Is San Antonio’s poet laureate fired?
Yes, San Antonio poet laureate Neftali de Leon was fired from his position after sparking controversy over a poem he posted online. Prominent Chicano author De Leon shared a poem on his Facebook page on August 1 in tribute to the late author and educator Roberto “Cintelli” Rodrigue, who died the previous day Tribute to Si.
The poem contains a Chicano slang term that is often considered a derogatory term for black people. The San Antonio Department of Arts and Culture, which oversees the poet laureate program, issued a statement regarding the situation.
The department emphasizes its commitment to creating a just, inclusive and equitable city. It said the poem’s content contradicted the responsibilities and values associated with the city’s poet laureate role. The poet laureate is expected to uphold values that include condemning racism and other forms of oppressive barriers while using creative poetic expression to unite communities, according to a statement from the department.
The statement asserts that de Leon’s recent poem violates the city’s values and the city’s poet laureate role. As a result, his contract with the City of San Antonio was terminated. De Leon’s scheduled three-year term as poet laureate was terminated after just four months.
The controversy surrounding the poem came to the attention of city officials through two separate letters. One letter was signed by city and state poet laureates, and another by a group of poets and educators. The poem’s content sparked discussion and debate on De León’s Facebook page. While some criticized his use of slang, others defended it on the grounds of artistic freedom and expression.
In response to the situation, 78-year-old De Leon posted a detailed explanation on his Facebook page. He said he did not intend to convey “malice or racism” by using slang. He believes that compared to other languages, Chicano expressions are still evolving and their words can be interpreted differently.
Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson, the city’s former poet laureate, weighed in on the discussion on De Leon’s page. She thanked those who provided comments aimed at addressing the use of the term and engaging in respectful interactions with de Leon. Sanderson clarified that the term is historically rooted in racism, classism and other negative associations and has been used to insult and demean Black people.
In light of de León’s firing, the San Antonio Department of Arts and Culture announced its intention to begin a process to nominate a new successor. The appointment of the new poet laureate is expected to occur during National Poetry Month in April.
Who is Naftali de Leon?
Nephtalí De León was a prominent Chicano writer known for his contributions to the fields of poetry, children’s narrative, and prose, and he also illustrated a large part of his literary output illustration. De Leon was born in Laredo, Texas, in 1945 to immigrant worker parents, and his early exposure to literature stemmed from his parents’ limited formal education.
His creative journey began in the early 1960s when he was a senior in high school with the publication of his first book, “Chicanos: Our Background and Our Pride.” Later, his artistic exploration expanded to poetry, dramatic works, mural art and children’s stories.
Notably, his debut novel, I Will Catch the Sun, received critical acclaim. His influence has transcended national borders, with his works published in countries as diverse as Mexico, France, the United States and Spain. In addition, his stories have been translated into German, Russian, Chinese, Vietnamese and other languages.
Currently, de León is a full-time poet, writer, and painter in his multifaceted persona. He enjoys speaking and reciting poetry at educational institutions and community gatherings. His subjects masterfully capture the aspirations, yearnings and hopes of the Chicano people.
Chicanos, he argued, endured a “psychological and spiritual bondage” while being held as “cultural and intellectual hostages” in American society. In his work, he strives to uncover the historical foundations of this dilemma while highlighting the dreams and attitudes that define the Chicano community.
A distinctive feature of his literary works is the incorporation of elements rooted in ancient Aztec language and culture. Through his colorful literary and artistic explorations, de Leon eloquently weaves narratives that resonate with the essence of the Chicano experience and the lasting legacy of their cultural heritage.
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San Antonio poet laureate fired
San Antonio poet laureate Naftali de Leon has been fired after sparking controversy over a poem he shared online. De Leon, a highly regarded Chicano writer, posted a poem on his Facebook page on Aug. 1 in tribute to the late author and educator Roberto “Zinn” who died the previous day. Tribute to Terry Rodriguez. The poem contains a Chicano slang term that is often considered derogatory to black people.
The San Antonio Department of Arts and Culture, which oversees the city’s poet laureate program, issued a statement in response to the incident. The department emphasizes its commitment to fostering a just, inclusive and equitable community. It said the poem’s content conflicted with the responsibilities and values associated with the city’s poet laureate role.
