REST IN PEACE: Amerie Joe Garza, 10 Jacklyn Jaylen Garza, 9 Nevaeh Alyssa Bravo, 10 Jose Manuel Flores Jr., 10 Eliahna Amyah Garcia, 9 Uziyah Sergio Garcia, 10 Amerie Jo Garza, 10 Xavier James Lopez, 10 Jayce Carmelo Luevanos, 10 Tess Marie Mata, 10 Maranda Gail Mathis, 11 Alithia Haven Ramirez, 10 Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, 10 Maite Yuleana Rodriguez, 10 Alexandria Aniyah Rubio, 10 Layla Marie Salazar, 11 Jailah Nicole Silguero, 10 Makenna Lee Elrod, 10 Eliahna Cruz Torres, 10 Rogelio Fernandez Torres, 10 Teachers Irma Linda Garcia, 48 Eva Mireles, 44

Melissa Lucio mother of 14 will be executed on April 27th 2022 by the State of Texas if Governor Gregg Abbott or the D.A. of Cameron County don't stop the Execution. Only the President & these 2 men can stop her death sentence. Film Maker & investigative journalist Sabrina Van Tassel is interviewed in this episode and explains the last few years of her investigative research into Melissa Lucio’s case. Sabrina's documentary is now on Hulu & Amazon. Melissa didn't have a fair trial in Cameron County Texas. “The State of Texas vs. Melissa” which was selected for Tribeca in 2020 and it has won a flurry of accolades, including Raindance's best documentary award. What do you think about the documentary? Do they give a fx*ck about Chicanos? A prosecutor in Melissa's case immediately went to work for the District Attorney's office after he helped lock her up.... did they work in Cahoots selling out to the "GOOD OLE BOY SYSTEM " that bribes and pitts the state and corruption against the people. Do Judges get paid for favors to get to the top? Some of these conspirators included a sitting judge that was getting paid to lock up Raza and making it common practice without representation of our interests in this case. Is Texas a cesspool of corruption or is Red State "Conservatism" simply a swamp Bordering Racism. After prosecuting Melissa's case for they state the D.A.'s office crowned Villalobos the new District Attorney (WOW)!!!!! What a surprise.... After working as the new D.A. for the State he gets arrested and thrown in prison for serious criminal activities leading to an indictment & charges... the D.A. Villalobos got seven counts of extortion, three counts of honest services fraud, one count of violating federal anti-racketeering laws, and one count of conspiracy to violate the RICO Act including for 13 years along with other members of the court including a couple of judges. And Lucio still sits in solitary confinement awaiting the death penalty. This is obviously foul to not explore the foul play that was involved in the procedures of Melissa Lucio’s case. Melissa's case was eventually reversed on appeal and the state of Texas immediately overturned the reversal of the appeal and sentenced her to death within 90 days to silence a devastated, traumatized Lucio family. As a Texan I am saddened by the court system if it does not serve the interest of our people. Does the state fear all the media attention this case is starting to garner? And if so does that mean that you can play a role in making noise 4 Chicano Justice. Currently the Supreme Court is choosing to lay deaf & ignore the procedural corruption involved in this case. Is the State of Texas really convinced Melissa is a murderer after all of this? Carrying out the death penalty after all this and a weak conviction that was overturned by a three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which found that the trial court violated her right to present a complete defense by barring the testimony of two witnesses, prosecutors successfully appealed, convincing the same court to reinstate Lucio’s conviction in 2021. In January, the state set an execution date of April 27. They don't give a F*XK about us. Texas is murdering Gente and have been doing this since the Texas Rangers began hanging innocent Mexican-American citizens over 100 years ago. Sign the petition @innocenceproject,org

