a deputy public defender for Santa Clara County. Finally, JOE KAPP is the answer to the trivia March 19, 1994 question: Who is the only player ever to quarterback a team in the Rose Bowl, the Grey Cup, and the Super JK is 56! Bowl? • • • • • 54 CON SAFOS -- A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA Cowboy Corners Cafe, Ceres

Gloria and I were in Modesto for a state convention When his breakfast arrived, he tore into it like a man of the American GI Forum. As was our habit of not with serious hunger pangs. After a short while, he gave eating in the convention hotel, we went out looking for up on the knife and fork. Too slow. He brought the plate a coffee shop in which to have breakfast on a Sunday up near his mouth and began to shovel the eggs, country morning. potatoes and whatever else he had on his plate into his We found nothing to our liking in Modesto. So we wide open yapper. Then he picked up the toast, folded ventured south on Highway 99 to little Ceres. the slice in half and with two huge bites, quite literally Rolling around town, I mentioned to Gloria again, swallowed it. one of my frequent mutterings, that every small town "Ese cabron parece que lo tenian amarrado, .. I said. has a restaurant where the local Lions, Elks, Rotary and I called it to Gloria's attention, but she did not turn other service clubs meet. It will usually serve a hearty around. It would have been too obvious and she appar­ breakfast because when those clubs meet, they eat, and ently did not want to embarass the man. At my urging they don't stand for lousy food. she took a quick glance over her shoulder just as the man Beginning to experience a serious case of the was picking up a whole slice ofbread, again folding it in munchies, we settled on a place called Cowboy Comers. half and knocking it down in two bites! As I mentioned previously, mom and pop cafes appeal The man reminded me of Junior Samples, the to me. We went in. In the booth directly behind us was hick from the old Hee Haw television program. a very large man, dressed in overalls, a white T shirt, and For some reason I have never been able to talk her wearing a "Tractor" cap. into going back to the Cowboy Comers Cafe again.

Spirit of SJ GI ForuDl (Cont. from Pg 50) Newspaper Jose GI Forum and various other community organiza­ To get the news you may tions when not busy with his duties at the Legal Aid Society of Santa Clara County ... TRINI VASQUEZ is kill, steal, burn, cheat, lie: on the board of directors of the Eastside Community but never sell out your Center, and on the advisory board of our Vida Nueva recovery home. paper in thought or deed IKE HERNANDEZ headed up the recent . . . The press belongs to fundraiser for cancer victim Jim Samarippa. He was asissted by other San Jo GI Forum members the public, to the people. HU:MBERTO GARZA, JOE G. LOPEZ, VICTOR It is their voice, their GARZA, DAVID SIERRA, and others. CARL UffiELHOER is known far and wide for his shield, their champion. involvement and participation in assisting needy veter­ And to keep it free; we ans with their V A-related problems ... Besides serving as 2nd Vice Chairman of the Department of California, ourselves must stay free, DAVID RODRIGUEZ has been involved in raising sincere, honest. funds for the just-dedicated Veterans Memo­ rial in Sacramento. Yes, he fought in Vietnam also, and --Joseph Ward wali decorated for it .... And it goes on and on and on . • • • • • CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 55 The Founders Dinner Corpus Christi,

n American GI Forum na delegates, Dan Campos, Tony Gallegos, Larry Amaya, C.F. Mendez, Rudy Galiana, and others were there. tional board of directors We spent most of the early evening in the bar of the meeting had been planned Sundowner Motel where all of us were staying. C.F. A Mendez and I were among the late arrivals, so, of course, for Corpus Christi in March 1972. It we wound up seated about a quarter mile from the head coincided, not incidentally, with the table, close enough to see everyone up there but too far for me (with failing hearing) to hear and understand annual Dr. Hector P. Garcia Testimo­ what was being said. I very rapidly lost interest in the nial Dinner, or whatever they call that program. Another thing, the M.C. was flowerly intro­ ducing those at the head table, many of them qualified to event, to commemorate the founding be there only because they were related to Dr. Garcia. It of the American GI Forum in that city went on and on and on ... Mendez and I had noticed the beer trucks parked in in 1948. the back of the pavilion, all set up to dispense beer when It is a very impressive event, and fills the Corpus the speeches were over. We approached one of the men Christi Convention Center. A number of California at one of the trucks and kiddingly asked him for a sample San Jose MERCURY edges The Leader June 1986, THE LEADER

(NEW YORK) -- The Knight-Rider owned San ticularly , and Jose Mercury edged THE LEADER, official publica­ who did the hatchet job. tion of San Jose GI Forum, in winning Pulitzer Prizes "While they had three reporters with unlimited ex­ in the 1986 sweepstakes ..• but just barely. pense accounts ensconsed in the most expensive hotels in The Mercury won for its hard-hitting reports on the Manila, our underpaid but highly committed reporter was corrupt regime of and Lady Imelda's quaffing wine coolers at Thunderbird ... on credit. penchant for expensive shoes, black bras, and other good­ "Our hard working staff battled insurmountable odds ies and THE LEADER made a valiant effort, striving to but did it with verve and elan. We believe that the result save the Thunderbird Golf Course, an issue the Brand X may have been more a reflection of the judges• lack of sheet probably never heard of. insight and journalistic maturity than the comparative In the end, it was San Jose Mercury 1, THE merits of the two newspapers. LEADERO. "The bottom line? San Jose has two fine newspa­ While disappointed in not winning the coveted prize, pers and we are proud to share the responsibility with THE LEADER editor David Sierra said, "We congratulate them for bringing you the latest news." editor Rob Elder and his talented staff of hundreds, par- Better luck next time, L.K., Lobo, Spark, et al. • • • 56 CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA of his product. but didn't feel that we had to sit there all night long and "I am the official beer taster of the GI Forum," I said, swallow all the bullshit that was coming from the "Dr. Garcia said for me to go around to all the trucks and microphone. Some people were extolled merely be­ taste the beer to assure that it is of acceptable quality for cause they were related to Dr. Garcia. the very discriminating GI Forum imbibers!" Zzzzzzzzzz. Zzzzzzzz. "BULLSIDT!" the man standing there replied, At about 10:35 PM,ourpatiencespliton us. Mendez "you just want a free beer." and I decided to take our leave and walk back to the ou know, my friend, one of the things I Sundowner to enjoy some more cold beer. As we were admire most about people is honesty and leaving the hall, a frail old man approached us. Y getting right to the point No beatin' 'round "Usted es David Sierra, verdad? Usted es el the bush. And you are certainly that! Aren't you a little editor de EL FORUMEER?" bit tired of standing here waiting for customers?" "Si senor," I replied, "Usted es miembro del ''YEAH," he replied, "You know, we've been here American GI Forum?" since 7 o'clock, and they're still introducing people. Now "Uno de los primeros," he replied, pumping his fist I know why some of the guys at the plant didn't want to defiantly, and put his hand on my forearm, urging me to work tonight!" stop. I did. He reached into his back pants pocket, pulled "Take a break, ese, my friend C.F. and I will out his wallet, and showed me an old faded American GI make sure no one touches any beer until you give us Forum membership card dated 1948 and marked NO.2. the signal. Go have a smoke!'' I told him. "Esta tarjetita ya tiene sus afios," I commented. "Are you sure?" he questioned. "Yo soy uno de los primeros miembros gue "Sure I'm sure! Go ahead!" I said, "but remember empezaron el GI Forum," he said proudly. that all things liquid evaporate in heated environments, "Porgue no lo sientan a usted alia con todos los and it's hotter than hell in here!" politicos y gente de categoria?" I asked. The guy just smiled, came out from behind the unca nos hacen caso," he replied, "Es puro counter, and walked off, looking back over his shoul­ Dr. Garcia y su familia y sus amistades. Yo der. He stepped outside for a quick smoke. N ten go afios y afios viniendo a este evento y The guy walked about sixty feet to join another man nunca nos han presentados a los otros gue empezaron el behind one of the other trucks for a brief conversation. GIForum." I am sure that he saw us draw two large plastic glasses "Yo voy a preguntar en el FORUMEER porgue of ice cold draft beer, but he did not say anything. no presentan a todos los miembros originales. Se lo A few minutes later, I saw him walking back to his prometo!" I told the old man, as we walked away truck and quickly drew another full glass of beer. from him. "Muchas gracias. ese, you saved my life! As soon as the program ends, my friend Mendez and me and the rest EDITOR'S NOTES: I intended to write about that of the California delegation are going to make you a rich incident in THE FORUMEER. I was going to call it man. We tip very well too ... ask the waitresses at the THE FORGOTTEN FOUNDERS, but never got around Ship Ahoy Restaurant!" to it. e walked back to our table, sat down, It is forty nine years too late, NO.2, and you have sipped at our beer as inconspicuously as undoubtedly moved on to your reward. Better late than W possible. But, Dr. Garcia has spies all never. But, wherever you are, here it is. • • • • • over. Soon, it was being announced over the micro­ phone that no beer drinking was allowed in the hall until the conclusion of the program. It was 10:15, and the Education is main speaker, U.S. Senator George Yarborough (D­ Texas), had not yet been extolled or introduced. our Freedom Dr. Garcia had a captive audience and he knew it. The Tejanos may have been captives but we Califomianos --Motto of the American GI Forum thought differently. We went in deference to the founder CON SAFOS -- A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 57 Lt. Everett Alvarez, The Longest-Held POW, Vietnam War

THE FORUMEER, April 1971

[n March 197 1, while editing THE FORUMEER, official publication of the American GI Forum, I re­ ceived a packet of photographs from Prague, Czecho­ slovakia.

They showed American jets which had been shot - ~· ., lj down by the VietCong and American prisoners of war ·-..:..~,.....-- _: ... -.~·­ in their cells. The only photo I was really interested in I • was theoneatrightofLt. EverettAlvarezofSanta Clara, Cal if. I ran the photo and caption at right in the April / issue, scooping every other newspaper and magazine PRISONER OF WAR-- U.S. Navy Lieuten­ in north America. ant Everett Alvarez, Jr. of Santa Clara, Calif., is After the paper came out, I had second thoughts shown reading letters from his family in a about the legality of publishing the photo, so to cover my North Vietnamese detention camp. Lt. Alvarez ass, r cal led Officer Dan Campos of the San Jose Police was the first American pilot captured by the Department, and gave him the packet of photos. No, I North Vietnamese in Vietnam and the Ameri­ don't know what he did with them. No, the FBI didn't can prisoner held the longest by the enemy. come after me. • • • • • •

The only reaction we received was a telephone call Indians and Buffalo from a young lady in the Alvarez family, wanti ng to know where we got the photo, and coul d she have it. I A white guy and a Chicano were having an referred her to the SJPD. argument and the Chicano was getting the best of FOOTNOTE: It's a Small World Dept.: I was a it. member of the MACSA (Mexican American Commu­ The white guy tried to end the discussion nity Services Agency) board of directors which fired when he looked directly at the Chicano, nar­ Delia Alvarez, the Lieutenant's sister, as MACSA Di­ rowed his eyes, and said, "You know what, rector. It was our opinion that she was spending more Mario? My daddy told me that Mexicans are time working for his release than running the agency. li ving proof that Indians diddled the buffalo!" The Chicano replied, "R.L, my father told me that the reason white people don't have very many PLAY FAIR: One should always play children is because Rosie Palm can't get preg­ fairly when one has the winning cards nant!" -- Oscar Wilde 58 CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA Notre Dame Gives ... Things happen for a reason, a good friend of mine, used to say. And I believe it. I once got a $100 donation from Notre Dame University for the San Jose GI Forum's building fund. How? I was editing the American GI Forum's newspaper, THE FORUMEER, and had written a review about THE , a book by Dr. Ralph Guzman, a professor at UCLA. Someone at the University of Notre Dame Press wrote and asked what our rates were for advertising a few books that they had published of particular interest to readers. I notified them that we did not accept advertising, but that if they would make a $100 contribution to the San Jose Chapter building fund, and send copies of the books, I would be happy to review them and write about it in our paper. And that is why, a few months later, at a San Jose GI Forum meeting, when people were standing up and making pledges to the building fund, I got up and said, "I have a check for $100 here from Notre Dame University for our building fund," and handed the check to an astonished chapter treasurer. Did I explain to him how they came to write US a check? Naw. It's more fun that way. CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 59

Maria Felix Fan The Aztlan Nation Feb.29, 1960 Army Recruit Mr. Dave Sierra An Aztlan Chicano decided to join the new, 195 Devine St. all-volunteer Army. During the preliminary San Jose, Calif. intervew, the recruiting officer asked, "Do you speak any foreign language?" Dear Mr. Sierra: "Yes I do,"Maclovio replied, "I speak EN- The other day when I read your article in EL GLISH!" EXCENTRICO aboutMariaFelix, I became so mad that I wrote a letter to Mr. Humberto Garcia asking him to publish it if he cared to do so. I was so mad at you that in that letter I called you a "Chancludo" This is a bit rude, and that word I do not The Cell Phone know why I wrote it. I never use it in my everyday language and I don't like it and I am afraid that you won't Thief at Vida Nueva like it either. In 2003 while I was working at Vida Nueva SLE, the For this I am asking your forgiveness. San Jose GI Forum's alcohoVdrug rehab facility, one of In case the letter is published, and you care to change our residents came home from work late at night and that word you may do so using instead the word Ran­ reported to a staff member that his cell phone, $200 in chero, Paisano, or Mariache. cash, and an expensive coat were missing from his room. The tomatoe on the face does not sound too, too bad. He suspected that his roommate had taken his pos­ sessions and money. The accused denied it. Sincerely, The staff member woke up the accused and asked Concha Delgadillo him to open up his car so he could search for the 1022 Spencer Ave. missing items. The accused, of course refused, insist­ San Jose, California ing that he had not taken anything from anybody. The staff member then asked another staff member EDITOR'S NOTE: I don't recall if EL to stay in the office and dial the cell phone number of the EXCENTRICO ever published the letter. However, accuser, while the staff member, the accused and the Mrs. Delgadillo, if you are reading this, I beg YOUR accuser walked outside and stood by the accused's car. forgiveness! You see ... the Tomato In The Face of Ring! Maria Felix article was written by me, but I did not see Ring! her "performance" at the Rainbow. I wasn't there! For­ Ring! give me? Ring! P.S. Are you surprised that 39 years later, I still have "Aha," said the accuser, "my phone is inside that car. your letter? • • • • • Open the trunk to give me back my stuff or I'll call the cops!" The victim got his cell phone, coat, and his $200 back from the trunk of the accused's car. Hi, Moore! The accused got the old heave-ho immediately. We Man, to his buddy, arriving for work: did not tolerate sticky fingers in our program. "Hi, Moore!" Not the smartest thief in the world, keeping stolen Moore: "Sho am, daddy! And you?" goods on the premises. But then, a good piece of detec­ tive work, wouldn't you say? • • • • • 60 CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA

