Bronze/Bronce Newspaper Volume 1, Issue 2
Date
Credits
- Carlos Lopez Designer
- Luis Valdez Designer
- Steve Santos Designer
- Lea Ybarra Editor
- Dora Lara Editor
- Vic Martinez Editor
- George Ballis Photographer
- Sal Gascon Photographer
Format
- Newspaper 1244
Type of Work
- Finished work 5557
Media
- newsprint 45
Techniques
- printing 645
Locations Made
- United States 879
- Berkeley 2
- California 257
Bronze/Bronce magazine is a newspaper curated by Latino students at the University of Berkeley in California. The publication is a collection of history, politics, events, personal opinions, photographs, questions, and poems. Bronze/Bronce allowed the Latinx community to stay informed about ongoing issues while also fostering a sense of pride and unity. Uplifting and unifying headlines such as “History of Our People” (V1, No.2) reinforced this sense of community. The newspaper often explored the struggles Latinos faced in the United States, where racism and oppression were prevalent, but it also included segments celebrating their culture. The image below is a spread about December 12, a national holiday in Mexico dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
The editors welcomed cover art submissions from subscribers. The Volume 1, Number 2 issue featured a cover by 16-year-old Carlos Lopez, who sent in his artwork to be published. While the source of his inspiration is unclear, his drawing closely resembles the Aztec Calendar Stone (see images below—Lopez’s drawing on the left and the Aztec Calendar Stone on the right). The shape and main components of Lopez's drawing resemble the calendar stone but the elements inside are different, his drawing looks to include various faces and animals.
At the end of each Bronze/Bronce issue, a variation of a quote is included: “One thing I must teach my people: America is not a country. The United States is a country. America is a continent, a bronze continent.” The quote is typically accompanied by a photograph or illustration, with different design treatments—some versions are handwritten, others are printed and cut out (see images below). Each issue closes with a strong, empowering message. The repetition of this statement reinforces its impact, leaving readers with a sense of pride and anticipation for the next issue. Its varied presentation keeps it engaging and visually dynamic.
Bronze/Bronce. (1968). Bronze/Bronce, 1(2). The Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection, The University of Texas Libraries. Independent Voices. Reveal Digital. https://jstor.org/stable/community.28455676
