Since there just aren’t enough documentaries about 19th-century Mexican banditos who were hung in San Jose, resident author and publisher Charlie Trujillo decided to begin making one. The scalawag under discussion is every local historian’s favorite forgotten troublemaker, Tiburcio Vasquez, who rampaged across California during the post–Gold Rush era.
The story of Vasquez is no mere legend. Born in Monterey in 1835, he plied his trade by robbing, rustling and brutalizing everything in his way. As soon as California was ceded to the gringos after the Mexican-American War, his dream was to take it back, and he traveled throughout the land stealing gold, acquiring ammunition and recruiting anyone who would go with him. Revolution was the goal, and historians claim that if Vasquez had just raised more money he might have come close to succeeding.
Also known as a legendary ladies’ man, Vasquez had lovers waiting for him just about everywhere he went. Eventually, he was caught for a murder he may or may not have committed during a bloody armed robbery in Tres Pinos and was then dragged to the old San Jose jail yard, where he was hung on March 19, 1875. When the executioner asked him for a final statement, he said, “Pronto!” And the deed was done. The gringos cheered while legions of senoritas mourned.
Vasquez’s story represents a variety of things to a variety of people, especially those of Mexican descent. During a time when Mexicans, as well as Chinese, were being lynched across the board, Vasquez is seen by many as a true freedom fighter, one who battled for social justice and the rights of Mexicans who were deprived of their land and property following the war. To them, he was a hero at heart who just went too far. Vasquez’s gravesite still sits in the Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, and the now-famous findagrave.com website lists a few anonymous dedications, one of which says this: “You were a man seized by hatred which was understandable. A foreign army seized your property, and your nation abandoned you. You were a rebel with a cause. The cause of dignity, which is universal. You loved more than you ever hated, and your downfall was not knowing when to quit, and realize that the folly is with the people. God bless.”
Trujillo himself has quite a story. A Chicano from the rural town of Corcoran, Calif., Trujillo penned the 1991 American Book Award–winning, Soldados: Chicanos in Viet Nam, in which he documented several stories of migrant farmworkers who served in the Vietnam War, including his own. The book led to a 28-minute PBS documentary of the same name, which first ran in 2003. In the film, Trujillo says he’s never liked the term “Mexican-American.”
“When we were out in the field picking cotton, they called us ‘Mexicans,’ but when they wanted us to go fight in the war, they called us ‘Americans.’”
When it comes to the story of Tiburcio Vasquez, Trujillo told me that white dudes have written most of the history, so the time is right for his version. He has interviewed historians, academics and even genealogists who’ve poured through correspondence from original Californios.
“There’s a lot of legend, there’s a lot of misconceptions,” he told me. “I’m trying to unravel all those and give it a clear story, so in the end the audience will say, ‘Well, maybe he was a bandit or maybe he was a revolutionary.’ Well, he was a bandit, but maybe they’ll see what his motives were and why. Towards the end of his career, he was saying if he had $50,000 he could start a whole revolution.”
Trujillo’s books and films are released on Chusma House Publications, his own endeavor: (http://www.chusmahouse.com) For the Vasquez film, he assures that the effort will be a valiant one: “When I put my documentary together, it’s not going be one of vengeance or hate. It’s to educate all people as to what was going on.”
Interesting. Vasquez as a person may have been lost behind the legend.
It would be a valuable project to separate the reality from the mythology.
The mythology has its own validity, on both sides. But either side is likely to be a long way from reality.
Let me add here, is that really a photograph of Vasquez? I suppose it must be. So what were the circumstances of the taking of that photograph?
“As soon as California was ceded to the gringos after the Mexican-American War…”
Isn’t it a little odd for an Indo-America with roots in the ancient Sikh religion (I’m guessing) to adopt a supremacist position in deciding that he can name all the Euro-Americans with a distasteful label?
Let’s see, “gringo” smothers our nationality (American), it certainly smothers our richly-textured diversity, and it isn’t what we name ourselves.
“Gringo” is not a derogatory term, Mr Victim.
grin·go (grngg)
n. pl. grin·gos Offensive Slang
Used as a disparaging term for a foreigner in Latin America, especially an American or English person.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/gringo
Thank you Nam Turk. Most people I know use the word gringo freely, in a completely casual sense. It’s not derogatory at all. Sure, it may bug the ultra-PC folks, but what doesn’t these days?
-gary
#6- Gary,
” Most people I know use the word gringo freely, in a completely casual sense.” Most skin heads and racists use the N word the same way.
I guess we “whites” are free game given that it is only used “in a completely casual sense” and I guess it shouldn’t matter to the user that we might find the term “Gringo” as offensive as “Cracker, or Trailor Trash.”
#6- Gary,
I guess it is acceptable in YOUR world to disparage causations with a derogatory term like Gringo, but hold we Gringos to a higher standard when it comes to the terminology we use in addressing people of color, or other races. You can’t have it both ways.