American Gl DEDICATION PAGE Forum This Official Program of the 1976 American Gl Forum National Convention, 28th Annual Denver, , is dedicated to those Chicanos who, over the years, through National Convention the devotion of innumerable hours of their time and at great personal sacrifice, have brought our people to their present state of social awareness. A people aware of where they came from, cognizant of the accomplish­ ments of their ancestors, proud of their heritage, and motivated by Editor inspired contemporary leadership, are better able to determine in which in Chief: Bernie Velasquez direction they shall move and for what goals they will strive. We are the descendants of a people who cultivated the New Mexico desert Art Director: John Torrez hundreds of years before the Pilgrims; who established judicial and educational systems which were emulated by later societies; who founded the University of Production Mexico, conducting classes 100 years before Harvard; who established the first printing press on the American continent 200 years before the signing of the Director: Lawrence American declaration of independence; and whose painters, sculptors, poets, Martinez revolutionaries, musicians, and literary greats have enriched the culture of the entire world. Contributing We are descended from those noble people who established Tenochtitlan, Writers: a marvel of ancient engineering, which continues to astound modern architects. Francisco Rios We are from a people who over the centuries have fought off aggres­ Ben Trujillo sors who have invaded them, humiliated them, visited foreign cultures and Jose Ramos ideologies upon them, and FAILED to change their spirit and desire to live Jose Andres Chacon as free men and women. C.M. Keyser We are the galloping hooves of Pancho Villa's Division Del Norte; we are the courageous Niflos who manned the ramparts at Chapultepec; we are the poor but determined agrarian reformists of the Black Eagle causa. We are the Special architects creating engineering masterpieces which will be appreciated centu­ Acknowledgments: ries from now. To La Luz Magazine for their We are the clockless people, the courteous, the beautiful, the proud, the cooperation in providing us familial, the bromistas, the emotional ... and yes, of course, Ia gente mas background information and romantics del mundo. photos and allowing us to re­ We know who our ancestors were and what they accomplished. We print some of their material. know who created calendars, who studied astronomy, who championed "El Respeto a/ Derecho Ajeno es Ia Paz," and whose sons valiantly threw To Jose Andres Chacon for themselves into combat when the freedom of our world was in peril. granting us permission tore­ We know who refused to accept monarchy in the western hemisphere, and print material from his series, who battled foreign invaders with sticks and stones. We know who wrote the "The Minority No One Knows." songs which kept burning the fires of revolution, and who extolled the virtues of those courageous enough to lead the struggle. Cover: Used with permission We hope, through our efforts at this 1976 National Convention and in the of the Colorado Bicentennial future, to merit the respect and admiration of those who follow in our footsteps. Committee. If we lessen our efforts, we must assume the blame for the downward journey of our people. If, however, we intensify our effort, battle seemingly insurmount­ able odds, and keep our eyes and minds firmly focused on a better tomorrow for those who follow in our footsteps, we make possible that which is only a dream today. Many proud and dedicated people have brought us this far. To those who have engaged in the struggle, and who have made our present awareness more pronounced, this official 1976 National Convention program is dedicated.

E. David Sierra San Jose Chapter, American Gl Forum CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 61 The Democrats had it Coming

Dec. 1972

by E. David Sierra, editor, THE FORUMEER Richard Nixon 37th President The 1972 presidential elections are history. Presi­ dent Richard Milhous Nixon has, by hook and/or crook, won the presidency for another four years. August issue of THE FORUMEER. Campaign rhetoric, from politicians of all political They criticized "token" appointments by the Presi­ persuasions speaking out of both sides of their mouths, dent of Spanish speaking Ameri cans to federal jobs. To has made for an unusually warm fall season. Probably elate, over 50 appointments of Spanish speaking people the only thing that sustained the American public in the have been made by Nixon. Granted, they may have been heat of the presidential campaign was the knowledge made only to go oul into the hinterlands and gather up that it couldn't last forever. Chicano votes for the President. That remains to be seen. The polls told us every day that Nixon was in like But what the hell did McGovern ever do fot· Flynn. McGovern had about as much chance as Tiny Chicanos? What did President Johnson ever· do for Tim in pro football. Chicanos? What did President Kennedy ever do for A Nixon landslide buried McGovern under an ava­ Chicanos? lanche ofvotes for the Republican candidate. McGovern Were their appointments of Chicanos more mean­ should demand a recount! ingful than those made by Nixon? Are the Cook County (lllinois) votes already tabu­ In the JFK administration, we were given a solid lated? Has Starr County (Texas) voted already? Did the dose of Camelot and partly convinced that maybe if we Chicanos know it was election day? traced our family trees back far enough all of us came From here it looks like the days are long gone when from Ireland. Mrs. Kennedy spoke a few words of the Chicano vote is taken for granted by the fat-cat Spanish to Cuban refugees in a jammed stadium in Democrats who tout themselves as the party of the Miami and we were convinced that Kennedy thought people and label the Republicans the party of the corpo­ chicanes the greatest thing since nopales con huevo. rate interests. (If that is true, there must be one helluva BUT,JFKappointedonlyTHREESpanish speak­ lot of rich people in this country ,judging from the results ing Chicanos to executive positions in the federal of the 1972 elections!) government. President Lyndon Johnson made From now on it's going to take more than a Kennedy look like a conservative by doubling the smiling Kennedy face (and don't try to sell me number of Spanish speaking appointments. He had Chappaquidick Ted as the '76 ca ndidate!), or a the grand total of SIX. photograph of Franklin D. Roosevelt to capture the Some of President Nixon's appointments are very Chicano vote. significant, regardless of what the Democrats may say. The Democrats have got a long row to hoe, George! Philip Sanchez, for instance, controls hundreds of pro­ At the GI Forum national convention in Wash­ grams and millions of dollars as head of the Office of ington, D.C., Democratic senators Kennedy and Economic Opportunity. Who headed OEO under Montoya criticized Nixon in articles carried in the Kennedy and Johnson? 62 CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA

The position of Henry Ramirez as Chairman Other Nixon appointments have been Rudy Montejano of the Cabinet Committee on Opportunities for (Commissioner, Interstate Commerce Commission), Bert Spanish Speaking People is probably less impor­ Gallegos (General Counsel, OEO), Fernando de Baca (Re­ tant now than it was when Vicente Ximenes held gional Director of HEW, San Francisco), Dr. Ed Aguirre the post in the Johnson years. We have never been (Regional Director of Dept. of Labor, San Francisco), and convinced that Ramirez serves any other function others. than to help re-elect the President. (Have you I don't know how you feel, Raza, but I would rather have forgotten what happend to Martin Castillo?) one Philip Sanchez as Director of OEO than one thousand speeches by Kennedy speaking various languages around the globe, or Johnson inviting wounded veterans to come on down to the ranch and have some Texas chili. Sheepherders "DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS, I'M ON MY WAY TO VOTE FOR NIXON ••• " Wanted Apparently the American people took little or no notice of Members of the American GI Forum the ITT scandal in which ITf promised to contribute $400,000 from all over the country were meeting toward the Republican national convention in San Diego and in Denver to discuss the formation of a shortly thereafter the U.S. Justice Department settled an anti­ Veterans Outreach Project which would trust suit against ITT out of court. have 28 offices all over the country help­ And Assistant Attorney General McLaren, who had been in ing veterans to secure the benefits of charge of the suit was suddenly nominated for a Federal their GI Bill of Rights. judgeship by President Nixon! The U.S. Government sent out flun­ Sometime in August it was announced that the Soviet kies from various departments to advise Union was going to buy about 400 million bushels of us on how to present our proposals, and American wheat at $1.65 per bushel. But earlier, many to answer any questions we might have. large grain dealers had gone about buying wheat from There was one bureaucratic small-time distributors for $1.32 per bushel. hotshot who must have gotten his job A U.S. Dept. of Agriculture official has said that he was because his daddy knew somebody ordered to let the big grain dealers know what was going to very high up in the governmental happen, giving the biggies up to $120 million dollars in heirarchy. It was obvious that, as white government subsidies. folks frequently put it, he didn't know (With the government's help, your corner grocer could buy jack shit about anything. out Safeway tomorrow morning. Believe it!) As the meeting was winding down, Martha Mitchell has testified (you do TOO remember our good friend Lincoln T. McTigue of Martha Mouth Mitchell!) that she was locked up in a room, New Mexico said, "Sir, you said that you kicked around, had her phone disconnected, and then given an could come to our cities and help us out injection on a tender part of her anatomy, against her will. if we needed you, is that correct?" Mrs. Mitchell made her husband, John, the former U.S. "Yes, of course," the bureaucrat re­ Attorney General, quit the Nixon campaign. After that plied, thinking that he had at least se­ came the Watergate affair, charges of espionage, cured one invitation to make one more counterespionage, stories about huge sums ofmoney chang­ trip at government expense before he ing hands, etc., etc. was found out. But, by then the American public had become conditioned "Well, I want to invite you to come to to hanky panky in the 1972 political campaign. Alamogordo, New Mexico. I need some McGovern taught us one thing. When you try to be all . , .. he 1p .... un b orregero ... part-ttme. things to all people, you wind up being nothing to no one. Questions that remain un-answered: Why didn't organized CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 63 labor back the Democrats as enthusiastically as they had in the past? WHY DID MANY LOCAL DEMOCRATIC Right must always POLITICIANS DISASSOCIATED THEMSELVES FROM THE CAMPAIGN prevail over Might OF GEORGE McGOVERN? --E.T. Sierra, 5.04 hat is Nixon's secret plan to end the war in Vietnam? (Sorry for asking W this, Mr. President. I know the answer. If that tell us? Ignore Supreme Court decisions if we do not you made it public it wouldn't be a secret anymore!) like them? Dismiss the Supreme Court as a bunch of Who is the U.S. Secretary of State? What does he do senile old men? to earn his salary? Why, when we have been able to put Americans on Why did McGovern pick Eagleton in the first the moon, is it taking so long to put children of all colors, place? creeds, and nationalities in the same classrooms? What is a 100% endorsement from McGovern The conclusion drawn by THE FORUMEER is that worth? America must REALLY be disgusted with the Demo­ What are President Nixon's promises worth? cratic Party, with George McGovern, with Sargent What does John Connally get for being the most Shriver, with the Kennedys, to elect Richard Nixon and publicized American turncoat since Benedict Arnold? Spiro Agnew after all the hanky panky associated with Why didn't Lyndon Johnson get involved in the the 1972 election campaign. campaign? Anyway, now it is history. President Nixon has Why was the 1968 Democratic convention wrecked scored a resounding victory. TheAmerican people have by people urging the end of the war, and not the 1972 had a chance to listen to both candidates on the tube, on Republic convention when that same war was still being radio, via their advertisements in the nation's newspa­ waged? pers, and from flunkies roaming around the country WHO PLANNED THE 1968 extolling the virtues of their respective candidates. CHICAGO RIOTS? That is the wonderful thing about democracy. Did ALL of organized labor sell out to Nixon for We did it together. If Nixon is wrong, WE elected releasing Jimmie Hoffa from prison? (You mean, you him. If he is a racist, WE elected him. If he is for the forget about THAT already?) corporate interests and against the working man, Do trips to China and the Soviet Union mean that WE elected him. Nixon is soft on communism? (You mean, you've for­ It is time now to get solidly behind the President and gotten about Jerry Voorhees?) make the best of the situation. Was President Nixon's Wage-Price Freeze really *** a wage-price freeze, or was it in reality just a WAGE And for the Democrats? They are left to contemplate FREEZE? the rising threat of Unida Party, gaining strength If our President is really interested in freedom for all every day. They are left to attempt to learn why massive peoples, why haven't we sent American troops, planes defections of Chicano voters took place in 1972, going and supplies into Ireland? (Or, haven't you heard?) from a choice of McGovern (who probably didn't even Did George McGovern's candidacy prove Leo know what a Chicano was until he got involved running Durocher's adage that 'Nice Guys Finish Last'? George for President) to Richard M. Nixon who has never been finished second. particularly liked by minority voters and who had the Where was "Clean Gene" McCarthy when we needed stigma of Watergate hanging over him. him most? THE FORUMEER believes that in the end, itwas If the Supreme Court of the United States made it "Pay-off'' time for Chicano voters as they demon­ American law to integrate the public schools and they strated to the Democratic Party that regardless of have not been fully integrated in 16 YEARS, what does (Cont. on Pg 64) 64 CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA

Eulogy

Eufentia L. Sierra EUFEMIA LUPERCIO --by E. David Sierra SIERRA

Delivered, March 22, 200 1 March 4, 1924 St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church March 18, 2001 Woodlake, Calif.

Eufemia Lupercio Sierra was born on April4, 1924 in Chowchilla, Calif., the daughter of Estefana and Andres Lupercio. She had five sisters and five brothers: Theodosia, fami lyonSept. l 8, 1945whenJess'sfather died. "Hema" Lillian, Ramona, Lora, and Gabriela. Her brothers were was 20 years old. She insisted that they adopt Jess's Ne ~ t o r , Clifford, Antonio, Frank, and E nos. brothers and sisters: Mary, Trinidad, Eliseo, Frances. On March 18, 1944 she married Jesus Sierra in this Paul and their cousin Eleanor who had come to live with church. them after her parents died in southern California. The youngEuferrtiaandJesus were just starting their Hema worked very hard ... all her life. She was active in the St. Francis Cabrini Church. Some of you have heard, we are sure of the old joke when two old friends meet and one of them asks the The Democrats other how her family is doing. (Cont. from Pg 62) "Fifty-fifty" one replies. "What do you mean, fifty-fifty?" asked the other. how corporate-minded the Republicans may be, at The first one answered, "Fifty-fifty. My daughter's least, IN TIDS ELECTION YEAR, they were not at Yale and my son is in jail." ignored by the Republicans. Friends, Hema beat those odds. Maybe none of us 1976 should be very, very interesting. The country ever went to Yale, but none of us went to jail, either! will be 200 years old then, and like Chicano voters, I remember Hema for her generosity. We used to much, much the wiser. buy some commodities by the case. But once in a while she would ask me to go to the grocery store a few doors EDITOR'S NOTE: On Tues., Jan. 9 down from our house and buy a can of tomato sauce. She and Tues., Jan. 16, 1973, Harry Farrell, always gave me 25 cents when I ran an errand for her. columnist of the San Jose MERCURY There were many times when I knew she used the errand as an excuse to give me a quarter when she knew I NEWS devoted two entire columns to wanted one. comment on this editorial. I remember April of 1952 when I wanted to go to rhe San Joaquin Valley Scholastic Press Association con­ ference at Fresno State. The night before she asked me Profiteers if I needed any money. I answered yes, of course. She gave me $2.00 because she knew I would need it the next In time of war day. the loudest patriots are I remember one summer when I traded a pair of the greatest profiteers. street shoes for a pair of huaraches with her brother --August Rebel, 1870 Frankie. We were up in Fowler picking grapes. The Fiestas Patrias celebration was coming up in Fresno and CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 65

I wanted to look .. more Mexican.. so I traded for the in my life. When I considered doing something wrong I shoes. wasn't afraid of the police, or my brother Jess. But I did Two weeks later I was back in Woodlake to start my not want to disappoint Hema or her sister Theodosia. I senior year in high school. My brother Jess asked me if wanted them to think of me as a good boy. I was going to go to school and to church in those Last Christmas was a very sad one for all of us. We huaraches. visited with two of her brothers and one sister. I felt a To be candid, school, yes. If he didn't want me going very strong urgency to connect with Hema. It could have to church in huaraches, 0 K. Going to church was not a been any day of the year, not Christmas Eve. Instead of high priority in my life then. singing .. Santa Claus is coming to town, .. we were all Hema listened to the conversation quietly. The next silently mouthing a prayer, .. Get well Hema, get well.., day she took me to a shoe store and bought me a pair of But it was not to be. street shoes. Bema experienced more than her share of bad She was a very generous and dedicated person, luck in the past six months: hospital, rehabilitation giving much more money to her church than she could home, a serious fall, more hospital, until the end. really afford. THAT, friends is love and that is generos­ All of us are going to die. That is a given. What we ity. don't know is WHEN. Hema had three children of her own: Rosie, Rebecca, We believe that the way Bema conducted herself and Daniel; six grandchildren and one great grandchild. in this life earned her a place in the Kingdom of God. Hema was a very loving person. When we were We, her family and friends, are here to bid farewell young, even when she scolded us when we did some­ to a loving mother, sister, friend, and a dedicated servant thing wrong, I felt that she loved us as if we were her own of her Lord, Jesus Christ. flesh and blood. God loaned Eufemia Lupercio Sierra to this world She had a language of her own. Whenever she heard on April4, 1924. something that she didn't quite believe, she would state On March 18, 2001, on the 57th anniversary of simply: .. Es puro buchee! .. her wedding to Jesus Sierra, Jesus Cristo said I want Hema was not only my sister-in-law, she was my her back. And He took her. • • • • • • mother. She and her sister Theodosia played a vital role

