Communisim Through My Eyes

<p><u>Communism Through My Eyes: My Father Robert Trujillo 1903 – 1986</u> by Mary Lou Salazar PhD is the fascinating story of an iconic but little-known figure in Colorado's political and social history:  Mary Lou's father Robert Trujillo became a communist in 1936 during the hardships of the Great Depression later becoming the Chairman of the Communist Party in Colorado.  He remained a communist for fifty years until his death in 1986.  As his youngest daughter the eighth of nine children Mary Lou shares with us her childhood memories as well as the historical facts about her beloved father Robert Trujillo.</p><p>Mary Lou tells us as a wide-eyed little girl of sitting on the steps in her house looking down into her living room at the dozens of people who frequently gathered there.  They came to feast on her mother's tamales and listen to her father Robert make rousing speeches about justice and equal rights for the common people; rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution regardless of race religion gender or socio-economic status. Robert wanted to improve the rights of the common people through equal opportunities for jobs food housing education and medical help.</p><p>Though a communist who believed deeply in the rights of the common man Robert Trujillo never proposed overthrowing the government by violence.  He was a staunch proponent of peaceful change through legislation.  He roused people to get the attention of legislators and policy makers through dialogue petitions letters and peaceful demonstrations and sit ins.  He was a follower of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi.  Robert Trujillo was known by Colorado's legislators policy makers and the media as a brilliant generous big-hearted and peaceful man.</p><p>With great joy and pride Mary Lou remembers all the voices in her home – African American white Native American Latino – singing rousing songs of power pride and overcoming.  But she also remembers being shaken by desperate fear whenever her father was threatened and arrested for peaceful protests.</p><p>Robert Trujillo took great personal risks for what he believed in and set an example of the power of peaceful protest in the state of Colorado.  He left a legacy of peaceful political and social change. He also set a powerful example for his youngest daughter Mary Lou who went on to get her doctorate in Peace Studies.  She has continued her father's work by advocating for justice and equality and by teaching peace assertiveness training decision-making and conflict resolution to young people.</p>