Mexican? Hispanic? Latino? Mexican-American? Chicano?

My latest Blog explores the on-going struggle many of us still go through in identifying ourselves.

http://blogs.esanjoaquin.com/tulevato/2014/05/08/mexican-hispanic-latino-mexican-american-chicano/

On the Mexican Tradition of Playing Music for the Dead

For years, my compadres, and other musicians and I have played dozens of masses, rosaries and funerals for deceased relatives, friends, and total strangers. This beautifully made video brought back those memories and made me wonder why Mexicans take their music all the way to the grave?

http://blogs.esanjoaquin.com/tulevato/2014/04/07/music-to-the-grave/

Honors Long Past Due to Men of Color

 I was moved to read and hear in the news that 24 men of color had belatedly been awarded Medals of Honor, men served in several of this country's wars, who had probably been passed over because of their color or ethnicity, by President Obama. Of the 24 men, 17 of them were Hispanic or Latino.

http://blogs.esanjoaquin.com/tulevato/2014/03/25/getting-the-short-end-of-the-stick/

Update on My Book: "Songs From the Barrio: A Coming of Age in Modesto, Ca." Y Mas

Amigos, it's been a while since I've posted. Been busy writing for "Joaquin" magazine http://joaquinmag.com/ published out of Stockton and doing what I can to peddle my book. In the past year, I've visited many schools, grade levels from 2nd grade to College, and enjoy sharing my story and book especially with students. It's quite amazing how the stories and poems connect with so many people, even with those from other cultural groups, not Chicano or Latino.It seems we have so many shared experiences.

Take a moment to read reviews of my book on Amazon.com and perhaps venture to buy a copy. It is also available in a Kindle edition. I would love to read comments on it, and feel free to post a review yourself on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Songs-From-Barrio-Modesto-Stories/product-reviews/1477618791/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_btm?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

Also, you can go to my Facebook page "Songs From the Barrio", and read about my experiences at the many schools I've visited in 2013/14 and "Like" the page.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Songs-From-The-Barrio/218823051582939

Tambien, I have a couple of videos on YouTube of selected readings from my book:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=richard%20rios%20songs&sm=1 

Visit another Blog I am writing for Stockton's newspaper "The Record" at 
http://blogs.esanjoaquin.com/tulevato/

Mexican-Americans: Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

Mexican-Americans: Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

“Dad, What’s a Cherry Tree?”

“Dad, What’s a Cherry Tree?”

Californians, It’s Time for Tinacos

Californians, It’s Time for Tinacos