Gary, reverse discrimination is STILL discrimination.
7: Odd how this becomes a race issue. “Gringo” is a term applied either to Americans or sometimes others from outside Latin America. Last I checked, there were plenty of Spanish-speaking white people down south and plenty of non-whites from the US and abroad. I find it far less offensive than “seppo,” which is our demonym in the Commonwealth.
It’s very interesting that I should be reading from anonomous posters on the life of a guy that died so many years ago. Especially, when we are going thru so much as a Nation. Wars, Banksters, Morgage Crookery, Bailouts. Walls being built between countries.
I’ve enjoyed many wonderful blogs over the life of this site, but of late all I seem to be reading is a lot of unknows trading insulting personalities. I sure miss reading Leonard McKay on a Sunday morming. I’m almost tempted to go back to the Mercury News, or better yet what’s going on with Little Saigon, oops! did I just say that?
The Village Black Smith
I have a serious question! Was vaquez ever arrested for drunk in public?
Gil,
Since SJI decided to meld with the Metro to make money, and since the commentary policy lacks enforcement, what did you expect to happen?
#9- Nam Turk,
Ignorance and discrimination, no matter how much, should be confronted and addressed. If we don’t we are sending a message to our children that bigotry is okay, in certain instances as Gary suggests, when it is not. You can’t be a little bit pregnant. You are either pregnant or you are not.
I agree with Gil. There is a lot going on in this country right now that we should be talking about, rather than discussing some guy who died so long ago. What about the lunch programs for low income kids that may end due to State budget cuts? Whether we have kids or not, that is something that should worry us all.
#13—
I did not mean to imply that bigotry is okay in certain instances. If that’s how you read it, I apologize.
I am a US citizen, so is my mom, and so was my dad. I am Caucasian. I am a gringo. I am all of those. Until I get a race-change operation, that will continue to be the case. When I refer to us gringos who won that war, I use it as a casual word that has long since lost its pejorative meaning. I honestly believe that most Mexicans will tell you the same.
If I hit a nerve, I’m sorry. I promise to be more careful next time.
—Gary
Gary,
Not to beat a dead horse but you say, “When I refer to us gringos who won that war, I use it as a casual word that has long since lost its pejorative meaning.” Again, many people, especially youth today use the “N” word thinking, “It has long since lost its pejorative meaning.” For many it has not. The “N” word and many others like it, contains a history that should never be forgotten.
Apology accepted, lets move on now.
13: Christian, I’m struggling to see what is “ignorant” about the word, other than your understanding of it. It’s a word applied to Americans, just like “yank” or even “American” itself. Get up in arms if you want, but it’s a waste of time.
#16- Nam Turk,
If you look at your post to Dale, you called him Mr. Victim, after claiming the term is not derogatory. I have to wonder why you would say something like that to him. Was it because he was defending his race, was it because you don’t like him, or were you just being contrary? If you called him Mr. Victim because he was objecting to Caucasians being called a derogatory name, then you might want to ask yourself why you are holding a double standard. If he was objecting to being called the “N’ word, would you have called him Mr. Victim? I seriously doubt it, and that is the point here for me, double standards for ANY race is unacceptable. Whites have the same right to object to being called Gringo, or any other derogatory term, as any other race or culture has the right to object to being referred to in terms that are offensive to them personally.
#18 and #19- Beautiful story as usual Gil, and JWll, well said. My point is a simple one, and it is we are one people. All these names/and labels only separate us from one another. Race discussions are vital because they help us see things from different perspectives.
I can tell by some of the responses on here that there are divides between us stemming from age, culture, gender, and up bringing. In my youth, I watched African Americans struggle to be equal. To be allowed to sit anywhere they want to on a bus, in a restaurant, in a movie theater, etc. I have watched as African Americans struggled for the right to marry a person of a different race.
I have seen over time a reverse discrimination evolve where Caucasians have been made to pay for crimes committed by their fore fathers. I have watched as Caucasians have been made to feel guilty about taking pride in their heritage simply because it isn’t PC to. And sadly, I have watched, as our youth today are growing up not knowing their heritage, and they certainly don’t know the history of the terms or labels they are using.
Gary is a writer whose work appears in publications viewed by many, immigrants included. He has a higher standard of responsibility in his choice of words, and how he writes things. (i.e. White dudes, Gringos) I taught ESL to pay my way through college, and my students picked up, and used slang in inappropriate ways that literally got them fired, in trouble, and in a few cases beat up. And while I understand your beautiful story Gil, and I honestly get that you see the term Gringo as one of respect and friendship, I completely disagree that it is a term that should be deemed okay to use.
#1 thru 14,
After posting this morning, I went to the San Jose Athletic Club for some R&R. I looked for Leonard McKay but of course he was not there as he was several years ago. With the validation from Christen just now, I decide to post as if Leonard was nudging me to share, and so I will.
