Latin@s and Cultural Resiliency in Pueblo
by Bailey Bond
While the history of Pueblo is extensive and dynamic, the irrefutable resiliency of the Hispanic culture has been a heavy undertone through the decades of modernization. For the sake of this project, I identified education, economy, art and cultural events as the main areas of cultural preservation here in Pueblo; each are unique and equally crucial to the integrity of the Hispanic identity in Southern Colorado.
Education
Judge Joe Ulibarri narrates how, through the Ford Scholarship, he obtained his law degree at the University of Denver with the intention of bringing his qualifications back to serve Pueblo.
It may not directly seem crucial to the cultural preservation of Pueblo; however, education presents a unique ability to reach a multitude of people outside of schools and classrooms.
The Pueblo Chapter of the Democratic Caucus here in Pueblo brought attention to many social issues regarding CF&I and labor rights that Spanish speaking workers would not have been aware of it it were for the educational outreach.
The expansion and diversity of the Spanish language has conveyed issues of educational importance in Pueblo specifically, given the rich Hispanic population. So much so- Spanish is amongst a set of required classes in D60 schools!
Rosa Lopez created the first Latina Sorority at CSU-Pueblo to diversify and unify Latina's in higher education. In doing so- Rosa Lopez was able to create a safe space for Latinas to share their unique experiences navigating higher education in Pueblo.
Education in Pueblo has worn many faces from schools and college to community awareness and protection against violence; all of which, a Hispanic presence is inevitable. Encouraging Hispanic excellence in school was and still is an act of resiliency to statistics of hispanic women and education.
La Cucaracha, 1976
Art
Art in Pueblo speaks for the assortment of cultural identities in Southern Colorado, in ways that words cannot. Art is easily accessible and interpretive beyond the borders of language!
Thrift store such as the Pueblo Drip are Latinx, nonbinary and queer owned businesses that focus their whole model on promoting local POC artists.
Small business like The Drip not only promote the economy, but they also possess the ability to be selective in their inventory. This business models makes it possible to hihglight Hispanic and POC creators and artists opposed to major retail companies.
Photo provided via Drip website.
In Pueblo, there has been a boom artist representation across many platforms; music, visual art and creative fashion expressing and highlighting cultural identity.
Statement provided via Blo Back website.
Blo Back Gallery is one of the many art galleries in Pueblo that emphasizes the socio-economic identity of an American city, without sugar coating it. They are very transparent with their beliefs and core values, which are concentrated on social inequalities. Their art is vindictive of the inequities marginalized groups of people (POC) experience in our country, but making it more prominent through community engagement.
Blo Back hosts fashion shows, silent auction and fundraisers to engage community involvement and awareness of inequality through art.
Photo courtesy of Blo Back Gallery Website
Economy
Much of Pueblo's economy has been influenced by CF&I's integration of the "perfect American worker" into nearly every aspect of life in Southern Colorado. Aside from the laborers at the Steel Mill, their families held jobs controlled by CF&I- anywhere from grocery store clerks to babysitters. CF&I has a less than perfect track record; however, families in Pueblo were desperate for the income and employment. Eventually- enough was enough.
CF&I worked hard to erase the cultures of those who migrated to Pueblo for work in the steel industry.
Nearly all academic scholarships, charities and community events were sponsored or provided by CF&I. Below is a default footer used by CF&I to implement branding and involveent over communtiy events.
Vehicle Services for CF&I and St. Mary Corwin employeees
The Arrow, CSU Pueblo 1981
Spouse's of steelworkers unionized to get justice for their loved ones
La Cucaracha, 1980
Though CF&I fought to control the region of its resources and labor, Puebloans resisted through hispanic owned businesses that refused to submit to CF&I's control.
Headlines Referring to discriminatory attitudes
La Cucuracha, 1977
It is obvious that the presence CF&I held over the community they wanted to form a "perfect american citizen" behind the guise of family dynamics and extracurriculars rather than unions and fair wages.
Small businesses in Pueblo (many restaurants) often source their goods locally, which not only stimulates the local economy, but creates close knit ties and alliances between small businesses.
Creating these ties makes it more difficult for industries such as CF&I to have complete and total control over a market, as well as a the power to erase cultural identites.
Latino Chamber of Commerce highlights the hispanic resiliency through small business ownership.
These are a few Pueblo based businesses recognized by the Latino Chamber of Commerce in Pueblo that wear their cultural identity proudly while providing their services!
