Tomás Cruz Lorenzo facts for kids
Tomás Cruz Lorenzo (born December 21, 1950 – died September 26, 1989) was an important activist and writer from the Chatino people in San Juan Quiahije, Oaxaca, Mexico. He was part of a group of Native thinkers in Mexico. His ideas were similar to communalism, which means believing in strong, self-governing communities. He wanted to protect the Chatino language and culture. He also fought for the Chatino land to be independent, from the coast to the mountains of the Sierra in Oaxaca. Sadly, he was killed in 1989, and his murder is still a mystery.
His Life and Work
Tomás Cruz Lorenzo was born on December 21, 1950, in San Juan Quiahije, Oaxaca. His community was one of the most traditional Chatino groups in Oaxaca. He went to school for a while. When he was 20, he started working as a sacristan (someone who helps in a church) in Panixtlahuaca.
Later, he became a secretary and advisor for his town, San Juan Quiahije. In the early 1970s, he helped start a new town called Cieneguilla. In the late 1970s, he was very active in helping the Chatino people. He fought against logging (cutting down trees) in Yolotepec. He also helped get land back for Santiago Yaitepec.
Tomás was also the president of the Chatino Supreme Council. He walked to all the Chatino communities to meet people. In 1981, he joined an organization called "Conasupo-Coplamar." This group helped communities organize themselves. As a supervisor, Tomás traveled a lot and learned even more about the Chatino communities. Even though he was young, older people often asked him for advice.
Tomás was 38 years old when he was shot and killed on September 26, 1989. He was waiting for a bus to Oaxaca. His death was reported at a meeting for Indigenous Human Rights. After more than 30 years, no one has been caught for his murder.
His Ideas and Writings
Tomás Cruz Lorenzo is known as a thinker who believed in freedom and community. His ideas were inspired by people like Ricardo Flores Magón and Kropotkin. He wanted to do many research projects, but he was always busy helping his community. Because he died young, he couldn't finish them.
He planned to study how the idea of time changed for the Chatino people. He also wanted to find ways to bring back old ways of social life. He also wanted to write down the history of his community and the problems they faced.
Tomás loved to learn and understand things. This led him to write about the challenges his community faced. He helped start a newspaper called Nuevo Milenio. This paper shared stories and brought attention to the issues of the Chatino people.
Some of his writings include:
- "Why the Flowers Never Break in a Rainstorm"
- "Problems related to the Forests in Three Chatino Communities in 1977"
- "Political Surprises in Juquila"
- "Reflections on a Dawn in my Community"
Images for kids
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Tomás Cruz at a community gathering.
See also
In Spanish: Tomás Cruz Lorenzo para niños
