Elizabeth Martinez has published six books on social moviements in the US and Latin America. Her best-known
work is the unique bilingual volume, 500 Years of Chicano History in Pictures, and the popular video based on it,
which she co-directed. She has taught Women's and Ethnic Studies, does anti-racist work with community and youth
groups, and has written for Z Magazine and others.
Review
"Elizabeth Martínez's work comprises one of the most important living histories of progressive activism
in the contemporary era . . . . [Martínez is] inimitable . . . irrepressible . . . indefatigable."
--From the foreword by Angela Y. Davis
"Presents a good assessment of the triumphs and setbacks of more than three decades of social struggle and
establishes a blueprint for a more inclusive future for all of America's children."
--Hispanic Outlook
"Please do yourself a favor and read this essay collection by Elizabeth Martínez! Share it with your
friends, students, neighbors. Free yourself from the onslaught of misinformation and ignorance regarding racism
in the United States and Latino politics. It is an up-to-date news flash on what is going on regarding Mexicans
on both sides of the border. 'Betita' (to those of us who know her, love her, and continue to learn from her) is
a veteran activist and Chicana pundit of the highest order."
--Ana Castillo, author, Massacre of the Dreamers
South End Press Web Site, February, 2002
Summary
The unique Chicana voice of Elizabeth Martinez arises from more than thirty years of experience in the movements
for civil rights, women's liberation, and Latina/o empowerment. With sections on women's organizing, struggles
for economic justice, and the Latina/o youth movement, De Colores Means All of Us will appeal to readers
and activists seeking to organize for the future and build new movements for liberation.
"Elizabeth Martinez has played a unique and extraordinary role as chronicler of Chicana/o history, and De
Colores beautifully captures her passion, her intelligence, her powerful commitment to universal human values.
I am very happy this volume exists, and hope it will be widely read."--Howard Zinn
"[Latinos] are not only invisible in the mainstream media; we're pushed to the side in progressive publications
and causes. I'm hopeful, however, that minds might open with the publication of [Martinez's] marvelous collection
of essays."--The Progressive
Table of Contents
Introduction: "A Call for Rainbow Warriors"
Part 1 Seeing More than Black and White
Chapter 1 A Word About the Great Terminology Question
Chapter 2 Seeing More than Black and White
Chapter 3 That Old White (Male) Magic
Chapter 4 Whose Chicano History Did You Learn?
Chapter 5 Reinventing "America"
Chapter 6 Follow Me Home, the Movie that Makes magic with Pennies
Part 2 No Hay Fronteras
Chapter 7 Immigrant-Bashing on the Rise 1990-94
Chapter 8 For Whom the Taco Bell Tolls
Chapter 9 It's a Terrorist War on Immigrants 1995-Present
Part 3 Fighting for Economic and Environmental Justice
Chapter 10 "Levi's, Button Your Fly-Your Greed is Showing!"
Chapter 11 Walking with Cesar
Chapter 12 when People of Color are an Endangered Species
Chapter 13 Weaving a Net that Works
Part 4 Racism and the Attack on Multiculturalism
Chapter 14 Willie Horton's Gonna Get Your Alma Mater
Chapter 15 Campus Racism
Chapter 16 Brown David v. White Goliath
Chapter 17 On Time in Mississippi
Part 5 Women Talk: No Taco Belles here
Chapter 18 In Pursuit of Latina Liberation
Chapter 19 Chingon Politics Die Hard
Chapter 20 Listen Up, Anglo sisters
Chapter 21 The Third Eye of Cherrie Moraga
Chapter 22 Of Passion and Politics
Part 6 La Lucha Continua: Youth in the Lead
Chapter 23 Whatever Happened to the Chicano Movement?
Chapter 24 To new Mexico with Love
Chapter 25 Be Down with the Brown!
Chapter 26 "They Really Were Willing to Die"
Chapter 27 Raza Protest a Day of Lies and Hate
Chapter 28 "Back in the Early 1990s..."
Chapter 29 Raza Si! Nationalism...?
Chapter 30 Remember something Ancient, Imagine Something New
