A New Era for Emiliano Zapata's Legacy in the United States
On September 21, 2024, two institutions joined forces in a partnership that will highlight the legacy of one of the most iconic figures of the Mexican Revolution in the United States. The signing of the collaboration agreement between Latino Book Review (LBR), represented by Gerald Aguilar Padilla, and Fundación Zapata (FZ), led by Edgar Castro Zapata, the great-grandson of General Emiliano Zapata, marked the beginning of a new chapter in the preservation and promotion of Emiliano Zapata's legacy—one that would resonate not just in Mexico, but in the United States, and across the world.
To understand the significance of this event is to grasp the enduring importance of Emiliano Zapata in the collective memory of Latinos in the U.S., Mexico, and around the world. Zapata, the revolutionary figure who fought for land reform and the rights of indigenous communities, remains a towering symbol of resistance and justice. His call for “Tierra y Libertad” still echoes through the generations, finding new resonance in an era where immigrant rights and social justice are at the forefront of public discourse.
Fundación Zapata, located in Cuautla, Morelos, Mexico, has long been dedicated to the preservation of the history and ideals of Emiliano Zapata. In partnering with Latino Book Review, headquartered in Corpus Christi, Texas, the foundation seeks to expand its reach, allowing the revolutionary’s message to transcend borders. This collaboration is aimed at cultivating a shared sense of identity and empowerment for Latinos on both sides of the border, linking their struggles and histories.
Gerald Aguilar Padilla, founder of Latino Book Review, spoke with eloquence and pride about the mission: "The signing of this collaboration agreement between Latino Book Review and Fundación Zapata not only celebrates an alliance between our institutions but also the continuity of a cause that remains alive, a cause centered in equality, dignity, and the rights of the people....Through this collaboration, we commit to promoting and preserving Zapata's legacy, not only as a revolutionary leader but as a symbol of resistance and hope for all generations."
Padilla's words conveyed a deep understanding of the power of literature and cultural expression in social movements. Latino Book Review, known for promoting Latinx and Latin American literature, brings with it a platform that has already connected thousands of readers to the rich literary traditions of the Americas. Now, with Fundación Zapata, it aims to introduce more people to the revolutionary ideals that have shaped Mexico’s—and by extension, many Latinos’—sense of justice and equity.
The collaboration will not only result in the creation of new content, such as historical articles, interviews, and literary pieces honoring Zapata, but it will also open doors for educational initiatives in both countries. These initiatives are designed to reach younger audiences—students in the U.S., Mexico, and abroad—who may feel disconnected from their cultural heritage. Zapata’s legacy, as envisioned by both LBR and FZ, is to be a bridge between the past and the present, and between Mexico and the U.S., fostering a binational community connected through shared history.
Edgar Castro Zapata, founder and president of Fundación Zapata and direct descendant of General Emiliano Zapata, emphasized the importance of this partnership during the signing ceremony in promoting the historical knowledge and legacy of Emiliano Zapata across borders as well as across generations. His words reflected on the image of Zapata within the collective Mexican identity and its influence in social movements across Latin America. His message serves as a reminder that the struggles of the past are not distant history, but ongoing battles for justice, equality, and dignity that still resonate deeply with people today, driving both awareness and activism in modern social movements.
The event, witnessed by notable academics, historians, educators and cultural leaders from both countries, including Dr. Rossy Lima, Dr. Héctor Rendón, Dr. Víctor Acuña Alonzo, Dr. Jorge E. Bernaldez García, Alfredo Ávalos, Alan Gerardo Padilla Aguilar, Cindy A. Medina, Arturo Lima, Adriana Hipólito Lamont, and Melissa Maldonado Reyes, was symbolic of the growing importance of cross-border collaboration in cultural and educational spheres. The dignitaries present represented a variety of fields, all of which play crucial roles in maintaining the vibrancy of Zapata’s legacy. Together, they vowed to keep the revolutionary’s ideals alive through the creation of educational content, advocacy, and the promotion of Latinx literature that reflects these shared values.
For those familiar with Zapata’s revolutionary call, the partnership between LBR and FZ is more than just a symbolic gesture; it is the beginning of a tangible, grassroots movement aimed at making Zapata’s vision a living force in the modern world. The collaboration will not only highlight his enduring influence on land rights and social justice, but also illuminate the ways in which his fight parallels the struggles faced by Latinx communities in the United States today.
During the event, Alfredo Ávalos, Community and Culture Coordinator for UNAM San Antonio, highlighted the extraordinary significance of the collaboration between Latino Book Review and Fundación Zapata. Ávalos remarked, "This agreement for the promotion of the legacy of one of the most notable figures in Mexico’s history, General Emiliano Zapata, is without a doubt a historic moment in itself. The principles inherited from Emiliano Zapata can be considered the heritage not only of his family and the Mexican people but of all humanity. His unwavering commitment to the rights of those who had the least—Mexican farmworkers and Indigenous people—remains as relevant today as it was during the Mexican Revolution. It serves as a powerful reminder to continue the fight from our own trenches, from our own place in the world."
