Francisca Flores

Fran was born in December 1913 in San Diego and had a rough life. As she grew of age, the Revolution in Mexico was taking place and San Diego's barrios grew from the immigration leaving Mexico. At fifteen she was diagnosed with TB. Her older brother (my father's only brother) died that same year of TB. She spent ten years (from age 15-26) in an isolation sanitarium. TB was common among Mexicanos at that time, especially in Old Town San Diego where both of my parents' families lived in Old Town San Diego. Their homes were later destroyed for the freeway and for a parking lot for a hotel.

While she was in the rest home, Francisca met many veteranos of the Mexican Revolution, spoke with them, and learned from them. While there she and others helped formed a group of Mexican women, the Hermanas de la Revolucion Mexicana. But she never really felt a part of the group, because she felt that she had to be involved as a Mexican American here in the U.S. Still, it was a place for Mexican women to talk about politics, something she had never experienced before--and it left a mark on her. As she told me, "I knew that the men didn't take us seriously. They only wanted us to make tortillas. They couldn't accept that we had our own ideas."

She left the rest home just before World War II broke out. She was inspired by the Spanish Civil War and by resistance to Hitler, who she saw as a terrible enemy of freedom. She loved the art of resistance and revolution of Diego Rivera, Orozco, Siquieros, and of Pablo Piccaso's art in Spain. She was inspired by Lazaro Cardenas' nationalization of U.S. petroleum interests in Mexico and once told me that "This country cannot tolerate Mexicans who stand up for their rights. But as long as Mexico is weak and is bullied by the United States, they will treat us badly here. We have to fight for our rights here, but we also have to fight for the rights of Mexicanos and support Mexico's efforts for self-determination. That's why Cinco de Mayo's so important to Chicanos here, because Mexicanos stood up to the French, which had the strongest army in the world at the time. Mexico may be poor, but it has a strong heart and great pride. And we must be proud of who we are."

After moving to Los Angeles, she became active in the defense committee for the Sleep Lagoon defendants. She started writing for La Luz and Mas Grafica and became active in local Democratic clubs. In the 1950's she criticized HUAC and its persecution of labor activists and anyone who struggled for their rights. She was inspired by Martin Luther King and told me "This is a man who will change America and we must march with him." In the 1960s, when I was in high school, she presented me with a copy of North From Mexico and said "Read this book. You'll find yourself here." She also gave me a book on Mayan and Olmec civilizations and told me, "This is what Mexico is really about. It will make you proud." It did and inspired me to keep reading about Mexico and about my history.

Fran was proud of being Mexican American. In response to a reader who asked her why she called herself Mexican-American and what she meant by the term, in the third issue of Carta, April 12, 1963, (then called Carta Perales) Fran explained, "Mexican-Americans are a heterogeneous group of people who are not always alike in color, religion, economic status, or in many other respects. They are dark, light, Catholic, Protestant, rich and poor. Mexican-Americans are equal to any other ethnic group and yet distinctive and superior to all in many ways. It is the Mexican-American who possesses the ability to enjoy life to its fullest and to find humor in the most trying situations...The Mexican-American has a glorious past and an unlimited, bright and wonderful future. As for self-definition, we can rightfully say that we are that ethnic minority that transcends and rises above all others. We are that ethnic minority that helped to build a strong American and who continue to strengthen and influence the American society on every front." She once told me that she felt that Chicanos could be the bridge for America the link that closes two critical gaps--the chism between white and black and the hemispheric rift between North and South America. "We are the hope for this country. We are also the hope for America, not the country, but the hemisphere."

She lived her life fighting for justice and equality. She was a beacon that shone bright. May her torch be carried by others.