Thread: 'Raza' Holds the Whitewash

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'Raza' Holds the Whitewash

Rocky Mountain News 06/25/2005
Even without the current heated debate about illegal immigrants crossing U.S. borders, the opening hour of La Raza de Colorado would qualify as an important historical documentary.

La Historia, the first in this two- part locally produced Rocky Mountain PBS series, is an excellent primer chronicling the evolution of the Hispanic presence in our state.

The documentary will be particularly valuable to newer residents unaware of how the close ties between Colorado and Mexico evolved.

Actually, La Historia stands as a valuable American and world history lesson detailing in concise, easy-to-understand terms the formation of the Hispanic culture after Spain's domination of Mexico centuries ago and the assimilation with the Indian tribes in the area.

But basically this is Colorado history told from the Hispanic perspective.

As producer-writer Lisa Olken says: "Our project is not a typical Anglo, whitewashed view of Chicano, Mexican, Latino or Hispanic history and culture. This is their history as told through the people who lived it and researched it."

Olken's comment about the hour's not being a "whitewashed view" is anything but promotional chatter. Many Hispanics relate strong opinions about the past difficulties of living in and being accepted in Colorado.

Polly Baca, former state legislator and now head of LARASA (the Latin American Research and Service Agency), talks frankly about the blatant segregation that existed in Greeley and Weld County when Hispanic laborers, most grossly underpaid, were working in the sugar- beet fields for the Great Western Sugar Co.

"There were numerous signs - no Mexicans allowed," Baca says.

Monday night's hour encompasses the period from 1500 to the 1940s in Colorado. A key historical aspect outlines how Hispanics in Colorado and the Southwest were affected by America's Manifest Destiny of the 19th century.

The second hour, El Movimiento, whose airdate hasn't been scheduled yet, covers Hispanic life in Colorado from the end of World War II into the '80s.

Thus, neither segment will dwell on the current border controversy, sparked mainly by the recent murder of Denver police detective Donald Young, allegedly by an illegal immigrant.

"I'm dealing in history, not current events," says Olken, a 12- year veteran at Rocky Mountain PBS who started work on La Raza Colorado two years ago. "What's happening today is the subject for future documentaries."

The hour follows a time-proven, effective documentary style incorporating interviews, colorful works of art, archival pictures and film, and modern views of scenic Colorado to provide this valuable history lesson.

Wisely, Olken has used a wide variety of prominent Hispanics in all walks of life to outline her history.

Their participation provides an important perspective in showing the trends and events that have shaped the Hispanic community in Colorado.

One drawback: Their on- screen identification tags are difficult to read.

As a Denver native growing up in the '40s, I was aware of Hispanic gangs (the Zoot Suit era) whose battles with police produced crime headlines and a climate of fear in some communities. Such clashes aren't covered in this opening hour. Perhaps this important part of Denver history will be recounted in El Movimiento.

Overall, the first hour of La Raza de Colorado is a program that should be viewed or taped in light of today's current events.

INFOBOX

La Raza de Colorado

* Premieres at 9 p.m. Monday on KRMA-Channel 6 and other Rocky Mountain PBS outlets

That's nice!

And, who cares?



I'll wager the Hispanic-Americans don't even watch! I'll call my neighbor and attorney, both Mexican-American and ask them, if they watched. I'll let you know.

BTW: Did anyone ever find out if we have an IARASA (Irish American Research And Service Agency)?

Also, I was talking with my ex the other night and he'd like to know if we have a ITRASA (Italian American Research And Service Agency)?

It's all about them, isn't it? Poor, discriminated, Hispanic-Americans, and all of their heartfelt stuggles and battles trying to make a niche for themselves, here in the United States. It's all about the many difficulties they had, crossing the border, and what-not. Get out the kleenix. You'll laugh so hard that you will cry.