You Married a RedNeck .... If you have to ask him to remove the transmission from the bathtub so you can bathe on Saturday night, If he took Billy Joe Bob, J.W., and Leroy Wayne on your honeymoon because they always watch Monday night football together, If he says Bakersfield is no different than L.A., there's just more people down there, but we got Buck Owens. If he insisted on The Wabash Cannonball, his favorite song, for your first dance at the wedding reception, If you took your honeymoon in Tulare because there was a Tractor Pull at the County Fair. If he insisted on holding the wedding reception at the Pic 'N Pull Auto Parts yard in San Martin, If he's got the Destruction Derby date at the county fair highlighted on his Shorty's Garage calendar. If he says he didn't finish school cause he and Billy Joe wuz drafted into the army when they wuz in the 8th grade. 66 CON SAFOS -- A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA

Cinco de Mayo

Batalla de Puebla 1862

Th e Battle ofPu ebla remains ingrained in Mexican lore because farmers and common people committed to living free confronted the best army in the old world and won a decisive, though temporary, victory. Mexicans served notice to all the most powerful nations in the old world that an emerging Hispanic republic in the western hemisphere would not tolerate royalist monar­ chies, foreign ideologists, plunderers, and armed aggres- sors in the Land of the Eagle and the Serpent. -E. David Sierra CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 67 : What it means to Mexicanos

After a long and bloody conflict, Mexico gained its ernment officials, and some Catholic Church officials. independence from Spain on Sept. 16, 1821. Napoleon m, the Emperor of France, had assurances In 1836, Anglos who had left the United States to from Mexican church officials that they would assist live in Mexico, led a secessionist movement to leave him. Mexico and become part of the United States. At Veracruz, the French army landed an additional ad economic times ensued. The young 4,500 troops under General Charles Latrille to augment Mexican Repub-lic borrowed millions the 2000-man army who had come with the negotiators B of dollars from European bankers to pay for in 1862. In early 1862 the army marched on Mexico development of the new nation and to stave off coups City. General Latrille had been told that the sleepy little and counter-coups between the Reformista and town of Puebla, midway between the coast and Mexico Centralista political parties. There were also heavy City, could be counted on to assist and resupply the debts from fighting secessionist rebellions in the Yucatan French invaders. Peninsula, in Texas, as well as a full-scale war in 1846 Unknown to the invaders, President Benito Juarez against the United States, which Mexico lost and which had decided to en- resulted in ceding vast territories of what is now the gage the French western U.S. HISTORICAL forces there. Two President Benito Juarez issued a memorandum CHRONOLOGY Mexican army in 1861 stopping payments on Mexico's foreign debts. 1858 Conservatives gain control generals, Ignacio By 1861, England, Spain and France, saw an oppor­ of Mexican government. Zaragosa and tunity to tap into the new republic's riches, its legendary Civil War looms. Porfirio Diaz were 1859 President Benito Juarez gold and silver, and called in loans it had made to proclaims freedom of assigned to garri­ Mexico. religion. son the small town They sent negotiators, backed by armed forces, to 1861 Liberals take Mexico City, and stop meet with Mexican government officials to decide how regain control of govern­ Napoleon's army. the Reformista government was going to make pay­ ment. Zaragosa, ana­ 1862 England, Spain, and ments on its loans. France occupy Veracruz, tive of Texas, was The foreigners decided to occupy the Mexican demanding payment of an experienced Custom House at Veracruz to collect revenues from debts. After negotiations, battle commander, Mexican import duties. Spain sent 6000 troops in England and Spain and had fought Dec.1861. England landed 700 Marines in Jan.1862, withdraw. French troops against the United march on Mexico City. and France landed 2000 soldiers in late January 1862 Battle of Puebla waged States in the Mexi­ 1862. on May 5, 1962. can War. Diaz, like In March 1862, after extensive negotiating, Spain 1863 Puebla and Mexico City Juarez was a jurist and England were satisfied that they would be paid fall to French army. and native of eventually, accepted written promises of intent to pay, 1864 French government Oaxaca. He not declares Maximilian and and withdrew their troops. As those nations began Carlota emperor and only was a leader embarking their troops to return to Europe, the French empress of Mexico. of the Reformist po­ opted to set up a coalition government composed of 1865 United States ships arms litical French military forces, opportunistic Centralista gov- to Benito Juarez' army. movement,but also 68 CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA a highly skilled military tactician, and eager to take on was placed on the throne in Mexico City, and the the aggressors. French proceeded to ransack Mexico's natural re­ Puebla was protected by two presidios, Guadalupe sources, principally its silver and gold mines, and on the south and Loreto on the north. The Mexican exploit the workers, just as the Spaniards before army's cannons were r.xed on the road into and out them. of town. The plan was to allow the French army to Benito Juarez, who masterminded the first Puebla advance on the town, confronted only by a peasant victory while constitutional president of Mexico, was army of farmers and mestizos commanded by driven out of Mexico City. Zaragosa. The cannon looking down from the hill­ He established an alternative government in sides were to remain silent. Zacatecas, and led a guerrilla war against the invad­ The civilian "army" was to en-gage the enemy but ers. The determined resistance caused Napoleon to slowly retreat back toward the city, drawing the French realize he had badly underrated the Mexicans, and army into a trap. The plan worked. General Diaz's army ordered General Bazaine to evacuate all French troops suddenly surprised the French with a ferocious troops from Mexico. Juarez regained Mexico City in cavalry charge, forcing them back to the outskirts of the 1867. city and into the mouths of the cannon in the presidios. Maximillian, believing himself to be impervious to he plan was successful. General Latrille's harm from mere mortals, took to the countryside, seek­ army aggressively engaged the forces of ing to rid Mexico of all those opposed to his monarchy. T General Zaragosa in a fierce two-hour battle. With a small force, he marched on Queretaro, intent on But General Diaz's forces then charged, stampeding the battle with the Liberal army. Almost all of his forces French army directly at the guns of the presidio, where were captured by the Mexicans. The city of Queretaro the heavy cannons fired point blank at the confused became the grave of his imperialist dreams. foreigners. Maximilian was captured and jailed in Queretaro. A The French army's ranks. were broken. Hundreds of trial ensued. He was found guilty of transgressions soldiers were slain. The streets ran red with French and against Mexico and the Mexican people. Juarez gave Mexican blood. The French army was routed, their him the opportunity to leave Mexico, take his family, march toward Mexico City ending in defeat. friends and possessions with him, and depart with his The French army retreated to Orizaba. On that day, honor intact. But Maximillian was determined to stay Cinco de Mayo, 1862, Mexico won the Battle ofPuebla and rule Mexico, believing that he was ordained to do and repelled the French Invasion. The French lost one­ that. sixth of their troops in the first charge by Mexican Early on the morning of July 19, 1867, Maximilian forces. The Mexican army continued its onslaught, and two of his generals, Miramon and Mejia, were shot driving the French all the way back to the Gulf of by a Mexican army firing squad. As gunfire echoed from Mexico. the crest ofEl Cerro de Las Campanas de Queretaro, the Emperor Napoleon was furi-ous when he learned bullets pierced his body and he cried, "Viva Mexico!" that his imperial troops had been vanquished by a and slumped against the ropes holding him upright. Mexican army of "farmers." He responded by sending he Battle of Puebla secured an interna 30,000 more troops commanded by three of his ablest tional reputation for General Ignacio military commanders, generals Bazaine, Forey, and T Zaragosa, leading a peasant army into com- Douay to clear the road through Puebla and march on the bat, attaining his objectives, and turning back a foreign Halls of Montezuma. invader intent on taking the capital of his beloved In early 1863, another big battle was fought at country. Puebla. General Zaragosa was killed. Puebla was sacked General Porfirio Diaz parlayed his successes in and burned to the ground after a furious two-months battle to the political arena and into the office of Presi­ siege. Several church people helped the French bring dent of Mexico. down the Juaristas. Napoleon's forces triumphantly en­ The Battle of Puebla became ingrained in Mexican tered Mexico City on June 1, 1863. lore because farmers and common people committed to Maximilian of the Hapsburg clan of monarchs CON SAFOS -- A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 69 Drunk Driving PerDlitted by San Jose Cop

Nacho Campos and I had been visiting at Jimmie's and I would interpret for him, maybe we could talk our Barber Shop on South Third Street, and had had a bit too way out of a citation. much wine and beer to drink. I was living on Hobson Shortly after the police arrived, one of the officers Street, off Coleman A venue, at the time and he was was talking to the "victim" and the other took Nacho driving me home in his pickup truck. aside to ask him some questions. e had missed the turn off First Street, I interrupted his interrogation by asking, "Officer, I so a few minutes later we were headed know I am not supposed to leave the scene of an H south on North First Street and needed accident, but can I go up the street to the International to make a right turn. Nacho took the turn a bit too House of Pancakes? I have to go take a leak." fast, went over the middle of the street, and side­ He thought about it for a moment, then said, "Yeah, swiped a car parked and waiting for the light to turn I guess so. But, come back!" green. I walked to the IHOP store, went to the bathroom, We stopped immediately, of course. The elderly bought four pints of milk, and went back to the scene of man's wife went across the street and knocked on the the crime. As soon as I arrived back at the scene, I knew door of a house, was admitted, and called the San Jose we were in deep shit because Nacho was speaking Police. English to the officer. That makes me a liar, partner. One of San Jose's Finest arrived almost instantly. I put three of the pints in the cargo area of told Nacho to pretend that he did not understand English Nacho's truck and opened the fourth I one. I approached the cop and said, "Of- ficer, would you care for some milk?" "No, thank you, .. he replied. Cinco de Mayo .. Officer, can I ask you a question? .. I continued. uyes, of course, .. he replied. (Cont. from Pg 68) .. Can I offer some milk to my friend, Mr. Campos?" living as free men confronted the best army in the world "Yes," he said tersely. and won a decisive victory. Nacho said he did not want any milk, but I insisted It demonstrated to a new nation that wherever blow that he have some. He kept insisting that he did not want the winds of independence, a determined people can any. soar to triumphs over seemingly insurmountable odds. "Officer, may I speak to my friend Nacho, pri­ enito Juarez's sagacious words, *Respeto vately?" I asked. al Derecho Ajeno es Ia Paz became the "After I'm through talking to him, yes, II he replied. B philosophical cornerstone of a new nation "Officer, I need to talk to him RIGHT NOW!" I struggling to assume its place in the world community. insisted. Mexicanos served notice to the most powerful na­ "Get up on the curb ... and STAY THERE!" he said, tions in the old world that an emerging Hispanic republic apparently approaching the outer limits of his patience, in the western hemisphere would not tolerate royalist "You are interfering with an officer doing his duty." monarchies, foreign ideologists, plunderers, and armed "Officer, I would never do that, II I said, "Some of my aggressors in the Land of the Eagle and Serpent. best friends are police officers, and I KNOW you're not supposed to bug them when they are working ... because *Peace is Respect for The Rights of Others. it's not too often that they WORK." --E. David Sierra July 1999 70 CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA

He ignored my sarcastic remarks. "No! Wait!" I said. The officer approached and "Mr. Sierra, I am going to ask you again to step up asked, "What's the matter? I said you could go." on the curb .. and BE QUIET!" he said authoritatively. "Officer," I replied, "Mr. Campos is hesitant about I waited a few moments, then said, ''Officer, may driving just now. He wants to wait a few minutes. He's I have your permission to get another pint of milk still upset about the accident. And he wants to clear his from Mr. Campos' truck?" head a little bit." "Yes," he replied. "Well, you drive the truck," he suggested. I went to retrieve a pint of milk and then asked, "ME"," I asked incredulously, "No, I think I better "Officer, I am requesting your permission to open this not. You're mad at me and as soon as I pull away from pint of milk. Please don't do nothing funny, I am only the curb, you're gonna pull me over and nab me for drunk going to drink milk." driving. I've had too much to drink, that's why Mr. ou are taxing my patience," he said, "If Campos is driving me home," I said. you don't get up on the curb and stay "I think you're OK to drive," he said, "You look Y there, I am going to call another officer to OK to me." arrest you." "Well, Okay. If you say so. But, if you insist that I I sipped on my milk. Again offered Nacho some drive, can you give me a note that you gave me permis­ milk which he refused again. The officer turned on his sion so in case another police car pulls me over, I can heel, and walked to the police car, and got on the radio, show him that I am just following your orders, and doing calling for back-up. Soon another black & white arrived. Mr. Campos a favor?" I said. "That's Mr. Sierra," he said to the newly arrived He took out a paper pad and scrawled on it: officer, pointing at me, "He wants to go to jail for interfering with an officer ..... " OK for Eliseo Sierra "I damned sure as hell do NOT want to do that, to drive officer!" I interjected, "What in hell EVER gave you Ignacio Campos home. THAT idea? It's no picnic in there, sir! There's alot of wierdos in there! I don't want to go to jail!'' Then he added his name, badge number, the date, As I was talking to the second officer, the radio and time. began crackling, and the officer went to respond. He told EDITOR'S NOTES: The next day, SJPD officer the first officer that he had to go on a call, but that if I Dan Campos, who was the American GI Forum national persisted in giving him a bad time, to call for another car chairman at that time, went to Hillis Printing Company and have them take me to jail. Then he flipped aU and to visit me. I told him about the incident and that the hauled ass, his siren wailing. officer had given me permission to drive while under the The other couple were allowed to leave after the man influence. and Nacho exchanged ID's and insurance company "Have you still got the note," He asked, laughing. names. A few minutes later the first officer was finished "Yes," I said, digging in my pocket, and handing it with Mr. Campos and said that we could leave. We got to him. He read it a couple of times. into Nacho's pickup. "You told him that Nacho was driving you home "Esperate. no te vayas," I said, "Just wait." because you had too much to drink, and AFfER the I asked Nacho why he did not want to drink any milk. accident, he gave YOU permission to drive HIM home? I told him that I thought maybe the officer would arrest Que pendejo!" Dan laughed. him and then give him a sobriety test, and that milk A few days later I saw Dan again and I asked him would help him. But he still didn't want any milk, so we what became of the note. He said that he had showed it just sat there. to a few officers and they had razzed the rookie cop for The officers were in their police car parked about giving someone permission to break the law. They also thirty feet behind Campos' truck. We were watching passed the note around so that other officers could enjoy them through the rear view mirror. About ten minutes a laugh ontheir fellow rookie cop. later, Nacho tells me, "He's getting out of his car. Maybe Written permission! • • • • • we better go!" CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 71 Justo Sierra, Educator Mexican Educator and Poet, was born in Campeche, Mexico in 1848, following in his father's footsteps, who was also a poet, and studied arts and letters. He moved to Mexico City where he wrote poetry, stories and especially history. His best work was "The Political Evolution of the Mexican People. " He was a reformer in the educational system at the university level. He is credited with reorganizing the National University of Mexico, establishing new schools such as Higher Studies which was later called Philosophy and Arts. He died in 1912.

