Dear Editor,
No, we cannot Rio Arriba County Commission Chairman, BUT we can strive to be human beings with an ounce of empathy. This letter to the editor does not contain a single word of empathy for the man shot who came to stand and support others, for the shooter who felt compelled to come and create chaos, for the community divided on the idea of “culture.” Disgusted beyond words and vastly disappointed in you Mr. Naranjo.
You should be comforting your community, offer words of encouragement for healing instead of touting your monumental arrogance. All these smoke and mirrors to get us fighting amongst ourselves over the idea of “heritage” and “culture” and effectively distract us from indictments, malfeasance and a lack of care or respect for ALL your constituents.
I’m not anti-Spanish culture as that IS MY CULTURE ALSO. I am against the monumental arrogance of those who think themselves superior to others because of their name and how they can trace it back to 14th century Spain. We are all residents of this Valley – we need to embrace ALL of who and what we are not just our tie to colonialism and colonization.
Cynthia P. Lentini,
Española Resident,
Community Advocate
(Editor’s Note: Commission Chairman Naranjo’s letter can be found below.)
‘We Cannot Change History’
Dear Editor,
September 15, 2023 to October 15, 2023 marks the recognition and celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States.
What better way to celebrate the month, if not with the relocation of the statue of the first European of Spanish descent (Juan de Oñate) coming to Nuevo Mexico to establish a settlement and first New Mexico Capitol in Ohkay Owingeh (San Juan de Los Caballeros) over four hundred years ago bringing him wives, children, priests and settlers.
We honor our Native American friends by having a statue of Popé in Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C.
In ending, we cannot change history; we can only embrace it for a better tomorrow.
Remember, we were born with our culture and are proud that our Spanish American roots run over four hundred years deep in New Mexico.
Alex M. Naranjo
Rio Arriba County Commission Chairman
(Published in our last issue.)