The statement outlines the poet laureate’s role in upholding values, including denouncing racism and dismantling oppressive barriers, while using creative poetic expression to unite communities. The department said de Leon’s recent poems conflicted with the city’s values and the city’s poet laureate role, leading to the termination of his contract.
De León was fired just four months into his originally planned three-year term. The controversy came to light through two separate letters — one from the city and state poet laureate and the other from a group of poets and educators.
The content of the poem sparked discussion on De Leon’s Facebook page, with people having mixed feelings about his use of slang. While some criticized it, others defended the poet’s right to artistic freedom.
In response to this situation, 78-year-old De Leon posted a detailed explanation on his page. He claimed there was nothing “malicious or racist” in the slang he used. He emphasized that Chicano expressions are relatively new and open to different interpretations compared to more established languages.
Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson, the city’s former poet laureate, weighed in on the discussion on De Leon’s page. She thanked those who offered constructive comments, explaining that the term is filled with historical racism and derogatory connotations toward black people.
With DeLeon fired, the San Antonio Department of Arts and Culture plans to launch a process to select a new replacement. The appointment of the new poet laureate is expected to occur during National Poetry Month in April.
Neftali de Leon acting career
Neftali de Leon’s career is a tapestry of literary innovation and cultural resonance. A preeminent Chicano writer, he left an indelible mark on the literary world with his mastery of various genres. From poetry to children’s narratives and essays, his creative abilities are endless. Remarkably, de León’s artistic abilities extended beyond the written word, as he acted as an accomplished illustrator, adding visual depth to his literary creations.
De Leon was born in Laredo, Texas, in 1945 to immigrant labor parents who, despite their limited formal education, devoted themselves to cultivating a love of literature that nurtured his creative journey. His early commitment to amplifying Chicano voices was evidenced by his first foray into publishing in the early 1960s during his senior year of high school with the publication of Chicanos: Our Background and Our Pride.
De Leon’s thematic efforts are rooted in conveying the “dreams, desires and aspirations” inherent to the Chicano community. He believed that Chicanos suffered from a historical legacy of “psychological and spiritual bondage” and were restricted as “cultural and intellectual hostages” in American society. Through his literary journey, he undertakes the complex task of tracing the historical trajectory that led to this complex situation, while illuminating the living dreams and attitudes that symbolize the Chicano spirit.
An integral part of de Leon’s literary signature is his deliberate incorporation of elements derived from ancient Aztec language and culture. This cultural homage adds depth and texture to his narrative, intertwining modern experience with historical heritage.
Currently, de León remains a dedicated and multifaceted artist, working full-time as a poet, writer, and painter. He is committed to sharing his wisdom through lectures and poetry performances in academic and community settings. Through his creative pursuits, de Leon not only amplifies Chicano narratives but also highlights the enduring power of artistic expression in illuminating histories, voices, and aspirations.
Neftali de Leon poems
Nephtalí De León is a conduit for the expression of profound “dreams, desires and aspirations” that resonate within the Chicano community. His perspective was rooted in the belief that Chicanos had endured psychological and spiritual confinement, becoming “captives” within the cultural and intellectual landscape of American society.
Through his artistic endeavors, de Leon set out to seek to unravel the intricate threads of history that weave this intricate dilemma while illuminating the vibrant dreams and attitudes inherent to the Chicano spirit.
At the heart of de Leon’s creative exploration is the attempt to trace the historical evolution of this complex situation. His narrative strokes aim to record the trajectory of the Chicano experience, traveling through the ages and revealing the forces that shape contemporary reality.
Through his work, he strives to reveal the emotional tapestry that weaves together wishes, struggles, and longings that form the backbone of Chicano identity.
The core of de León’s literary tapestry is his careful blending of elements that recall the rich tapestry of ancient Aztec language and culture. By weaving these cultural threads together, he pays homage to the enduring legacy of Chicano narratives. The symbiotic relationship between his words and ancient echoes highlights the depth of his explorations, imbuing his work with layers of meaning and cultural resonance.
In essence, de Leon is a beacon for the Chicano community, his creative endeavors embodying both the resilience of this people during a tumultuous history and the energy that propels them toward a stronger future. Vibrant hope. Through his unique lens, the multifaceted nature of the Chicano experience is brought to life, providing a platform for their voices, struggles, and desires to be heard and celebrated.
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