Richard T. Castro
Encyclopedia
Richard Thomas Castro an educational and civil rights activist, was director of Denver's Agency for Human Rights and Community Relations
at the time of his death from an aneurysm. In the 1970s, Castro had been the chairperson of the West Side Coalition, a Denver neighborhood organization. During that time, he was the subject of an attempted dynamite
attack on his house, allegedly by Chicano
radicals associated with Crusade for Justice members.
He was a Colorado
state representative, first elected in 1974 at age 25. Castro was an early instructor in what would become the Chicana and Chicano Studies Department at Metropolitan State College of Denver
, where he is honored by the Richard T. Castro Distinguished Visiting Professorship Castro was an opponent of the proposed "English Only" amendment, "Say it In English".
The Rich Castro Elementary School in Denver is named after him, as is the Richard T. Castro office Building at 1200 Federal Boulevard, Denver. A bust commemorating Castro, sculpted by noted Denver artist Emanuel Martinez, sits in the rotunda of the Colorado state capitol.
at the time of his death from an aneurysm. In the 1970s, Castro had been the chairperson of the West Side Coalition, a Denver neighborhood organization. During that time, he was the subject of an attempted dynamite
Dynamite
Dynamite is an explosive material based on nitroglycerin, initially using diatomaceous earth , or another absorbent substance such as powdered shells, clay, sawdust, or wood pulp. Dynamites using organic materials such as sawdust are less stable and such use has been generally discontinued...
attack on his house, allegedly by Chicano
Chicano
The terms "Chicano" and "Chicana" are used in reference to U.S. citizens of Mexican descent. However, those terms have a wide range of meanings in various parts of the world. The term began to be widely used during the Chicano Movement, mainly among Mexican Americans, especially in the movement's...
radicals associated with Crusade for Justice members.
He was a Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
state representative, first elected in 1974 at age 25. Castro was an early instructor in what would become the Chicana and Chicano Studies Department at Metropolitan State College of Denver
Metropolitan State College of Denver
The Metropolitan State College of Denver is a four-year college and now offers certain Graduate programs located in Denver, Colorado, United States. As of 2009, Metro State had the second-largest enrollment of undergraduates of any college in Colorado...
, where he is honored by the Richard T. Castro Distinguished Visiting Professorship Castro was an opponent of the proposed "English Only" amendment, "Say it In English".
The Rich Castro Elementary School in Denver is named after him, as is the Richard T. Castro office Building at 1200 Federal Boulevard, Denver. A bust commemorating Castro, sculpted by noted Denver artist Emanuel Martinez, sits in the rotunda of the Colorado state capitol.