Reader Response #2

Answer the following questions (3-5 sentences) and then write a corrido of at least four paragraphs or stanzas.

2.     1. Who are you making the subject of your corrido and why? Is there a specific event you will be writing about?
4.     2. Why is it important to your family to tell this story? And how is this story avoiding “erasure” or the erasing of this character and important event? 

Write a corrido about your family or family history, 

what story would you tell?

Who would be your character/s?

How would you tell it using the corrido structure?

Example 

Lorenzo de Mesilla

This story takes place

 in the small village of Mesilla, Nuveo Mexico, in 1942

Lorenzo Guzman Acosta was born at home in Four Points, the eighth of 10 children

He is a hero among heroes

For his legacy of kindness

He so loved the sandy desert

taking shelter under the fiery red blanket that covered the Organ Mountains

School was for those who looked like they spoke English well 

He quickly grew out of the back classroom desk 

It was his adobe colored skin that left him to make his own path

The Marines would soon come calling

With promises of adventure and glory

Leaving Mesilla for training in the big city

To the desert of Twentynine Palms, cruising the streets of San Bernardino, and 

Over the ocean to Okinawa

 But the small town of Colton is where he would stay

Hard work was his religion

calloused hands was his trophy

dark brown eyes quiet but wise

dark brown skin, sun kissed leather

a testament to his life’s journey 

a gentle heart of gold

he gave and gave to help his gente

known by few

and in the end honored by many

A life well lived

Surrounded by family and friends

A legacy of kindness 

The small town of Colton is where he would lay

Thank you for listening to a daughter’s tale

A father, a hero, and a legacy of kindness

Lorenzo Guzman Acosta

Your name will live on.

****Rubric****

2. 1. The singer/writer addresses the audience 

2. 2. The singer/writer introduces the location time and name of the main character of the story 
5. 3. The importance of the character is sung/written & followed by the main piece/event/topic of the song devoted to the story for the main character 

1. 4. Farewell is followed by the composer or the singer’s farewell