Is it Inevitable that we are affected by the Prison Industrial Complex one way or another? Directly or Indirectly these Institutions touch our Communities in a way that ultimately destroys. Shouldn’t Recidivism and Education be a bigger concern? Either we go unscathed or we become collateral damage in this vision or design called the “American Dream”. Or is this really a prejudiced Euro-Paradigm engineered as a crutch to ascend white privilege and power within society and class? We didn't just recently become a threat, We have always been a threat to the colonizer and because of this Racist guilt Politicians have always planted the idea & prejudice that “Our people are taking over the country" we see this time and time again because it has always been normalized to be racist against “Gente”. We have not been offered land. History has only evicted us from our homes throughout the entire Western Hemisphere. The hands of colonialism and the American Empire does not care about us and we are kidding ourselves if we continue to believe otherwise. Why do they think we don't belong? Where do we belong? Whose Ancestors are connected to the lands? Is this why some call for the Wall? Is this why some call for Aztlan? Do we believe the empty promises from the Devils running the "White" House? Isn’t this the same Government that has always handed us empty promises? Are we part of society or do we need our own Chicano Homeland, University or body of Governance? Any past attempt non-white people have made at solving our own problems with vision and leadership has resulted in murder for U.S. This inequity and damage is simply a question to think about when we see a huge faction of our youth being destroyed in this Prison System... trapped in a vicious cycle that embodies the view of society deeming it necessary to keep us locked down deep inside the Belly of the Beast or U.S. Imperialism... how many more of our people need to live this parasitic life cycle as prisoners to sell the “American Dream” to the masses? Is it seeing the glass half empty or is it the reality that reflects the Irony of whom this country was built for and whom it was built to contain? A mere reflection of history is what me and special guest: Daniel Arvizu discuss in this episode of Prison and how it affects our families and communities. Any thoughts? CHICANOPODCAST@Gmailxcom

Reading a poem from Matt Sedillo helped me realize we are indeed the same. A verse in one of his poems read.... "Like me and you... We are made of Stars!" Poetry is Powerful and Beautiful at the same time.  I believe Matt brings excitement in rare form. Promoting Chicano Art and Gente should be a Core Value of all Chicanos let alone one of the few Platforms we have as Chicanos. Hosting Guest speakers like Mr. Sedillo is currently our direction moving forward as an ongoing concern. We are the same however many times our journey as Chicanos is different and difficult to express because it does not seem that many of us Represent. When do we start telling our story? How do we express our lives in art? Are we experiencing life differently?  These views are powerful and life changing to say the least and this Chicano perspective or vantage point is Liberating in its own unique way.  Is Art subjective, Are we different or are we all the same? Our essence or identity in being Chicano resonates and to me is important. Knowing "WE" too like others "EXIST" in this Life we call "Our Experience". Matt is not just a Poet... he is Chicano like you and me and as an artist he is extremely articulate in the form of Political Slam Poetry rather Chicano Poetry.  Support Chicano Business by looking up Matt's publisher Flowersong Press in Mcallen, Texas or buy his new book "Mowing Leaves of Grass" and explore this piece of "Revolutionary Composition".  Matt mentions his literary Style or 3 act poem, impressions growing up, and connections to those in Academia whom he has influenced to teach his book in College curriculums or Chicano Studies. In this episode we talk about life, poetry, capturing an audience with Drama and insight that inspire.  Matt has been on CSPAN.   The LA Times & L.A. Taco have reviewed his work. He is definitely a person to have on our Radar. In our interview Matt reads a few poems. Here is a link to a YouTube performance you might like but make sure you listen to the podcast 1st... LOL ;) https://youtu.be/NTVHfDfGp6g

