April: Celebrating Our Latinx Sisters
 |
| Amara La Negra |
What I loved about the six women who have contributed to the development of what SWA has blossomed into, is that all of us had lived through the intersection of race and ethnicity in our own way. Out of seven of us, six of us are Latina, excluding my mother (who is married to my Afro-Cuban father), and four of us are Afro-Latina. For me, my circle of Sisters is the safest space I've found to discuss the unique intersections we cross, how it makes us different, and how it makes us the same.
Growing up half Afro-Cuban meant that I always had a lot of questions, but, not as many as the people who questioned my ethnicity. It wasn't until my adulthood that I would announce with comfort and confidence that, "Yes, my skin is Black and I am Latina... at the same time!" When I think about what being Latina means to me, I think about more than just one thing; I think about my sexuality, my religion, my culture, my race, my ancestors, and my Sisters. We are not monolithic, and our experiences do not always mirror each other. We want all the art and resources we discuss to reflect that diverse beauty that embodies Latina women and our culture.
We were going to premiere a longer list of books, but, decided in the last minute to keep it short and simple. But, this is for good reason; in an effort to 'Let the literature do the heavy lifting', we're going to be putting more energy into our daily articles. While the chosen featured books mention topics that are current and important to many in the Latinx community (colorism, sexism, anti-Blackness, etc.), we're going to also use insightful and informational articles and videos to discuss these topics and issues in greater detail.
And, while we will be spending a great deal of time learning more about Latina writers, activists, and artists, we want to continue exploring other books and material that everyone in the house is interested in discussing. Because of this, we have decided to add a 'readers pick' featured book. One that may not necessarily relate to the monthly theme, but, is relevant to what we want to learn and discuss.
April's Featured Books
A Cup of Water Under My Bed by Daisy Hernandez
This coming-of-age memoir focused on the upbringing of Daisy Hernandez, New York Times writer who was born to a Colombian mother and a Cuban father.
Growing up in a small New Jersey neighborhood, Hernandez grows up focusing on reading and writing, observing the differences from her family and that of the white classmates she went to school with, and exploring her family's relationship with Santeria. Throughout the book, Hernandez uses her experiences to reference important issues ranging from colorism, being queer, and sexism she experienced working for the white-centered New York Times.
We decided to feature A Cup of Water Under My Bed because many of Hernandez's stories and experiences reflect our own. We're also hoping to allow the literature to do the heavy lifting by using Hernandez's experiences to discuss the relationship many Latina's have with religion, and our father's.
GIFT THE BOOK TO AN OFFLINE SWA MEMBER HERE
Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera
A fictional tale that reads like a true story, Juliet Milagros Palante is a young lesbian who decides to come out to her Puerto Rican family during her last dinner at home in the Bronx, moments before she heads off to Portland, Oregon, for a summer of assisting a hippy, feminist writer whom she's never met but idolizes. Throughout this intense summer, Juliet studies the fibers of every label she's identified with, giving the reader an education on a host of new terms, concepts, and ideologies that some of us are still learning ourselves.
We decided to feature Juliet Takes a Breath because Gabby Rivera's voice is fresh, the plot is relevant, and this book allows us to address many of the issues that book club members want to discuss and learn more about.
GIFT THE BOOK TO AN OFFLINE SWA MEMBER HERE
*Readers Choice*
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
The New Jim Crow is an educational nonfiction which confronts the United States criminal justice system, the War on Drugs, and the wrongful imprisonment of generations worth of Black men, head on. This book has been talked about at kitchen tables and universities across the country since its release in 2010. Considered a call-to-action by many, The New Jim Crow was chosen as the readers pick, simply because you chose it! It's the book that got the most mentions and feedback.
GIFT THE BOOK TO AN OFFLINE SWA MEMBER HERE
Click Here To Gift A Book To An Offline SWA Member Off Our Wish List
Click Here To Be A Book Buddy
Click Here To Sign Up For A Gifted Book
Click Here To $Contribute
Comments
Post a Comment