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El Laberinto, 1971-1987
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EL LABERINTO A Publication of the Chicano/Indian American Cultural Center, The University of Iowa Vol. XI, No. 1 February 1984 DYING FOR THE RED, WHITE, AND RICH Randy Vasque's death, a Chicano Marine who was killed in Lebanon (along wit 200-plus of his comrades), received national news coverage October 26, when his brother read part of a letter the family received from the marine, several days before his tragic death. The brother read aloud: "Dear mom and dad, this morning two more Marines were killed. How many more must die before we are able to fight back or leave?" How will Randy's family answer his final letter while standing next to his grave site? Did Randy die a hero? Did he die in vain? Or, did he die for that old cliche, "he died serving his country"? Randy did not even have a chance to defend his life during the surprise, suicidal attack that took his life. But he has left Lebanon. He'll be returning home in one of those black bags with the zipper in front or he'll return in a macabre assembly line of coffins. On the same day of the news telecast of Randy's death, 400 UI students gathered on the Pentacrest to protest the military involvement in Lebanon. One girl at the protest sang, "How many more of our Chicano brothers' blood will be spilled?" If Reagan starts up the draft it will be the same old story, the minorities and the poor will be the first to go. "Reagan defends freedom" read one sign of a Reagan supporter at the rally, but a counter-poster read "For White Rich Men". There is no greater honor than to die protecting one's own country, but when did this country become the United States of Lebanon? It's not too late to pull out of Lebanon before a bloody war becomes of it. Then truly Randy would not have died in vain. His death would symbolize the number of men whose lives will be saved. Then Randy will not have to be replaced at the shooting gallery in Beruit by another Chicano and another and another ..... . ______________________ Well, it's finally done, this year's first issue of EL LABERINTO. It took a little longer than expected but we wanted to get everything just right. We hope you find the articles within interesting and worthy of discussion. In fact, we would welcome any comment you might care to share with us, positive or negative. Now that we are more organized, we hope to complete at least a couple more issues of EL LABERINTO this semester. If you have any suggestions for articles, or if you have any of your own poetry, prose, artwork, whatever, you might like published, please send it to EL LABERINTO, 308 Melrose Avenue, Iowa City, Iowa 52242. We'd like to mention one last item that was not finalized in time to meet our deadline. Later this spring, hopefully during Riverfest week, the Chicano Indian American Student Union will sponsor a Native American Symposium, featuring nationally known speakers, films, and dancers. If you are interested in working with the organizing committee, please phone for the Cultural Center, 353-4753 for information. Until next time... [[bold]]Joe Castel, Editor/Contributor T.E. Sierra, Production [Cartoon text] Help! We're poor! We're sick! We're hungry! We're your neighbors...Wont you pay attention? Hey! I think I saw a Cuban! Where? Where?
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EL LABERINTO A Publication of the Chicano/Indian American Cultural Center, The University of Iowa Vol. XI, No. 1 February 1984 DYING FOR THE RED, WHITE, AND RICH Randy Vasque's death, a Chicano Marine who was killed in Lebanon (along wit 200-plus of his comrades), received national news coverage October 26, when his brother read part of a letter the family received from the marine, several days before his tragic death. The brother read aloud: "Dear mom and dad, this morning two more Marines were killed. How many more must die before we are able to fight back or leave?" How will Randy's family answer his final letter while standing next to his grave site? Did Randy die a hero? Did he die in vain? Or, did he die for that old cliche, "he died serving his country"? Randy did not even have a chance to defend his life during the surprise, suicidal attack that took his life. But he has left Lebanon. He'll be returning home in one of those black bags with the zipper in front or he'll return in a macabre assembly line of coffins. On the same day of the news telecast of Randy's death, 400 UI students gathered on the Pentacrest to protest the military involvement in Lebanon. One girl at the protest sang, "How many more of our Chicano brothers' blood will be spilled?" If Reagan starts up the draft it will be the same old story, the minorities and the poor will be the first to go. "Reagan defends freedom" read one sign of a Reagan supporter at the rally, but a counter-poster read "For White Rich Men". There is no greater honor than to die protecting one's own country, but when did this country become the United States of Lebanon? It's not too late to pull out of Lebanon before a bloody war becomes of it. Then truly Randy would not have died in vain. His death would symbolize the number of men whose lives will be saved. Then Randy will not have to be replaced at the shooting gallery in Beruit by another Chicano and another and another ..... . ______________________ Well, it's finally done, this year's first issue of EL LABERINTO. It took a little longer than expected but we wanted to get everything just right. We hope you find the articles within interesting and worthy of discussion. In fact, we would welcome any comment you might care to share with us, positive or negative. Now that we are more organized, we hope to complete at least a couple more issues of EL LABERINTO this semester. If you have any suggestions for articles, or if you have any of your own poetry, prose, artwork, whatever, you might like published, please send it to EL LABERINTO, 308 Melrose Avenue, Iowa City, Iowa 52242. We'd like to mention one last item that was not finalized in time to meet our deadline. Later this spring, hopefully during Riverfest week, the Chicano Indian American Student Union will sponsor a Native American Symposium, featuring nationally known speakers, films, and dancers. If you are interested in working with the organizing committee, please phone for the Cultural Center, 353-4753 for information. Until next time... [[bold]]Joe Castel, Editor/Contributor T.E. Sierra, Production [Cartoon text] Help! We're poor! We're sick! We're hungry! We're your neighbors...Wont you pay attention? Hey! I think I saw a Cuban! Where? Where?
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