Is San Antonio Poet Laureate Fired? Who is Nephtalí De León?
by Rubaditsha
Updated Aug 21, 2023
Is San Antonio Poet Laureate Fired?
Yes, Nephtalí De León, the Poet Laureate of San Antonio, has been terminated from his position following a controversy involving a poem he posted online. De León, a celebrated Chicano writer, shared a poem on his Facebook page on August 1st as a tribute to the late author and educator Roberto "Cintli" Rodriguez, who had passed away the day before.
The poem contained a Chicano slang word that is commonly regarded as a derogatory term for Black individuals. San Antonio's Department of Arts & Culture, which oversees the poet laureate program, issued a statement in response to the situation.
The department emphasized its commitment to creating a just, inclusive, and equitable city. It expressed that the poem's content contradicted the responsibilities and values associated with the role of the City's Poet Laureate. According to the department's statement, the Poet Laureate is expected to uphold values that involve denouncing racism and other forms of oppressive barriers while utilizing creative poetic expressions to unite the community.
The statement declared that De León's recent poem was contrary to both the city's values and the role of the City Poet Laureate. As a result, his contract with the City of San Antonio was terminated. De León's termination occurred after only four months into what was originally intended to be a three-year term as poet laureate.
The controversy surrounding the poem was brought to the attention of city officials through two separate letters. One letter was signed by city and state poets laureate, while the other was signed by a group of poets and educators. The poem's content sparked discussions and debates on De León's Facebook page. While some individuals criticized his use of the slang term, others defended it, citing artistic freedom and expression.
In response to the situation, De León, who is 78 years old, posted a detailed explanation on his Facebook page. He stated that he had no intention of conveying "malignancy or racism" with his use of the slang term. He argued that Chicano forms of expression are still evolving compared to other languages and that their words can have various interpretations.
Andrea "Vocab" Sanderson, the city's former poet laureate, participated in the discussion on De León's page. She thanked those who contributed comments aimed at addressing the usage of the term and interacting with De León respectfully. Sanderson clarified that the term in question is historically rooted in racism, classism, and other negative associations and is used to insult and diminish Black people.
In light of De León's termination, the Department of Arts & Culture in San Antonio announced its intention to initiate a new nomination process for his replacement. The appointment of the new poet laureate is expected to take place during National Poetry Month in April.
Who is Nephtalí De León?
Nephtalí De León, a distinguished Chicano writer renowned for his contributions in the realms of poetry, children's narratives, and essays, has also undertaken the illustration of a significant portion of his literary endeavors. Born in 1945 in Laredo, Texas, to migrant worker parents, De León's early exposure to literature stemmed from his parents' limited formal education.
His creative journey commenced with the publication of his initial book, "Chicanos: Our Background and Our Pride," during his senior year of high school in the early 1960s. Subsequently, his artistic explorations extended to encompass poetry, theatrical productions, mural art, and children's stories.
Notably, his debut children's book, "I Will Catch the Sun," garnered substantial acclaim. His influence has transcended borders, with his works published in various countries including Mexico, France, the United States, and Spain. Moreover, his stories have been translated into diverse languages such as German, Russian, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
Presently, De León has embraced a multifaceted role as a full-time poet, writer, and painter. He passionately engages in delivering lectures and reciting poetry at educational institutions and community gatherings. His creative themes artfully capture the aspirations, yearnings, and hopes of the Chicano people.
He contends that Chicanos have endured a state of "psychological and spiritual bondage" while being ensnared as "cultural and intellectual hostages" within American society. Throughout his works, he endeavors to uncover the historical underpinnings of this predicament while simultaneously spotlighting the dreams and attitudes that define the Chicano community.
A distinctive hallmark of his literary repertoire is the incorporation of elements rooted in ancient Aztec language and culture. Through his multifarious literary and artistic ventures, De León eloquently weaves narratives that resonate with the essence of the Chicano experience and the enduring legacy of their cultural heritage.
San Antonio Poet Laureate Fired
Nephtalí De León, the Poet Laureate of San Antonio, has been fired from his position due to a controversy stemming from a poem he shared online. De León, a well-regarded Chicano writer, posted a poem on August 1st on his Facebook page as a tribute to the late author and educator Roberto "Cintli" Rodriguez, who had passed away the previous day. The poem included a Chicano slang term that is commonly seen as derogatory towards Black individuals.
San Antonio's Department of Arts & Culture, responsible for overseeing the city's poet laureate program, responded to the matter with a statement. The department emphasized its commitment to fostering a just, inclusive, and equitable community. It expressed that the poem's content clashed with the responsibilities and values associated with the role of the City's Poet Laureate.
The statement outlined the Poet Laureate's role in upholding values that include denouncing racism and dismantling oppressive barriers while using creative poetic expression to unite the community. The department stated that De León's recent poem contradicted both the city's values and the role of the City Poet Laureate, leading to the termination of his contract.
De León's dismissal occurred after only four months into his initially planned three-year term. The controversy came to light through two separate letters—one from city and state poets laureate and the other from a group of poets and educators.
