John Ross: The “Investigative Poet” and a True Media Activist

The Raza Press and Media Association would like to express great sadness at the passing of John Ross yesterday, January 17th in Michoacán, Mexico. The RPMA sends a heartfelt condolence to all of his family, friends, and colleagues that had the opportunity to know this lifetime journalist, artist, and activist.

For over six decades, John had been involved in community organizing, anti-war protests against Vietnam, Grenada, Iraq and Afghanistan, and was a self-described “troublemaker”. He traveled back and forth from the United States and Mexico, making presentations at forums, conferences and at rallies. He was a committed revolutionary media worker. Within his humble means, John reported and wrote about the political realities in Mexico, where he spent the last 25 years of his life.

John Ross wrote dozens of poetry books, and wrote articles for El Financiero, La Jornada, The Nation, The Progressive, Counterpunch, San Francisco Bay Guardian and the Narco News Bulletin, among many others. He also wrote several books including; El Monstruo,pavor y redención en la ciudad de México (2009). John closely followed the Zapatista Army for National Liberation (EZLN) and wrote the seminal trilogy: ¡Zapatistas! Construyendo otro mundo posible (2006), La guerra contra el olvido (2002), Rebelión desde las raíces (1995). These examples only scratch the surface of his work.

In the past, the RPMA communicated with Compañero John requesting permission to publish some of his articles in the Guerrillera/os de la Pluma. He immediately responded with a firm approval, indicating that “we could use his work to further our aim of moving forward the struggle for the liberation of all oppressed people”

There are a handful of media activist-journalists in this past half a century that have contributed the amount of writings from the trenches of struggle. John is one them, and very few can compare both in the quantity and quality of his authentic “on the ground” coverage and reporting.

John Ross’s remains will be cremated and laid to rest in his beloved Michoacán next Tuesday.

John Ross, Presente!

RPMA Editorial Board

*Photo Credit: R.Aguirre/Borderzine.com

RPMA New Year’s Resolutions!

Note: The following are 2011 New Year’s resolutions submitted by several RPMA members.

Expose oppression, Increase membership, improve journal, influence activism, and support grassroots organizing……

From Ernesto Bustillos
The violence, racism, injustice, ignorance, and poverty, imposed upon the great majority our communities by capitalism-imperialism –here in occupied America and throughout the world– continues to increase.

The solution to these oppressive conditions calls for exposing and destroying the systems responsible for its existence. This can only be done by informing, organizing, and moving the masses of our people into action –and this cannot be done without organization.

Now, more than ever, an organization such as the Raza Press and Media Association (RPMA) is needed. Presently, the RPMA is the only Raza media grouping working towards both building organization and raising consciousness.

To fulfill these aims, the RPMA, must significantly increase its active membership. Hence, my obligation, through the course of this new year, along with other social justice activists and revolutionary journalists, is to convince as many as possible to recognize the importance of organized struggle and join the RPMA.

Not One Step Backward, Forward Always!

From Jose G. Moreno
In 2011 I want to continue to work as one of the editorial staff and Raza Press And Media Association board members with the objective of developing a better and a stronger association journal (Guerrillera/os de la Pluma). Secondly, I will continue to help develop our Podcast media project as a host and producer. In 2010, with Luis Moreno and Ernesto Todd Mireles we created a Podcast series for the RPMA and the Xicano Development Center. Radio Free Aztlán produced over 20 political Podcasts on critical social issues impacting the Raza community.

From Pablo Aceves
During the course of 2011, I have committed to being more consistent in my writing. I resolve to finish some of the works I have begun recently and to produce articles and documents that can be used by the Raza Press Media Association, as well as the groups in which I am involved.

Venceremos

From Marc Baca
I am hoping that this year we will begin to discuss the development of a new Political Party that will clearly and without equivocation voice our community’s goals –both Nationally and Locally. I believe that we should employ available technology so that we will have more dialogue and that we can begin a think tank that will grow roots and influence the activism that is taking place. We should encourage the development of a website where people will be able to see what other progressive organizations are doing and get some direction and ideas on progressive action.

From Francisco “Chavo” Romero
I plan to collaborate with local and regional artists, musicians, writers, and create dynamic political, cultural and artistic events by volunteering at least twelve hours a week at the Dr. Rodolfo Acuña Gallery and Cultural Center in my hometown of Oxnard. I also plan to write at least one essay per quarter to submit to the Guerrillera/a de la Pluma as well as writing more creative writing pieces and poetry.

I also will work alongside other organizers and activists in my area in consolidating and expanding our grassroots barrio organizing campaign in defense of our rights. Right now there are a series of repressive psychological and physical measures coming down on the gente in the form of attacks on Raza Studies, budget cuts for education, the ICE/Migra raids, detentions, and deportations.

I believe we must all commit to make our resistance sharper and more effective.
Resist!

c/s