By R.Eguia

The creation of the Mexican American Civil Rights Institute (MACRI) began as an idea for a one stop shop, repository of Mexican American catalogues, archives and histories said interim director,  Sarah Zenaida Gould, PhD.

After a successful virtual launch last month, the organization is poised to continue to roll out more virtual content this fall that will engage audiences with multifaceted history and discussions. The half-day Somos MACRI virtual launch featured panels on the intersections of Mexican American civil rights history and the public humanities, public education, and ongoing struggles for social justice, and a presentation from MACRI’s founding board on the mission, vision, and guiding principles of this new national organization.

Respected leaders in education, public policy, and community advocacy from San Antonio and throughout the country, participated in the event’s panels, which are still available for viewing on MACRI’s Facebook page and YouTube page.  Featured speakers included Dr. Stephen Pitti of Yale University, Dr. David Montejano of the University of California, Berkeley, Celina Moreno, President and CEO of the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA), and Rosie Castro, civil rights activist and former Bexar County Chair of La Raza Unida Party and others.

The vision for the organization is to foster, “communities where all Americans are inspired by the Mexican American civil rights legacy and see themselves as participants and transformational leaders in the ongoing struggle for social justice, inclusion and equity.”

Gould emphasized that Mexican American history is U.S history and MACRI supports that foundational knowledge by partnering with Region 20 to enhance Texas History courses which are taught in the 4th and 7th grades.

Upcoming Virtual Programming includes:

Saturday, September 26th, MACRI will partner with the City of San Antonio’s World Heritage Office to present “Mission Marquee Plaza celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and the Legacies and Promises of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement” online at 6 p.m. CT.

MACRI will also partner with Education Service Center, Region 20 this fall to host workshops for fourth and seventh grade teachers on incorporating Mexican American civil rights history into the classroom.

“All of us just want to be seen and acknowledged. This is the struggle to be respected, so that all of your human rights are recognized and not trampled on,” said interim director,  Sarah Zenaida Gould, PhD.

More information on these and additional events can be found at SomosMACRI.org or on MACRI’s Facebook page.