The poem's content sparked discussions on De León's Facebook page, with varying opinions on his use of the slang term. While some criticized it, others defended the poet's right to artistic freedom.
Responding to the situation, De León, aged 78, posted a detailed explanation on his page. He asserted that his use of the slang term was devoid of "malignancy or racism." He highlighted that Chicano forms of expression are relatively new and subject to different interpretations compared to more established languages.
Andrea "Vocab" Sanderson, the former poet laureate of the city, engaged in the discussion on De León's page. She thanked those who contributed constructive comments and explained that the term in question is steeped in historical racism and derogatory connotations toward Black people.
As a result of De León's termination, the Department of Arts & Culture in San Antonio plans to initiate a new selection process for his replacement. The appointment of the new poet laureate is anticipated to take place during National Poetry Month in April.
Nephtalí De León Career
Nephtalí De León's career is a tapestry woven with literary innovation and cultural resonance. Renowned as a distinguished Chicano writer, he has indelibly marked the literary landscape through his proficiency in various genres. From poetry to children's narratives and essays, his creative prowess knows no bounds. Notably, De León's artistic abilities extend beyond the written word, as he assumes the role of an accomplished illustrator, lending visual depth to his literary creations.
Born in 1945 in Laredo, Texas, to parents engaged in migrant labor, De León's creative journey was nurtured by his parents' commitment to fostering a love for literature, despite their limited formal education. His inaugural foray into the world of publishing came to fruition during his senior year of high school in the early 1960s with "Chicanos: Our Background and Our Pride," a testament to his early dedication to amplifying the Chicano voice.
De León's thematic endeavors are rooted in conveying the "dreams, desires, and aspirations" intrinsic to the Chicano community. He perceives Chicanos as having endured a historical legacy of "psychological and spiritual bondage," confined as "cultural and intellectual hostages" within American society. Through his literary odyssey, he undertakes the intricate task of tracing the historical trajectory that has led to this complex circumstance, while simultaneously illuminating the spirited dreams and attitudes emblematic of the Chicano ethos.
Integral to De León's literary signature is his deliberate incorporation of elements derived from ancient Aztec language and culture. This cultural homage adds depth and texture to his narratives, entwining modern experiences with historical legacies.
Currently, De León remains a dedicated and multi-faceted artist, engaging as a full-time poet, writer, and painter. His commitment extends to sharing his wisdom through lectures and poetry performances within academic and community settings. Through his creative pursuits, De León not only amplifies the Chicano narrative but also underscores the enduring power of artistic expression to illuminate history, voice, and aspirations.
Nephtalí De León Poem
Nephtalí De León serves as a conduit for expressing the profound "dreams, longings, and ambitions" that resonate within the Chicano community. His perspective is rooted in the belief that Chicanos have endured a state of psychological and spiritual confinement, serving as "captives" within the cultural and intellectual landscape of American society.
Through his artistic endeavors, De León embarks on a quest to unravel the intricate historical threads that have woven this intricate predicament, while simultaneously illuminating the vibrant dreams and attitudes inherent to the Chicano ethos.
At the core of De León's creative exploration lies an attempt to trace the evolution of this complex situation across the annals of history. His narrative brush strokes aim to chronicle the trajectory of the Chicano experience, navigating through the epochs to unveil the forces that have shaped their contemporary reality.
Through his work, he endeavors to render visible the emotional tapestry that weaves together the aspirations, struggles, and yearnings that form the backbone of Chicano identity.
Central to De León's literary tapestry is his meticulous incorporation of elements harkening back to the rich tapestry of ancient Aztec language and culture. By interweaving these cultural threads, he pays homage to the enduring heritage that informs the Chicano narrative. The symbiotic relationship between his words and the ancient echoes underscores the depth of his exploration, infusing his work with layers of meaning and cultural resonance.
In essence, De León emerges as a beacon for the Chicano community, his creative endeavors capturing both the resilience of a people who have navigated turbulent historical currents and the vivacious hopes that fuel their journey towards a more empowered future. Through his unique lens, the multifaceted tapestry of the Chicano experience is vividly unveiled, providing a platform for their voices, struggles, and aspirations to be heard and celebrated.
Is San Antonio Poet Laureate Fired:FAQs
Nephtalí De León is renowned for his contributions as a Chicano writer, spanning various literary genres including poetry, children's stories, and essays. He is also recognized for his skills as an illustrator.
Born in Laredo, Texas, to migrant worker parents, De León's exposure to literature was cultivated by his parents despite their limited formal education.
De León's first published work, "Chicanos: Our Background and Our Pride," emerged during his senior year of high school in the early 1960s.
De León delves into themes reflecting the "dreams, desires, and aspirations" of the Chicano people. He believes Chicanos have been confined to "psychological and spiritual bondage," functioning as cultural and intellectual captives within American society.
De León seeks to trace the historical roots of this predicament, while simultaneously showcasing the dreams and attitudes inherent to the Chicano community.