WHAT: The Web site created in honor of Professor Emeritus Américo Paredes, a founder of the Center for Mexican American Studies and the Center for Intercultural Studies of Folklore and Ethnomusicology at UT Austin, is being transferred to a new Internet address at the Nettie Lee Benson Collection. The new Web site address will be: <www.lib.utexas.edu/benson/paredes/>.
WHEN: The Web site officially will be changed today (June 8).
BACKGROUND: Paredes, who died on May 5, 1999, challenged the writings of legendary and contemporary historians and their versions of life along the Texas-Mexico border. His scholarly work about working class people along the Rio Grande borderlands set in motion a revolutionary approach to writing about the way things and people had been in early Texas. In so doing, he helped to shape a positive cultural identity among Mexican-Americans and influenced a new generation of Texas scholars.
The contributions of Paredes to society received increasing recognition in his later years. Shortly before his death, the Austin Independent School District named a south Austin middle school in his honor. An elementary school in his hometown of Brownsville also was named after Paredes.
Before he died, Paredes authorized a Web site to be created in his name at UT Austin for the convenience of researchers and others interested in information about his scholarly works. The Web site, created by the UT Austin Office of Public Affairs, was completed shortly after his death and included photographs, a video of the Paredes memorial service held on campus and information about his life accomplishments. The Office of Public Affairs Web site, <www.utexas.edu/admin/opa>, has served as temporary custodian of the Paredes Web site. The intent, however, always has been to transfer it to the Nettie Lee Benson Collection.
A committee serving as caretakers of the Paredes Web site recently reviewed a redesign by Benson Collection Webmaster/librarian Craig Schroer and approved transfer of the material to the new site. Committee members include UT San Antonio President Ricardo Romo; Assistant Director Robert D. Meckel, UT Austin Office of Public Affairs; and one of Paredes’ sons, Dr. Vincent Paredes.
CONTACT: Mexican American and Latino Studies Librarian-Bibliographer Margo Gutiérrez, Nettie Lee Benson Collection, (512) 495-4589.
