ACTIVISM

JOVITA IDÁR

Texas, 1913

Born in Laredo, I witnessed

two lynchings.

Nothing else is the same after you’ve seen

people hanged for no other reason

than Mexican ancestry.

I became a teacher and a journalist,

writing about the brutality

of Texas Rangers who call themselves

law enforcement, while behaving

like criminals.

Women—educate yourselves!

Men—unite with us to demand justice!

As the first president of the League

of Mexican Women,

I concentrate on trying to provide

the treasure of education for poor children …

•

but my articles about US policies

toward Mexico

infuriate certain Texas Rangers.

When they come to my house

to destroy my printing press,

I stand in the doorway,

refusing

to move.

I already have a new plan—free

kindergarten

for the children

of poor families.