YO SOY JOAQUIN by Corky Gonzales

Yo Soy Joaquín
by Corky Gonzales

Yo soy Joaquín,
perdido en un mundo de confusión:
I am Joaquín,
lost in a world of confusion,
caught up in the whirl of a gringo society,
confused by the rules,
scorned by attitudes,
suppressed by manipulation,
and destroyed by modern society.
My fathers have lost the economic battle
and won the struggle of cultural survival.
And now!
I must choose between the paradox
of victory of the spirit,
despite physical hunger,
or to exist
in the grasp of American social neurosis,
sterilization of the soul
and a full stomach.
Yes, I have come a long way
to nowhere,
unwillingly dragged
by that monstrous,
technical,
industrial giant
called Progress and Anglo success....
I look at myself.
I watch my brothers.
I shed tears
of sorrow.
I sow seeds
of hate.
I withdraw
to the safety
within the circle of life
-- MY OWN PEOPLE
. . . La raza!
Méjicano!
Español!
Latino!
Chicano!
Or whatever I call myself,
I look the same
I feel the same
I cry
And Sing
the same.
I am the masses of my people
and I refuse to be absorbed.
I am Joaquín.
The odds are great
But my spirit is strong,
My faith unbreakable,
My blood is pure.
I am Aztec prince
and Christian Christ.
I SHALL ENDURE!
I WILL ENDURE!


Corky Gonzales, an accomplished boxer, left the ring for a more challenging fight against racial discrimination and social injustice.
In the 1960s, Gonzales was a leading figure in the Chicano civil rights movement, which was born in the agricultural fields and barrios of the Southwest. His vision led to the creation of student organizations that banged open the doors of higher education to Chicanos. In Denver he crusaded for improved housing and medical services.