To understand the significance of this event is to grasp the enduring importance of Emiliano Zapata in the collective memory of Latinos in the U.S., Mexico, and around the world. Zapata, the revolutionary figure who fought for land reform and the rights of indigenous communities, remains a towering symbol of resistance and justice. His call for “Tierra y Libertad” still echoes through the generations, finding new resonance in an era where immigrant rights and social justice are at the forefront of public discourse.
Fundación Zapata, located in Cuautla, Morelos, Mexico, has long been dedicated to the preservation of the history and ideals of Emiliano Zapata. In partnering with Latino Book Review, headquartered in Corpus Christi, Texas, the foundation seeks to expand its reach, allowing the revolutionary’s message to transcend borders. This collaboration is aimed at cultivating a shared sense of identity and empowerment for Latinos on both sides of the border, linking their struggles and histories.
Gerald Aguilar Padilla, founder of Latino Book Review, spoke with eloquence and pride about the mission: "The signing of this collaboration agreement between Latino Book Review and Fundación Zapata not only celebrates an alliance between our institutions but also the continuity of a cause that remains alive, a cause centered in equality, dignity, and the rights of the people....Through this collaboration, we commit to promoting and preserving Zapata's legacy, not only as a revolutionary leader but as a symbol of resistance and hope for all generations."
Padilla's words conveyed a deep understanding of the power of literature and cultural expression in social movements. Latino Book Review, known for promoting Latinx and Latin American literature, brings with it a platform that has already connected thousands of readers to the rich literary traditions of the Americas. Now, with Fundación Zapata, it aims to introduce more people to the revolutionary ideals that have shaped Mexico’s—and by extension, many Latinos’—sense of justice and equity.
The collaboration will not only result in the creation of new content, such as historical articles, interviews, and literary pieces honoring Zapata, but it will also open doors for educational initiatives in both countries. These initiatives are designed to reach younger audiences—students in the U.S., Mexico, and abroad—who may feel disconnected from their cultural heritage. Zapata’s legacy, as envisioned by both LBR and FZ, is to be a bridge between the past and the present, and between Mexico and the U.S., fostering a binational community connected through shared history.
Edgar Castro Zapata, founder and president of Fundación Zapata and direct descendant of General Emiliano Zapata, emphasized the importance of this partnership during the signing ceremony in promoting the historical knowledge and legacy of Emiliano Zapata across borders as well as across generations. His words reflected on the image of Zapata within the collective Mexican identity and its influence in social movements across Latin America. His message serves as a reminder that the struggles of the past are not distant history, but ongoing battles for justice, equality, and dignity that still resonate deeply with people today, driving both awareness and activism in modern social movements.
The event, witnessed by notable academics, historians, educators and cultural leaders from both countries, including Dr. Rossy Lima, Dr. Héctor Rendón, Dr. Víctor Acuña Alonzo, Dr. Jorge E. Bernaldez García, Alfredo Ávalos, Alan Gerardo Padilla Aguilar, Cindy A. Medina, Arturo Lima, Adriana Hipólito Lamont, and Melissa Maldonado Reyes, was symbolic of the growing importance of cross-border collaboration in cultural and educational spheres. The dignitaries present represented a variety of fields, all of which play crucial roles in maintaining the vibrancy of Zapata’s legacy. Together, they vowed to keep the revolutionary’s ideals alive through the creation of educational content, advocacy, and the promotion of Latinx literature that reflects these shared values.
For those familiar with Zapata’s revolutionary call, the partnership between LBR and FZ is more than just a symbolic gesture; it is the beginning of a tangible, grassroots movement aimed at making Zapata’s vision a living force in the modern world. The collaboration will not only highlight his enduring influence on land rights and social justice, but also illuminate the ways in which his fight parallels the struggles faced by Latinx communities in the United States today.
During the event, Alfredo Ávalos, Community and Culture Coordinator for UNAM San Antonio, highlighted the extraordinary significance of the collaboration between Latino Book Review and Fundación Zapata. Ávalos remarked, "This agreement for the promotion of the legacy of one of the most notable figures in Mexico’s history, General Emiliano Zapata, is without a doubt a historic moment in itself. The principles inherited from Emiliano Zapata can be considered the heritage not only of his family and the Mexican people but of all humanity. His unwavering commitment to the rights of those who had the least—Mexican farmworkers and Indigenous people—remains as relevant today as it was during the Mexican Revolution. It serves as a powerful reminder to continue the fight from our own trenches, from our own place in the world."
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