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“Among the individuals, as well as among nations, respecting other peoples rights, leads to peace.” Benito Juárez
Over two-hundred years have based since the birth of Benito Juárez, March 21, 1806, the Indigenous warrior was born to the Zapotec tribe in Oaxaca, México.
As I prepared to write this article, I was not sure what direction I would take. I looked over my shoulder and was curious what shadow I was casting. I knew that the truth needs no rehearsal and the price of change is awareness and action. If Benito Juárez was able to right the bible for the rights of mankind in a sentence, why as a people are we unable to subscribe.
As the son of migrant parents who migrated to this country in 1916 and growing up in Denver, I have witnessed the truth in silence. Benito Juárez left a legacy for the rest of the free world that we have a right to resist oppression.
Maybe we refuse to resist because the oppressor lies in each of us and we mitigate one another. Is it factual that many of us have marginalized one another, as we look to access the door of the privileged?
Maybe we can take a lesson from another group of negated people in our society and refer to each other as sisters and brothers. We must all come to the center as Hispanics/Latinos and give light to the truth.
Let our words be courageous that we no longer can accept a school system that does not love our children and seed their young minds with dreams.
Let our courageous words speak to immigration and human rights and not accept the marginalization of our culture.
Let our courageous words say, No more raids!
Let our courageous words say to our young people, you’re beautiful, and your image need not harm you, but rather embrace it with respect.
Let our courageous words say, we no longer can accept those in authority to abuse their power and oppress, as opposed to serve.
Let our courageous words say to our leaders, let us help you, you no longer need be a gate keeper, but rather a voice for our children.
Let us come together as we salute César Chávez, Benito Juárez and Denver’s own Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales and their legacies. Now, is the time to look to each other as ambassadors for one another’s children. This thread we can not compromise.
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