Celebrate Cesar Chavez's Birthday with Visit From Author Rilla Askew Followed by a Community Discussion

   Tulsa City-County Library’s Hispanic Resource Center presents “What ‘Kind of Kin’? Honoring César Chávez With Our Stories and Featuring Author Rilla Askew,” March 26, 7-8:30 p.m. at Martin Regional Library, 2601 S. Garnett Road.

   The human consequences of harsh legislation is at the center of Rilla Askew’s new novel “Kind of Kin,” especially as it pertains to the Mexican immigrant community in Oklahoma.  Join Askew, United Farm Workers of America veteran Vicente Ruiz, musicians, poets and others from the Hispanic community to honor and celebrate César Chávez’s legacy and birthday.

   Latinos are invited to share their immigration stories, struggles and hope to bring the fictional stories portrayed by Askew to life.  After the presentation, copies of “Kind of Kin” will be available for purchasing and signing.  Refreshments will be provided.  For all ages.  Sponsored by the Hispanic Resource Center, Tulsa Library Trust, Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Pancho Anaya Bakery, and Hispanic Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs of Tulsa.

   Another featured speaker during the program is Vicente Ruiz, veteran of the United Farm Workers of America.  Ruiz has worked with the United Farm Workers of America to help workers battle low wages, unreasonable working conditions and garner equitable working hours.

   “TCCL’s Hispanic Resource Center celebrates the life and legacy of César Chávez every year,” said Sara Martinez, Hispanic Resource Center coordinator.  “Chávez was a social activist and union organizer who struggled to gain recognition for the human dignity of workers in harvest agriculture.  He relied on nonviolent strategies to effect change and is recognized throughout the world as a Mexican American leader who championed equality, humanity and social justice.”

   The mission of the Hispanic Resource Center is to provide cultural, informational and educational resources, as well as activities and services for both Spanish- and English-speaking families.  The center was established to meet the educational and cultural needs of Tulsa County’s growing Hispanic community.

   For more information on “What ‘Kind of Kin’? Honoring César Chávez With Our Stories and Featuring Author Rilla Askew,” call the AskUs Hotline, 918-549-7323, or visit the library’s webpage, www.tulsalibrary.org.

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