[ Detail of Lithograph by Francisco Zuniga ]

Carlotta’s Passion Fine Art presents, Both Sides of the Border: Latin American and Chicano Art. The exhibit focuses on original and limited edition works of art by Latin American and Chicano artists. The Latin American artwork includes pieces by Francisco Zuniga, Wifredo Lam, Carlos Merida and sixteen other masters. The Chicano artists whose works are in the show include Gronk, Patssi Valdez, Frank Romero, Leo Limon, Mark Vallen, Diane Gamboa, Sergio Hernandez, and fourteen other top notch artists.

Both Sides of the Border opens with an Artist’s Reception on Saturday, November 19th., from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. During the opening, MEXIKA will perform exciting indigenous and new music using traditional instruments created by Martin Espino. The exhibition runs until Friday evening, December 30th., 2005. Carlotta’s Passion Fine Art is located at: 2012 Colorado Blvd., in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, California - the cross street is Maywood (click here for a MapQuest map.) Business hours for the gallery are Tuesday through Sunday, from 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Phone: 323-259-1563. A number of educational presentations and activities are planned as part of the exhibit. For a full schedule of events, as well as previews of the artworks, click here.

[ This Column of the Americas article by Roberto Rodriguez is titled, The Quiet Wrath of the Three Sisters. The writer can be reached at: XColumn@aol.com © 2005. Column of the Americas. Artwork by Carlos Callejo. ]

[ Artwork by Carlos Callejo ]

The three sisters - Cindy, Katrina & Rita — have managed not simply to humble the president, but in effect, have ended his rule of hubris and arrogance. End of Bush II. Cindy Sheehan didn’t so much expose his lies about Iraq as she has galvanized opposition to a war that the world has always known is fraudulent. His failure to face her this summer solidified the belief worldwide that there indeed is nothing noble about this illegally conjured-up war. There never was a threat from Iraqi WMDs nor was there an Iraqi link to 911. Also, the governments that were blackmailed into supporting president Bush’s war policies had to do so against the strong wishes of their own citizens.

In the United States, it was quite a different story. Egged on by a willing media, a sizeable percentage of the U.S. public (including the leading Democrats) seemingly came to believe the president’s whoppers. Even after the falsehoods were thoroughly exposed, those that had been duped continued to fall for the president’s continued deceptions — that he had been victimized by “faulty intelligence.” At worst, they accused him of being an incompetent imperialist. (They objected to the incompetence, not the imperialism). Meanwhile, the president’s rag-tag “coalition of the willing” began to unravel. Despite this, truth and morality seemed to have had no effect on his supporters. It has taken these three sisters to stir peoples’ sense of right and wrong, though admittedly, this change may be due more to economic patriotism than as a result of desiring the president to abide by the law. The rationale is quite simple: the cost of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars is about the same as Katrina & Rita (some $200 billion and growing) — this at a time of sky-high deficits and tax-cuts that indisputably favor the rich. Given a choice, the U.S. taxpayers would rather pitch in to help their fellow citizens than finance an unpopular war that promises few dividends.

That tens of thousands of Iraqis are being killed in an illegal war (plus 2000 U.S. soldiers) does not seem to have entered into the equation. Yet by failing to address Sheehan, he lost the small window of opportunity that he had to convince a now thoroughly skeptical U.S. public about the purported rightness of his cause. Then came the other sisters. That’s why his presidency of arrogance is over — this is even before the Patrick Fitzgerald investigation is taken into account. There’s no more wind for his continued tax cuts for the rich. Similarly, his faith-based war against science and the environment have been completely discredited. He has been reduced to near-buffoon status, attempting to prove that he can lead the Gulf Coast rebuilding effort and lead the nation. He has not only lost control of the nation’s agenda - but has also irreversibly lost his stature as “leader of the free world.” The only people he can rely on for support are the same delusional individuals who blame Bill Clinton for 911 and Katrina. And even that base continues to shrivel.

This is not a case of the situation not boding well for the president or the Republican Party. It’s the whole country. And rather than a lame-duck, he is instead a wounded animal. The difference is, he is still at the controls of the most powerful weaponry and armed forces in world history. And it’s not just him. His entire administration is implicated (if not indicted) in this illegal war. (That’s why he has always adamantly insisted that the United States be exempt from the International War Crimes Tribunal). And beyond that, Cindy, Katrina and Rita have exposed the Michael Browns of his administration — incompetent cronies that have been placed into leadership positions to simply do the bidding of big business. And it isn’t just FEMA. The Food & Drug Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency and the politicized courts are in similar boats. That’s just where it begins. This is not news, but it has taken the three sisters to expose this illegitimate government as the damage and toll in American lives, (in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Gulf coast) is now being perceived as unacceptably high.

