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.
Author Archives: profe
Historical Songbook: “Los Hijos de Hernández” (1986)
Los Tigres del Norte are the most famous and accomplished conjunto band in Mexican musical history. Their own story spans the border between California and Mexico (the group came together in San Jose, CA), and does so while playing norteño … Continue reading
Posted in Music
Tagged 1980s, vietnam, los tigres del norte, conjunto, 80s, war song
Leave a comment
Elephant Seals
Our annual summer camping trip to Big Sur includes an annual stop in San Simeon to see the molting elephant seals. (© TFSS, 2013.)
Posted in Photography
Leave a comment
Historical Songbook: “We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off” (1986)
The year 1986 holds a lot of special meaning for me. I turned 13 in May 1986. I got confirmed, I graduated 8th grade (finishing off my time at the school I had attended since first grade), and began high … Continue reading
Posted in History, Music
Leave a comment
Historical Songbook
I’ve taught a class for the last seven years that focuses on the racial justice movements of the late 50s to the early 70s. We learn a bit about the mainstream Civil Rights Movement but spend much more time on … Continue reading
Pomona College had its graduation ceremony last Sunday. I had the pleasure of presenting a Pomona College trustee for an honorary degree. Here’s the video.
Posted in Academia
Leave a comment
Latinos are here to get your daughters pregnant!
NBC has announced its fall 2013 line-up and it includes a show featuring a Latino family! The show–called “Welcome to the Family”–stars young up-and-comer Joseph Haro (who’s had roles on “Glee” and “Awkward”) and Ricardo Chavira (of “Desperate Housewives”). Normally, I would … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, News, Politics
Tagged latinos, NBC, television, tv, welcome to the family
Leave a comment
“The Language of Love”
This short but endearing film was written by Kim Ho, the 17-year-old Australian who also performs in the lead role. It began as a monologue called “Transcendence,” which won a competition that allowed Ho to develop it further into this … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, LGBTQ
Leave a comment
MLK: 45 years later
As we commemorate the 45th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., I think it’s important for us–as a nation–to grapple with the incisive radicalism of MLK writings, analysis, and vision. And so I offer to you his … Continue reading
Posted in Education, History
Leave a comment
¡Viva Quinn! 60 years later…
Today marks a milestone of some significance for both Hollywood and Chicana/o histories. Sixty years ago today, on March 19, 1953, the 25th annual Academy Awards was held. It was the first Oscars even to be televised to a national … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, History
1 Comment
45 years of the Chicano Movement
Today marks the 45th anniversary of the East L.A. walkouts. Generally regarded as one of the foundational events of the Chicano student movement, the walkouts represented one of the first mass actions of Chicano (Mexican American) youth in U.S. history. … Continue reading
Posted in Education, History, Politics
Leave a comment
