Austin poet, activist Salinas dies

What a sad day for both Austin and the greater Activist community. The following is from an email. -Patricia

"A Tender Warrior Fell Today..."
Saludos desde Resistencia Bookstore, Casa de Red Salmon Arts,

It is with great sadness we inform all of our community supporters,
comrades, familia and colegas about the passing of our elder, teacher,
father, chicanindio, and poeta revolutionario raúlrsalinas.

As you may know, for the past couple of years, raúl has been struggling with
his health. We understand that it's difficult for us to let him go, but
since the beginning of the year his health continued to be a major
challenge. Unfortunately, his body just could not take the strain and was
deteriorating at a rapid pace. Even though he has left this realm and it's a
great loss para nuestro pueblo, his spirit is strong and lives on in all of
us.

As his family provides more information, we will share it with everyone. For
now this is just a notification of the passing of our brother. We will
notify you about where you can send condolences, flowers, and cards as we
get more information. An altar has been created in front of the bookstore
on South First St. in Austin, Texas for now. We thank everyone for their
good energy and support and prayers in this time of loss and mourning.

CON RESPECTO Y EN LUCHA,

Rene Valdez


Long-time teacher impacted Austin.

By Omar L. Gallaga
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Austin poet and activist Raúl Salinas has died.

The author and longtime fixture at South Austin's La Resistencia Bookstore wrote several influential books of Chicano poetry, including "East of the Freeway: Reflections de mi Pueblo," and "Un Trip Through the Mind Jail y Otras Excursions."

His most recent book, "raúl salinas and the Jail Machine: Selected Writings of raúl salinas" was published in 2006 by University of Texas Press.

The bespectacled, pony-tailed writer, born in 1934 in San Antonio, aligned himself with the Beat poets and had used stints in prison that began in 1957 on drug-related charges in California, as fodder for his work.

The poet said he was reborn in prison, where he said he got in touch with his "Native spirituality and indigenous self."

He would go on to teach many writing and social activism classes, whether it was at schools such as St. Edwards University or at juvenile detention centers across the country.

Salinas was actively involved in city politics and also played host at La Resistencia, which opened in 1981, to art and spoken-word events. The cultural group he created, Red Salmon Arts, continues to host performances and artist events.

He told the Spanish newspaper ¡ahora sí! in 2005, "This is my world," Salinas says, "I have to navigate it. I've always combined my art, my politics, my spirituality, as part of my total being."