UNITED STATES TEJANO PRIDE
Grandfather Manuel Pena and Father Rodolfo and Grandmother, Uncle Jose, Enrique and Roberto
We are proud patriotic United States citizens, who hold proper respect and pride in ourselves. We are Texas born and raised…a unique citizen…traditionally bold, aggressive and individualistic with a strong sense of duty, unparalleled loyalty, and honor. For Tejanos who served in the Texas Revolution of 1836 and subsequently the Armed Forces of the United States, the term “For God and country” signified then and continues to signify our undisputed commitment to carry out the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of our country’s defense and security. Historical facts, monuments, and other honors bear witness to our courage in the face of ultimate danger and powerful odds. Throughout history, Tejanos in the United States Armed Forces have unselfishly sacrificed their lives so the rest of us could continue the battle and ultimately achieve the final victory to preserve our nation’s freedom for all United States citizens.
RudyTejano Pena, U.S. Navy Retired
It gives me the greatest sense of pride and indescribable honor to have served my country in the United States Navy and joined the ranks of such gallant men and women.
Pride runs deep around these parts; it always has and always will. So it goes without saying that in many of our humble homes, you’ll often find the UNITED STATES and Texas flags beside the portrait of a proud Tejano or Tejana in the distinguished service dress uniform representing the military branch they proudly served. Yes, without a doubt, I am extremely proud of my Spanish, Indigene and Tejano ancestry. Moreover my body and soul bursts with patriotic United States Tejano Pride.
For some of us, our ability and command of both the English and Spanish language surely demonstrate the capacity, ability and potential of a United States born citizen with an educational background and capabilities second to none. Tejanos are citizens who have maintained close ties and identify with our original Tejas / Texas roots and traditions. We are an exceptional, unique and diverse United States citizen. Citizens who introduced their customs and traditions enhancing a true patriotic spirit and good will to all.
I whole-heartedly acknowledge and express my utmost respect to those who claim their undisputed pride as Hispanic, Mexican, Latino, Chicano or Mexican-American. However, Tejanos and Tejanas must pursue their identity by acknowledging and recognizing that our pride for our ancestral heritage is something we hold dear to our hearts, which no one can take away. More importantly, we owe it to ourselves and future generations to pursue and preserve our Tejas /Texas Tejano pride and dignity. We must never sanction or tolerate the denial of this precious heritage. Throughout the world, the United States, and particularly in Texas, there are legions of Tejanos and Tejanas who are or may be direct descendants of the original native Texans. Tejanos have earned and deserve the respect, privilege and proper identity other Texas-born citizens enjoy. I am proud of my origin and extremely proud to be a patriotic United States Tejano. We are Tejanos, by the Grace of God and mostly bilingual by ability and choice.
Feb 1st 2005 RudyTejano Pena-Day in Laredo, Texas
GOD BLESS TEXAS … VIVAN LOS TEJANOS Y TEJANAS…POR DIOS, NUESTRA,GENTE Y QUERIDA PATRIA … VIVA TEJAS… Y LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS
RUDYTEJANO PEÑA
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Your comments are appreciated. I am very glad, you are interested in learning about, who the Tejanos actually are and their historical contributions to Texas, the United States and the world. If it’s not to forward of me to ask, where are you from and what is your background?
Rudy I invite you to read the book Sofia’s Life by Lucas. She was one of the earliest settlers and one of the greatest Tejanas in Texas.
Lucas, I look forward to reading your book especially the references that pertain to the Tejano community. Most of us know and understand, Tejas/ Texas, has had it’s share of immigrants going back to the Spanish colonial period. The 1500′s witness the arrival of the first Spanish immigration and colonization. For Spain, boundries or borders did not exist.
Spain was a powerful country with colonies around the world including North and South America. The Spanish government introduced and set the standard. They dictated the law, established rules, regulations and ruled the newly formed New Spain Colony. The sprawling northern New Spain province of Tejas/Texas was introduced in the late 1600′s.
Inhabitants born in the New Spain, Tejas province with Spanish or Spanish/Indigenous origins by virtue of their place of birth and racial make up were identified as the original Tejano or Tejana. The Spanish, Indigenous and Spanish parental ancestry remains part of the make up of the newly established Tejano/a identity.
In Tejas the melting pot theory has witness the evolution and inclussion of the above plus Irish, French, Italian, German, Polish, Greek, English, U.S. , Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican and so many others.
The original Tejanos did not come to Tejas, they emerged, evolved and developed in the New Spain Tejas province. Decendants of the original Tejanos born in Texas with above mentioned origins are Tejanos or Tejanas. Others born in Texas with Spanish, Spanish/Indigenous and any other ethnicity combination are considered bonafide Tejano/a regardless of their parents origin or identity. Once again the parental ancestry is never in question.
Tejanos and Tejanas must recognize, embrace and feel proud our unique Tejas identity, culture and distinguished historical heritage.
