Rudy (RIP): An ode to a Chicano legend, Dr. Rodolfo F. Acuña

I first met the late, great Dr. Rodolfo F. “Rudy” Acuña (1932–2026) in the fall of 1986, as a UCLA undergraduate student from East Los Angeles. It wasn’t in person, however. I met the famous scholar and activist by reading his classic book, ”Occupied America: The Chicano’s Struggle Toward Liberation” (1972). The late, great Dr. Juan “JGQ” Gómez-Quiñones assigned Rudy’s book in his course, History of Chicano People (HIST M119A), where I miraculously received a B+. Reading Rudy’s book changed my life! Never had I read a book by a Chicano or Chicana scholar about my people. I felt the same way when I later read JGQ’s ”Sembradores: Ricardo Flores Magón y el Partido Liberal Mexicano: A Eulogy and Critique” (1973) and Gloria E. Anzaldúa’s “Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza” (1987).

All brilliant!

As a Chicano, I also feel robbed about not learning the history of my people — La Raza. Why didn’t I learn about my people — Mexicans on both sides of la frontera — during my K-12 public school education? Why did I have to travel from the Eastside to the Westside, like crossing an international border, to finally learn that we — Chicanas and Chicanos — also have a rich history to document and tell? A history worthy of scholarly study at elite universities and colleges that weren’t designed for us to begin with. 

Like other scholars and activists in Chicana and Chicano studies, I admired Rudy for his over 50 years of researching, publishing and teaching in this important field of study. This included mentoring countless students, activists and leaders. I especially admired him for advocating for los de abajo without apologies or compromises! Since Rudy was a brilliant, kind and humble human being, he didn’t boast about his life-long accomplishments dating back to the 1960s.

Hence, I’ll do it for him. In my expert opinion, Rudy was a Chicano legend. 

The Rudy’s of the world are few and far between. It’s imperative for us to learn from them, including their successes and failures. As I don’t believe in idols or idolizing anyone (unless someone wants to nominate me!), I treat everyone whom I respect equally, whether they’re full professors (like Rudy and JGQ) or domésticas (like my late jefita Carmen and suegra Librada). Raised in a large Mexican household, I was taught to respect my elders. This is the way of our indigenous ancestors — something absent in White America! 

As a scholar-activist, over the years, I had the privilege of collaborating with Rudy. We were on scholarly panels together. 

On April 25, 2018, I lectured on Chicana/o art (focusing on the great artist, Salomón Huerta) in Rudy’s CSUN undergraduate class.

I am especially grateful to Rudy for attending the velorio of my late brother, Noel “Nene” Huerta. On the most difficult day of my life, when I delivered Nene’s eulogy, I noticed Rudy in attendance, along with family members (immediate, extended) and friends.

On the saddest day of my life, I will forever cherish Rudy and everyone else who paid their final respects to Nene. This was not about attending a protest or engaging in community organizing or being recognized in academia. This was personal.

For anyone who grows up in the barrio, it’s about loyalty!

Nene first met Rudy at UCSB when Rudy was fighting his discrimination lawsuit against the university. During this time, thousands of students, faculty members, activists and community members showed their support and love for Rudy. This included rallies, protests, petitions, legal actions, etc. Nene, as a brilliant student activist, was one of them.

Rudy always had kind things to say about Nene, like everyone else who had the privilege of knowing/meeting him. This is in stark contrast to the punks who disrespected my beloved brother!

As Rudy would say, “They could all go to hell.”

Rudy wasn’t one to hold back against his enemies!

On a humorous note, sometimes Rudy’s verbal slings and arrows “landed” on the innocent. Let’s call it, “friendly fire.”

After Rudy prevailed in court on October 30, 1995, he used the settlement funds to establish a non-profit foundation, the For Chicana Chicano Studies Foundation, to support other Chicana/o faculty against discrimination in higher education. This foundation also provided scholarships for students at his home campus, CSUN. This is just another fine example of his generosity.

Apart from his generosity, teaching, scholarship and activism, Rudy, as a public intellectual, had always been outspoken against injustices in higher education (e.g., neoliberalism) and society (e.g., systemic racism, anti-Mexicanism). While many faculty members (untenured/tenured) shy away from criticizing their own administration due to self-interest agendas and careerism, Rudy was never shy in this area.

As a result, he experienced retaliation. He was indifferent about the personal/professional attacks. He always prioritized his students, especially the first-generation, immigrant and working-class students.

When he was alive, Rudy had no problem reminding the “lords of the universities” that they didn’t represent corporate leaders serving shareholders. In fact, they are public servants and should conduct themselves accordingly!

When it comes down to defending La Raza, like in the case of JGQ and Anzaldúa, Rudy was fearless. He represented a model for us all to emulate.

For his lifelong commitment in defense of La Raza, Rudy will always be familia! I’m sure that I’m not alone in this sentiment.

Rudy was born on May 18, 1932, in Boyle Heights (Los Angeles, CA). My motherland. His familia hailed from Sonora and Jalisco, Mexico.

Sadly, on March 23, 2026, he passed away. He was 93 years old.

I only wish that we could’ve celebrated his 94th birthday, so that I could’ve told him that we loved him!

Like in the case of the late JGQ—where there was mutual respect between the great historians and activists—I was devastated when I learned about the passing of Rudy. I still am!

Rest in power, Rudy!

Note: I originally wrote this essay on Nov. 9, 2021. This version reflects the loss of a legend among La Raza and beyond.