Hispanic group calls for boycott of RodeoHouston

By ALEXIS GRANT
Feb. 26, 2008, 11:18PM
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

A group of Hispanic leaders on Tuesday called for a boycott of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, saying show officials haven't done enough to include Hispanics.

Tejano musicians, local politicians and Hispanic organizations gathered at the University of Houston as part of the newly formed group VIVE Tejano-Houston to protest the show, which starts Monday.

"We request our friends across the whole state of Texas not to attend the Houston Livestock Show," said former state Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos.

Ruben Cubillos, the group's co-founder, said rodeo officials are disrespecting Hispanics by hiring non-Tejano performers to play at the show's main venue on Go Tejano Day. He also said Hispanic students should be awarded more rodeo scholarships, and the show needs more Latinos at the executive level.

Rodeo officials defended their efforts after holding a pep rally at City Hall on Tuesday to proclaim Friday as Go Texan Day, saying Go Tejano Day —and the rodeo in general — is about Hispanic culture, not just one type of music.

This year's Go Tejano Day on March 16 will feature Duelo, a norteño band from Roma, and Los Horoscopos de Durango, an act from Chicago.

Neither play Tejano music, a Texas product that's influenced by Mexican sounds and incorporates rock, blues, jazz and country. While Tejano bands are scheduled to play on smaller stages, a Tejano act won't take center stage because the genre's popularity has waned in recent years, said Leroy Shafer, chief operating officer of the show.

"If, in fact, they're asking people to stay away because they're trying to keep this genre of music on a big stage, then they're asking people to go against the very essence of what this day is," Shafer said. "They're asking them not to come out and celebrate being Hispanic."

Show officials are not planning to change the music lineup.

This is not the first time Go Tejano Day lacked a traditional Tejano artist on the main stage, show organizers said. That happened in 2001 and 2002.

Responding to the group's other complaints, show organizers said nearly a third of the 927 students who attended Texas universities on show scholarships last year were Hispanic.

The Executive Committee, the show's highest level of volunteer leadership, includes 11 active members and six lifetime members, but no Hispanics. Those members are elected based on years of service and leadership, as well as economic contributions to the show.

"We have several people on track to get on that committee, but they won't be short-cutted," Shafer said.

State Sen. Mario Gallegos, D-Houston, who said he tried to negotiate with show officials, attended the Tuesday meeting in support of the boycott. He expressed interest in another discussion with rodeo officials.

"We're open to sit down and talk, and talk for real," he said.

Gallegos and others expressed concern that rodeo officials are overlooking contributions Hispanics have made to the event.

"To not put a Tejano star under the big tent," Gallegos said, "deprives me and my kids of learning about my culture."

Several Tejano singers who have previously performed at the rodeo attended the Tuesday gathering, including "Little" Joe Hernandez, a recent Grammy Award winner.

Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia, who also joined talks with show officials, said she opposes the boycott.

"However, the issues raised merit serious discussion with rodeo officials," she said in a statement.

A Texas Southern University student who was present when the boycott was announced told the group of 60 that a boycott would only punish other musicians who have worked hard.

"I don't think it's right to boycott," said Alfredo Treviño, who has already bought 14 tickets for Go Tejano Day.

About 14 percent of visitors who attended rodeo performances last year were Hispanic, according to show officials. That number increased to 82 percent on Go Tejano Day.

Some on the Go Tejano Committee shunned the boycott.

"They're completely out of line," said George Hernandez, a committee volunteer. "We're not chartered by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to hear Tejano music. If they want their music heard, they should join a music association."

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