Lingering Questions

 When I first encountered Landín’s efforts to rejuvenate the Mexican community in Columbus, my instinct was to consider him a hero. He comes across as a tireless champion of Mexican people in a town that had summarily executed Mexicans in the wake of Villa’s raid. 

Yet, in tracing out the gaps and silences in the historical record, and based on my training and experience as a historian, I’m working hard to understand all of his complexities and shortcomings. Many of his actions were heroic, indeed, but we’re also left with so many questions. 

What might the gaps and silences indicate? 

Broadside advertising Mexican Independence Day celebrations, 1919, Columbus, NM. From Landín's personnel file