It's only been in the last few years that I've come to understand, appreciate, and deeply value the place raúlsalinas occupies in Chicano letters---thanks, in large part, to a trip to El Paso, TX a few years ago. He was in town to give a reading, which I wasn't able to attend. But perhaps I got to witness and experience something equally if not more meaningful.

I was invited, along with Emmy Pérez's husband Peter, to accompany raul to a classroom visit at an alternative high school. Like the youth in the room, I found myself captivated by what I could only inadequately call his wisdom and gift for communication. I remember, in that moment, initially feeling disappointed that he only read one poem. But as the session progressed one was able to witness and feel how he was reaching these young men and women: it occured to me that it was about more than poetry.

Afterwards, we went to a nearby restaurant and had lunch. Somehow I remember Emmy was with us then. And I remember thinking to myself, as she and I both engaged him and were feeling inspired by his life's work, "Remember this man."

He became and remains a role model on how to integrate art and service to one's respective community.

I met Raul Salinas in San Marcos, TX when I was on a panel with him for HECHO EN TEJAS: AN ANTHOLOGY OF TEXAS MEXICAN LITERATURE edited by Dagoberto Gilb. He was eager and excited about bringing this anthology into high schools in Texas, and he was keenly aware that most Texas Mexican-Americans were not reading such literature in the classsroom. I can honestly say it wasn't available when I was earing a PHD in the state. Salinas was frail and ill, but his eyes spoke a passion for people and an understanding of poverty and how art can transcend it. He spoke honestly and truly and served the poor rather than his own selfish interests.

Thanks for the words. Raul had the innate ability to transcend generations and he adopted me early on. Though I was at UT, I had been an adolescent in Austin and had thus come to know him before the requisite Chicano/Mexican American studies classes. So my life with him was more akin to an organically adopted protege. We salute your recognition of what he represented.

www.chicanos-chilangoides.blogspot.com

paz y luz,
Abel