The Mexican American Experience, a radio program produced by the Longhorn Radio Network, includes interviews, music, and informational programs related to the Mexican American community and their concerns. Program summary: Host Armando Gutierrez interviews Pedro Rodriguez, a Chicano muralist and professor, on his recent visit to Cuba. Rodriguez describes the gains Cubans have made in the areas of education, health and employment. He also talks about the effects of the embargo on the country and explains that all Cubans believe they can continue to survive the blockade but would like to normalize relations because of the many hardships that have resulted, including a shortage of medicines and vaccines. Rodriguez then discusses Cuban aid abroad, which includes, cultural, medical and technical as well as military aid. Rodriguez observed a heightened consciousness among Cuban workers who participate in parades, voting and other forms of civic engagement in large numbers. He describes the Cuban government system and the local committees that form its base. He also discusses Cuban literature and art and the ways in which it reflects the nation's social consciousness. He mentions that many Cubans are familiar with minority struggles within the U.S. and feel no ill-will towards Americans. He suggests that Americans write to their politicians and encourage the government to end the blockade. Keywords: Abstract Art, Angola, Billy Joel, Blockade, Chicanos, China, Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, Cuba, Cuban art, Cuban government, Cuban International Aid, Cuban Intervention, Cuban Literature, Cuban poetry, Cuban Revolution, Cubans, Democracy, Elections, Embargo, Ethiopia, Foreign Policy, Health, International Workers' Day, Native Americans, Nicolás Guillén, Nueva trova, People Magazine, Petitions, Poetry, Relations between Cuba and the United States, Socialism, Socialist Countries, Soviet Union, Travel to Cuba, U.S. Media, Vaccines, Vietnam War, Voter turn out, Washington State University-Pullman, Washington. Broadcast date: 1979-06-08.
Creator/Contributor:
Longhorn Radio Network (creator), Gutiérrez, Armando (host), and Rodríguez, Pedro (interviewee)
Date Created/Date Issued:
6/7/1979
Owning Repository:
Benson Latin American Collection, LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections, The University of Texas at Austin