Rudy,
It is refreshing to hear the Tejano perspective mentioned because the evolution into multicultural understanding requires a strong foundation from the participating cultures in the 21st century.
“If you don’t know where you come from; then you don’t know where you’re going.”
The music dialogue exists; therefore we must take it to the next level of community and educational conferences as well as music workshops involving writers, composers, professional performers, and music educators. The need for the advancement of Tejano music and related genres calls for inclusion in the public educational system and higher education institutions.
However, the design proposed requires “grounding” in a community-based environment necessary to avoid institutionalized exclusion.
Respectfully submitted<
Roberto Rivera Ojeda
Port Lavaca, Texas
Thank you for your comments. Absolutely, establishing and clearly defining the Tejano identity, culture and heritage to avoid institutionalized exclusion is of paramount importance. However, presently a strong foreign Mexican/Mexican-American identity mindset continues to linger in Tejano communities all over Texas. Immediate Tejano educational and promotional efforts are urgently needed to rescue the Tejano identity from the shadows and gripe of the foreign identity. The distinction between the two cultures is clear and obvious, but over looked by Tejano communities, that choose to identify with the Mexican identity. The Mexican and Mexican-American unlike the Tejano, proudly maintain, display and promote their true identity to the world. Tejanos should follow their lead and proudly promote our own true identity.
August 19
Dear Rudy:
I find your Tejano website exciting, informative, logical, contemporary, and badly needed. Thank you and keep up the good work on our behalf!
Dr. Lino García,Jr.
Professor Emeritus-UTPA
Coordinator: SpanishTexas Studies Project
I’m humbled, appreciate and admire you for all the outstanding work you are doing on behalf of the Tejano communities thru out the state of Texas, the U.S. and the world.
Hello Rudy,
This is a Kool Site.! Simple and Easy viewing.!! I’ll be back as often as I can to see what’s up.!!!
Siempre Tejano De Corazon,
Israel aka P.B.T.
Israel, Muchas gracias for your comments. God bless you for your Tejano heart and all the good things you are doing in direct support of the Tejano identity its culture and nuestra musica Tejana. We need the support of more Tejanos and Tejanas like you to our cause.
These are my views concerning the Tejano Communities in Texas and other places. RudyTejano, at my requests did some editing to the article.
Venues representing the Tejano communitys activities such as parades or other public related Tejano events are literally nonexistent. And yet there is Cinco de Mayo or Hispanic pride day. There is name recognition for some specific community leaders such as Mexican-American, Latino, and Hispanic but seldom if ever the Tejano term is mentioned
Vaguely have Tejanos or Tejanas, been mentioned and/or included as a culture, if and when they are, they appear, as an insignificant part of the Hispanic, Mexican American or Latino culture. Our legitimate Tejano/a identity term as a rule has been excluded and over looked.
As our Tejano ancestors of years gone by, today, Tejanos born in Texas, proudly call it home. Most Tejanos, rarely, if ever fly the Mexican flag; instead we proudly display the Lone Star State flag. Texas has the distinction of being the only state in the union allowed to display the Texas and United States flag at equal height.
Books of Texas history hardly mention the Tejano term to identify or acknowledge the native Tejano culture. Patriotic Tejano re-enactors from the Tejano communities are needed to tell the true story of the Tejano identity, culture and unique distinguished heritage.
Its Tejanos responsibilities to teach and educate all children and public at large of who and what Tejanos/as are and represent.
Our ancestor’s believed our diverse cultures needed to make a better life for all. Tejanos and Tejanas must move forward and make their dreams a reality. All the diverse Culture’s should help us keep their accomplishments and memory alive. The Tejano Identity, Culture, Heritage and History should be included and recognized as an important part of Texas, United States history. The Tejano legacy must not continue to lag behind other cultures. Tejanos helped built the Alamo and other Texas historical sites yet continue to be excluded as an individual culture.
We have been tied to the Mexican and Mexican American culture far too long. Appropriate Tejano venues of our true Tejano, culture, heritage and history must be created, introduced and presented.
We must seek the recognition of our distinguished Tejano ancestor’s such as Col. Juan N. Seguin, Jose Francisco Ruiz, Jose Antonio Navarro, and many others, who barely have been mentioned in Tejxas History.
Tejanos and Tejanas must work free of envy toward each another. United Tejanos must seek all efforts to embrace and promote the Tejano heritage. Working together, avoiding any obstacle that may interfere with the Tejano awareness mission will help others see the Tejano communities can work towards a common goal. These efforts will help our Culture & Heritage grow and place it where it belongs in Tejas history.
One day in the near future there will be parks and other public venues celebrating Tejano events.
God Bless Tejas
Angel, I truly appreciate your comments in support of the Tejano awareness effort. Thank you for all you do in support of our Tejano identity and its culture.