http://www.ksat.com/news/23534022/detail.htmlSAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro was recently profiled in the New York Times, which referenced him as the next national Hispanic leader and perhaps president.
"It's been a very promising response," said Castro. "It's a very flattering article."
But comments he didn't make could draw some strong opinions. His mother, Rosie Castro, had strong words when asked about her memories of the Alamo, a symbol of Texas independence.
"They used to take us there when we were school children," Perez told the Times. "They told us how glorious that battle was. When I grew up, I learned that the 'heroes' of the Alamo were a bunch of drunks and crooks and slaveholding imperialists who conquered land that didn't belong to them. But as a little girl I got the message (that) we were losers. I can truly say that I hate that place and everything it stands for."
"I'm sure that a lot of people disagree with it," said Castro, when asked about his mother's comments. "I ... have a different perspective from what she does. I think that the struggles that the state of Texas went through at the Alamo and other places were necessary for the great state that we have today and all of us should be proud of it."
Today, tourists and locals walking around Alamo Plaza reacted to the comments.
"If what she did for further research proved to have validity, then I guess I'd side with her," said Parris Wedel, a tourist from Florida.
"I think it's a huge disgrace to people that live in San Antonio because it's part of their heritage, it's where they grew up," said Naomi Guerrero, who said she looked forward to her visit to the Alamo when she took Texas History in the 7th grade.
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