America’s 250 and Colorado 150th Celebration

Colorado Alliance of Latino Mentors and Authors

America’s 250 and Colorado 150^th Celebration                             

Colorado Alliance of Latino Mentors and Authors (CALMA) proudly joins our sisters and brothers in the celebration of the 250th Birthday of the signing of the Declaration for Independence as well as Colorado’s 150th birthday as a state.

An overriding purpose for the creation of CALMA was to recognize, reignite and encourage the Latino published and aspiring authors and Poets in Colorado to showcase their ancestral ties, traditions, and customs as they shared their literary talent. Our Latino roots have given us a bicultural and bilingual background with unique perspectives as we venture into the literary world to serve as a bridge connecting cultures and uniting communities.

As Latino artists and writers, we have persevered despite paternalistic attitudes and systems that too often seek to define us rather than listen to us.  Although many of us have experienced racism at different points in our lives, we continue to be optimistic because we love this country, even in the moments when it has fallen short of the promise of its democracy.

We carry a history, a culture, and a legacy of literary achievement that merits recognition and respect. At times, bigotry has been marketed to marginalize our art and literature. But we will continue to assert our literary contributions to further enhance the social and cultural fabric that distinguishes us as Americans.  

CALMA’s Latino roots run deep in Colorado and beyond. We draw much of our inspiration from the glorious Hispanic influence and history of our state and from the pristine beauty and inspiration of our natural resources. The Spanish word, Colorado, is a valued testament to the origins of our state.

The love for our country and state has never rested on our less than perfect past, but on our ability to try and do better. The Emancipation Proclamation, the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, among other historic opportunities, opened doors for many citizens. We continue to base our loyalty on the belief that we all seek to live up to the promises of our ancestral leaders. 

CALMA salutes America and our state, Colorado, in its quest to be that exceptional beacon to us all and to the world.