'Libro-Traficante" to smuggle banned books into Tucson.
By Belinda Acosta
As the founder of Nuestra Palabra, Latino Writers Having Their Say, Tony Diaz—along with Bryan Parras, Liana López and a small group of dedicated supporters—has been promoting Latino literature and literacy in Houston for more than 13 years. A weekly radio program on KPFT-FM, workshops, book fairs and readings are common projects. Now, they can add “traficante” to their list. No, they’re not trafficking drugs, but something much more dangerous: books.
Astonished by media reports of ethnic studies books being banned from Tucson public high schools, Parras shared the news with Nuestra Palabra earlier this year. The group knew there was only one reasonable response: smuggle the banned books back into Arizona. And so, the Libro-Traficante Caravan was conceived.
The banned titles include staples of Chicano and Mexican American Studies: Re-Thinking Columbus: The Next 500 Years, Occupied America: A History of Chicanos, 500 Years of Chicano History in Pictures and The Tempest. Yes, William Shakespeare’s play. Shakespeare’s work is often studied in conjunction with the aforementioned titles because of its underlying discussion of colonialism. Nuestra Palabra is currently seeking donations of the banned books and other “dangerous” titles (dubbed “wet books”) to transport to Tucson in a weeklong Libro-Traficante Caravan.
The caravan leaves Houston on March 12, making stops in San Antonio and El Paso before heading into New Mexico. The final stop is Tucson on March 17. In addition to collecting banned books, there will be public readings and performances at select caravan stops. (See librotraficante.com for current information.)
http://www.newstaco.com/2012/03/05/libro-traficante-to-smuggle-banned-books-to-tuscon/