Good Guys Tires
Flaco's Plumbing LLC.
Orona Garcia Law and Legal Services
Wake Up Pueblo Media Company
Burrito's Betty
Pueblo Heritage Museum
Pueblo Diversified Industries
Pueblo Rape Crisis Services
Image provided via La Cucaracha, 1982
Community Cultural Events
Something Pueblo knows how to do? Celebrate! Whether it be through the Chile and Frijoles Festival or Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the park, Puebloan's wear their identity proudly.
Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
No better place than Mineral Palace Park to gather, dance and sing in honor of Hispanic pride!
Photo courtesy of La Cucuarach, 2020
All images provided via La Cucaracha, 5 May 2020
Cinco de Mayo celebrations of Pueblo host a plethora of events between local food trucks to classic car rallies.
In addition to the primarily Hispanic celebrations of Cinco de Mayo- there are Indigenous festivities sprinkled about the park. The reason for this is the shared experiences of inequality and racism shared between marginalized ethnicities in America.
Chile and Frijoles Festival
The Pueblo Chile. A staple!
.... and much better than the New Mexico Hatch!
National recognition of the Pueblo Chile does more than compete with the hatch; it promotes an identity of Hispanic heritage to the geographical region of Pueblo. Rather than Pueblo being known as a semi-arid, hot environment, it is reframed as the perfect conditions to cultivate the most flavorful pepper used in Mexican dishes.
Photo courtesy of Pueblo Chamber of Commerce
Not to mention- the Pueblo Chile has made national news many times. Most recently- the Tour of Southern Colorado, chile competitions and prize winning salsa contests.
This festival in particular opens opportunity for Hispanic farmers and harvesters to share the knowledge in Hispanic cuisine, which is not in any shortage in Southern Colorado!
Photo provided by The Pueblo Chieftain 2022
Fiesta Days
Every year, Hispanic communities around Colorado attend the extremely popular Fiesta Day at the State Fair here in Pueblo. Since 1965, the annual event celebrates the Hispanic culture in Pueblo and across Colorado, featuring traditional Mexican food, Folklórico dancers, and of course, mariachi music.
Photos provided by Pueblo Chieftain 2021
Colorado Low-Riders Car Shows
Lowrider classic cars have been a part of Chicano culture since the 1960s. It originated in California, but has spread like wildfire eastward! Here in Pueblo, there is a cavalcade of car shows throughout the year, where Hispanic heritage is celebrated and the community gathers to marvel at beautiful, well preserved classic cars!
Photos provided by Pueblo Chieftain 2010, CSU Pueblo Today 2015
Grupo Folklorico del Pueblo
Grupo Folklórico del Pueblo is a group dedicated to preserving the artistic expression of traditional Hispanic dance and music. In Pueblo, they offer folklórico dance classes for ages 3 and up, Mariachi classes, dance workshops, quiñceanera training and costume rentals. They also have a retainer group that can be booked for special events and they often perform at most Hispanic cultural events!
Photos provided by GFDP website gallery
Día De Los Muertos
Every year, the El Pueblo History Museum hosts a celebration for Día de Los Muertos (day of the dead). For this event, the museum offers and encourages a place for Hispanic families to build ofrendas (shrines) for their loved ones on this day of cultural mourning and honor. Celebrations include face paintings, traditional music and native Spanish spoken prayers.
Photos provided by KRDO News, 2011 and LaVoz Colorado, 2022
Borderlands Exhibit
The Borderlands Exhibit at the El Pueblo History Museum is an exhibit focused on showing how the Hispanic heritage originated here in Southern Colorado when this land was still Mexico. The exhibit provides a window into how the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) created a border between the U.S and Mexico here in Pueblo! Many of the older parts of towns still have the same street names given when this was Mexican Land. El Pueblo History Museum offers this exhibit as a reminder that Pueblo once was native Mexican soil.
Photos priovided by History Colorado 2018 and Denver Post 2021
Pueblo's history offers a window into the past, the preservation and perseverance of the ethnically diverse families has created a community of loyalty and pride. Pueblo has a cultural resiliency unlike any other community. Pueblo's tale is one of sacrifice, honor and distinction. Through cultural community events, the city of Pueblo offers involvement and unity to its citizens. In turn, the Hispanic heritage is persevered through the community engagement.
Images provided via La Cucaracha 1979 issue