Santa Barbara Talks: Instagram Fave Michael Montenegro Documents Chicano Culture, History | Local News
Santa Barbara resident Michael Montenegro has grown his Instagram page to about 8,000 followers in the past few years.
How did he do it? Documenting Chicano culture and history.
On his @chicanoculturesb Instagram page he posts photos of Mexican-Americans and other Latinos involved in Santa Barbara. The photos and videos are historical, from the 1970s, and contemporary ones.
Since 2014, he has shined a spotlight on individuals, events such as car shows and lowriding, and called attention to local injustices.
“I do it on the mere merit of a natural duty to serve our community and provide representation,” Montenegro said. “When it comes to Santa Barbara’s diversity there’s so many different ties, elements that make up the fabric of Santa Barbara. That’s what drives me to do this work.”
Montenegro, who is also a content creator, holds an annual bike ride where he gives tours and explanations of Santa Barbara’s public art.
He was instrumental in helping to save the murals at Ortega Park. He successfully, along with community organizers, stopped the city of Santa Barbara’s efforts to relocate the murals.
In this podcast, Montenegro talks about his conflicting views on Old Spanish Days’ Fiesta, the definition of “Chicano,” and his goals in serving the community.
He is also working on a Santa Barbara Lowrider History event in the next year, where he plans to honor Jimmy Huerta, a photojournalist who documenting much of Santa Barbara’s early lowrider events.
“He is from that era of late ’60s, early ’70s of Chicano renaissance,” Montenegro said.
The event will include a local exhibit with photos and artifacts.
Montenegro in the podcast also talks about his coverage of “Blessed,” a man who gave up all of his possessions and moved to Santa Barbara. He was often seen around town walking in white robe. Montenegro posted about “Blessed” on his Instagram page and also wrote a story about him.
“I am just a person who cares,” Montenegro said. “At the end of the day I just really love our culture.”
Joshua Molina is journalist who currently writes for Noozhawk and teaches journalism at Santa Barbara City College. He formerly covered politics and land use for the San Jose Mercury News. Santa Barbara Talks is an independently owned podcast where Molina looks to bring together voices from all perspectives to discuss and provide solutions to the challenges related to housing, education, transportation and other community issues. Subscribe to his podcast here and consider a contribution here.
