Open Call Launched to Unravel Machismo Through Art and Storytelling

El Tecolote invites Latine community to share reflections, memories, and artwork exploring power, identity, gender, and silence.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:37pm by

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeated pattern of a sewing needle or pair of scissors in a grid, conceptually representing the act of unraveling and reweaving narratives around gender, power, and identity.A vibrant, pop art-inspired illustration celebrates the power of community storytelling to confront machismo and reclaim marginalized voices.San Francisco Today

In response to recent revelations about abuse and sexual violence within the United Farm Workers movement, the San Francisco-based publication El Tecolote has launched an open call for the community to submit poems, voice notes, videos, and artwork exploring themes of machismo, power, identity, and silence. The goal is to build a living archive of these stories and publish selected submissions across El Tecolote's digital, print, and physical platforms.

Why it matters

The open call is a direct response to the devastating breach of trust within the Latine community, as decades-long allegations of assault against labor leader Cesar Chavez have recently come to light. This rupture has highlighted the pervasive issue of violence against women and nonbinary people, which has long haunted San Francisco's Latine neighborhoods. By creating a space for community members to share their own reflections and experiences, El Tecolote hopes to help break the silence surrounding machismo and provide a platform for healing and collective reckoning.

The details

The open call, titled 'La Trenza,' invites community members to submit poems, written reflections, audio recordings, short videos, and artwork that explore themes of power, identity, gender, and silence. Submissions are welcome in Spanish, English, or both languages. Selected works will be published across El Tecolote's digital, print, and physical platforms, with the goal of building a living archive of these stories. The open call is a direct response to recent revelations about abuse and sexual violence within the United Farm Workers movement, including allegations against the late labor leader Cesar Chavez.

  • The open call was launched on April 10, 2026.
  • Submissions are being accepted on a rolling basis.

The players

Dolores Huerta

Civil rights leader and co-founder of the United Farm Workers, who recently shared her story about abuse and sexual violence within the UFW movement.

Cesar Chavez

The late labor leader who has been accused of assault by multiple women in an investigation by The New York Times.

El Tecolote

A San Francisco-based publication that has launched the 'La Trenza' open call to provide a platform for the Latine community to share stories and artwork exploring machismo, power, identity, and silence.

Fátima Ramírez

A community member who shared a poem titled 'La Trenza' in response to the open call, which explores themes of unraveling the painful legacies of machismo.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I carried this secret for as long as I did because building the movement and securing farmworker rights was my life's work. The knowledge that he hurt young girls sickens me. My heart aches for everyone who suffered alone and in silence for years.”

— Dolores Huerta, Civil rights leader and co-founder of the United Farm Workers

“My silence ends here.”

— Dolores Huerta

What’s next

El Tecolote will continue accepting submissions for the 'La Trenza' open call on a rolling basis, with selected works to be published across their digital, print, and physical platforms.

The takeaway

This open call represents a crucial step in the Latine community's collective reckoning with the pervasive issue of machismo and violence against women and nonbinary people. By providing a platform for community members to share their stories and reflections, El Tecolote hopes to help break the silence, foster healing, and build a living archive that can inspire further dialogue and action.