We have received two letters about the paper’s name change and numerous verbal comments, and for the most part the comments have been great.
We want to thank everyone for responding and would encourage others to tell us how they feel, as well.
I’m puzzled by what Raul Arizpe, an EPCC counselor, said in his letter.
Arizpe said, “You apparently don’t care about tradition because it’s not your tradition.”
I’m curious to know what he means by the terms “your” and “our” as applied to tradition.
We changed the name of the paper because we think it sounds more professional, and it gets us away from being identified with those who mistreated the Native Americans.
Over the years, the paper has received comments that the name El Conquistador carries connotations of a colonial past.
At EPCC our mascot is the Tejano, not the Conquerors, Conquistadors nor the Conquistadores.
Anyone who attends or works at EPCC is a Tejano or Tejana. And since Evangeline De Luna of the Respiratory Care Technology Program is a part of the El Paso Community College staff, even though she was born in California, as she says in her letter, she too is still a Tejana.
Many people affiliated with the newspaper have received verbal comments, with positive responses running about two or three to one.
We hope this week’s letters will inspire many people to let us know what they think.
We would really appreciate if you write us a letter, or send us an e-mail, so we can continue to print and keep this discussion going.
