by Taylor LaBella| Staff Writer| [email protected]
Oct. 1, 2019
The atmosphere of the room was lively, with tables decorated with serape tablecloths and flowers in gold painted jars, while songs about Zapata played in the background, some of which included “Viva Zapata” by Locos and “Emiliano Zapata” by José-Luiz Orozco. On the stage, the bust laid draped in a blanket.
Nearly 100 students, staff and supporters crowded into the City College Student Center to honor the life of Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata, as well as witness the unveiling of a brand new bust of his likeness, which has been given to the college by Lucy Topete and Edgar Zapata Sept. 27.
Martin M. Ramirez, project director for STEM Equity & Success Initiative at City College, introduced Beverly Acosta, a student speaker.
“I believe it is very important to honor people who deserve to be honored,” Acosta said as she and Carmen Calderon, the other student speaker, shared strong words about the importance of Spanish culture and remembering the Mexican Revolution.
Zapata fought for agrarian rights for the village of Anenecuilco, according to History.com. He also formed and commanded the Liberation Army of the South, which fought in the Mexican Revolution. Zapata was shot 100 years ago on April 10, 1919, but his agrarian movement called “zapatismo” carried on after his death.
This was followed by Behavioral and Social Sciences Professor Rosamaria Tanghetti, who spoke of Emiliano Zapata’s background and his importance. She then introduced Edgar Zapata, Emiliano Zapata’s great-grandson.
What was he thinking? Hopefully he learned his lesson after the embarrassment of having his stomach pumped by that sweet nurse. viagra online buy Signs or Symptoms of Intimacy Feeling that one does not feel uprush of sexual vim. viagra mastercard india This hormone also affects characteristics in men that mature viagra sample pills with age. Europeans drank this healing water from the Karlovy Vary thermal spring salt. cialis bulkEdgar Zapata, speaking fondly and with pride of his great-grandfather, described him as “a man of social justice and honor,” sharing stories of his relative and what he did for his people.
“The Mexican Revolution ended a while ago, but their morals continue living,” Zapata said.
Lucy Topete, the sculptor and creator of the Zapata bust, took the stage, explaining the serious responsibility that came with capturing Zapata’s likeness, and the extent of her research to create the sculpture. She showed a slideshow depicting the process of creating the statue.
“Every job is different, every job is a feat, and I love accomplishing them,” Topete stated, reminiscing about her experiences in sculpting the bust, along with her prior works.
Finally, Edgar Zapata was brought up to unveil the bust, sharing a few emotional words and taking photographs with Lucy, along with many students and those involved with the event.
For the last section of the event, Ramirez presented two posters created in the late 1980s to promote Zapata Park as well as a certificate to Edgar Zapata and Topete. Pieces of the bust were also given by Topete and Zapata to those who helped with the event, as well as to the Zapata Solidarity Coalition.
To conclude the program, two more City College students, Anthony Bravo and Pablo Buenrostro, delivered a short speech and poem about the personal connection they felt toward Emiliano Zapata, as well as their pride about the bust being donated to their campus.
“Viva Zapata!” Bravo yelled as he stepped off stage.
