Library of Congress gets collection of pioneering Chicano journalist
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Participants in a Chicano Movement protest in Los Angeles, during the late 1960s or early 1970s. Photo: Photo: Raúl Ruiz/Library of Congress
The Library of Congress has acquired the photographs and manuscripts of Raúl Ruiz, a leading journalist in the Chicano Movement in Los Angeles during the 1960s and 1970s.
Why it matters: The acquisition was one of the last obtained under Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden before President Trump fired her late Thursday.
- Hayden was abruptly dismissed following criticism from conservatives about the Library of Congress' posts and collections on people of color.
What they're saying: "The Ruiz collection speaks to the heart of the Chicano Movement and will be an important resource for the study of journalism and Latino history," said Adam Silvia, curator of photography in the library's Prints & Photographs Division.
Driving the news: The Library of Congress announced Thursday that it obtained the Ruiz collection after it was donated by Ruiz's daughter, Marcela Ponce, and close friend, Marta E. Sánchez, a Loyola Marymount University professor.
Context: Ruiz (1940-2019) was an activist, journalist, photographer, educator and political candidate who advocated for the rights of Mexican Americans.
- He was perhaps best known as the editor of the bilingual La Raza newspaper and magazine.
- His groundbreaking periodicals covered the East LA Walkouts in 1968, the Chicano Moratorium during the Vietnam War and other issues facing the Chicano community.
- His photos were often reprinted in bilingual newspapers across the country, from San Antonio to Chicago.
Zoom in: The Raúl Ruiz Chicano Movement Collection, which is available by appointment, contains an estimated 17,500 photos taken by Ruiz.
- It also offers nearly 10,000 pages of manuscripts, which include original correspondence as well as the unpublished draft of Ruiz's book on Los Angeles Times journalist Rubén Salazar.
- One is Ruiz's iconic picture of the scene where Salazar was fatally struck by a round of tear gas fired by a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy during a protest against the Vietnam War.
Between the lines: The Trump administration has purged several government websites of mentions about communities of color following several of the president's executive orders.
- The orders follow the administration's reinterpretations of Civil Rights-era laws to focus on "anti-white racism" rather than discrimination against people of color.
What we're watching: As of now, the website announcing the Ruiz collection and some of the photos is still live.
- That could change soon if the administration deems them a violation of the president's anti-DEI executive order.
Go deeper: Defense Department restores Jackie Robinson webpage after outcry
