Southwest Organizing Project

500 Years of Chicano History in Pictures

500 Years of Chicano History

Banned in Tucson Schools

500 Years of Chicano History in Pictures, edited by Elizabeth Martinez and published by the SouthWest Organizing Project, is included in a set of primarily Chicano and Native American books that have been banned by the Tucson Independent School District. The school district says it's not a ban, but the books were summarily removed from classrooms after the Mexican-American Studies program was eliminated. And teachers in that program have been instructed to not teach these books through the lens of ethnic studies. To us, this constitutes a BAN. For more information on this BAN-please see chicanohistory.org.

The SouthWest Organizing Project, in response to the current ban and the overall climate of fear and scapegoating of people of color in Arizona, is offering the book FREE to any Arizona Student who requests the book by filling out the form below describing why they think the teaching of Chicano and Native American history accurately to young people is essential.

*Letters must be at least 100 words. Original work only. No form letters, por favor!*

Spread the word

I'm an Arizona Student who thinks ethnic studies in the schools is important.

*Students under 18 years of age will not be identified by name.

If you are not an Arizona student, but would like to support this effort, you can donate a book to an Arizona student here

"One of the most motivating books on the Chicano experience as far as working class people and students are concerned...The visual quality adds a fantastic dimension to the understanding of our past." ~ Dr. Rodolfo F. Acuna, California State University, Northridge. 

This bilingual book was first published by the Chicano Communications Center of Albuquerque, N.M., in 1976 as 450 Years of Chicano History in Pictures/450 Anos del Pueblo Chicano. It went out of print in a few months. In 1979, Florencia Publications of Florencia (Loving), N.M., had the book republished; their edition also went out of print.

Buy Now!

This updated and expanded 1991 edition contains the original book with small corrections as well as a revised introduction and 64 new pages of photographs from the years 1976-91. It was prepared by the editor, Elizabeth (Betita) Martinez, together with Sofia Martinez, SWOP project coordinator, and assistant researcher Ruth Contreras; Roberto Roibal on production; and Secundino Guzman on translation. Original cover design and special pages by Rini Templeton (1935-1986). Rini Templeton, presente!

Many others helped make the book happen--providing photographs or information about how to obtain them, collecting background information, translating the text, proofreading, typesetting, fundraising, and providing housing to out of town workers. Our warmest thanks to all those who helped make this book happen!

SWOP has held the copyright and kept the book in print since 1991. To obtain the book, please call 505-247-8832, or email Roberto Roibal at roberto@swop.net.

 

"What better way than through pictures to learn about the mestizo people in whom Indian Blood runs strong? The time for recognition and understanding of our suffering is long overdue." ~Verna Williamson, Former Governor, Pueblo Isleta.