Humberto Garza, my guru, has said that the men in our family resemble Don Justo Sierra, famed Mexican Poet and Educator. Who knows, he might be familia. With no proof whatever that we are related, we will claim him as a distant relative. If ... If, in the future, it is found that he was a notorious womanizer, a horse thief, or a Republican Party sympathizer, you pretend you never read these lines. E. David Sierra

Respeto El Respeto al Derecho Aj eno es La Paz

--Benito Juarez 72 CON SAFOS -- A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA Marine's Fiancee

l had taken a part-time job with George, a former George showed the cookware we had laid out in the football player who was selling waterless kitchen table and then told the guests that they could now cook wear in Los Angeles. It was a fun job. return to the living room for cocktails. George and I shared a common love for ice cold beer "More cock than tails, I hope," one of the guests and sports. He told me he was a former Oklahoma gushed. Uni versity football player, but I looked him up in my Everyone was laughing hil ariously as they sashayed Street & Smith's football annuals and his name wasn't into the living room. li sted. High school ball in Chickasha maybe, but defi­ I was in the kitchen "preparing dinner." Preparing nitely not a Sooner. dinner actually consisted of putting the veggies into eorge would pick me up at the boarding separate small casserole pans, dropping a half cube of house where I lived and we would go to butter in each pan and G the area where he was to make his presen- setting the oven on low tation about Wearever Waterless Cookware or whatever heat. We had brought a "War is the hi s product was called. He would shop for carrots, small plastic bag into canned corn , cabbage, peas, green beans, and other which I put the butter greatest veggies. wrappers and took them of all crimes; The game was that the hostess for the evening would out to George's car. and yet in vite fi ve or six of her friends to her home for dinner. Never, nevet· leave there is George would ask her to buy an 8lb. pot roast and cook those butter wrappers no aggressor it, so the meat would be ready when we arrived to make where anyone will see who does not our presentation. George would leave the lucky lady a them, George had cau­ 12 lb. pot roast to put in her refrigerator as a gift for tioned me. color his hosting the dinnerware party. Then I cut up lettuce, crime with We would go in and I would prepare dinner, tomatoes, celery, onions, the pretext serve it, wash the dishes, and leave the kitchen spot­ radishes, and everything ofjustice " less to demonstrate that if you bought that cookware, else that went into that serving dinner was a snap. night's tossed salad. --Voltaire George would bring me into the living room, and ask Any food is going to me questi ons. taste good after you drop "David, are you a professional cook?" a 114 pound of butter into it. Even a Boy Scout camper "No," was the reply, "I am a college student. " knows that. David, what are you going to prepare for dinner this uddenly there was a loud sharp knock on the evening?" kitchen door. Through the glass pane I saw a "Pol roast and vegetables," I would reply, then I S U.S. Marine sergeant standing there and would rake my leave, put on my apron and "prepare went to the door, opened it, and said, "Hello, may I help dinner." you?" One night as we were driving into the Hollywood "Good evening, I am meeting Stanley," he said. hi lls George was telling me a bit about that evening's "What are you doing?" he asked. host. The man was a dentist and would be having other "I am preparing dinner for the host and his guests. professional people there for dinner. A butler would be Are you one of the guests?" I asked. servi ng wine and waiting on the friends of our host. "No," he replied, ambling past me and into the living George warned me that the host and his friends were "as room, "not just a guest ... she's my fiancee." queer as a three dollar bill," as he put it. You could have knocked me over with a Everything went well. The guests arrived on time. very limp wrist. • • • • • CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 73

Dedication, '73 State Convention Oakland, Calif.

DEDICATION TO A TRUE FORUMEER David Sierra San Jose Chapter

"We are the descendants of a people who established a unjversity, the University of Mexico, conducting classes I 00 years before Harvard; who established the western hemisphere's first printing press in Mexico City, 240 years before the signing of the American Declaration of Independence; and whose painters, sculptors, poets, and musical composers have enriched the culture of the entire world. We are descended from those noble people who erected pyramjds in central and southern Mexico whkh are much larger and more artistically ornate than the more fabled ones of Egypt. We are from a people who over the centuries have fought off aggressors who invaded them, humiliated them, visited foreign cultures and ideologies upon them, and FAILED to break their spirit and desire to live as free men. We are the galloping hooves of Pancho Villa's Division Del Norte; the fearless soldiery of the heralded General Benjarrun Argumedo; the poor but determined agrarian reformists of Erruliano Zapata; and the planners and executives of the 1968 summer Olympic Games. We are the clockless people, the courteous, the beautiful, the proud, the familial, the satirists, the emotional, and yes, of course, the romantics. We know who our ancestors were and what they accomplished." --E. David Sierra

We too have our literary giants who convey the message to the Chicano Commuruty. We would like Lo express our appreciation to a most sincere Chjcano that has performed above and beyond. We find iL only proper to quote from another literary giant, of another era:

"I have no doubt at all the Devil grins, as seas of ink I spatter; Ye Gods, forgive my "literary" sins, the other kind don't matter.

--Robert W. Service 1874-1958 74 CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA Apaches for Goldwater

Jimmie Garcia, my barber friend, professed to be an some bumper stickers and one night I plastered JB's car ardent Republican whenever we discussed politics. on the right side, front fenders, bumpers, etc. with Fred Alanis and I argued with him that if you had the APACHES FOR GOLDWATER signs. All over. world by the ass, and if you were wealthy, you would APACHES FOR GOLDWATER probably WANT to be a Republican APACHES FOR GOLDWATER "But you ain't got a pot to piss in, JB!, so what the APACHES FOR GOLDWATER hell are you doing voting Republican?" argued Alanis. When he was driving home late that night, lots of "You democrats are still sitting on your ass waiting cars honked at him, gave him the one-fingered for your welfare checks to come in," he would laugh, "I Rockefeller salute, and laughed at him. He couldn't started my own business and make my own money, and figure out why everyone was blowing their car horns at pay my own bills." him. He just gave 'em the one-finger salute, and drove The argument went on and on into the night. Jimmie home, satisfied that all was well with the world. badmouthed LBJ and praised Goldwater to every un­ The following morning, when his son Michael was fortunate soul that wound up in his barber chair. leaving for school, he looked at Jimmie's car parked in One day we finally figured out a way to get our front of their Challenger A venue home and hollered revenge. back, "Dad, somebody put signs all over your car!" Jimmy used to park his car in the Hillis Printing Jimmie Garcia was smarter than he looked. He took Company parking lot, where I worked. He didn't leave one look at the car and screamed, "That sonofabitch, work until well after nightfall, most often in a drunken Sierra, that sonofabitch!." stupor. I talked Frank Grey from Hillis into making me

because by now the word had gotten around that he was Christmas Defined somebody very, very special. Later, someone set up a fir tree next to the stable (though it has never been Dec. , The Leader explained where they got one in the dead of winter) and hung some lights on it (so you see Franklin did NOT Have you ever stopped to wonder what all the invent electricity) and then everyone went to church to barullo is about December 25th? Stop. We will explain it to you. A long, long time ago there was an old guy and give thanks. a woman wandering around looking for a place to stay. They also drink a lot and eat a lot to celebrate that the old man and the old lady didn't have anything to eat. Terror. No Motel 6 in sight! So they knocked on doors, Then they go to church to get scolded by a man of God hoping someone would take them in. No such luck. who always asks, "Is this any way to celebrate Christ­ Finally, someone let them stay in a stable. The lady had a child. Then a bright light lit up (al mundo se le mas?" Of course it isn't, but being human, we go on doing prendio el foco !) and three wise men pulled their camels into the parking lot and set up a bazaar. They peddled it. Sorry, brother Jesus, but it isn't YOUR birthday Myrrh, Frankincense and another substance now in the police lab being analyzed. everyone gets excited about. Anyway, some people brought presents for the child CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 75 GI Forum Politics Supporting Balli for Regional Chairman

When I ran for Chairman of the San Jose GI Forum the fust time in 1967 I was succeeding Pat Vasquez. One of the primary rea­ sons I ran was because I did not like the way the organization was Donald McCullum, Oakland Attorney, addresses SJ GI Forum's 1967 run. We elected a chairman and at Installation of Officers dinner at Garden City Hofbrau. the State Convention the so-called "power structure" ran our delega- tion meetings and controlled how our chapter was going He looked directly at me and said, "You guys from to vote. San Jose are going to have to control your members or The year before I had been to the state convention we're not going to make a deal here !" at Santa Barbara. Dan Campos of San Jose was "Who in the hell do you think you are to be insul ti ng running for State Chairman. Fred Silva of Pico us?" I challenged him again, "What makes you think Rivera Chapter was running for Vice Chairman. your members are principled and we are not? We don't San Jose GI Forum and Pico Rivera were caucasing need you ! Dan Campos is gonna win, with you or and I tried to get into the room so I could learn what without you! Que huevos de cabr on! " was going on. Dan Campos and Bob Rodriguez took me aside t that time I was Editor of the San Jose and tried to reason with me that they were doing GI Forum newsletter. Some guy from business and I was going to mess up the whole show. A Pico Rivera kept telling me that I could not Dan said, "David, let's win the election first. And go inro the caucus room. Finally some of the guys from then ... raya Ie Ia madre .. if you want to ... but, let's win San Jose prevailed upon him to let me in the room on the first!" condition that I keep my mouth shut. To say that I was Bob said, "Pico is the second largest delegati on intoxicated would be stating it very, very mildly. here. They have a much more active delegation than THE PICO RIVERA CAUCUS ours. We need them on our side, if Dan's gonna win! Speaking to both delegations, Frank Ten azas, who Don't you understand? You can't come in here cussing was Mayor of the City of Pi co Rivera, stated that the PR people out when we're trying to talk business!" members were principled and could be counted upon to "We don't have to kiss their ass or anybody's ass to keep their word and implied that San Jose members were win an election," I replied, "We are the biggest delega­ not and could not. I inunediately rose to the challenge. tion. They should be kissing OUR ass. Fuck 'em! I don't "Just who in the hell do you think you are to be like that idiot, he's talking down to us, can't you guys making stupid assumptions like that?" I challenged him. 76 CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA see that?" the "power structure" managed to hold on to power was "David," Dan replied, "We want to win. This is the because a chairman would get elected, but he would not easiest way to do it. With their support. We can prob­ be installed until after the convention. So the II old guard" ably win without it .... but it would be a lot harder! Let's ran the delegation at the convention. I decided that the win first ... and then we can go cuss them out. I don't like next one will be different! the sonofabitch either!" uring the election campaign, Dan Cam I agreed to keep my mouth shut, and was allowed to pos invited a bunch of GI Forum mem go back in the room and the caucus continued. A deal D bers to his home for a Christmas Party. As was struck. always, the women wound up in the living room discuss­ After the meeting, Henry Lozano, Larry Amaya, ing whatever it is that women talk about, and the men and some other members of the Pico Rivera delegation were in the kitchen near the food and near the liquor and approached me and shook my hand. beer. The so-called power structure members, Bob "Hey, man, welcome to the GI Forum!" Rodriguez, Dan Campos, Ike Hernandez, Joe Lopez, Dan won. Fred Silva won. The following year, Bill Lopez and others were there and eventually we got Frank Terrazas was going to have to deal with me. I around to discussing GI Forum politics and they began could hardly wait. But, Frank Terrazas disappeared questioning me on my candidacy. They threw some hard from the GI Forum conventions. We never saw him ones at me. Some I had answers for, and some I did not. again. Finally, they got my dander up. THE NEW CHAIRMAN DON'T STRADDLE THE FENCE

Anyway, a year later I was elected Chairman. I "Let me just say this to you bastards! II I raised my wanted to getaway from that "power structure" bullshit. voice ... "Either come out and support me, or declare I felt that the Chairman should be in charge of the your support for Ed Torres. Some sagacious man once delegation. Some of the members opined that it was said that there is a special place in hell reserved for those better to let the more experienced members handle our who straddle the fence in controversial times. So, you negotiations with other chapters because they were bastards support me, or support Ed! But don't tell me you more experienced. haven't decided whom you are going to back. If you "How in the hell did they acquire that experience?" support me, fine, I welcome your help. If you don't, fuck I asked. you, cause I'm gonna win anyway!" I said. fter I declared my candidacy and nother thing, at the next convention, I knew that I would be running against intend to lead the delegation. I think it's A Ed Torres, a carpenter, I began to line A about time the San Jose Chapter Chairman up support. I wanted the job. I wanted to prove to became known as a leader in California GI Forum myself and to the entire chapter that I could do it. politics. And ALL San Jose Chapter members will be I had ... and have ... and a lot of respect for the job welcome when we are caucusing with anyone who that Pat Vasquez did. As I've told a lot of people and told wants our support. Pat personally, I believe that Pat Vasquez is one of the "Fuck power structures! Fuck Frank Terrazas! best Chairmen San Jose GI Forum ever had. He worked Fuck Fred Silva! At the next convention, I will be very hard and got the best out of evezybody to accom­ doing business with the Pico Rivera chairman. Pe­ plish what we had to do. riod. THE INSTALLATION PLANNER And I want every San Jose GI Forum member that Anyway, while I was running, Vasquez asked for a wants to hear the discussion in the room with me ... so volunteer to plan the installation. I jumped at the they can ALL learn how it's done!" chance. I knew that I would be planning my own DONALD McCULLUM, installation of officers because I expected to win. If I INSTALLATION SPEAKER didn't win, I would hold the best installation we had After I won the election, I planned the installation ever had and get elected the next time. There was an for the Garden City Hofbrau on Post Street. I wore a ulterior motive for me to volunteer, I gotta confess. tuxedo to the event, so did AI Pelayo, and Jess Delgado Mrs. Abigail Sierra didn't have any dumb kids. The way because from there we were going to the new South San CON SAFOS -- A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 77

