Mikaela says:
Some New Mexican chicanos got stuck in a Catch-22. Their parents were shamed from speaking their mother tongue in public school, where only English counted.
Their children grew up hearing Spanish but were not taught or encouraged to speak.
Now in adulthood, these same Chicanos try to recover their mothers' discouraged tongue. But how? Talking at family get-togethers is often too embarrassing -- how can you show how much you never learned to say? How can you say all that's in your heart when only English words come to mind on cue?
Local author Demetria Martinez bravely takes on this very dilemma in her new book, Confessions of a Berlitz-Tape Chicana.
2/3 of m-pyre are ardent Demetria fans (we're working on the other...). Check out Maggie's post here.
I've taught with Demetria over the years at the Voces creative writing program for teens at the National Hispanic Cultural Center and worked with her on the Harwood Arts Center Poetry Anthology being put together as we speak. Look for publication soon. Not only is she a brilliant poet, she believes strongly in sharing her gift and her perspective, teaching others to use their own voices to express their experiences and make room for new realities to unfold.
Demetria is whip-lash smart, with cutting insight into politics, personal interaction, and cultural relations. Best of all, she has a sense of humor that calls into question all the things that we take way too seriously to actually make progress on. Personally, I think that's her biggest gift.
But you don't have to take my word for it; you can meet her and see for yourself! She's having a talk and book signing at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on December 7 at 7 pm.
December 7
Confessions of a Berlitz-Tape Chicana-
A talk and book signing with author Demetria Martínez
Author, activist, lecturer and columnist, Demetria Martínez wields
her trademark blend of humor and irony to give voice to her own
“tongue-tied generation” in this notable series of essays.
7pm, Salón Ortega, Free Admission
She's a unique voice that speaks to many common challenges. Not to be missed!
|