Latinos continue to help fuel our economy and enrich our nation as entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, teachers, nurses, entertainers, scientists, public servants, and much more. Artists are critical in creating consciousness of interwoven Indigeneity, political and personal elevation of the LatinE/X experience. To add to our political power, think about this, every 30 seconds a LatinE person turns 18! “Tu Vota es Tu Voce” We must continue to care, create and shape the landscape by sharing our stories. Sharing our stories helps amplify our voices and solidify our stance in cultural communities and beyond. Our stories matter to those who haven’t always seen themselves in the written word. Storytelling is a gift that brings hope, happiness and oftentimes harmony.
Ray Gonzalez opens the evening with beautiful poetry and insights to the anthology. I open my reading, turning the pages to one of my sacred writers, Gloria Anzuldua, her piece, “To live in the Borderlands” never grows weary. Her consciousness is felt by the lines of words stringing in lyrical form. Borders have constantly and consistently crossed over and through my life, many similar to the poets in the Latino Poetry Anthology. This anthology is the bridge that Gloria speaks to so we can understand the lived experiences of the LatinE community. The depth of these stories are shared to bring us to one another and uplift the humanity in everyone.
Poetry reflects the local and national fight for justice, supporting fair labor practices, educational access, immigration reform, criminal justice reform, and LGBT rights. As I read poems from the anthology along with my own, participants began to lean forward with their hand on their chest, at times, participants held the hand of their loved one, while feeling the pride, joy, and struggle of a thriving community. I feel the presence of poetry in motion, motion that encircles the hearts of community members taking in the familiar and unfamiliar experiences, similar to the poets. In these moments I feel the shift that poetry facilitates the consciousness of kindness, compassion and humanity.
LatinE poetry challenges expectations of what it means to identify as American and Latino. LatinE voice and resistance interweaves the actual form of poetry and spoken word through the voice of the Poet as well as the resistance of those who refuse to accept injustices. LatinE COMMUNITIES are deeply rooted in the landscapes of their traditions and rituals. Many have connectivity with the Land, Mother-Earth, Father Sun, and all of the Spiritual Metaphysical elements that are a grounding force to Community. Our voices carry the dreams of our ancestors and hopes for our children!
Music, Poetry, Spoken Word and Storytelling brings out the forgotten desire of joy and happiness. Bringing memories of our past, like my grandparents who might have fallen in love (according to my Abuelita), during Cien Años. I can hear the notes and lyrics.
I share my voice with the beat of the drum with my Drummer and my experiences. Together we can see our past, and our hopes for the future! As we close out the Latino Poetry Anthology events during National Hispanic Heritage Month, the LatinE community continues to shape the nation. I leave you with this poem.
Transformation con Micaela-Siempre
Pieces of my heart are not here, in this Midwest Landia.
Pieces lay strewn in El Valle, con Mi AbueLita Micaela,
Bubbles filled with the expectations of those around us,
We use the bubbles to protect us,
Reina de Harlingen,
Sun filled lands you are my
birthing place,
my peaceful place,
you will be my resting place.
Mi Reina,
When you pass into the city of Angels,
my heart will lay next to you, looking over to you,
to see you and ask
Lita, are we there yet?
You’ve known me so well, from the child who saw you as her Mother.
Both you and I have poked holes in the stories that others have placed on us.
We broke the thin veil of transparent mesmerizing
rainbow colored prisms,
To give birth to ourselves,
Mi Reina!
Are we there yet?….
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By: Lupe Castillo
Poet and culture bearer Lupe Castillo shares about her work with the newly published Latino Poetry Anthology, Places We Call Home. The Anthology is published by the Library of America, in partnership with the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures, Arts organizations, Museums, and Libraries nationwide. The initiative seeks to center the rich and diverse voices of the Latino poetry tradition, bringing them into conversation with current debates about the history and promise of America.