Wnen I was but a child, perhaps 5th grade, my Grand Father would tell me stories of the days when he was a boy and stories that were pasted on to him. So I shall pass them onto you.
The story that remains in my heart and mind that fills me with pride is of the Irish Gringos and how they were revered by the Mexicans fighting against the U.S. invaders of a peaceful nation, Mexico.
Every night after the days battles, both sides would retreat back to their own bivwacks. on the Mexican side the Irish, Los Patricios, because of their preference for thier own Irish meals, would camp separate from the Mexicans. It was after the evening meal by the light of the bonfires that eack would break into the music of their homelands. The Mexicans with their corridos, the Irish with their lallabys
The Irish would sing Shanty Town, “There’s a shanty in a town on a little plot of ground, where the green grass grows all around, all around”. The Mexicans would hear this favorite tune sung often. What remained of the sprit of these brave men were dubbed green grows. Thus the name of respect and honor forever remains in Mexican culture condensed to Gringos. My Grandpa taught me to respect those Men that die for a cause by day and sing together by night. I have never met anyone I could call a Gringo. But today I respectfully share my wonderful Grandpa’s stories with you and wish all of our men and women at war, God Speed. Never Forget! “The Green Grass Grows all around all around”.
We pray for your safe return home very soon and out of harms way!
The Village Black Smith
December 7 2008
Aside from the use of inflammatory references like “Gringo” it’s always refreshing when someone tries to present history with facts instead of slanted opinions as written by the victors of war. It’s even more interesting to read how we’re still divisive as a race; especially when you look at how Americans have become a mix of many different nationalities. It is time to refer to all legal residents as Americans and move forward to try and solve the many pressing issues that are pinning this country to the wall. Those of you who consider yourselves special, take a look at your family tree. You’ll be surprised at what you find.
As an example, I was born in Mexico and migrated to America. I’m now a U.S. citizen. When I looked at my family tree, I discovered I am actually Russian, Korean, French, and Spanish without a trace of indigenous Mexican blood in me. I guarantee most of you will make similar discoveries. Give it a try. Then those of you who have one, get over your superiority complex and get to work as # 11, Gil suggest; lets start solving more pressing issue instead of fanning the flames that will only burn us all. Can’t you use a bailout about now?
#16 – Nam Turk:
“13: Christian, I’m struggling to see what is “ignorant” about the word, other than your understanding of it. It’s a word applied to Americans, just like “yank” or even “American” itself. Get up in arms if you want, but it’s a waste of time.”
Kathleen posted the definition of Gringo from another dictionary above, but again, for the record. From Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary:
“grin·go
Pronunciation: ˈgriŋ-(ˌ)gō
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural gringos
Etymology: Spanish, alteration of griego Greek, stranger, from Latin Graecus Greek
Date: 1849
often disparaging : a foreigner in Spain or Latin America especially when of English or American origin ; broadly : a non-Hispanic person.”
Also for the record, the term “Yank” was used first during the U.S. Civil War, by Southerners, as a disparaging way to describe people from the North.
Nam, even if I assume you do not mean the term “Gringo” to be offensive, but as a kind description, you still have to understand that many Americans understand that term as offensive. For that reason, it should not be used.
Further, if Dale in post #3 were a proud Aisan American, and he were objecting to a term like “Slant-eyes”, would you defend it and call him “Mr. Victim”? No you wouldn’t. No matter what you thought of the term, you would recognize that the term was offensive to him, and you would cease using it around him. Similarly, many Americans see the term “Gringo” as offensive, as it has been used in a derogatory sense (as given by the two dictionary definitions, above), and should not be used by Gary, who is writing a widely read column.
Gary,
I do not know how old you are, or how you were raised but, your apology not only lacks sincerity, it is a sad attempt to cover your own ignorance of what bigotry is. We teach people how to treat us, and our youth need to us to lead by example Gary.
I work with youth offenders and when I ask them what they want to say to the victim whose car the stole, they usually say something like this, ” I’m sorry I took your car lady, but if you hadn’t left your keys in it, I never would have stolen it. I am sorry I did it, but next time may be you should take care to not leave your keys in the car.” Your comments like you are white, a citizen, and will stay that way until you have a race operation makes it very clear that you really don’t get it. You may be white but you do not speak for all of us Caucasians in saying, “ I am a Gringo, and I am white.”
Secondly, after my Board Meeting tonight, I spoke with two African American women in their early 60s, who have spent their lives being a “first” of many things, and who have dedicated their lives to stopping discrimination and bigotry. They were as horrified as I am at your defense of calling whites Gringos. I think you really need to rethink your perception that Caucasian people would be fine with being called a Gringo just because as you say, “I use it as a casual word that has long since lost its pejorative meaning. I honestly believe that most Mexicans will tell you the same.” I have never in my life heard a Latino person be so classless as to refer to Caucasian people as Gringos, so may be you need to broaden your social group.
Nice peice Gary, but please f…n end the post. Oh yea, and get a life!