El Paso Writers Update, Sat, Feb. 25, 2012

El Paso Writers Update, Sat, Feb. 25, 2012

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Barnet Lee Rosset 

There was a lot of coverage of the death of Barnet Lee "Barney" Rosset, Jr. the founder of Grove Press. Grove Press of course has published many Chicano(a) authors throught the years, but most notable for publishing John Rechy's City of Night. See The Most Dangerous Man in Publishing.

On Rechy, there is a small reference to City of Night in American Songwriter, The Doors, “L.A. Woman” .

Ruben Salazar

A nice remembrance of Ruben Salazar on egpnews.com:

"Pioneering Latino journalist Ruben Salazar died at the hands of Los Angeles Sheriff’s as they broke up the August 29, 1970 Chicano Moratorium against the Vietnam War. Today, his story is an inspiration to the Latino community, and to all those seeking social justice. That’s why we should celebrate his birthday, and not just remember his death." READ MORE.

Benjamin Alire Saenz

 

Coming out this week: the young adult novel Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, about the friendship between two teenage boys.

Dagoberto Gilb

Dagoberto Gilb is mentioned in this interesting article by Krys Lee: Should We Still Be Using The Term 'Ethnic Literature'?: "Writers such as Susan Choi retreat from the label "ethnic" for the very reason that Le's story suggests: A term originally intended to empower those traditionally marginalized can be used to dismiss minority writers. The range of books being published today are remarkable, and writers of color are coming out of the best MFA programs, earning rave critical reviews, and most notably, writing about such diverse social and political backgrounds that makes it difficult to lump them into one category." (Huttington Post). Read more.

Gilb will read at DePaul University. The event takes place February 29 at 6 p.m. in Program Room 115 of the John T. Richardson Library located just inside the 2350 North Kenmore entrance from Kelly Hall. More info.

Oscar "Zeta" Acosta

Check out NiteTalk: Cog Nomen's Buffalo Brown Gives Us the Lowdown for some lowdown on Oscar Zeta Acosta.  "...one of God's own prototypes. A high-powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die." That is Hunter S.Thompson's quote. Check out this GQ UK interview: Gonzo management.

Miguel Juarez

Miguel Juarez is interviewed about Luis Jimenez' "Los Lagartos" sculpture and the victory the El Paso community realized in getting the city of keep the sculpture center in San Jacinto Plaza. Check out: San Jacinto Concept Plans Finalized, Foster Out Of Project.

Matt Mendez

On Latino Rebels, check out Matt Mendez article Marjorie Ann Mendez is Coming to Arizona: A Guest Post by Matt Mendez #Librotraficante.

"I find it hard to believe that either Huppenthal or Horne actually believe an armed rebellion is marching their way. Instead what Huppenthal and Horne really fear is democratic change. Tom Horne, now Arizona’s attorney general, has been a hardliner against immigrants and immigration for years, accusing “Illegals” of voter fraud and accusing the Obama administration of pursuing the “illegal” vote when the justice department challenged Arizona’s voter ID law. “I think the motive is that the more illegals that vote, the better the Obama administration thinks it will do.”  Huppenthal and Horne are not working to stave off revolution but cynically fomenting a culture of fear in Arizona, fear of immigrants and, as Sherman Alexie accurately points out, of an educated underclass in the hopes of keeping their political power." Read More.

Luis J. Rodriguez

A good update of Luis J. Rodriguez comings and goings: Check out: Updates since the New Year.

Librotraficante

There's a lot of pub on the Librotraficante tour which will include our own Dagoberto Gilb. Check out: Free the Books: Librotraficante Caravan Heads to Arizona to Create "Underground Libraries"