Are Chicanos Revolutionary?  Are Chicanos Radical?  Some ask... What happened to Chicanos? What happened to the activism of El Movimiento?  Why have we taken a step back?  Chicanos have advocated for social and political empowerment of Los Pueblos aqui in El Southwest Estados Unidos for a National Voice & Identity throughout the 20th century, but what about now?   It's about to be that time again....  Power structures such as Capitalism have been taking advantage of Chicanos for way too long.  Capitalism is the toolbox of White Supremacy.  Hegemony within the U.S. society Indoctrinates and re-educates our youth in a way that maintains power over our minds.  How do they Cripple Chicano values?  How do they cripple family?  They don't... We do it to ourselves!  We believe Neo-liberalism and Cash is God.  We bite the apple and drink the poison of Humanity.  Money is the material root of all evil.  Definitively without question BY and LARGE Capitalism destabilizes our momentum as people within society as a whole because it sucks the lifeblood from the masses to insatiate a few at the top.  The U.S. metrics are simple to see within the scope of inequality, poverty, homelessness, imprisoned, welfare recipients and many other have nots.  Many Chicanos come from strong families and its evident the media's attack on our children cannot be denied through propaganda or by the prison Industrial complex.  Inhibiting our movement and our future leaders from ever gaining full potential is how they deny us progress on our own homelands.  We have long been educated to be slaves in a system that traps our world view @birth. Systematic controls such as the Police, Cointelpro, CIA, FBI, DEA and any other federal agencies deployed are weapons against us perpetuating and fueling violence against Chicanos anytime we organize for change.... such as the murder of Ruben Salazar & many other movements such as the Black Panthers or Malcolm X & Martin Luther King.  These murder plots are all in the interest of Capitalism and its need to be led by a White Power Structure.  Re-organizing our intellectual intelligence in various National Chicano Parties throughout Anahuac is essential.  Exploring & rewriting our destiny starts by talking about organizing a revolution not only for our future but also creating a system that cannot be broken no matter who they kill or lock up (Red Dragon Rising).  This conversation is not only about the way we walk, but it's also about the way we talk, think, live, eat, act and assemble.  Resonating and recognizing our roots as people of the land with Indigenous bloodlines descending from all 1st nations making Turtle Island Sovereign again.  We stand in solidarity with all brothers and sisters that stand against White power.  Sovereignty on occupied land makes everything political.  As Chicanos we reside in the Belly of the Beast rather inside the U.S. system of land occupation.  CHOCAST is proud to bring you a collaboration with the Chicano Podcast, Pelon aka Steve Garcia and two guest speakers: IGNACIO DE LA SOL y Comrade GIRU to discuss Idealogies, Nationalism and party politics within the framework of our current systems and Revolutionary thinking within the scope of Socialism and Communism.  We will also be discussing the current disparities created by Capitalism and how its material conditions relate to our struggle. Does disconnecting from the Colonial Empire release trauma for the Indigenous?  Can we harness or source power and liberation by moving back to a time when Raza's path was the Red Road? What happened to our application of love and desire to serve? What happened to Living selfless within Integrity?  We will go over concepts from Marx and his practitioners. We will visit Dialectical materialism & how being complicit paralyzes our Liberation. If Capitalism isn't freedom for everyone how can it be freedom at all?

Victor Mariachi is representing Chicano Hip-Hop 4 Raza str8 out of Atlanta. Our interview was interesting... gives an outside view on what drives a Rap Artist in present day society through a Chicano paradigm. Attempting to fill a void in the Hip-Hop Community is a strong means of expression for Chicanos. His talent & perserverence I believe is part of his character that transcends Chicano Identity. Our conversation was firme porque this young Vato keeps it real and understands the impact of his message. He might surprise you with his powerful delivery or content as a Lyricist. His personal style is a studied array of some of the greatest influencers to have pioneered Hip-Hop. He along with only a few others carry the Crux of Hip-Hop's Chicano Legacy for the next generation so check out the interview for more details. We need more talented individuals to master the art form since so many of us are listening. It is our obligation 2 support fellow Chicanos when they represent our values and place in the culture of Hip-Hop. Only within this reciprocity should we expect to influence this Music Genre. In return we could own part of the Hip-Hop Industry especially as more artist personify our message as our equity stake. Don't just take my word for it.... Check him out on Spotify or Youtube under "Victor Mariachi"! We definitely need more motivated individuals to express a place for Chicanos in Hip-Hop and he's better than most of the Chicano Rappers out in the game right now. So don't sleep on this brother just because he's not big time yet because I have a feeling he will be! This interview took place on September 22, 2021. Here is a link to "White Walls" on YouTube featuring another one of our soldados in the rap game going under the alias "Aztec Speech" https://youtu.be/hwDJYFFu7JM

Maria Estrada is running for California State Assembly District 63. This district encompasses (9 cities) part of the Gateway Cities region southeast of Los Angeles. The primarily suburban district consists of an L-shaped strip extending from Bell and Maywood in the northwest to Hawaiian Gardens in the southeast. It is southeast Los Angeles County – including Bell, Cudahy, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Lynwood, Maywood, Paramount and South Gate. Mi Hermana is no Sell out!  I support her y sabes que pos you should too! If you are in her district she deserves your consideration for sure. I got a chance to do an interview with her before the election primary in June and the General Election that is scheduled for November 8, 2022 in California against Anthony Rendon and here is what she had to say.