Jo c GI Forum's first function. Vasquez informed me that he was going to run for Through the efforts of my friend Cesar Flores Region IX Chairman and that he wanted San Jose Mendez of the Oakland Chapter, we had secured Chapter to caucus so that we could decide which Oakland attorney Donald McCullum as the head other state officers we wanted to support- speaker. Some years later, this distinguished gentle­ Right away, a light went on in my head. If Pat is a man would be appointed to the Alameda County candidate, and we support him wholeherutedly, that Superior court bench by Governor Edmund G. means we've got to make deals with people, and since I Brown. am not his campaign chairman, that means I am yielding is lesson to us, during his remarks at the authority to negotiate on San Jose GI Forum's behalf to installation dinner , was very simple: someone else, probably Bob Rodriguez. H "To get the white man's attenti on ... you got VASQUEZ RUNNING to put your foot in their ass! ... and keep it THERE!" "Pat," I said .... "I am already committed to support­ After the installation, one of the "power structure" ing Ignacio Balli for Region IX Chairman." members asked me why I had chosen a Black person for "You're not going a speaker when there were so many outstanding Chicanos to support him in Santa Clara County to choose from. against someone "Why didn't you support me when I ran .. . and why from your own chap­ didn't you volunteer to get me a speaker after I got ter, are you ?" he elected?" I asked him. asked. FIRST CHAPTER MEETING "When I asked in Goin g into my first chapter meeting, I was very San Jose three weeks nervous. Did I mention that I was the first non-veteran ago if anyone was ever elected Chairman of San Jose GI Forum? Did you running, you did not know that at that time the Chairman had to wear a suit say you were running, and tie to chair the meeting? Pat" I replied. At my fi rst chapter meeting I was asked about the "Well, I changed chapter budget. Did I intend to do one. my mind," he said, "Yes, I will do one," I replied. laughing, "Let's have Ed Carnunez Joe G. Lopez asked, "Is it going to be based on a a caucus and talk My Advisor calendar year or a fiscal year?" about it!" " f don't know," I replied, "I don't know the differ­ I went looking ence. If you do, can you explain it to us?" for my top level advisor Ed Camunez. I laid my He did , and then I asked for recommendations on problem on him at the bar of the Mission Inn. He how our budget should be based. used to call me Little Buddy, with a standing offer to "Based on a fiscal year, it is !" I concluded. help me whenever I asked. He asked me if I felt I asked who was going to the State Convention at comfortable with what Pat wanted to do. Riverside, and if there were any San Jose members "No!" I replied, "I think the "power structure" is contemplating running for office. No one said they were playing games. They ru·e challenging my authority to run running for office. That gave San Jose Chapter members this delegation. They are using that as a ploy to retain an opportunity to let us know if they wanted our support. control of the delegation." No one said anything. THE CAMUNEZ STRATEGY BALLI FOR REGIONAL CHAIRMAN Over a couple of beers, we decided on a strategy. At Shortl y thereafter, I was approached by Ignacio the caucus later that evening I was asked point-blank if Balli of the Oakland Chapter to support him for Region I intended to keep my commitment to Ignacio Ballio in IX Chairman. I agreed, since no one from San Jose was the face of someone from San Jose running for the same ru nning. position. When we got to the Riverside convention, Pat "Yes," I said, "I am going to vote for Balli. I gave my 78 CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA commitment AFTER I asked at the chapter meeting if Now, 34 years later, the truth can be told ... I anyone from San Jose was running. I am not going to owed Eddie Camunez a big, big favor. Mrs. Camunez back down from that. I gave him my word! .. did not raise any dumb kids either! "I asked at the last meeting if anyone from our The next day, in the historic Mission Inn in River­ chapter was running. No one said they were, so I made side, Calif., Ignacio Balli of Oakland was elected Re­ a commitment to support Ignacio Balli of Oakland. I gion IX Chairman of the Dept. of California, American gave him my word. As a matter of fact, I am going to GIForum. second his nomination, and be a back-up speaker for I may be dead wrong, but I do not believe that Pat him." Vasquez really wanted to be Region IX Chairman. I A lot of mumbling and grumbling followed. Finally believed that the so-called .. Power Structure .. of San I said, "Okay, I'll tell you what I'll do. We will vote on Jose GI Forum was testing my ability to lead a group of whether to support Pat Vasquez or not, and if it is a people, most of whom were older, armed services UNANIMOUS yes vote, I will tell Mr. Balli that I cannot veterans, and more experienced in GI Forum politics. support him, and we'll go with Pat. Everyone agree?" I believe that the so-called power structure boys Cayeron como un costal de papas! wanted to retain control of the organization's politics Pat and some of the others exchanged knowing without having to run for office and take on, officially, Ya chineamos winks!" its responsibilities. I was willing to do both. They readily agreed to that idea. We knew they No .... I did not go out the next day and declare my would. At the caucus we talked about the relative merits candidacy for higher political office (Hello, Mario of the two candidates, the impact on San Jose GI Forum, Vazquez) ... but I did learn how you can say yes while the importance of being loyal to our own members, etc. you are meaning NO. After the voicing of lots of opinions, we voted by secret Also, that was the last we ever heard of the so-called ballot. Since I was chairing the meeting, I abstained, of .. power structure" in San Jose GI Forum politics. There­ course. There was just one NO vote. after, candidates for state office appeared before the "The vote was not unanimous, .. I announced, "and entire San Jose delegation if they wanted our support. thus my commitment to Ignacio Balli will stand ... Isn't that what participatozy politics is all about? • • • • •

Time went on. The young Italian had an older sister, Anna, who was going to get married. The Roselini Clack, Clack, Clack family was planning a traditional Italian wedding. Lots Red Moya, a GI Forum friend from Pi co Rivera told of food. Many friends. Dancing. All the members of the me this one. When he was a teenager and living in family had been asked to give the betrothed a list of Colorado, he and two Chicano friends palled around whom they wanted invited to the wedding and the with an Italian youngster whose family was from the old reception. country. One evening, after dinner, she was reading the In the summertime the kids from the barrio would names to Mr. and Mrs. Roselini at the kitchen table, walk by the old Italiano's house every day, wearing their when she read off, "Red Moya, Carlos Inclan, Rudy baseball cleats, wanting everyone to know that they Macias." were baseball players on their way to the local diamond "WHO THAT?" the old man asked. to play in a recreational league. "Poppa, that's the guys I play baseball with all the "Hello, Mr. Roselini, .. they would greet their friend's time!" exclaimed Dario, "You see them. They pass by father as they passed his home. The old Italiano would here. They wave at you. Nice guys! They're my just grunt at them and raise a hand in greeting. Young FRIENDS!," pleaded the young Italian. Daria Roselini would come running out of the house, "NAH!" the old man exclaimed loudly, "We gonna baseball cleats and glove in hand, eager to get to the have a dance ... on a nice floor. They gotta shoes go playground. CLACK, CLACK, CLACK!" CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 79 Ike Hernandez the Cop •••••••••••••••••••• I EDITOR'S ~OT E: ?Ioria took t h ~ call. Ron : I Hernandez srud that hts mother, M ru·1 a, wanted I : me to deliver the eulogy at her husband's memo- I I rial services on Sunday, Feb. 29, 2004, at Oak 1 1 Hill, San Jose,Calif. This is what I said: 1 •••••••••••••••••••• CasaGrande High School United States Air force San Jose State University San Jose Police Department San Jose Gl Forum San Jose MAGA

We are here to bid farewell to The Cop ... Eusebi o "Ike" Hernandez. Some of us never referred to him as anything but that ... The Cop ... or EL CHOTA. Ike Hernandez was the kind of poli ce officer every commun ity would feel privileged to have in its Jaw enforcement ranks. He was born in Brady, Texas on Dec. 16, 193 1. Ike Hernandez He passed away on Feb. 22, 2004 in San Jose, Cali f. ELCHOTA FAMILY Hernandez leaves hi s wife of 47 yeru·s , Mru·ia Y. Hernandez; MILITARY SERVICE Son, David Hernandez of Chico; After high school, he joined the United States Air Son, Ron Hernandez of San Jose; Force during the Korean War, serving as a tail gunner on Sister, Beatrice Salinas of San Jose; a B-26 Marauder bomber, flyi ng 50 combat missions Sister, Mary Tye of Dos Palos; and being awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross and 3 Brother, Ray Hernandez of CasaGrande, ; Air Medals. Brother, Edward Hernandez ofMru·icopa, Arizona; Brother Luis Hernandez of Los Gatos; POLICE TRAINING and many nieces and nephews. Very early in his life he decided he wanted to be a Police Officer. After his discharge from military ser­ HIGHSCHOOL vice, he enrolled at San Jose State Uni versity, earn ing Hernandez spent the formati ve years of his life in deo-reeso in Law Enforcement and Business Administra- Arizona, where he excelled in the classroom and on the tion. ath letic fields at CasaGrande High School. He was the first in his family to attend college. 80 CON SAFOS --A CHICANO•s JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA

LAW ENFORCEMENT Ike Hernandez served the GI Forum in many After joining the San Jose Police Department in capacities: 1958, fresh out of college, he took postgraduate courses Master of ceremonies for the Flores Mexicanas in Police Administration at State University Pageant, on more than one occasion. and other educational institutions, preparing himself for State Convention Chairman for one of the most ascencion to the highest levels of his profession. successful GI Forum conventions we ever had·' He graduated from the F.B.I. Police School at State Executive Secretary in the Dan Campos ad- Quantico, Virginia, taking advanced police science ministration; courses. He headed up the 1969 Scholarship Drive when we Hernandez was proud to serve as an officer in sold raffle tickets for a brand new automobile. what he often called liThe Best Police Department in the Later, Ike called a meeting to discuss organizing a scholarship granting project which eventually led to United States. Bar None. II He retired in 1988 as Deputy Chiefof the San Jose formation of the San Jose GI Forum Scholarship Foun­ Police Department after 30 years of distinguished dation, an effort which has produced over $1,700,000 in service. academic grants to needy Chicano high school gradu­ We are told that he was the first Chicano Sergeant, ates. The first Chicano Lieutenant, He was one of the principals in planning an ali­ The first Chicano Captain, day workshop with City of San Jose officials to ... and the first Chicano Deputy Chief of Police. inform GI Forum members and the public about the We understand that he was also the department's functions of city government. youngest Lieutenant, the youngest Captain, and the The Mayor, City Manager, Chief of Police, and youngest Deputy Chief. other key department heads discussed their duties and Throughout his law enforcement career, Hernandez answered questions from the public. was called upon by law enforcement agencies through­ He wrote columns for EL EXCENTRICO magazine out the country to assist them in solving complex law in a GI Forum page with emphasis on GI Forum activi­ enforcement and police administrative problems. ties and public safety issues. His expertise was recognized throughout the coun­ His philosophical and highly charged discussions try and his opinions valued by those seeking to improve with aspiring playwright Luis Valdez and his ultra­ their law enforcement agencies. liberal friends are still remembered by many of us. Lots After his retirement, he continued providing consul­ of table pounding .. . heated words .. . and charges of tation to law enforcement agencies all over the country. police harrasment by the losers of the argument, of course! SAN JOSE GI FORUM Ike Hernandez did not back away from anyone Ike Hernandez was a charter member of San Jose GI when he was defending his organization, his police Forum when it was organized in 1959. He served as its department, or his country. 2nd Chairman, succeeding Ernie Vasquez, also a SJPD We became acquainted with Ike Hernandez back in officer. 1960, about the time the American GI Forum was Very early in the life of the American GI Forum, Ike organized in Santa Clara County. Hernandez and other members were instrumental in The police officers and other men who started the organizing the Eastside Boys Club on Kammerer A v­ organization worked on the precept that: A. Be a respon­ enue, to provide recreational opportunities for kids in sible member of the community; B. Complain when that eastside neighborhood. your political leaders do something with which you They solicited use of the land and a building on the disagree; C. Before you complain about anything, be grounds, raised monies for athletic equipment, enlisted prepared to offer a solution to the problem. the aid of other GI Forum members to build a softball The first issue those men took on was the 5'8" field and basketball courts, and spent many hours of height requirement OF THAT TIME to be a law their off-duty hours trying to mold responsible young enforcement officer. boys and girls. Ike Hernandez and these other men had a good CON SAFOS -- A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 81

Mad Gringo's DONX Comment BUY May 1975 The Forumeer COORS ''The Army didn't say I was too short when they sent me over to fight in Viet­ nam. I was ready to die for my country, EDITOR'S NOTE: Now, there's the kind of but the police department tells us free-thinking member we need more of, right? Chicanos that we are too short!'' RIGHT.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The comment above was printedin the May 197 5 issue. A few days later I Beebees in a Boxcar received an unsigned letter from an unknown locale I was working at the Tulare County Boys Ranch in which commented that Chicanos are NOT ready to 1957. One of our charges was a young man from Porterville die for their country, and that what we need in who didn't have the common sense that God gave a baboon. One day he angered me and I told him that. America is BIG & TOUGH COPS ..... and ... Tell He replied with, "Mr. Sierra, if you had a brain it the truth. As a Caucasian member of the GI Forum, would rattle around in your head like a beebee in a I am resigning. Your damn paper don't even make boxcar!" good ass wipe. I had to laugh.

argument, why were they qualified to be police officers closely by Ike Hernandez. in other lands (Germany, , , for ex­ Then came Ike's brother Luis Hernandez and his ample) and not in their own community? friend Lou Cobarruvias, who later became San Jose True to their precepts ... they prepared themselves Chief of Police. All were San Jose GI Forum members. by attending college and getting degrees in law enforce­ There was the time when EL EXCENTRICO maga­ ment, business administration, and other disciplines, zine published an appeal to the public for donations to qualifying themselves to become members of the best help a little girl, Bonnie Lee Perez, dying of cancer, to educated police department in America. visit Disneyland. Officer Ike Hernandez's contribution Those founding members of San Jose GI Forum was the first we received. were a precocious group. They hosted the second Cali­ He became the California GI Forum's Executive fornia GI Forum State Convention they ever attended ... Secretary in the administration of State Chairman Dan and they elected one of their members as State Chair­ Campos. He opened the organization's first office on man! Boston A venue. They were voted the Best Chapter in the state ... led The California GI Forum experienced the best years by Chairman Ike Hernandez. of its life, and great growth in the years that he served it Ernie Vasquez, the GI Forum's first chairman be­ as Executive Secretary. came the first Hispanic police officer in the modem I was privileged to work with him as a flunky in the history of the San Jose Police Department, followed office, doing whatever duties he assigned me. 82 CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA

We spent a lot of long hours discussing our organi­ one of those chairmen. zation and how to make it better. MEXICAN AMERICAN He taught me a number of things which remain with POLICE COMMAND me to this day. OFFICERS ASSOCIATION One was, "Always be punctual and keep your prom­ He was one of the founders of the Mexican Ameri­ ises," he said. can Police Command Officers Association, an organi­ "If you say you're going to be at the corner of 19th & zation dedicated to getting more and better Latinos into Chester in Bakersfield on New Year's Day of 1972 at law enforcement. And for those efforts ALL of us are 4:48AM ... BE THERE! eternally grateful. We talked a lot about character and integrity. MAGA A few years later, my wife and I joined Maria and Ike While serving as President of the San Jose Chapter, and Billie and Fred Contreras for a round of golf during Mexican American Golf Association, the organization a Sweethearts Tournament at Thunderbird golf course. prospered and grew. The golfing partners alternated taking shots, and we PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS all knew that Ike wanted to tee off so he could show us OF ASSISSI how far he could hit the ball. We could not mark the passing of this good friend, But as the game went on, he kept getting the ball fellow Forumeer, dedicated law enforcement officer, close to the hole ... Maria would miss a short putt ... and and outstanding community leader without expounding Ike would have to get it into the hole ... with Maria teeing on just a few of his accomplishments. off on every hole. Ike was getting angrier by I think it is fitting that we include in this eulogy a the minute. He pleaded with recitation of the official prayer of the American GI Maria for the umpteenth time ... "Please take your time Forum, the prayer of St. Francis of Assissi. ... make the shot, Maria!" ... She kept missing. LORD, make me an instrument of Thy peace, "THIS IS A TEST OFYOURINTEGRITY,IKE," Where there is hatred, I said, knowing that he could easily miss the putt. Maria Let me sow love; would make it from six inches away, and he would get Wherethereisinju~,pardon; to tee off. And, of course, he kept making the short putts Where there is doubt, faith; .. . and Maria kept teeing off, ninety yards down the Where there is despair, hope; fairway! Where there is darkness, light; IKEHERNANDEZWASATRUESPORTSMAN. He played the game to the best of his ability ... always ... (Cont. on Pg 83) and according to the rules. In the late 60's and early 70's, when antisocial attitudes flamed across the country and people were calling cops "pigs" and other vile names, he remained IKE HERNANDEZ loyal to his chosen profession. One day he calmly told a police critic, "Maybe so. Maybe so. But, don't YOU said remember this: follow the others. Do your own thing! "The next time YOU get in trouble, call a Hippie!" "Power corrupts, In 1979, San Jose GI Forum unveiled a large plaque to commemorate the chapter's 25th anniversary. It con­ and tains the names of the charter members and every Chairman ever elected. absolute power Fittingly, the plaque was presented to and received on behalf of those charter members and chairmen by Ike corrupts absolutely" Hernandez, who was one of those charter members and CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 83 Buying A Used Car

