About Me
I'm Tomás Summers Sandoval and this is my blog. I'm an asociate professor of Chicano/Latino Studies and History at Pomona College, the author of Latinos at the Golden Gate(2013), and a generally nice guy. You can learn more about me at my main website.
Monthly Archives: August 2011
The Kemp-Kershaw Combo
Despite their run into third place in the NL West, the Dodgers have had a rather dismal 2011 season. Among the shiny bright spots, however, have been center fielder Matt Kemp and pitcher Clayton Kershaw. While both are long shots, … Continue reading
Posted in History
Tagged clayton kershaw, cy young, dodger history, dodgers, matt kemp, mvp, sports
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A New School Year
Today I begin my 30th semester as a teacher in higher education. With any luck, it will also be my last as an untenured, assistant professor. A new school year always brings with it a mix of emotions and stresses. … Continue reading
Posted in Academia, Education, Personal
Tagged chicana, Chicano, chicano history, chicano studies, college, hispanic, latina, latino, latino studies, learning, mexican american
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MONDAY BLUES (08.19.11)
Forty-one years ago today, more than 20,000 Chicanos in East Los Angeles–women, men, and children–protested the war in Vietnam and violent effects it had begun to wield within their community. You see, though Chicanos represented only about 11% of the … Continue reading
Posted in Academia, Education, History, Music
Tagged atm, carlos santana, Chicano, chicano moratorium, ruben salazar, samba pa ti, santana, vietnam war
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The NY Times nos da Asco
I can’t tell you what a sublime and historic moment it is for the NY Times to have a full-length article on the Chicano artistic troupe “Asco.” Founded in 1972, in the era of the Chicano Youth Movement, Asco were … Continue reading
Posted in Academia, History, News
Tagged art, asco, Chicano, chicano art, chicano studies, los angeles, mexican american, urban art
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Two Popular Musical Masters Pass Away
Nick Ashford and Jerry Lieber have died. Each was a musical master–one part of a songwriting duo–though neither was ever as famous as the musical giants for whom each penned classics. Along with his wife, Valerie Simpson, Nick Ashford wrote … Continue reading
Posted in Education, Entertainment, History, Music
Tagged blues, dead, elvis, jerry lieber, motown, musical genius, nick ashford, Obituary, rhythm and blues, rip
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MONDAY BLUES (08.22.11)
Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown (Louisiana & Texas, 1924-2005) performing with Canned Heat at the Montreux Jazz Festival (1973).
Posted in Entertainment, History, Music
Tagged blues, canned heat, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, gatemouth brown, harmonica, harp, jazz, monday blues, montreux jazz festival
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A Chicano and his Books
Every once in awhile, a young student will walk into my office and immediately be struck by the number of books s/he sees on my shelves. “Have you read all of these books?,” they’ll ask. “Yes,” I’ll say. “It’s what … Continue reading
Posted in Academia, Education, History, Personal
Tagged books, california history, chicana feminism, chicano history, chicano studies, history books, latino history, latino studies, reading, us history
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Elvis at 34
Elvis Presley died 34 years ago today. What better way to remember the King than to look back at his 34th year of life? Elvis turned 34 in January of 1969. The once reigning King of popular music had become … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, History, Music
Tagged 1969, elvis, elvis presley, music, rock, rock n roll, the king
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Racism, Riots, and “Reality”
When a police officer shoots and kills a person of color, whether in the US or in Britain, most in so-called civil society wait until some sort of formal inquiry or investigation before passing judgment. This is a necessary thing … Continue reading
The Journey
In a matter of mere hours, for the very first time in our lives, my wife and I will be the parents of a kindergartener. It seems like decades ago that my son was born. While I can remember life … Continue reading
Posted in Education, History, Parenting, Personal
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