Abelardo “Lalo”
Delgado Day
Abelardo “Lalo” Delgado, a poet and community activist, has
spent most of his lifetime making a difference in his community.
On Nov. 2, 2000 Delgado received recognition for his contributions to
poetry and his community. James Mejia representing the office of Mayor
Wellington Webb honored Delgado by dubbing November 2 Abelardo “Lalo”
Delgado Day.
“If there is anybody that deserves to be recognized for their contributions
and effort it is Lalo,” said Dr. Torres. “I don’t think
that there is anybody who has done more for their community.”
Delgado first arrived in El Paso, Texas in 1943 from Mexico. Delgado
and his mother originally left Mexico to escape poverty.
In 1977 Delgado came to Colorado and began work with the Colorado Migrant
Council, helping undocumented and migrant workers. Delgado also began
teaching citizenship classes as well as literature and history at the
Metropolitan State College of Denver.
Today, Delgado is an accomplished poet and novelist. Delgado’s
literature and poetry have people referring to “Lalo” as the
grandfather of Chicano Literature.
In the November 2 ceremony, Delgado was praised for his activism by fellow
poets. One poet wrote of Delgado’s nonconformity.
“With the eye of an eagle, from above the high ground of morality.
The Chicano Renaissance poet captures evil, and crushes it into mortality,”
poet Ramon del Castillo said.
These accomplishments are just a few of the happenings in the Chicano
Studies Department, which is earning a name for its community activism.
“We are always working to improve the situation for children and
others in the Chicano community,” said Dr. Torres. “It’s
just part of our existence and part of our activism.”
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