In late June 1997, my old '79 AMC had finally taxed car. I had been reading the Consumer Digest, trying Lo my patience. I decided to get rid of it and go looking for get some insight on what were dependable used cars and another car, but not without trepidation because of the which ones to avoid. reputation of used car dealers, and my total lack of I told Gloria that I had heard a lot of good things respect fo r them as a class of people. about the Ford Taurus, for instance, that it was one By mid-June, I couldn't trust the AMC to start of the bestselling cars in America, so that's where my and I feared that at the most inopportune moment it search would begin. I asked her to remind me not to was going to fail us. Worse yet, it might crash on us close my mind to anothermake if we found some­ at a dealership while we were car-shopping and we thing that we liked. We visited a few lots. At one I would make a dumb deal just to get the ordeal over parked my car on the street. The salesman descended with. on us like a jackal on a wounded wildebeest. So we called a rental agency and picked up a brand "Hi," he said, "''m Archie, can I put you into a new new Dodge Intrepid and went out looking for another car today?" (Cont. on Pg 84)

Ike Hernandez Eulogy Look for him in a sea of blue, surrounded (Cont. from Pg 82) by intelligent, courageous, articulate, dedicated and where there is sadness, joy. law enforcement officers, men and women of 0 , DIVINE MASTER, grant that I may not so much the San Jose Police Department, still doing their seek to be consoled as to console; duty, awaiting orders from their commander, To be understood as to understand; Deputy Chief Ike Hernandez ... a cop's cop. To be loved, as to love; And look over their shoulders to the red For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and blue-hatted American GI Forum member And it is in dying that we are born to Etemal Life. who STILL stand ready to follow one of our best Amen. and brightest leaders ... E. Ike Hernandez, the I believe that those inspiring words faithfully Best Chairman We Ever Had! epitomize the life of Eusevio "Ike" Hernandez. Goodbye, My Friend! When you get to heaven (if you do), look up Ike Goodbye, Forumeer! Hernandez. Goodbye, Mr. Chairman! Look for hi m where things are neatly arranged and Goodbye, Chief Hernandez! well organized, (SALUTE) Where honesty and punctuality and a sense of Muchas gracias. responsibility are treasured values, Thank you. Where an aura of progress is pervasive, and Feb. 29,2004 Where dedication to duty is paramount. 84 CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA

Buying a Used Car (Cont. from Pg 83) I looked at his bright yellow jacket, grey flannel pants, purple tie, pencil-thin mustache, and immediately took a dislike to him. "I am looking for a used car," I mumbled. "This sumbitch looks like a goddamned pimp,.. I whispered to Gloria. To myself I said, This peckerhead "He's the first guy I've ever seen in my life who should be on the streets at night peddling pussy, he's a thinks a dead battery is a laughing matter,.. I said to despicable looking character. Gloria. THE FIRST OFFER Without saying a word he disappeared in the direc­ After walking alongside us while we looked at a few tion of the sales office and came back a few minutes later cars, he asked me what I was driving now. with a battery charger, hooked it up, and the engine "A '79 AMC Concord," I replied. roared to life. "If I give you $1,000 for it, can we make a deal "Want to take it out for a spin?" he asked. today?", he asked eagerly. "No," I replied, "as I said to your friend a few "The boss went to Hawaii for a week. He wants aU minutes ago, we are just looking.'' these cars out of the lot before he gets back on I was apprehensive that the car might die on us when Monday. It's the end of the month. He's authorized we were out taking the test drive. I already have one car us to make any deal we can as long as we roD 'em outa that I don't trust to start, I don't need to be driving another here! We've cut our prices to rock bottom to move one. Thanks but no thanks. 'em out!" SAYONARA, SALESMAN! My wife's eyes lit up, and she whispered, "Did you e began walking off the lot toward hear what he said? $1,000 for ours!" our car parked on the street. He fol "Don't get excited, dear!" I answered, "They just W lowed us, wanting to show us other cars. tack that $1,000 on to the price of the one you decide to He handed us his business card and I told him that if I buy." decided to buy a car from that dealer that I would come 'Tm just looking," I finally said, "I'm not going to by and ask for him by name, because he seemed like a buy today. I want to get an idea of what's out here and nice guy. He took my name and home and business your prices so I can compare when I go to other lots. But, phone numbers and we left. I like the Ford Taurus very much ... At another dealer, a beautiful young lady approached He showed me a few of them, and probably us as we got out of our car parked on the street in front deduced that I was, in fact, not going to buy a car that of her agency. "What kind of car can I sell you today?" day. After a few minutes, after watching us wander she asked. aimlessly from one car to the next, he mysteriously "Something that's in good condition and reasonably disappeared and another salesman pounced us. priced, .. I replied. e appeared to have a bit more authority She showed us a few cars, but we were still reluctant than the other one. He also could have to make a commitment to buying. We wanted to see H been working for Colgate. A big, bright, more cars before deciding. I didn't want to seem too cheery smile. He came with a bunch of keys on a clip. He eager to deal. We test drove a little foreign model that we climbed into a beautiful powder blue Taurus that we had both liked and she took us inside to a little cubicle to been viewing with lots of interest. work out a deal. I was very impressed by how smoothly "Look at this baby!" he enthused. they get you inside those cubicles to talk. Before you DEADER THAN A DOORNAIL know it, they've got lots of numbers written down and He tried the ignition. Nothing. Not even a click. He ready to close the deal. climbed out quickly, his smile still firmly painted on his Gloria liked the car very much. She wanted me to face. buy it. I cautioned her about expressing any opinions on CON SAFOS -- A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 85

John Ferraro, Dead Bird L.A. County Supervisor I used to tell this joke at Vida Nueva to At a Veterans Outreach Project reception in Los new residents and it never failed to get a Angeles many years ago, Project Director Rudy Galiana hearty laugh out of them. introduced me to big John Ferraro, a Los Angeles "What has: County Supervisor. Eyes and can't see, We chatted for a moment about the project and then A mouth and can't talk, I asked the Supervisor if he had played football for Feet and can't walk, Southern California. "Are you the same Ferraro that was an All American Legs and can't run, and tackle for U.S.C. in the late 40's?" Wings and can't fly?" "Yes," he said, "You remember that?" ·p.J!q p~ap v :JaM.suy "Yes," I replied, "You played for coach JeffCravath." He was a dumb looking guy. The kind of face you think of when someone says OAF. A few minutes later I mentioned to Tony Gallegos Begin So111ewhere that Ferraro had played football for USC, he said, "I Begin somewhere. You cannot build thought something was wrong with that guy. Sometimes a reputation on what you intend to do. he sounds like he got hit in the head one too many times!" --Liz Smith My sentiments exactly. But, then, I am a UCLA fan.

Buying a Used Car a calculator when you figure out interest," I offered, with (Cont. from Pg 84) tongue firmly in cheek. "I'm not too good on math," I said, "but if you want anything while in those cubicles. "They're probably to sell me an $8,000 car and the total of my payments is wired," I said, "and she's standing somewhere with her going to be $10,640, that's about 33% interest. Is that the sales manager listening to us discuss the car, so don't say best that you can do for me?" anything." I had then and have not now, any idea what 33% We talked about everything but cars. Then I got up interest adds up to, but apparently she didn't either, and walked outside the cubicle and she followed me. because she did not dispute my calculations. Very soon the nice young lady was back. She picked up the papers she had been madly writing NO CALCULATORS on and disappeared toward the back of the building. A "How much interest would I be paying on that car if few minutes later she returned, and Gloria and I were I accept your deal?'' I asked her. standing outside the cubicle, in the showroom. She She ignored my question. offered me a new set of figures, but still would not tell Her arithmetic was so far away from reality that she me the precise interest rate I would be paying. could not figure out how much I'd be paying in interest "What is the interest rate I would be paying?" I asked on an $8,000 car at 17% interest over five years. her again. "Take out your calculator," I suggested. She again ignored my question. She looked in a desk drawer, then over one "I don't want to buy today, Crystal," I said again, "we shoulder at a book case behind her chair. "I don't have one," she said. are just looking. Just give me your card and ifI buy a car from this agency I will come looking for you. You're a "You must be very good at mathematics, not to need 86 CON SAFOS -- A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA very nice lady." Our objective: a 1992 or newer Ford Taurus, a Dumb at math, but very nice looking. Nice legs. maximum of $200 per month payments; 60 months Nice rack. Nice face. financing; no down payment; the less power equipment SEND IN THE MANAGER the better; and an automobile with a good reliability bout that time a tall man appeared out of record. nowhere and introduced himself as the We went to a few lots and did not find what I wanted. A sales manager of the agency. At the third lot, we found what I thought I could live "Can we make a deal today?" was his first question. with, a 1993 Ford Taurus, light blue, priced at $8,488.00 "No," I replied instantly, "as I told the lady, we are in that morning's newspaper. We got there before the lot just looking. We want to look at more cars before we opened. I test drove the car, again putting up with the buy. Also, I don't like your interest rates. 33% is a whole quaint custom the dealers have of their salesman driving lot more than we wanted to pay. That's not even as good the car off the lot onto the street, then allowing you to as the rates a finance company offers." drive it. But you can drive it BACK ONTO the lot. "If we bring it down a little bit, are you interested in Doesn't make a lot of sense to me. All the salesman dealing today?" he asked again. would say was, "Insurance." "If you cut it by two/thirds, at least, I might come nyway, both of us agreed that the back. But, again, I'm not going to buy a car today," Taurus was a good buy. My friend I said for about the tenth time. A asked all the intelligent questions. I just sat there and answered the vital questions about e asked me what kind of car we liked. I myself, my credit card, my bank, my employment, repeated what I had told the young lady. He address, phone number, etc. H asked if I had driven the beautiful Mitsubishi I had a mechanic friend who had offered to check out that she had shown us. He KNEW that we had taken it the car for me, free, before I bought it. "Just bring it in," for a test drive. But, he finally got the message. No Sale he said, "and I'll tell you if there's anything major that is Today. He handed me his business card and turned away wrong with it. Then they have to fix it before you drive from us. We drove off to visit another dealer. it off." At one dealer that Gloria and I went to they wanted I asked the salesman about that, "Do you have any us to pay a "$300 advertising fee." problem with me taking the car to my mechanic to have "What in the hell is an advertising fee?, I asked. it checked out?" It amounted to paying them for the money that they "No, of course not!" he replied, "but we've already spend to buy advertising in the newspaper. checked it out. We are a new car agency. We don't sell "How else would you know that we are having a junk. The cars we take in as trades that are no good, we sale?" the man argued. just sell them to auctioneers, to auto wreckers, to pick & "I'm gonna let someone else put a screwing to me," pull places, and so on. That particular car is in today's ad I replied, got up, and walked off his lot as quickly as I can in the San Jose Mercury. We have to sell it today, at that move. price." We looked for about two weeks. Finally, one evening y friend told the sales manager my friend Jack to whom I was relating my experiences that he thought the interest was a offered to go with me. I knew that he knew more about M bit high. After we had all the papers cars than I. He had previously worked for a county signed, the sales manager told us to go try to get a supervisor, had been involved in lots of community better financing deal somewhere else and he would organizations, and had even established his own busi­ beat it. ness in Baja California. We went to the bank, arranged to have them buy the By then I had taken to looking in the newspaper car, and pay off the dealer's contract. At a lower interest for their auto advertisements. We had been ap­ rate. proved for a $10,000 loan from the Bank of America, THE INTEREST GAME so I was in a pretty good position to haggle with any After we left the bank, we had lunch and then dealer. decided to call the dealer's bluff about giving us a better CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 87

Henry Kissinger has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for bringing peace to Vietnam, which has to be Detente somebody's idea of high camp, insasmuch as there IS no peace in . U.S. government officials constantly remind us of the "threat" of Communism to our way of life, and urge Defined? escalation ofU.S. military appropriations so that we can stay ahead of the Commies in supersonic bombers, in This editorial appeared in the May 1975 issue of nuclear weapons-equipped submarines, and in intercon­ THE FORUMEER. tinental ballistics missiles and the highly complex de­ The following opinions and ideas are those of fense systems to protect us from attack therefrom. the author and do not represent in any way the WHY THE SPACE VENTURE? policies or thinking of the American GI Forum. Astonishingly, American astronauts and Russian cosmonauts are training together to effect a link-up of What is Detente? The word doesn't even appear in their respective space vehicles in outer space on July 17, our Webster's New World Dictionary, circa 1958. In 1975. Spanish it translates out roughly to ... HOLD IT! WHY ARE WE ABLE TO WORK SO CLOSELY WITH THE SOVIET UNION OUT BEYOND THE EARTH'SATMOSPHEREANDITISIMPLIEDCON­ ETENTE may well turn out to be an STANTL YTHATWEPOSEAMILITARYTHREAT other word of high level economic, TO EACH OTHER'S SECURITY ON THE FACE OF D military and political hanky panky as prac- GOD'S EARTH? ticed by a deposed President, his successor, and their SHUCKIN' & JIVIN' highly-trumpeted shuttle diplomat Henry K. Are we being told the truth by our respective govern­ The American people are verbally bombarded al­ ments regarding relationships between the respective most daily by high officials in the U.S. government world powers? telling us that we have detente with the Soviet Union, we r, are the hoi polloi of these nations have detente with the People's Republic of China, and being inveigled into "hating" each other we are preserving the peace in the . 0 for the benefit of promotion-seeking high Is detente the same as Pie in the Sky ••• by and by military officers, profit-seeking industrialists and ego­ •.• Henry? tripping politicians and their appointees? For the record, we do not yet have a "catchy" phrase A VISIT MIGHT HELP to defme what has most recently occurred in Vietnam. Just suppose that the Russian people were told that

Buying a Used Car dealer, talk to one person and buy yourself a car. You (Cont. from Pg 86) have to talk to at least three different people. They have it down to a science. One person shows you the car, gets financing deal than the bank. My friend Jack called the dealer. Over the phone, he said that he would have the you to agree to buy it, and disappears. Another person comes around to talk money. How are you going to pay contract rewritten by the time we drove the approxi­ for it, etc. And then you meet the guy that actually writes mately 14 miles to the dealer's lot. up the contract, that has the authority to drop the interest Sure enough. He had the contract rewritten by the rate one percentage point so he can take your business time we drove to his lot. We signed in all the proper away from Bank of America, etc. places and walked out with what we thought was an excellent deal. Just consider yourself fortunate if the car lasts CAVEAT EMPTOR longer than the payments. • • • • There is no way in hell that you can go to an auto 88 CON SAFOS -- A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA

