|
By Rich Archbold | Press Telegarm | Mar. 24, 2024 | Photo By Howard Freshman
|
|
These six civil rights activists may have added a few more gray hairs since they led the way for Latino rights in Long Beach five decades ago — but they haven’t lost their fighting spirit.
They raised their clenched fists last week in an enthusiastic sign of solidarity for their years of hard work helping thousands of their fellow community members who were struggling with economic, educational and many other disadvantages.
“We’re still warriors,” said Ron Arias, a member of the Long Beach Chicano Community History Committee, which has been dubbed the “Chicano Six.”
Committee members nodded in agreement.
The Chicano Six — which includes Arias and his wife, Phyllis Arias, as well as Carmen Perez, Armando Vazquez-Ramos, Margie Rodriguez and Theresa Marino – have partnered with the Long Beach Historical Society to tell the story of Centro de la Raza, a neighborhood center that started in 1969 and had a major impact on improving the lives of Latinos in the city.
That story will be told through photographs taken by John Taboada, a teacher who documented the work of Centro and its impact on Long Beach through the years. This will be the first time his historic photos will be put on public display. The exhibition will open to the public at the Historical Society, 4260 Atlantic Ave., from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, March 29, and will run throughout the year.
“I am thrilled that the Long Beach Chicano Community History Committee trusted the Historical Society with its history,” said Julie Bartolotto, executive director of the Historical Society. “The exhibition will add significant knowledge to the public’s consciousness of Long Beach in the 1970s and early 1980s.”
The Chicano Six worked closely with the Historical Society’s staff, including project manager Brian Chavez and program and design manager Bianca Moreno. Read More
|
|
|
Event Hosted by the Historical Society of Long Beach (HSLB) & The Long Beach Chicano Community History Committee
Photos Courtesy of the Historical Society of Long Beach (HSLB)
|
|
|
The 1960’s saw the largest and fastest growth of the Latino community in Long Beach—a growth of nearly 400%. This, coupled with political and social change, the rise of student unrest, the Chicano student movement at California colleges and universities, including CSULB, and the implementation of multiple federal War on Poverty programs, resulted in the establishment of the East Long Beach Neighborhood Center, also known as Centro de la Raza (Centro). The organization served thousands of diverse and economically disadvantaged community members with social programs in labor, housing, arts and culture, mental health, education, and more. In addition, the Centro launched the careers of many Latino leaders in the greater Long Beach area.
|
|
|
Between 1970 and 1985, the Centro’s programs were chronicled through the photography of John A. Taboada (aka “JT”), a former CSULB student and member of the local Chicano community. Members of the Long Beach Chicano Community History Committee, made up of former Centro members, have recently devoted countless hours to the digitization and identification of these rare images. The committee and the Historical Society of Long Beach have partnered to publicly display these photographs for the very first time in the exhibition Centro de La Raza: John A. Taboada Legacy Photo Collection, 1970-1985 which explores the story of this impactful community organization.
|
|
For his Lifetime of Dedication, our very own,
Professor Armando Vazquez-Ramos, was recognized at this year's Barrio Station Annual Dinner, on March 14, 2024, where he was presented the Barrio Station Lifetime Achievement Award.
|
|
Professor Armando Vazquez-Ramos, also received a Certificate of Recognition at this year's Barrio Station Annual Dinner, by Congressman Juan Vargas (CA - 52).
|
|
He was also recognized by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria at this year's Barrio Station Annual Dinner, where he was also presented a Certificate of Mayoral Recognition.
|
|
Thank you Profe for your continuous fight and for your guidance!
|
|
|
Por Dr. Gonzalo Santos | Mar. 25, 2024 | Fotos Cortesia de Dr. Gonzalo Santos
|
|
El pasado Marzo 21, 2024, la cena de premios anuales de la organización Barrio Station de San Diego, California, se celebró en honor al profesor Armando Vázquez-Ramos, Presidente del Centro de Estudios California-México en Long Beach. La directora ejecutiva Rachael Ortiz le presentó el Premio “Lifetime Achievement Award” – o “Reconocimiento por Logros de Toda Una Vida”.
El Profe Armando ha sido un gran hermano en las muchas aventuras que hemos compartido y un gran compañero en las muchas lides en que hemos participado. Siempre al pie del cañón, siempre con una gran visión de forjar una más justa y armoniosa integración de Nuestra América Septentrional, donde la Gran Patria Mexicana que trasciende fronteras pueda por fin vivir entera, transitar sin barreras, hacer florecer y poder contribuir su rica y milenaria cultura por toda la región.
No por nada le puso su ejemplar madre que lo trajo a él y sus seis hermanos a California el nombre de Armando - no ha dejado de armar proyectos e intercambios académicos, convenios universitarios,conferencias binacionales, diálogos y cabildeos inter-gubernamentales, y programas de estudios Chicanos tanto en las escuelas de California como en México.
¡Desde muy chavo también viene armando tremendo desmadre! Se involucró en las primeras marchas y protestas Chicanas por abrir las puertas de par en par de las iglesias católicas y las escuelas de California - que por décadas funcionaban en condiciones de virtual apartheid; luego luchó por abrir las puertas a La Raza en las universidades, los sindicatos, los medios de comunicación, las legislaturas; y desde que surgió el movimiento pro-migrante, ha abogado infatigablemente por la plena ciudadanía de todos los migrantes indocumentados - defendiendo especialmente a los Soñadores de acá (EE.UU.) y también los de allá (exiliados o retornados a Méxicocon sus padres deportados). Leer Mas
|
|
Please consider sponsoring our program today!!!
To be a sponsor contact Professor Armando Vazquez-Ramos at: armando@calmexcenter.org or 562-972-0986
|
|
|
Disclaimer: The California-Mexico Studies Center is a community-based California non-profit educational and cultural organization, established in 2010 and registered with the IRS as a tax-exempt charitable institution (ID: #27-4994817) and never affiliated with the California State University System or California State University Long Beach.
|
|
|
|
|
