"Just a Thought" Column continues-La Prensa of San Antonio, 6-25

Just a Thought: Rosa Rosales
By Steve Walker

Continuing on my mission to write about local and national Hispanic icons for the past 3 ½ years, today I write about another local female. Rosa Rosales is a well-known activist for immigration reform and Latino issues.

A beloved member of the local community she is revered by many to include myself for her willingness to stand up for the weak and disenfranchised and fight for human dignity when she sees it is being abused.

She is a Past National LULAC President having served four terms as the organization’s national spokesperson.

A woman who doesn’t mince words, Rosa Rosales has been at the forefront along with the likes of United International Farm Workers President Cesar Chavez, and local activist and member of LULAC, Jaime Martinez. “Just a Thought” has covered both Chavez & Martinez in more than one column. This is my second column on Rosa.

What makes her so unique is her dignified and maternal demeanor that at times can quickly escalate into passionate fiery rhetoric when challenged to defend the underdog and those she feel are being discriminated against. 

When necessary, she lets her adversaries know that she is not to be trifled with or summarily dismissed as someone not familiar with the issue at hand.

When she addresses Latino issues she is prepared, speaks articulately, passionately and will not hesitate to take her antagonist to task.

CNN Financial Anchor Lou Dobbs, (now Fox News Talk Show host) hosted a town forum entitled "Broken Borders" at the Empire Theatre, October 25^th, 2006 her first year as National LULAC President. The hour long live show featured Rosa, David Trasvina, a lawyer from MALDEF, Austin Republican Congressman Mike McCaul and various experts on immigration in America from Washington. 

Then Mayor Lou Barletta of Hazelton, Pennsylvania showed up to blast illegal immigration and told the audience of his city's recent ordinance prohibiting citizen's from renting or hiring "illegal aliens" who he said was taking over his town.

The debate became heated when Dobbs asked Rosales if she thought Mexico was doing its part in the war on illegal immigration. Charges of racism were hurled in the debate with the panel which was airing live on CNN from 6 -7 p.m. Rosales also took exception to the term "illegal alien" vs. undocumented worker.

She took him to task reminding him that Hispanics were not aliens from outer space as he unsuccessfully tried to cut her off. She didn’t flinch, holding her own while continuing to speak. He shook his head laughing and rolling his eyes and let her finish her comments. She was roundly cheered by the local attendees.

Ten years later not much has changed in the rhetoric we heard then in the country. It is in the forefront in the 2016 Presidential race.

I also had the pleasure of her presence in my courtroom once when I was a Judge. She successfully and articulately spoke against an illegal eviction of a tenant who had actually paid their rent. She was eloquent, focused on the issue referencing the law and saving the lady from being wrongfully evicted.  

I have been fortunate to hear her speak on many occasions to include taking photos of her that night in that forum. A woman of integrity, dignity and class, I am honored to know her and just be in the same room with her. She definitely belongs in the group of Hispanic icons appearing in this column on an on-going basis.

By the way, yesterday Rosa and her husband Dr. Rudy Rosales celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows at St. James Catholic Church on West Theo.  Congratulations on the first 50 years and many more!         

Anyway, as always, what I write is “Just a Thought.”

Steve Walker is a Vietnam Veteran and former Justice of the Peace and Journalist.