To those who knew her, almost nothing the late Dallas Morning News columnist Mercedes Olivera ever did… came as a real surprise.
That she was a Fulbright scholar that her column focusing since 1975, on Latino life and issues was one of the longest running in a major newspaper that she would use that column to give voice to the voiceless were all things that…if you knew Mercedes… you’d expect from Mercedes.
A regular contributor to our Sunday “Inside Texas Politics” program, she did not hesitate to passionately argue with any contributor, battle any injustice, or support any person she believed took a correct but unpopular stand on an issue of moral principle. She would not be silenced.
The only real shock came a week ago when we all learned she had lost her long battle with cancer. Since then, the tributes...from students at TCU where she taught...from fellow professionals...community leaders… activists… with whom she worked and conversed have rolled in non-stop.
People she encouraged, pushed, some with whom she verbally jousted have chimed in. The seeds of making a difference she planted, sprouting, noting a life that made a difference in so many other lives.
Complacency was one thing Mercedes Olivera cared little for…the world needs all of us involved to make it a better place, she would argue even if, at times, it makes you uncomfortable. Our condolences here at Channel 8.