Let's talk about something that's been on my mind for a while: reparations for Chicanos. We're not just talking about a few bucks here and there. Nah, we're talking about addressing centuries of injustice and making things right for our people. First off, let's rewind to history class. Remember learning about how Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and parts of other states weren't just empty land waiting to be claimed? Yeah, they were our ancestral lands, inhabited by Indigenous peoples and settled by Mexicans. But then along came the U.S., with their wars and treaties, and suddenly we got stripped of our land faster than you can say "manifest destiny" The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo? Yeah, that was supposed to protect our rights and property, but it ended up being a raw deal for us. Promises broken, land stolen—sound familiar? And let's not forget about how we've been treated as a workforce. From agriculture to mining to building railroads, we've been the backbone of this country's economy for centuries. But instead of getting fair wages and decent working conditions, we've been exploited, plain and simple. Low pay, dangerous jobs, no legal protections—yeah, we've seen it all. But here's the kicker: every election cycle, politicians start fearmongering about immigration, and who do they scapegoat? You guessed it—Chicanos (or Mexicans, or Central Americans, or South Americans, or any brown person--they really don't care about making distinctions). Suddenly, we're criminals, we're stealing jobs, we're a threat to national security. It's like clockwork, and it's getting old real fast. So, why reparations? Because it's time to set things right. It's not just about the money (although that would definitely help). It's about acknowledging the wrongs that have been done to us, and making amends. It's about recognizing our contributions to this country and giving us the respect we deserve. Reparations are about more than just writing a check. They're about justice, plain and simple. It's about holding the powers that be accountable for the harm they've caused and taking steps to make things right. And yeah, it's long overdue. So, let's stop beating around the bush and start talking about real solutions. Reparations for Chicanos—it's time to make it happen. About the Author
Samuel Sonora is a Chicano writer, father, and son of Mexican immigrants. He has recently retired and is focused on spending time with his family and grandkids, as well as writing poetry. He hopes to publish a book at some point in the near future. GET PUBLISHED! Are you a writer, thinker, philosopher, person with thoughts and the ability to create a Word document containing a post in the range of between 300 and 600 words in length? If you submit your post, we can publish it here on TRiP Wire, the official blog of The Raving Press. Click here to see our GUEST BLOGGER Submission Guidelines. (The views and opinions expressed by guest bloggers are not necessarily those of The Raving Press, TRiP Wire, its editors, or affiliate entities.) |
AuthorGabriel H. Sanchez is an author, poet, actor, editor, and publisher from the Rio Grande Valley in south Texas, on the border with Mexico. Gabriel is the author of "Once Upon a Bad Hombre," "The X Series," "The Martian Ones: Tales of Human Folly," and "The Fluid Chicano." You can read more about him and his other projects at gabrielhugo.com or on his Facebook page: @gabrielhugoauthor. Categories
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