Nephtalí De León

Nephtalí De León is a Chicano writer[1] known primarily for his poetry, children's stories, and essays. He is also credited with illustrating most of his books. He was born in Laredo, Texas[2] in 1945[3] as the son of migrant workers.[4][5] Although neither of his parents received much formal education, De León says that they were responsible for first exposing him to literature.[2] He published his first book, Chicanos: Our Background and Our Pride, in the early 1960s during his senior year of high school.[2][6] He then expanded his work to include poetry and plays, dabbling in mural art and children's stories on the side. His first children's book entitled I Will Catch the Sun was published in 1973.[7] He was the editor of the newspaper La Voz de los Llanos in Lubbock, Texas from 1968 to 1973.[2] He has been published in Mexico, France, the United States, and Spain with his stories being translated into several other languages, including German, Russian, Chinese, and Vietnamese.[2] Currently, De León is a full-time poet, writer, and painter who performs lectures and poetry at schools and community events.

Themes of his works

De León depicts the "dreams, desires, and aspirations" of the Chicano people. He believes that Chicanos have been "held in psychological and spiritual bondage...and that they are cultural and intellectual hostages in American society". In his works he tries to trace how this predicament has developed throughout history and he also attempts to display the dreams and attitudes of the Chicano people. His writings are based on ancient Aztec language and culture.

Poet Laureate of San Antonio

Nephtali De León was named the sixth Poet Laureate of San Antonio in April 2023.[4][8] His term was cut short after he posted a poem on social media in July as an elegy for Roberto Rodriguez that contained racial slurs,[5] and the city removed him from the position.[9] His five predecessors as poet laureate condemned his actions.[10] During his brief tenure he performed at Viva Poesia for National Poetry Month[7] and San Antonio City Hall.[7]

Works

  • Chicanos: our background and our pride Trucha Publications. 1972. ISBN 9780912878003
  • Chicano Poet: With Images and Visions of the Poet Trucha Publications. 1973. ISBN 9780912878010
  • I Will Catch the Sun Trucha Publications. 1973.
  • Coca-Cola Dream Trucha Publications. 1976.
  • La LLorona: A Spirit Unable to Rest 2020.ISBN 9798637887347

References

  1. ^ Keller, Gary D. (June 2002). Contemporary Chicana and Chicano art: artists, works, culture, and education. Bilingual Press/Editorial Bilingüe. pp. 160–. ISBN 978-1-931010-09-2. Retrieved 21 August 2011. Although known primarily as a writer, Nephtali de Leon has also devoted part of his career to the visual ...
  2. ^ a b c d e Gray, Carmen (22 March 2023). "You Are A Poet". Latino Magazine. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  3. ^ Bruns, Roger (2018). Documents of the Chicano Movement. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. pp. 166–171. ISBN 9798216075738. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  4. ^ a b Morgan, Jack (22 March 2023). "Nephtali De Leon will be San Antonio's sixth poet laureate". Texas Public Radio. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  5. ^ a b Morgan, Jack (15 August 2023). "San Antonio parts ways with poet laureate after use of racial epithet on social media". Texas Public Radio. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  6. ^ Oral History Interview with Nephtali De Leon, 1999 [1] retrieved March 30, 2012
  7. ^ a b c Frank, Nicholas (2 April 2023). "New poet laureate Nephtalí De León once fought the city that now embraces him". San Antonio Report. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  8. ^ "City of San Antonio Announces Nephtali De León as Poet Laureate". City of San Antonio. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  9. ^ Morgan, Don (16 August 2023). "San Antonio Poet Laureate fired after controversial poem is posted on social media". KTSA. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  10. ^ Degollado, Jessie (17 August 2023). "Previous San Antonio poet laureate weighs in on controversy surrounding dismissed poet". KSAT. Retrieved 24 November 2023.