Yet, the president will remain dangerous until the day he leaves office. Nothing like another conjured-up crisis (with Syria, Iraq, Venezuela, North Korea or Cuba) for him to perhaps attempt to do what NYC Mayor Rudy Gulianni tried to do after 911– attempt to stay in office beyond his elected term. Normally this would be unthinkable. But since when are these normal times?

[ * Some might argue that it is three other sisters, Valerie [Plame of the CIA], Harriet [Miers, Supreme Court Nominee] & Wilma [still yet another hurricane] that have brought this administration to its knees. ]

Luis J. Rodriguez, acclaimed writer and cofounder of Tia Chucha’s Cafe Cultural, will read from his latest poetry collection My Nature is Hunger: New & Selected Poems (Curbstone Press/Rattle Edition) with renowned Chicano artist Mark Vallen - who will be on hand to talk about the original oil painting Vallen created for the book cover, and to sell prints of the painting. The event is scheduled for Saturday, November 5, 2005 at 5 PM at Tia Chucha’s Cafe Cultural, 12737 Glenoaks Blvd., #22, Sylmar, CA 91342. Phone: 818-362-7060. For address, hours, directions, and more go to www.tiachucha.com

Also, later at 7 PM Luis J. Rodriguez is inviting poets from around the LA area to read their works for peace, justice and a cooperative way of life as part of the global mobilization of poetry and conscious-raising, sponsored by Poets Against War (www.poetsagainstwar.net). Poets Against War, founded by award-winning poet and translator Sam Hamill, has amassed the largest collection of poetry against war in the world. They have been working hard to bring attention to stopping the US wars against Iraq and Afghanistan, and for the peaceful resolutions of the complex issues of our day for the benefit of all humanity.

“It’s time that we imagined another way to deal with the hard issues confronting us instead of violence and war,” Rodriguez said. “I hope this event will galvanize the LA poetry community to activate their lives and their verses toward peace and true justice in our time.” The LA Times “Book Review” section of October 16, 2005 gave a one-page presentation of Luis Rodriguez’s new poetry book.

[ The traditional Dia de los Muertos observances that take place in late October and early November are a time of great festivity, no less so for those of us here in Los Angeles. Here’s a small sampling of just some of the upcoming observances and celebrations planned for L.A. ]

Hollywood Forever Cemetery - Sat., Oct 29th, 4 - 11 pm. One of the largest and grandest celebrations you’ll see in Los Angeles. Thousands come to view the alters, art, and costumed people in Hollywood’s final resting place for movie stars, musicians, and other Californian notables. You’ll never forget walking through this moonlit cemetery and the beauty of the alters in tribute to the dead. Bring a camera and something warm to wear. Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd, LosAngeles, CA 90038-1864. For more information, visit the official website.

La Placita Catholic Church - Wed., Nov 2nd, Alter Blessing 6:30 to 7 pm. An altar installation by artist Vibiana Aparicio-Chamberlin that memorializes the dead of the Iraq War and the murdered women of Juarez. Come early and stroll the shops at Olvera Street - pick up some sugar skulls - then pay your respects to the war dead at La Placita Church (Our Lady Queen of Angels) Catholic Church, Olvera Street, Los Angeles, CA.

Street Parade and Candle light march - Five Points, East L.A. - Wed., Nov 2nd. Community artists in L.A. will celebrate Self Help Graphics and Art and what it’s meant to all of us. This is an invitation to all interested artists and community members to again celebrate Dia de los Muertos as an artist-led event. This year we will celebrate Day of the Dead with a street parade. The event begins at 7:00pm. Gather for a candle light march @ Five Points East L.A. Calavera make up & attire encouraged. For more info, contact Diane Gamboa. selfhelpartists@yahoo.com

Day of the Dead Fashion Show & Exhibit - Tropico de Nopal Gallery on Nov 5th. Join artists Cindy Bravo, Victoria Delgadillo, Consuelo Flores, Rigo Maldonado and community members for a unique vision in remembering our dead. Tropico de NopalGallery, 1665 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA. For more info, visit the gallery’s website at: www.tropicodenopal.com

