In this episode we learn about Rodolfo 'Corky' Gonzales -- professional boxer, humanitarian, poet, and leader of the Chicano Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Who is Rodolfo Corky Gonzales? What did Rodolfo Corky Gonzales do? Listen to find out.

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Terminology:

• Chicano: An American of Mexican descent; Mexican-American
• Latino/Latina/Latinx: Latinx refers to someone descending from the geographic area of Latin America (Central America, South America, Caribbean)
• Hispanic: A person descending from a Spanish speaking area (e.g. Spanish speaking countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, or Spain itself)
• Remember that while most people in Latin America speak Spanish, some do not. For example, most people in Brazil speak Portuguese and those in Haiti speak French. Therefore it is possible to be Latinx and not be Hispanic. People from Spain speak Spanish but are not from Latin America - making them Hispanic but not Latinx. 
• It is important to note that not all people who fit into these groups recognize a distinction or even identify as such.  Cultural descriptors can be very personal and it is best to defer to the individual's preference.

Looking for more resources on today's topic? Check out the following links:

• For additional resources, lessons, and printable transcript visit https://www.historyfromroom213.com/
• Read about the Chicano Civil Rights Movement in Chicano Movement for Beginners.
• You can find a collection of Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzalez's writings here. 

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Soy Americano  

Words and Music by David Matthew Garza  

I grew up along the border  
Between the US and Mexico  
The teacher asked if I spoke English 
I said yo soy Americano  

I fought for this country  
With my brothers in the Second World War  
Mother had three blue stars in the window 
Yo soy Americano  

If I’m to be so lucky  
To return and have children of my own  
Please let them know something  
Yo soy Americano  

I had a son and a daughter  
One of the lucky ones  
Every morning when I’d wake up  
I’d fly the flag over the yard  

My grandkids think I’m old fashioned  
But I pray that they never will see 
All the blood that was bled on those beaches  
The faces in shear agony  
And now that I’ve been so lucky  
You should know what this land means to me  
You can tell them that I fought for something 
Yo soy Americano  

©David Matthew Garza, 2021 

Written and produced by Rebeccah Glass Lowe and Rob Glass
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Rob Glass at Milkman Recording Studies, Indianapolis, IN
Theme Music: "Do Your Best" by Cam Melton

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