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There's just one photograph I've been able to find of me and Oscar Gomez. It's from the day we met at a Chicano

student protest in downtown Santa Barbara. February 1st, 1992. There's Oscar in the center of the

picture, tall and determined in his black beanie, eyes focused,

holding his large cassette recorder. Its silver microphone raised like a hammer. And I almost

missed it, but I'm there too. On the photo's left edge, I make out the sleeve of my white Zapata t-shirt.

That indigenous vest I bought in Mexico City

and my Levi's 501s.

I'm barely in the picture.

It's so telling of that day

that it's Oscar who's fully within the frame.

Oscar was on his way to being a popular college radio DJ and an incredibly influential

student activist. He certainly changed my life, but that would come much later. That day, he and I

barely said more than a few words to each other.

Now, I wish I'd said more.

I just remember him as intimidating.

...