In this episode of the *El Mesteño Podcast*, titled "The Scholar, The Soldier, The Activist: José de la Luz Sáenz," host David Flores sits down with historian and publisher Homero Vera to explore the remarkable life of a pivotal figure in Mexican-American history.

Here is a breakdown of the segments included in this episode:

Featured Segment:

A deep dive into the life of José de la Luz Sáenz (1888–1953). The conversation covers his early life in rural South Texas, his groundbreaking career as an educator, his service as a soldier during World War I, and his monumental role as a civil rights activist and co-founder of LULAC. The discussion highlights his commitment to documenting the Mexican-American experience and his use of both the classroom and the pen to fight against systemic discrimination.

Dicho Segment:

A traditional *dicho* (proverb) is shared: *"El hogar es donde está el corazón"* (Home is where the heart is), with context provided by Manuel Sáenz of Rancho Nuevo, Duval County.

Recipe Segment:

A recipe for a classic Tex-Mex Vegetarian Guisado, featuring red potatoes, onions, fresh tomatoes, and peppers.

Book Recommendation Segment:

The World War I Diary of José de la Luz Sáenz (edited by Emilio Zamora): An exploration of Sáenz's personal accounts from his service in France and Germany during WWI, and how these experiences fueled his later civil rights activism.

https://a.co/d/0iuhjfL1

No Mexicans, Women, or Dogs Allowed by Dr. Cynthia E. Orozco: A critical look at the founding of LULAC in 1929, challenging common misconceptions and framing the organization as a central pillar of the early American civil rights movement.

https://a.co/d/07Go4O28