August 2, 1987-San Antonio Express-News
LA FAMILIA'S ROLE ALTERING RAPIDLY
There is a lovely word in every language, I would imagine, that speaks to each and every human being: family.
La familia is a composite of world views, and, when viewed from its broadest possibilities, the word expresses more than a thousand paintings could speak to.
Familia is joy in all its dimensions as well as pain of all descriptions. It is an emotional word, value-laden beyond anyone's ability to delineate fully.
The family is both the creative foundry of and the exponent of cultural values. We often take it for granted and merely enjoy it.
FAMILY CONFERENCE
Such is not the case for a burgeoning group of people from throughout the nation who recently attended a plenary conference in the city.
There were human services personnel from such disparate states as Connecticut, New Jersey, Idaho, Illinois, New York, Minnesota, California, Florida, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. Texas was more than well represented, for people came from Dallas, Corpus Christi, Austin, Laredo, El Paso, Lubbock, the Valley and in many other cities and towns. Those in attendance included educators, artists, poets, program directors, specialists in human services, counselors, health practitioners and clergy of various denominations. Their focus was on the family unit, and it was a focus that also addressed environmental and cultural areas of problems and their resolution. José M. Saenz, a translator and poet from Austin who used to do community organizing San Antonio, said, "The conference was seeking a national forum to enhance the changing family.
"We recognize the invaluable role that cultural arts play in the family," he said. "We need to document our life histories because everyone has a piece of the puzzle to put the world into a cohesive focus."
POETRY READING
Raúl R. Salinas read poetry that moved the conference, and his ideas were echoed throughout the three days of "Familias Conference: A National Agenda for the Enhancement of Hispanic Children and Families."
Ray Benites, an artist representative from Austin, coordinated an exhibition of visual arts.
"Poetry and art are indelible in their imprint on our thinking," Benites said. "Culture is what helps us realize that we truly have no limitations other than the ones we permit to filter into our thinking." Virginia Cantú and Dorothy Turner from Austin commented in a small gathering "that people deserve the means to explore themselves," and that "we should strive to regain a sense of discovery from our everyday lives," to return to the child in us that once joyfully celebrated each new encounter.
SHARED VISIONS
M. Christina Gomez, an assistant professor and poet at Rutgers University, wanted to meet with Tejas poets and share her visions. William Acosta, chairman of the fledgling Familias national movement gave everyone an exhaustive tour of the problems confronting families everywhere. His words sagely underscored the fact that the family, as we have historically known it, is undergoing great stresses. Alienation, unemployment, health needs, discrimination, criminality and many other social ills afflict the family. It seems like an era of great traumas, but Acosta also pointed out that adversity can be a wellspring for breakthroughs of opportunity for serving one another. The idea of a greater definition of family was put into practice the day after the conference. Friends of Jimmy "Kimo" Casas hosted a Special fund-raising dance to help Kimo's mother. She injured herself during Casas' funeral.
Casas was a much respected musician and performer from San Antonio. Diabetes was the culprit that took his life. He was in his mid 4Os, and he left a legacy of cultural and human enrichment here and in the many cities throughout the nation where be performed
JOYFUL HOMAGE
The dance was an homage to him, for fans and fellow musicians gathered to celebrate a friend, mentor and beloved entertainer whose motto might well have been that his casa of música became casas of fulfillment and joy,ful music for everyone.
Kimo moved his audiences with his wry and witty anecdotes as well as with his music.
There was a magical sensibility to his act,and that magic was not only on stage.
It ultimately was a way of life, and he personified many of the pains and aspirations of barrio life.
Casas performed in the great cities of our naion, from Vegas to other citadels.
His renditions of blues, R&B, jazz and standard Latino tunes played with that special San Antonio sensibility were more than enjoyable.
A marvelous cross section of people attended: plumbers, workers, housewives, street people, small business owners, a retired general a candidate for sheriff, bartenders, artists and attorneys. Also in full force were most of the leading singers and musicians from much of the area. Their voices spoke in familial and loving words in homage to a fallen brother. The stiriing accolades were those of a family, and the words were definitely cultural Yes, we are a family, one that exists within the greater family of all humanity. It is important that we create dialogue, that we nurture beauty of our diversity. Our particular notions can express the power of our humanity, while our differences embellish the various roads we can travel toward our mutual dignity.
Kudos to "Familias" y una despidida cariñosa to a dear friend and artist, Jimmy Kimo Casas. We will miss you, yet recall you as we listen to those blues you shared so lovingly with your fans. Adios, carnal, adios!