Is Capitalism a hierchy of Exploitation? Is Imperialism hiding itself as a government model called Capitalism?  Is this pyramid of wealth a criminal monopoly or ponzi scheme of investors using the government or legal system as protection?  Do we realize Marx criticized this system and warned the world of its destruction by the hands of a few? Where will be in the next 5 years? Is the next 12 months critical? Are we complicit in allowing the Government too much power or do we need to March in the Millions like our brothers and Sisters did in the "MILLION MAN MARCH" in 1995 or is the plot to take that particular right away from the people like George Orwell's depiction of the state or so called Big Brother in his book "1984"?

COLONIZERS ATTACK CHILDREN! TAKING ADVANTAGE & PERVERTING YOUNG, STRONG MINDS WITH INSTITUTIONALIZED INDOCTRINATION & PERVASIVE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS. INHERENT RACISM FOR CONTROL AND POWER.

Ball games have been played in Mesoamerica since the earliest of times. The most popular of these ball games was called tlachtli or pok-to-pok. Archaeologists have discovered thousand year old figurines of ball players wearing knee pads, gloves, and other equipment known to be used in tlachtli ball games. The oldest ball courts are found in the Mexican state of Chiapas and are believed to have been constructed sometime around 700-550 BC. It is believed that prior to this date the courts were simply rectangular open areas. Over time the styles and sizes of the courts changed. Sometime around 0-200 AD ball courts were constructed in the shape of the Roman Numeral I. The rules of the game varied from region to region. In ancient times there was a ball court in almost every city. Courts have been found dating back to the height of the Mayan and Toltec civilizations. The largest ball court was constructed in the ancient Toltec capital of Tula. It is 214 meters long. The game was played with heavy latex balls from rubber trees found in Vera Cruz, Mexico. Tlachli was so popular, that Tenochtitlan imported over 16,000 rubber balls annually. In fact, it was so popular in southern Mexico, that there were over forty ball courts in the Valley of Oaxaca alone. Most of these have never been excavated so no one knows for sure exactly how old they are. All of the ball courts had high parallel walls that bordered two opposite sides. There was a ring of stone hanging from each wall. Points were scored when the ball was passed through the rings. We know from pictorial evidence that there were two teams with seven players on each side, including a captain. Players wore a short skirt, with feathered crests on the back, knee protectors, sandals, and a cap or feathers. Each teams uniform had its own individual markings. The game started when a referee through the ball out in the middle of the court. If the ball touched the ground the game was started over. The players moved the ball by bouncing it off the walls until they could take a shot at the small circular ring. Each player had a flat wooden plate in the shape of a serpent in their right hand and a wooden club in his belt. Numerous historians have researched Tlachli and concluded that it was played without the use of hands. This type of game was especially true of the ancient Aztecs, who played a version of tlachtli called olamaliztli. Olamaliztli was believed to be very similar to our modern soccer. This game was played with only the head, hips, and elbow, and the ball could not be touched by hand. Some have gone as far as calling it Mesoamerican hip ball. I agree with Professor Gualberto Zapata Alonzo when he says that without the use of the hands it would have been virtually impossible to put the ball through such a small ring at that height. However, what he fails to acknowledge is that there were many versions of tlachtli, including some that were very similar to our modern game of rugby. Professor Alonzo's point of view is supported by hard evidence. He points to the ancient carvings on the walls of the ball court in Chichen Itza as proof that hands were used. As he says, if they didn't use their hands then why did they need a club and flat wooden serpents head.