Detente, Defined? those who pledge allegiance to symbols. THEIR symbol (Cont. from Pg 87) is $$$$$ and they devote their every waking hour, and employ every devious method at their command to the they could move freely throughout the world, and that pursuit and worship of the almighty dollar. large numbers of them chose to visit the United States. For their far-flung empires to exist and to flourish Would they find an American civilian populace hell­ takes the cooperation of the governments of every bent on destruction of the Russki's way of life? We nation involved for if nationalistic citizens question the submit not. exploitation of their country's resources the armed might They would soon discover that the average Ameri­ of the government must be used to bring law and order can is more concerned about corruption in very high to permit the commercial operations to continue. places in his government, about pollution in his lakes DETENTE EXPLAINED? and streams, and about the high cost ofliving, than about We believe it entirely conceivable that the United hating Olga and Ivan! States and the Union ofSoviet Socialist Republics MAY If the average American went to the Soviet Union, have gotten together over a little vodka and orange juice he too, might conclude that the average Russian is far and made an arrangement something like this: more interested in staying healthy, raising his children, MERICAN: "Premier, we will tell and polishing his tractor, than in making war on the the American people that you Rus "Capitalist Colossus of the West"! sians represent a threat to our way of life. WHY THE HATE LINE? A That will stimulate huge military expenditures, be­ To whose advantage, then, does it work to continue cause we will want to keep an Eagle eye on the Bear. to expound the 'hate Commies, hate Amerika' line? "We will scare them with the size of your army and Well, Admiral Hyman Rickover recently was navy, and make sure they are aware every time your quoted as saying that the U.S. military services are scientists detonate a nuclear device. top-heavy with career officers. They are skilled war­ "We will show filmed footage of your makers hoping someday to become Admirals and Czeckoslovakian adventure to demonstrate your ruth­ Generals. less intent to subjugate those who question your Com­ To our way of thinking, the career military officer is munist ideologies. essentially a tunnel-visioned expert in one thing -­ "We will point out that a surprise nuclear attack waging and winning wars. What then is the surest way by the Soviet Union could killlOO,OOO,OOO Ameri­ for him to gain the promotion he covets. Right! cans in the first fifteen minutes. But let us not dwell too long on that thought, "We will tell them that the savage hordes of because we may conclude that those officers might Communism are not overrunning our NATO allies just as soon wage a war as not wage one. and threatening the U.S. only because we have de­ And we believe the Russian officers harbor the same nied them access to the highly fertile rice fields of ambitions and are driven by similar motives. southeast Asia. strongmilitarypostureforthe United States "We can point to your successes in space, your is essential, to be sure, for our protection in launching of the first-ever space satellite, and your a world which looks to America for leader- A thrusting of huge payloads into outer space as examples ship in international affairs. However, we also believe of a Soviet technology which poses a THREAT to all that those who would wage war must be watched and that we hold dear. watched vigilantly, by those who would be conscripted "We will remind Americans that your leader once to wage that war, and those who would surely die in a banged on his desk at the United Nations and threatened world engulfed by nuclear holocaust. to "bury us!" THE INDUSTRIALISTS THE RUSSIAN LINE The businessman engaged in international com­ RUSSIAN: "Of course, Mr. Secretary. And we will merce, too, has tunnel vision. To him the red white and tell our people that the Americans have dreams of blue and the hammer & sickle are merely sumbols for (Cont. on Pg 89) CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 89 Detente, Defined? (Cont. from Pg 87) Dr. George Castro someday converting the entire world to the capitalist George Castro (1939- ) of San Jose, economic system so that the monied empires of the Calif., discovered the mechanism of the Gettys, the Mellons, the Hughes, the Vanderbilts, and intrinsic charge carrier that became the the Rockefellers can be enriched. basis for flexible photoconductors used "We can point to your efforts in West Germany, in copying photocopying machines and Japan, South Korea, the middle east and Latin America high speed printers. as prime evidence that you intend to "Americanize" the Dr. Castro assumed command of the globe. IBM San Jose Research Lab in 1975 and e can paint pictures of a huge Ameri butlt an organization that is now world can economic octopus (backed by B- famous for its scientific discoveries. W 52 strategic bombers and the world's He received his B.S. in chemistry from largest undersea and surface Navy) encircling the UCLA and his Ph.D. in physical chemis­ Soviet Union and eventually strangling it via eco­ try from U.C. Riverside in 1965. nomic and military pressures. A well known Chicano activist, Dr. "We can spotlight your highly publicized 'moon Castro devoted many hours of his time to walks' as evidence that you have the technology to encourage young to enter the control outer space to your decided military advantage. chemistry field during and after his We will remind them that the U-2 incident proves retirememt from IBM .. that you TOO can practice deceit at the highest levels. "We will remind them that huge U.S. aircraft carriers ply the oceans of the world with U.S. Ma­ rines on board, and we will note that Marines are basically ASSAULT troops. competed in the U.S. and we have sent our teams to "We will point to your Polaris and Poseidon nuclear the Soviet Union. Concert pianist Van Cliburn and submarines as evidence that you can strike suddenly other artists have visited the Soviet Union and they any point in the Soviet Union from beneath the waters have sent some of their artists to the U.S. surrounding our homeland. epsi-Cola is doing business in Moscow. ''We will remind the Russian people that twelve Rockefeller's Chase-Manhattan Bank has years of waging war in Vietnam at a cost of some P an office in Saigon, as does Coca-Cola. Rus- $150 BILLION DOLLARS has not bankrupted sian cosmonauts have trained at the LBJ Space Center in your very wealthy nation. Houston, and American astronauts have trained in Rus­ And we will reiterate our reminder that YOUR sia. guns, planes and other military hardware have been The space link-up on July 17, 1975 will demonstrate combat-tested in southeast Asia and the middle east." that the U.S. and Russian CAN work together in outer DETENTE? space. Our cultural and athletic exchanges over the years If, in fact, Russian and American military, business have proven that we can exist cohesively on earth. and political leaders have struck a deal, calling it So, then, WHY are our military, business, and DETENTE, (because most American are not familiar political leaders still trying to convince us that one with the word and do not know EXACTLY what it nation is just waiting to pounce militarily upon the means) and are using the Reaganesque POLITICS OF other? FEAR for their own purposes, then we should not take TO WHOSE ADVANTAGE, too seriously their demands for more military expendi­ tures, more foreign aid, and their continued promulga­ HENRYK? tion of military threats against one another. Russian basketball and track & field teams have 90 CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA Chicano Oral Exain Questions ... In the May 1973 issue of THE FORUMEER we 9. "Tu marido ya no sopla ... " are words from a suggested questions that Chicanos might ask of" others" Mexican song. What do they mean? during an oral exam which might equalize the questions we have often been asked to answerwhich were not ANSWERS culturally relevant. We wrote: 1. Dorotea Arango For some of you Chicanos who get selected to sit on 2. Simon. Saw her dancing with his rival. oral examjning boards de Jagrima hay cada y cuando, 3. Hitting on his newlywed bride. At the wedding ask these questions: reception! 4. Marijuana. l.What was Pancho Villa's name before he changed it? 5. El Alazan. Rancho San Fernando. 2. Who blled Rosita Alvirez? Why? 6. Rider of El Alazan. 7. He left pregnant women everywhere. 3. Why was Luis Pulido blled by his friend Anto­ nio? Where did it happen? 8. Bald headed man. 4. What type of narcotics was La Cucaracha hooked 9. Your husband can't cut the mustard anymore! on? 5. Who won the famous horse race between El The answers were not printed in the news­ AJazan and El Rocio? Where did it take place? paper. We were curious to see how many 6. Who was El Diablo Verde? people would write in with the answers. 7. Why was Gabino Barrera hated by so many Answer: None. people? 8. What is a coco liso?

Elections are Over!

Dec. 1988, The Leader by E. David Sierra

Thank God Almighty, the elections are over! Con­ gratulations to President- elect George Walker Bush (Hi, George Bush Tex !) and Vice President J. Danforth Quayle III, who President two weeks after the election was given an idea of exactly f the U.S. where HE stands with the administration by not being invited to a high-level meeting with some high muckety mucks comin' in from overseas. "The invitation list was made up before the elections We don't want to sound catty, folks, butisn'tBarbara took place" was the excuse coming out of the White Bush too "old" for George? She looks like Nancy from House. the Sluggo series. Dye your hair, dearie. Also, quit From here it sounds like maybeJ. Danforth ain't shopping at Goodwill. Tell Nancy Reagan to let you house broken yet, Agnes! borrow her dressmaker ... or rather ... dresslender. CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 91 Ex-Forum Member's Letter

farmworker, but to the injustices and exploitation of In February 1974, a front-page editorial in every Chicano worker in the U.S. THE FORUMEER (E. David Sierra, Editor) Unlike the present political party headed by two entitled 19 MEXICANS DIE IN BUS CRASH groups namely the Democracts and Republicans and expressed our indignation at the killing of 19 owned by a few millionares, is Mexicans in a bus crash in the Palo Verde Valley a by the people, for the people, and of the people party. of California. It is a party that will respond to the needs of all the It asked, Where are the so-called 'supporters' people, beside the needs of the farmworkers. of Cesar Chavez and the downtrodden American hen, and only when, we make RAZA farm worker? UNIDA PARTY strong enough na W tionwide, then you can rest assure that the problems of our Chicano people, of those Chicanos A RESPONSE FROM whose profession is planting and harvesting the food we BROWNSVILLE, TX eat, can be alleviated. Only then when we are strong and united politically Jose M. Coronado of Brownsville, Texas replied by you can holler, and not one, but all politicians named in mail as follows: your editorial column will get off their big fat ass and really do something for the farmworker. April28, 1974 --Jose M. Coronado, Ex-Forumeer Brownsville, Texas Mr. Sierra: To the questions which you put forth: When will WE RESPONDED it end? Where are they?, the answer is very simple, RAZA UNIDA PARTY! Dear Mr. Coronado: All the Gringos or Anglos named, personal men­ First, let me thank you for your letter. I appreciate tioned in your comments, all they want is to be top dog, hearing your views. I respect them. Even if I do not or president of the United States. The Gringo or Anglo agree with all of them. as you well know has never had, have, or will have, use As an ex-Forumeer you probably know as much for our Chicano people, except to use us as steps to help about the American GI Forum as I do, and I am them better their political positions in your comments, personally disappointed that you can no longer find with their Gringo or Anglo mentality will never accept it within yourself to belong to it. the fact that our people are being abused, exploited and Please do not confuse the American GI Forum with treated worst than cattle (as stated in your comments). LA RAZA UNIDA PARTY. There is no resemblance aid Spanish or Chicano named politicians whatever. The American GI Forum is a NATIONAL have been so brainwashed by the present VETERANS FAMILY ORGANIZATION. Spolitical system that they really think they are La Raza Unida Party is a POLITICAL PARTY Gringos or Anglos and better people than our Chicano ••• Yes, Mr. Coronado, just like the Democrats and farm workers. They cannot accept the fact that they were Republicans. born Chicano and will die Chicano so don't expect any I personally do not want ANY political party telling help from them to alleviate the injustices committed to me what to think and how to vote! If I am interested in our Chicano people. the election taking place or the issues up for consider­ We have the weapon, and the elements to drive it; ation I will inform myuself about those things and make use it. RAZA UNIDA political party is the answer not up my mind. In the past I have voted for some Democrats only to the problem of injustices and exploitation of the and some Republicans. I confess that I have never voted 92 CON SAFOS -- A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA I remember JFK

Dec. 20, 1963 article shock, but we were definitely stunned by the tum of EL EXCENTRICO magazine events. A year later, in memoriam, I wrote this I was at work on a Friday afternoon when one of my rememberance article for EL EXCENTRICO maga­ co-workers at Hillis Printing Company said that Presi­ zine: dent John Kennedy had been shot in . I Remember John Kennedy ... Since he was a staunch Republican, I thought he As the young Massachusetts Senator who won his was kidding and ignored what he said. A few minutes way to the Congress of the United States with a smash­ later, he entered my office and asked, "Aren't you ing 800,000 votes edge over Cabot Lodge. listening to the radio?" As the man in whose political future we had enough I wasn't, but turned it on instantly, now realizing that confidence to vote for the first time in a U.S. presidential he must not be kidding. He wasn't. election. That evening, right after work, Gloria and I were s the young Senator met at the San going to travel to Woodlake for the baptism of George Francisco Airport by representatives of Leon, son of my compadre and comadre Edward and the Latin American community who pre- Lorenza Leon. When we got together after work, we A sented him a mariachi hat even if he doesn't like hats. decided to postpone the driving until the following As the confident, smiling, genial presidential aspir- morning. We spent all of that evening watching TV, not knowing why. JFK was dead. Definitely. I can't call it (Cont. on Pg 93)

Ex-Forum. Mem.ber (Cont. from Pg 88) UNIDA rallies every day? No. You see, what is impor­ for a Raza Unida candidate because, to my knowledge, tant is that everyone does his thing in his own way. Some you have never had one on the ballot in my part of the people are not willing to do anything but write letters. state of California. Some will do nothing but picket Safeway. Some will do I believe your criticism of our elected Chicano nothing but run for office. Some will do nothing but legislators is completely off-base. I do not know all of make speeches. Some won't do anything at all! And we these gentlemen personally. I have met a few of them. need all kinds!! And I have found them to be honorable men, just as sk yourself this question: If, and it is a concerned about Chicanos as you are. big IF, La Raza Unida were to come up There is one point that I wish you would remem­ A with a Chicano candidate for President, ber: All Chicanos cannot struggle against injustices would you support one that had a degree in Business at the same level. Administration from Harvard U., the University of Would you have 12,000,00 Chicanos picketing Mexico; or one who was a farmworker? Safeway every day? Would you have 12,000,000 Would you want him to take an all-farmworkers Chicanos attending GI Forum conventions every day? staff with him to Washington to run his office? How Would you have 12,000,000 Chicanos attending RAZA effective would they be in dealing with other legislators CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 93

I Rem.eiDber JFK On inauguration day, looking like a boy from the country wearing his first high silk hat. (Cont. from Pg 92) Addressing the people of the state of Mississippi the ant who rode through the streets of San Jose during his day prior to enrollment of James Meredith in that previ­ campaign for the White House and won over thousands ously segregated institution. of cheering citizens who helped lift him into the most Making the speech during the Cuban crisis, making important office in the world. everyone proud to be an American ... As the forceful speaker who thriUed a huge crowd NOW HE IS GONE. of22,000 in the San Francisco Cow Palace on a chiUy I remembered about a year earlier, when John Wednesday night. I remember the never-to-be for­ Fitzgerald Kennedy was running for president of the gotten ovation Mr. Kennedy received when he pro­ United States. He had a campaign rally in the San posed the formation of the Peace Corps to help young Francisco Cow Palace. Gloria and I were much younger America contribute to their country's prestige and and very idealistic at that time. We decided to go hear help unfortunate peoples abroad. him speak. In the television debates with Richard Milhous Nixon, I was driving an old '37 Chevy at the time, not in very making a complete shambles of 'young and inexperi­ good condition, but 1 drove it up the El Camino Real, enced' accusations before millions of TV viewers. stop lights and all, all the way to Daly City and the Cow Palace. I remembered Ella Fitzgerald as one of the featured entertainers. She has always been one of my favorite Ex-Forum. MeiDber entertainers. Not so much the voice. She just looks like the type of person I would like to share a few drinks with (Cont. from Pg 92) and talk. The band was Les Brown and the Band of to pass pro-farmworkers legislation? Would they be Renown, I think. It's been a long, long time. We got back able to do the job? to San Jose well after midnight, but I felt that it was So, you see, just as one would not expect an urban­ worth it because I felt that John F. Kennedy was going dwelling Chicano to be a proficient, Huelgista, by the to win, and be the best President this country ever had. same token you cannot expect Huelgistas to be profi­ It didn't last long enough. cient office workers. At least I do not. In my estimation the most effective way that La Raza can succeed with whatever goals we set for ourselves is by doing exactly what we are doing right now •.• hundreds of thousands of people doing their thing, their way, to reach their Like Camping? goals. A Chicanito came home from a neighborhood youth Naturally, I believe in organizations, such as the meeting one afternoon all excited about going on a American GI Forum and La Raza U nida Party. camping trip. He rushed into the house and asked his jefe What I don't believe in is organizations such as La to fill in the form which the youth counselor had given Raza Unida Party and the American GI Forum working him. against each other. One of the questions in the form wanted to know And in this case, I have yet to hear a public criticism if the father had any previous camping experience. of La Raza Unida by GI Forum members, though I have The father tilled in the blank thusly: heard criticism of the American GI Forum by La Raza Have you had previous camping experience: YES. U nida people. When: Dec. 8, 1941 to Feb. 8, 1945. Siga peleando por Ia causa. Where: Camp Pendleton, Guadalcanal, Tulagi, Sinceramente, Bouganville, Saipan, Tarawa, Iwo Jima, Hollandia, E. David Sierra, Guam, Saipan, Okinawa, Pelilu and other places. Editor, THE FORUMEER Do you enjoy camping? HELL NO! 94 CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 95

PFC Felix Z. Longoria PFC Felix Longoria, 25, died for his country on June 15, 1945, in the waning days of World War II. He had volunteered for a detail flushing out Japanese soldiers hidden in caves in the Philippine Islands. Longoria died in an ambush set by retreating Japanese troops. In 1949, four years after the war ended, his family brought the body home to Three Rivers, Texas for burial in his hometown. His wife, Beatrice, contacted Tom Kennedy, owner of the Rice Funeral Home, to make arrangements for memorial and burial services. 11 1t will not be possible to hold the remains at the funeral

home, II Rice told Mrs. Longoria, 11 they will have to be placed at his home for viewing. The whites would

not like it. II The family called Dr. Hector P. Garcia, Corpus Christi physician, who had recently organized the American Gl Forum to fight discriminatory practices against Mexican Americans. 96 CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA

"The state of Texas which looms so large on the map, looks mighty small tonight!"

