Convenience Big Store: Community Spotlight: Bianca Chapa of Bianca's Buddies

From left, Elipidia Carrillo, George Lopez, Xolo Maridueña, Belissa Escobedo and Damian Alcazar in a scene from

'Blue Beetle' is a celebration of Mexican-American culture

I had not heard about "Blue Beetle" when I took my children and some friends to the movies one recent afternoon. I hadn't seen a commercial or ad for the movie. Not even a teaser.

"Blue Beetle," the first live-action superhero film starring a Latino lead, was a pure delight to watch. Funny, engaging and sentimental.

It's not simply a superhero movie about a beetle-like Spider-Man who fights crime and stands for what's right. It's a rich commentary about Mexican-American culture and its grappling with adversity and other issues, such as colonialism, gentrification and education.

But as the credits rolled, I wondered where were the hoards of fans dressed in "Blue Beetle" costumes or the outpouring of cultural love like we saw with "Black Panther" where kids dressed and accessorized like the Black Panther or Namor, the king of Talokan in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."

Where was the celebration of pride and heritage for a superhero who finally represents Latino culture? The blame starts in Hollywood.

Do you have a story to share or know of one that needs to be told? Share it with us here.

In today's edition, reporter Anna Bauman reports on Superintendent Mike Miles' decision to disband of team that supported students with autism and their teachers in classrooms across Houston Independent School District. Food editor Greg Morago writes about the legacy of Harlon Brooks, founder of Harlon's BBQ and the first Black-owned business to operate as a food vendor at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Welcome back to HouWeAre.

By Joy Sewing
Culture Columnist
Joy.Sewing@houstonchronicle.com

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Chronicle Columnist Joy Sewing's vacation included lots of summer reading with her children.

Photo by: Joy Sewing

Sewing: HISD changes are stressing parents about back to school

While many area school districts are already back in session, the more than 189.000 students in the Houston Independent School District head back to school on Monday.

Back to school is considerably one of the most stressful times for many families. For some, the anxiety is more intense this year as HISD undergoes massive changes, including turning school libraries into detention centers in targeted schools. The future of public education for our children seems to be tied to political battles that have only elevated our stress levels.

"I just don't know what is going on," said Edwards, a technology strategist whose daughter attends Herod Elementary in Meyerland. "Our children's education is politicized. I don't think there's a real consideration for their care and growth."

Still, our focus should be on our kids' needs.

What We're Talking About

Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham recently unveiled a statue of Alamo fighter William Barrett Travis. But celebrating an enslaver, illegal immigrant and sexual predator shouldn't reflect the true values of Texas, writes columnist Chris Tomlinson.
Latino communities reporter Jhair Romero delves into a family of nine's endless search for home in the chaotic U.S. asylum system — a saga that offers a window into the realities many Latin American migrants face on their journey to the U.S. and the complicated web of obstacles they meet once they're here.

Our Picks

Harlon Brooks, the founder of Harlon's BBQ in Houston, is dead at 79.

Photo by: Courtesy Harlon Brooks Family

Harlon Brooks, founder of Harlon's BBQ in Houston, was a pioneering entrepreneur

Harlon's BBQ once had locations throughout Houston and was the first Black-owned business to operate as a food vendor at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Soila Arredondo checks out customers at H-E-B's Mi Tienda grocery store in the 3800 block of Little York on Thursday, April 6, 2023 in Houston.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Houston Latinos fuel economic growth yet face persistent disparities

Hispanics play a key role in driving growth in Texas, yet data shows chronic wealth and educational disparities persist within Houston's Latino communities.

HISD Superintendent Mike Miles addresses the school board during a meeting at the Hattie Mae White Education Building on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023 in Houston.

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Staff Photographer

HISD disbands team of autism support teachers under special ed restructuring

The restructuring come on the heels of a decision to eliminate nearly two dozen licensed school psychologists who were supposed to support special education students this school year.

University of Houston Student Center on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023 in Houston.

Photo by: Raquel Natalicchio, Staff Photographer

Anti-DEI law to close UH's diversity, LGBTQ offices

The University of Houston will disband its diversity and LGBTQ offices next Thursday and open a new Center for Student Advocacy and Community -- a decision that many minority students are grieving as they will lose their designated "safe spaces" on campus.

University officials say the changes are necessary to comply with Senate Bill 17, which passed last session in the Legislature and bans diversity, equity and inclusion offices as well as diversity-related trainings and programs in higher education. UH's Center for Diversity and Inclusion and its LGBTQ Resource Center are home to expansive trainings and support programs as well as community-oriented activities for historically marginalized populations.

Dozens of LGBTQ students at the university Thursday protested the closures, which come months ahead of the bill's official implementation Jan. 1. Republican lawmakers pushed the bill based on claims that diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, programs have resulted in qualified people being passed over for jobs in favor of minority candidates, sometimes running afoul of federal anti-discrimination laws. Many students and faculty across the state have opposed SB 17, saying those lawmakers hold a fundamental misunderstanding of DEI offices' work.

HIGHER ED: Baylor alumna says 'dangerous' Title IX religious exemption puts LGBTQ students at risk

"It's more than just a building, it's the heart of the community," said Kaitie Tolman, president of the LGBTQ student organization GLOBAL. "The second you walk through those doors (at the LGBTQ Resource Center) you have an army of...

Children's author and nature photographer Chris Gorham goes through her nature photography in her home office on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, in Conroe.

Photo by: Raquel Natalicchio/Staff Photographer

Legally blind photographer uses birds' sounds, motion to click...

Christine Gorhum, who is legally blind, has a passion for birding photography and has recently published a children's book based on some of her photos.

One More Thing

On Wednesday, Memorial Park debuted an audio exhibition remembering the 1917 Houston Riot at Camp Logan. The exhibition is part of the conservancy's series that aims to discuss the park's role in Houston and U.S. history. Hosted by the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, the free series will run through Sept. 26.

From the HouWeAre team of Jaundréa Clay, Joy Sewing, Fatima Farha, Asha Gilbert and Yasmeen Khalifa, thanks for reading. If this email was forwarded to you, sign up for HouWeAre here. Let us know what you think by emailing us at HouWeAre@chron.com.