Willie Velasquez Book

Texas passes Willie Velasquez Day, May 9th

willielightning — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:50:54 +0000

Despite my Brain Surgery on December 12, 2012, this book is almost complete. Please support us.

We’re in the Zinn Education Project http://www.facebook.com/ZinnEducationProject

willielightning — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:25:21 +0000

From The boy made of lightning, first children’s interactive book on the life of Willie Velasquez

willielightning — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 01:12:00 +0000

Willie Rap

willielightning — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 01:45:03 +0000

A snippet of the historic “willie rap” created by the musicians Itzli and Chimalli!

Created especially for The boy made of lightning

Clip of Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro narrating the Boy Made of Lightning

willielightning — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 16:27:41 +0000

Willie has a dream

willielightning — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 17:17:21 +0000

Willie has a dream

by Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez @2012

The boy made of lightning will be about 25 pages long. It will include sound, photos, video, original music and local voices.

A two-page glossary with links.

Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez, a highly-regarded visual artist, is creating a series of 25 images for the first children’s interactive story on the life of voting rights pioneer Willie Velasquez. It will debut on in late 2012, WITH YOUR HELP. Copyright Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez, @2012

A children’s book for the 21st Century

willielightning — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 21:03:05 +0000

Dr. Joey Lopez tells the story of how The boy made of lightning is progressing.

**Children cheer when they hear this story…they want to vote**!

at the Southwest Voter Registration Education Banquet on Wednesday, August 15th, in San Antonio, Texas

State Rep. Joaquin Castro tapes “The boy made of lightning”

willielightning — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 20:52:53 +0000

”They talked late into the night, as Willie listened to the stories about the Mexican Revolution, world wars, and most of all, the flooding…”

I was impressed. Rep. Castro read it with feeling. More of the story with audio, coming.

Future Congressman Joaquin Castro from San Antonio narrates The boy made of lightning

willielightning — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:16:20 +0000

Yesterday, State Rep Joaquin Castro, spent an hour with us as he narrated this original story on the life of Willie Velasquez for children. Based on the stories the Velasquez family has told me, especially the late Mary Louise Velasquez, Willie’s mother, who was buried the week before (Que Dios Te Bendiga, Sra. Velasquez). Celeste Guzman, a poet, had told me that Joaquin was in debate with her at Jefferson HS, and that he could do this. The combination of his political achievements and his growing up in San Antonio, made for a potent read that is very smart, very American, and for reals. When I ask children what heroes do you know? They answer Tim Duncan and then — Joaquin Castro (sometimes they mix Julian and Joaquin). Rep. Castro told us that he was not quite 14 when Willie Velasquez passed, and I heard his voice change when he said “Su voto es su voz,”

Your vote is your voice.

Jimmy Klein, the son of Victoria Zapata and Javier Klein, San Antonio, is the voice of Willie. He was signing in the audiobooth on the day we taped him.

I think that Willie would be very proud of both Jimmy and Representative Castro.

Credit: “Hand” by visual artist Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez

Looking for Images of Willie Velasquez with lawyers who won voting rights cases 88 times!

willielightning — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 18:18:38 +0000

The team met with noted voting rights lawyer Rolando Rios from San Antonio (who has an office down the street) and I spoke with Joaquin Avila (MacArthur Fellow and law professor) in Seattle. Rolando told us stories about the lawsuits, the cases, and how everything seemed to change overnight.

Photo credit: Life Magazine

Willie Velasquez Book

Texas passes Willie Velasquez Day, May 9th

We’re in the Zinn Education Project http://www.facebook.com/ZinnEducationProject

From The boy made of lightning, first children’s interactive book on the life of Willie Velasquez

Willie Rap

Clip of Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro narrating the Boy Made of Lightning

Willie has a dream

Willie has a dream

The boy made of lightning will be about 25 pages long. It will include sound, photos, video, original music and local voices.

A two-page glossary with links.

Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez, a highly-regarded visual artist, is creating a series of 25 images for the first children’s interactive story on the life of voting rights pioneer Willie Velasquez. It will debut on in late 2012, WITH YOUR HELP. Copyright Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez, @2012

A children’s book for the 21st Century

Dr. Joey Lopez tells the story of how The boy made of lightning is progressing.

Children cheer when they hear this story…they want to vote!

State Rep. Joaquin Castro tapes “The boy made of lightning”

Future Congressman Joaquin Castro from San Antonio narrates The boy made of lightning

Looking for Images of Willie Velasquez with lawyers who won voting rights cases 88 times!

**Children cheer when they hear this story…they want to vote**!