--Walter Winchell Nationally syndicated radio commentator January 11, 1949

Dr. Hector P. Garcia some individuals extends even beyond this life. I Founder have no authority over civilian funeral homes. Nor American GI Forum does the federal government. However, I have made arrangements to have PFC Felix Longoria "I called the man at the funeral home and told buried with full military honors in Arlington Na­ him who I was, then I asked for permission to use tional Cemetery ... where the honored dead of our the chapel," Dr. Garcia said. nation's wars rest." "He said no Mexican American had ever used PFC Feli x Longoria was bur-ied on Feb. 16, it and, to quote him, 'We're not going to let you 1949 in a simple military grave marked by the because it might offend the whites." traditional white stone marker. Congressman Dr. Garcia called a friendly Corpus Christi Lyndon Johnson, his wife Lady Bird, and Major newspaper reporter and told him about the conver­ General Harry Vaughn, representing President sation with Mr. Kennedy. While the reporter Harry Truman, were at the funeral. checked out Garcia's story, Dr. Garcia went into On Feb. 17, 1949, the Texas legislature, deeply action, sending out telegrams to congressmen, embarrassed by the incident, begun an investiga­ senators, the Texas governor, and other journal­ tion of the matter. After a hearing, conducted in ists, making them aware that an American soldier Three Rivers, Texas, the investigation concluded that no discrimination existed. The hearina was who had given his life for his country could not be 0 buried from the chapel in his hometown ... because held in a building next to a barber shop that did not of racial prejudice. serve Mexican Americans! On January 11, 1949, nationally syndicated EDITOR'S NOTES: What was the connec­ t·adio commentator Walter Winchell told the tion between Lyndon Johnson and Dr. Garcia? nation, "The state of Texas which looms so Well, as the story goes, when young Hector P. large on the map, looks mighty small tonight." Garcia was a student in the small Texas town of Within 24 hours of Dr. Garcia's request of the Cotulla, one of his teachers was Mr. Lyndon B. Rice Funeral Home, he received a telegram from Johnson, a fledgling teacher, fresh out of West Texas Congressman Lyndon Johnson saying: Texas State College. They maintained a close "I deeply regret to learn that the prejudice of personal relationship over the years, to the ad van- CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 97 George Shirakawa, Sr., San Jose City Councilman

by E. David Sierra THE LEADER June 1994

LOSING A BIGGIE -- The downtrodden, the under-represented, and the under-employed, under­ hou ed, and under-respected lost a true champion with the udden death of SJ Councilman George Shirakawa on May 5, 1994. om in Hanford and educated at Corcoran H.S., the Japanese Mexican carnal was B what you call real gente. He talked once ., about how his mother encouraged her siblings to aspire ' ', to much more than a life of trudging endless rows of cotton in the scorching heat of the central valley. George Shirakawa, Sr. , left, with his friend Joe George graduated from SJSU and used hi s knowl­ Kapp at the 1990 Barrio Open Golf Tournament edge in teaching and coaching youngsters to succeed in sponsored by Vida Nueva. life. But that was not enough. The political arena beckoned. George did not timidly arrive at City Hall, mission with you. Endlessly. Until you became en i­ feel his way around, getting to "know the ropes" and tized and became one of hi s ferven t fo llowers, or he was then becoming part of the city hall "in" crowd. convinced that you were beyond sensitizing, whereupon He was on a mi sion, and if you did not understand he bade you sayonara, smiled, and charged forward. it or agree with him, he would patiently discuss that gathering followers every step of the way. Succinctl y, "if you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem, carnal!" Pvt. Felix Longoria A 100% optimist whose driving energy and rad iant smile "made the day" for everyone privileged to know (Cont. from Pg 96) him, Shirakawa represented everything that is noble tage of the American GI Forum. about American politics, a common man genu inely It was Dr. Garcia who,many years later, urged Presi­ concerned about the little guy. dent Johnson to provide funding to initiate the multi­ memory lingers from his first city mill ion dollar manpower program, Project SER. Johnson council campaign. A man of Japa did it with the stroke of his pen, by issuing an Executive A nese descent entered his campaign of- Order. fice, asked him "Are you Japanese or Mexican?" While attending the Ame-rican GIForum national George replied, "My dad was Japanese, my mom convention in Washington, D.C., in 1972, we visited was Mexican. I speak Spanish." The man wheeled Arlington National Cemetery and the grave of Private and left. Felix Longoria. A few months later, at a Vida Nueva advisory board The Felix Longori a incident is considered by Ameri­ meeting, he made a remark which was followed by can Gl Forum historians as the major reason the organi­ someone saying, "For a politician, that is NOT a stup id zation expanded so rapidly in the late 40's and early 50's. statement, George!" The person who laughed the loud- 98 CON SAFOS -- A CHICANo•s JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA George Shirakawa, Sr. (Cont. from Pg 97) EDITOR'S NOTES: This man was a candidate for San Jose City Council when I first met him. I was instantly impressed. He "Remember, George, had a very quick wit. He was a good thinker, and best of all, he was a good drinking buddy. we put you in and Stories by the hour. And lots of interesting experiences. we can take you out!" He had been a cotton picker in the San Joaquin Valley, a high school coach in Santa Clara County, and a person who had thou­ est was, of course, the unflappable George Shirakawa. sands of friends. I quickly became an ardent If there is anyone whose path he crossed who did not supporter. like him, we never met him. He and Will Rogers would•ve My wife Gloria volunteered to work in been camaradas. A former educator, coach, and busi­ his campaign office. He would pick her up nessman, he was easily the most loved and respected and give her a ride to the office. In the person on the San Jose City Council. afternoon I would pick her up after work at Supervisor Shirakawa? Congressman Shirakawa? the Gould Shopping Center on Capitol Ex­ Senator Shirakawa? We will never know. pressway near McLaughlin at the Shirakawa Ese si fue eolpe. Don Chuy! campaign headquarters. George was a very likeable person. I gave him some money for his cam­ paign. More than the allowable limit, I guess, because a few months after his I Hurt Governments winning campaign, I received a check for $80 from his George Shirakawa for City 1966 Council campaign and they suggested Fred Vasquez had invited AI Pelayo and I to a that I write another one for $80 to the meeting of the Lettermen Club on North 4th Street. They Friends of George Shirakawa fund. I used to have a lot of activities and one time he had let me decided to deposit it in the Friends of see a copy of their club newsletter. I was very impressed David Sierra account at my local bank. with the activities their club members engaged in, so I told George that I didn•t want to pay wanted to see it .. and possibly become a member. for any of his .. fact-finding~~ trips to One of the interesting characters I met there that I distant lands. I would take the trips night was regaling me at the bar about his life as an myself and brief him on those countries American soldier in Korea where he was involved in when I got back. He just laughed. interrogating prisoners because he spoke the language. When I asked him how he had put his government Sid Haro used to tell training to use in civilian life after he got out of the George, "Remember, military, he replied that the branch of the military he was in ..... You never get out! 11 sucker, we put you in and I opined, at some point in the conversation that it we can take you out!'' would probably not be a good idea for me to ever, ever, That always drew a laugh from the ami­ piss him off because he could do me a lot of harm. able George Shirakawa, Sr. nyOU don•t have to worry about me, II he said, omi­ Damn, we sure miss that man. • • • • • nously, .. When I get pissed off, I don•t hurt people ... I hurt governments! 11 CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA 99 Nam Casualties by City, California For many years I have harbored the suspicion that little towns and cities with large numbers of Hispanics, Blacks, and Poor Whites in the population suffered a disproportionately high number of the Vietnam War Casualties. Below are listed selected cities and the number of war dead as of 18 March 1985. These numbers are from the U.S. National Archives. City or Vietnam City or .. Vietnam City or Vietnam Town War Dead Town.=.:. War Dead Town War Dead

Fullerton ...... 30 Atascadero ...... 8 Patterson ...... 3 Garden Grove ...... 40 Atwater ...... 3 Pi co Rivera ...... 24 Gilroy ...... 9 Azusa ...... 9 Porterville ...... 16 Greenfield ...... 3 Bakersfield ...... 55 Redding ...... 25 Guadalupe ...... 1 Barstow ...... 9 Reedley ...... 8 Hanford ...... 11 Blythe ...... 4 Sacramento ...... 100 Hayward ...... 48 Brawley ...... 4 Salinas ...... 20 Hollister ...... 4 Calexico ...... 4 San Fernando ...... 10 Hughson ...... 4 Calipatria ...... 3 San Joaquin...... 4 Indio ...... 6 Campbell ...... 13 San Jose ...... 104 Kerman ...... 6 Carpinteria ...... 3 Sanger ...... 10 La Jolla ...... 1 Castroville ...... 3 Santa Clara ...... 35 La Puente ...... 29 Chino ...... 6 Santa Maria ...... 26 Lamont ...... 4 Chowchilla ...... 2 Santa Paula ...... 10 Lemoore ...... 5 Coachella ...... 4 Selma ...... 12 Lindsay ...... 2 Coalinga ...... 2 Shafter ...... 3 Livermore ...... 8 Colton ...... 13 Soledad ...... 3 Lodi ...... 12 Compton ...... 46 Stockton ...... 52 Los Angeles...... 494 Corcoran ...... 4 Susanville ...... 5 Madera ...... 7 Cottonwood ...... 5 Taft ...... 11 Manteca ...... 8 Covina ...... 20 Tehachapi ...... 4 Marysville ...... 13 Cucamonga...... 7 Tracy ...... 7 McFarland...... 4 Cutler ...... 2 Tulare ..•••••..•••••.•••••••••••••.... 15 Mendota ...... 4 Union City ...... 6 Delano ...... 7 Merced ...... 19 Upland ...... 7 Delhi ...... 4 Milpitas ...... 4 Ventura ...... 30 Dinuba ...... 2 Morgan Hill ...... 5 Visalia ...... 12 Dos Palos ...... 4 Mountain View ...... 13 Wasco ...... 8 East Palo Alto ...... 3 Napa ...... 20 Watsonville ...... 13 El Centro ...... 9 Ontario ...... 14 Whittier ...... 34 El Monte ...... 33 Orange Cove ...... 3 Woodlake ...... 3 Eureka ...... 20 Orosi ...... 2 Yuba City ...... 10 Farmersville...... 2 Oxnard ...... 25 Five Points •••••••••....•...•••••••.•• 3 Pacoima ...... 20 PLAY YOUR OWN NUMBERS Fremont ...... 29 Parlier ...... 1 GAME. WHAT DO THESE FIG­ Fresno ...... 67 Paso Robles ...... 4 URES MEAN? ANYTHING?

WAR is the means by which the rich keep the poor in their place._The best ofthe poor wind up beneath white crosses scattered all over the planet, and the best of the rich continue talking about how much they love America, but avoiding military responsi­ bilities and doing precious little to preserve its human and natural resources. --E. David Sierra, 2004 100 CON SAFOS --A CHICANO'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE IN CALIFORNIA

More on this later.

DeGassing EDITOR'S NOTES: We wonder if Dr. Skura has heard that beans ARE a staple food for all of the Spanish speaking people on this planet. Beans He is working on efforts to breed beans that would ARTICLE, printed in the October 1979 issue of THE produce less gas or that would enable scientists to LEADER: remove gas-producing elements from beans. Beans will be made into soup, muffins and other Three years ago, work began in the scientific labs of common dishes like bean salad and baked beans. Vol­ the San Jose GI Forum Research & Education Division unteers will provide stool samples which will then be on a very critical social problem .. how to rid beans of cultured and the gas given off will be measured. their embarrasing gases. This surely has to go down in history as research Former Chapter Chairman David Sierra conducted that is not vitally needed for the existence of life on research, consulted by Abel Martinez, Abel Cota, Henry the planet earth. Lostaunau, and others. But the initial research efforts Our question is: Don't you have anything more were a failure. "scientific" to occupy your time, Dr. Skura? NOW ... we understand that British microbiologist Hell man, if you don't like beans, don't eat them. Dr. Brent Skura of the University of British Columbia And if methane gas bothers you, stay away from has been awarded a $36,000 grant to continue the work people that eat beans, you dumb son of a bitch! begun by us. --E. David Sierra Dr. Skura believes that beans would be a major factor in an effort to feed the world's hungry people if a way could be found to deal with the gas generated by bean eating. Regardless of the efforts being made in B.C., our KILLING TIME scientific laboratories will continue in their research to "If you want solve this problem. We believe that we will be the ones to find the solution. to kill time, why not try working it to death." the Music! --Sam Levenson

EL EXCENTRICO Magazine

A bunch of the Club San Joaquin men were Chotas Promoted celebrating their softball loss to San Felipe last Sunday (San Felipe 5, San Joaquin 0) at the June 1988 The Leader Piedmont by singing Mexican and Okie songs. San Jose Police Chief McMoMedia recent! y (CSJ always celebrates, win, lose, or draw.) promoted officers Steve Ozuna, Noe Longoria, Bobby Zamora made some dirty faces at us Pete Aguilar, John Savala, and Art Mufioz to and then said to me, "This hurts. I just got back from hearing El Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan." Sergeant. It was not a tough decision to make. You could have cut the silence with a ma­ He had Chairman Victor Garza, the E.E.O.C. chete. End of singing. Commissioners, and half the Latino community standing on his Tan 8's!