KZSM.org broadcasts the many voices of our diverse, vibrant community. We are especially proud to bring you our newest show, “Raices” (Sundays 7-8 p.m.), featuring stories and histories from San Marcos’ Hispanic community. “Raices” translates as “roots,” and host Cathy Lara uses both English and Spanish to trace the roots of our changing community. “If we look back at the Hispanic people in this town fifty, sixty, or seventy years ago, there wasn’t much written history,” Lara explains. “Often they had to work in the fields and didn’t get a formal education so everything was passed down orally.” “Raices” captures and records that history before it is lost to time.
Lara asks questions in Spanish but encourages her guests to use the language that makes them most comfortable. She notes that “people worry about how they come across,” but assures her guests that “I want to see who you are in your everyday life.” She also avoids being intrusive, asking guests beforehand what they would like to discuss. “I’m not a busybody.”
“Raices” documents changes in culture over the years. For instance, the first show featured Rachel Cervantes, host of a cooking show on Facebook, talking about TexMex food. “Life is changing since Hispanic women are in the work force and don’t cook, so some of this is being lost,” Lara comments.
