Andrea Casares

In this episode of Jotxs y Recuerdos, Andrea Casares, a bisexual Indigenous-Chicana with Black ancestry from the Rio Grande Valley and a caretaker of the land, pays tribute to her Tía/Tío Mike (1961-2019), a queer elder whose influence shaped her creativity and her relationship with the tierra. She also reflects on her family's painful history of violence, including the lynching of her ancestors by John Closner, Tom Mayfield, and the Texas Rangers. Andrea shares her efforts to raise awareness about this history, including her role in organizing the upcoming "Save the San Juan Hotel" event on April 12, 2025. This community event will honor local history and provide a space for mourning and healing. The podcast explores the deep connections between queer, Indigenous, and Black histories in the Valley, emphasizing the importance of community healing. 

*You can find Andrea on Instagram @casita_casares– stay tuned for her upcoming projects and plantita (plant) updates!

*Follow @save_the_san_juan_hotel

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This episode is dedicated to Miguel (Mike) Watts