De Colores Means All of Us: Latina Views for a Multi-Colored Century [Paperback]

Elizabeth Martînez (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1999 | ISBN-10: 089608583X | ISBN-13: 978-0896085831 | Edition: 1

"Elizabeth Martnez's work comprises one of the most important living histories of progressive activism in the contemporary era. . . . [Martnez is] inimitable. . . irrepressible. . . indefatigable."-From the foreword by Angela Y. Davis. "Elizabeth Martnez is a beautiful and courageous person. She is also a writer of great depth, power, and compassion, a longtime activist who speaks eloquently about class, race, identity, and the problems of achieving real `democracy' today. Her essays in this book are perceptive, thoughtful, thought-provoking, and often humorous, too. They are fierce and touching and profoundly educational. . . . Surely she is one of our great teachers. She's certainly been one of mine."-John Nichols, author, Milagro Beanfield Wars. "Elizabeth Martinez has played a unique and extraordinary role as chronicler of Chicana-Chicano history, and De Colores beautifully captures her passion, her intelligence, her powerful commitment to universal human values. I am very happy this volume exists, and hope it will be widely read."-Howard Zinn

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The unique Chicana voice of Elizabeth Martinez arises from more than thirty years of experience in the movements for civil rights, women's liberation, and Latina/o empowerment. With sections on women's organizing, struggles for economic justice, and the Latina/o youth movement, De Colores Means All of Us will appeal to readers and activists seeking to organize for the future and build new movements for liberation.

About the Author

A Chicana activist now based in San Francisco, Elizabeth Martinez has published six books on social movements in the United States and Latin America. Her best-known work is the unique bilingual volume, 500 Years of Chicano History in Pictures, and the popular video based on it, which she co-directed. She has taught Women's and Ethnic Studies, does anti-racist work with community and youth groups, and writes for Z and other magazines.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 265 pages
• Publisher: South End Press; 1 edition (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089608583X
• ISBN-13: 978-0896085831
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #369,626 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A guide to a compassionate future, November 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: De Colores Means All of Us: Latina Views for a Multi-Colored Century (Hardcover)

These essays by the legendary radical activist and prolific writer, Elizabeth Martinez, gently guide us to the path of a revolution based on compassion, equality, and justice. The book could be called the North American sequel to Eduardo Galleano's stunning "Memories" essay series. Brilliant, sparkling, funny prose, transforming the essay form to new heights. I am a historian and university professor and have adopted this text for my course, "Patterns of Immigration to the US," along with Howard Zinn's, "Peoples History of the US." The two texts make fine partners. I recommend this book to organizers, activists, teachers, students, feminists, of all colors and political leanings. You will never think quite the same after reading it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Looking Through a Different Window, November 5, 2007

By 

William J. Trinkle (Walnut Creek, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: De Colores Means All of Us: Latina Views for a Multi-Colored Century (Paperback)

Ms. Martinez writes a chapter about the 150th Anniversary of the Bear Flag Revolt which permits others, including us Anglos, to see events from the view of Latinos and others, with both seriousness and wit. There is a charm in her words, even when pointed.

It usually helps when we are given the opportunity to walk in another's shoes, if only for a few steps.

William J. Trinkle----, Director, The Bear Flag Museum

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! A must read!, June 16, 2004

By 

Wanda K. McDonald (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: De Colores Means All of Us: Latina Views for a Multi-Colored Century (Paperback)

Elizabeth Martinez has provided an insightful and touching portrait of the struggles and triumphs in the lives of "the other" in America. It is a valuable read for not only women of color but all of us. I was deeply moved by this book and highly recommend it.