AFS Cinema
Las Manitas More Than a Restaurant
RECEIVED Tue., Aug. 1, 2006
Dear Editor,
Re: Las Manitas [“My Migas, My City,” News, July 21]: All utility aside, as one of Austin's best Mexican breakfast, brunch, and lunch sites, Cynthia and Lidia Pérez have created a [cultural community] on Congress. Manitas supports La Pena art gallery, and the gallery exposes more Latino youth and others in Austin to Latino artists in addition to studio art workshops and outreach for kids who may not have the cash resources to explore creativity on their own. And, ahead of all those beastly corporate entities that ignore the need for employee child care, Cynthia and Lidia both realized parents can't work at Manitas without a place for their kids to go, ergo Escuelita del Alma. They continue to set standards that multibillion-dollar corporations have yet to even consider. And, they are role models for women and other Latinos in Austin trying to leave a positive imprint on this city and world. I started Latinitas magazine and outreach with Alicia Rascon over three years ago, and on more than one occasion the ladies of Las Manitas have stepped up, assured, and reminded us that what we are doing is valuable, through support, space, and other donations. That kind of mentoring is priceless. That city block in Austin is not just real estate it is a beacon of Latino representation and role-modeling in this city that "talks" a lot about being sensitive to diversity. I implore Austin to stand behind that rhetoric.
Re: Las Manitas [“My Migas, My City,” News, July 21]: All utility aside, as one of Austin's best Mexican breakfast, brunch, and lunch sites, Cynthia and Lidia Pérez have created a [cultural community] on Congress. Manitas supports La Pena art gallery, and the gallery exposes more Latino youth and others in Austin to Latino artists in addition to studio art workshops and outreach for kids who may not have the cash resources to explore creativity on their own. And, ahead of all those beastly corporate entities that ignore the need for employee child care, Cynthia and Lidia both realized parents can't work at Manitas without a place for their kids to go, ergo Escuelita del Alma. They continue to set standards that multibillion-dollar corporations have yet to even consider. And, they are role models for women and other Latinos in Austin trying to leave a positive imprint on this city and world. I started Latinitas magazine and outreach with Alicia Rascon over three years ago, and on more than one occasion the ladies of Las Manitas have stepped up, assured, and reminded us that what we are doing is valuable, through support, space, and other donations. That kind of mentoring is priceless. That city block in Austin is not just real estate it is a beacon of Latino representation and role-modeling in this city that "talks" a lot about being sensitive to diversity. I implore Austin to stand behind that rhetoric.
Laura Donnelly
