raúlrsalinas and the Jail Machine: My Weapon Is My Pen

Articles from Aztl

ArticlesfromAztlándeLeavenworth,Kansas FederalPenitentiary On the History of C.O.R.A. and Aztlán IN THE EARLY PART OF 1970, the prison administrators of Leavenworth saw the need and importance of instituting Ethnic Studies in the educational department for the benefit of the diverse ethnic groups of this penitentiary. In March of 1970, Professor Francisco H. Ruiz of Penn Valley Community College in Kansas City, Missouri, began teaching a Cultural History of the Southwest class for Chicanos. At various times he brought along graduate students and community workers to assist him in conducting said class. A newspaper, which bears the title Aztlán, meaning “the lands to the North,” assumed to have been the point of origin for the Aztec nation, came into existence with the first issue printed in May 1970.† To date, there have been four issues printed. With a rare exception, the material for the paper is strictly Chicano convict work. We do not solicit outside material, and only on one occasion have we featured an article by someone other than the Chicano population of Leavenworth . In this manner we try to stress the importance of originality and the nurturing of unknown hidden talents in the arts, poetry, journalism , publications work, and public speaking. Emphasis is placed on Higher Education as one solution to “the” problem. Chicano-oriented films are brought in from time to time, such as “Yo Soy Joaquin,” a filmed documentary of Corky Gonzales’ epic poem of the same name. Also, “Delano,” dealing with the farmworkers march to the state capitol at Sacramento in 1967. In October of the same year, the class evolved into a combination of Chicano Studies and Cultural Group. A committee was formed (through general elections) as follows: Meme Duran, Chairman; Dickie Mena, V. Chairman; Pelon Avila, Recording Secretary; Dickie Pineda (Alberto Mares), Correspondence Secretary; Alberto Palomino, Programs Chairman; Ruben Estrella, Publicity Chairman; and raúlrsalinas, Editor. This committee held forth until April 1971, when their 6 month tenure was up. Then, the second committee was elected. These were the results: Dickie Mena, Chairman; Ramon Chacon , V. Chairman; Carlos Becerra, Recording Secretary; Jose Rubio, Correspondence Secretary; Hector Vargas, Programs Chairman; Tone Briones, Publicity Chairman; and raúlrsalinas, Editor. The name C.O.R.A. (Chicanos Organizados Raza de Aztlán), submitted by Beto Gudino, was chosen for our group. We have been functioning now for 17 months. Our weekly meetings are conducted thusly: Friday nights from 6 to 9 p.m. Committee business & reports (correspondences, newspaper, grievances, etc.), then, one of our members is selected as main speaker for the evening. He is selected from the general membership and asked a week in advance to talk on whatever is relevant to the Chicano cause. Following this, outside guests are introduced. These may consist of students, professors, farmworkers, businessmen, local politicians and neighborhood counselors; both male and female. The last hour is devoted to lectures by the professor concerning the Castilian language, Maya & Aztec history, and Art & Literature of Mexico and the Southwestern United States. Our accomplishments are few but they are obviously noticeable. Our artists have participated in the Raza Art Festival in Houston, Texas and won awards at the religious art show at Leavenworth penitentiary. The painting of one our brothers is being used on an album cover of a popular recording star’s music. Their paintings have appeared on local TV and videotape. Our writers are also gaining an audience outside. The poets have been quoted extensively and one is in the process of having several poems published in an Anthology of Chicano Literature which will be published by Prentice-Hall and one by Knopf Publisher later on in the year. Our newspaper has been acclaimed the best publication in the Chicano Press Association, both in prison and out. We have r a ú l rsa l i n as a n d t h e ja i l m ac h i n e 50 been quoted in the Guardian, The Village Voice, La Raza, Con Safos, Entrelineas, and the Cabinet of Spanish Speaking Affairs in Washington , D.C. We now have 20 Chicanos enrolled in the college program, and many more in the High School level. † Editor’s Note: This unpublished essay was written by Salinas in early March 1972 to document the formation of this important Chicano prisoner group. Beto Gudino actually proposed Chicanos Organizados Rebeldes de Aztlán for the group name. This...