‘Hecho in Tejas’; Museum hosting Mexican-American literary function

While the Mexican-American culture and experience varies from person to person, a new collection of works depicts one state’s representation of it.

The Brownsville Heritage Complex will host a literary function this Sunday celebrating “Hecho en Tejas: Anthology of Texas Mexican Literature,” a book edited by Dagoberto Gilb, an award-winning author and faculty member at Texas State University.

The event, which Gilb will attend and participate in, will incorporate a musical performance by Joe and Rosa Perez of Rumbo al’Anacua.

The collection begins with an essay by Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca, the first known Spanish explorer of Texas. Authors like Tomas Rivera, Gloria Anzaluda, America Perez, and Sandra Cisneros are published in the anthology, along with younger writers such as Sheryl Luna, who wrote “Pity the Drowned Horses.”

The anthology also features lyrics by famous Texas musicians like Freddy Fender, Selena, essays, poems, pictures, letters and more.

“The anthology is important here and throughout Texas because so many people are still unaware that Mexican-Americans, especially from Texas, have made contributions to American literature,” said Emmy Perez, a professor at the University of Texas-Pan American.

Perez, who will attend the event, added that reading the anthology would give readers a better sense of Texas history and Tejano culture.

Dagoberto Gilb said in the introduction of the anthology that he wanted the book to reach all types of people who love Texas.

“I want it to be a book that so many can learn from, both the young who don’t know and the old who do but want it remembered, both those inside the culture and outside.”

Perez hopes that readers of the anthology will want to read more works of the contributors and become immersed in Mexican-American literature.

“Gloria Anzaldua is from Hargill and so many people in the area are unaware of the contributions she has made to American and world literature.

If they pick up the anthology they will get an introduction to her work and sweeping introduction to Texas and Mexican literature and will learn more about their contributions,” she said.

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IF YOU GO

WHAT: Hecho en Tejas Literary Event: Down by the Border

WHEN: Sunday, April 29, 2007

WHERE: Brownsville Heritage Complex

TIME: 2 p.m.