NFL Playoffs

Commentary is glad to see these two letters-to-the-editor in today’s Chron hard copy. I too was disappointed the Chron didn’t include my friend Frumencio Reyes, Jr. in the notable H-Town leaders that we lost in 2023 article that ran at the end of the year.  There also wasn’t a story on Frume’s passing. Local Chron coverage needs improvement for sure. They need to up their game.

Here are two letters-to-the-editor from my friend Blanca Blanco and Judith Castillo: 

Latino representation

Regarding “In Memoriam 2023: Remembering Big Pokey, Tony Mandola and those who had made Houston better,” (Dec. 31): It is apparent in your article that prominent Latino attorney, Frumencio Reyes, who passed recently, was left out. Reyes was considered an icon of the Latino political circles, and a well-respected civil rights attorney. I would be remiss not to point out this legacy to the Chronicle.

Reyes fought diligently until the end for Latinos’ political empowerment. Most of his family were migrant farm workers who struggled to eke out a living, and as a child that crystallized his decision to fight for empowerment of the disenfranchised. He was the founder of Harris County Mexican American Democrats, which is now Harris County Tejano Democrats, and sat on the board of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Reyes’ influence touched many, many young people in the areas of education, political power and civic engagement.   

Again, Latinos are left out of coverage. Inclusion not only honors their memory but also promotes a more diverse representation of noteworthy Latino individuals we have lost. I encourage the Chronicle to enhance its inclusivity and better reflect the Latino demographics in Houston.     

Blanca Blanco, Houston

As a dedicated doctoral student at the University of Houston, specializing in the preservation and restoration of Latino history, I am writing with  heartfelt concern regarding the recent coverage in Dec. 31’s edition of the Chronicle.

It deeply troubles me to observe the continued absence of Latino representation in your publication, especially in a city where 45% of the population identifies as Hispanic. Such an omission diminishes the impact and magnitude of loss on the Latino population.

Moreover, the oversight of a significant icon in Latino history, Frumencio Reyes, is equally distressing. Reyes’ contributions and leadership within the community have been pivotal, yet his absence from your coverage perpetuates an ongoing cycle of neglect and erasure of Latino voices and achievements.

The absence of equitable representation in your coverage not only undermines the diversity of our city but also perpetuates a narrative that neglects the significant contributions and struggles faced by the Latino community.

I implore the Chronicle to reconsider the narrative presented in the article. It’s imperative to acknowledge the pivotal contributions, achievements and the richness of cultural heritage that the Latino community brings to our city.

I respectfully urge you to include statistics that accurately represent the impact on the Latino community and to honor icons like Reyes, whose legacy deserves recognition in your publication. By doing so, we can collectively work towards fostering an environment of unity and respect while educating and inspiring inclusivity within our city.

Judith Castillo, Houston

Ditto! Furme was one of our key leaders and the Chron neglected his passing. Like I said, the Chron needs to up their game.

Nice job Blanca and Judith.

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That’s it for Commentary. I am talking about watching Meet the Press. I was hoping that moderator Kristen Welker would take it in a different direction. Bringing on the wacko Cong. Elise Stefanik did it yesterday. Stefanik is an election denier and doubled down yesterday. Stefanik even called the January 6 rioters and insurrectionists “hostages.” It is beyond me why NBC News continues to bring these nut jobs on the air. This is about threatening our democracy and Welker is taking the bait. Sad.

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I was watching the newly released January 6 video. It was released this past weekend. It was filmed by a convicted rioter and insurrectionist who is about to get sentenced. The video shows the barricaded U.S. House members in the House Chamber. It shows a couple of armed House security dudes pointing their handguns at the rioters.  I caught myself yelling at my laptop screen “pull the GD trigger!”

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The featured photo was in a tweet by the Office of Harris County Commissioner, Precinct 2 of a meeting on Friday with H-Town Mayor John Whitmire and staff and County Commissioner Adrian Garcia and staff. The first thing I thought when I saw the photo was Diana Patino is the only woman in the room. Oh, well.

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Michael Brantley announced his retirement from MLB. He is a great guy. Great player and teammate. He will be missed. In his retirement statement, Michael thanked the Astros and the Guardians organizations. Classy guy for sure. When he played in Cleveland, they weren’t called the Guardians. Classy guy.

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The Texans are hosting the Cleveland Browns this Saturday afternoon in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs. I watched the game versus the Colts Saturday night, and it was exciting and tense. It came down to the end. Then I had the Jaguars and Luv Ya Blue Titans on the flat screen yesterday and was rooting for the team from Nashville. The Titans took care of business yesterday and we got us an NFL playoff game at NRG this weekend. Totally cool.

For those that can’t make it to NRG this Saturday, the game will be on NBC, KPRC-TV, Channel 2.

The Texans could go all the way to Las Vegas. As they say, on any given Sunday.

I guess I will watch the Michigan Wolverines and Washington Huskies this evening on the flat screen. They play at NRG for the national championship.