Cornerstone Theater Company, in association with CA Youth Theatre, presents a limited engagement of ALWAYS RUNNING, by Luis J. Rodriguez. This one-act stage adaptation is written by José Cruz González and directed by Mark Valdez. The international bestseller, subtitled LA Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A., comes vividly to life using text directly from the book. It is based on Rodriguez’s explosive memoir depicting the realities of Chicano gang life in East L.A. Cornerstone Ensemble member Jonathan Del Arco portrays Rodriguez’s journey from young gang member to poet and social activist. The show was originally created as part of Cornerstone’s Educational Program whose mission is to promote reading, inspire writing, and introduce theater to young people. Appropriate for ages 13 and up. November 4 - 13, 2005 (only 6 performances.) Friday & Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 4pm. The Ivar Theatre. 1605 Ivar Avenue Hollywood, CA 90028 (between Hollywood and Sunset, one block West of Vine.) $10 general admission. To buy tickets call (323) 461-7310.

Xispas cartoonista, Sergio Hernandez, lampoons those who think Mexicans come from outer space. You can check out more of his works here.

[ This Column of the Americas article by Roberto Rodriguez is titled, An East Side Story. The writer can be reached at: XColumn@aol.com. © 2005 Column of the Americas ]

A close friend of mine tragically died 30 years ago this month. And after all these years, his spirit is still alive. Sometimes I pause to wonder: why did we all go in different directions? One friend became a hit-man, another a preacher, one is on death row and one is now the mayor of a major American city. I chose to be a writer. (Of course I had many more friends, but these are the ones I’m thinking about at this time.) Maybe the notion that there’s a fine line between upstanding citizen, political activist and criminal is true. Or maybe it’s just that society wants to see it that way: we’re all potential criminals, one disaster away from descending into barbarians. Not quite (but what do I know? I was recently described on television as living with brain damage). Each of us, given the chance, can attain greatness… all it requires is the belief that we’re all not merely salvageable, but full human beings.

When my friend, David Tut Hernandez, died, it was as if the heavens opened up. The week before, I had taken my girlfriend to meet him. He was a righteous homeboy. We were athletes, but also activists. He was born in the Maravilla housing projects and then had moved to Boyle Heights, then East L.A. In college, I found out that he and my friend Gilbert Cedillo (now a California legislator), had played football together when they were kids in Boyle Heights. There was a bunch of us from the East Side that went to Montebello High School… kind of like refugees because we somewhat didn’t fit into that suburban school. (Many of us were members of MEChA - Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan - which was banned there.) I lived in a shack in an alley on Whittier Blvd. in East L.A… far different from Montebello… but as different as they were, nothing could have prepared me for moving to Westwood and attending UCLA… surrounded by super-rich Bel Air and Beverly Hills. There’s where I learned the meaning of dehumanization, where people of color were treated as if we didn’t belong.

Almost instantly, I lost contact with my old friends… but not Tut, Bone or Arnold, friends I played racquetball and handball with. Tut was active in the United Farm Worker’s Union and the Chicano Movement in general, as was I. Yet, truthfully, activism doesn’t keep you off the streets. When my girlfriend met him, he was high, and I told her: He’s going to die. One week later, Gilbert called. Without even completing a sentence, I hung up. I left where I was and ended up crying uncontrollably in my girlfriend’s arms. You don’t forget that. (It was ruled an accidental overdose. But what did it matter?) In the next several years, about another 20 friends also died or were killed. I don’t even want to go there. I just want to honor Tut’s memory. I’m not sure I’m so different from the other friends I grew up with. Why did we take different paths? The friend on death row, he took part in something with me that is perhaps very minor in his life, but for me, it was important. Tired of being daily denigrated by bigots on campus, we left a message on the walls of the most anti-Mexican group on campus. They never bothered us again. This friend wasn’t a UCLA student. Just a daring homeboy… And today, he’s on death row.

I’m not oblivious to what he was convicted of. It’s just sobering to have a friend on death row.Then there’s my friend, the mayor. I can’t count how many times we protested together - against injustices and for the dignity of all human beings. After college, I once saw him with a broken jaw (as he had earlier seen me with a cracked skull, the way I later saw Dolores Huerta recovering from cracked ribs). The price of activism and the pursuit of truth. Another time, I ran into him while waiting to see Nelson Mandela in D.C. How different was he and Gilbert from Tut? I used to ask myself that. I always knew my college movement friends were going to run the state one day. And the friends I grew up with… if given the same education, maybe they too would be running something… rather than lining up cemeteries. A fine line between death row, the cemetery and City Hall? Maybe. What it does mean is that there’s hope. Always. Rest In Peace, carnal.