Henry Barajas

Henry Barajas researches and writes about his great-grandfather, Ramon H. Jaurigue, a political activist who worked to prevent a freeway being built through the area inhabited by Mexican American and Yaqui peoples in the Tucson, Arizona, area in the late 1960s/early 1970s. He also strived to build up the community and help the Pascua Yaqui gain federal recognition as a tribe.

Barajas gives a warts and all portrait full of passion and love, but the narrative suffers from occasional vagueness and some confusing transitions. And there are unanswered questions about how Jaurigue went from being an influential figure on the rise to being ignored or forgotten by the community in later years. The back matter includes newsletters, local newspaper clippings, and an essay by Jaurigue that are a bit dull and numbing to read in one shot.

The art is serviceable, but a bit odd and awkward in places.… (meer)