Did you know we're midway through Hispanic Heritage Month? It's gone by quickly! I'm honored to say that Latinas4LatinoLit invited me and several other ladies to lead book discussions on their Facebook page. Each of us posts weekly questions about the respective book we're reading. All the titles are by Latino authors, some, that like me, you've probably never heard of.
I had the opportunity to chose the title I'd get to discuss, and it probably comes as no surprise that LATINA LEGACIES: Identity, Biography and Community edited by Vicki L. Ruiz and Virginia Sánchez Korrol found its way into my pocketbook. I'm about half-way through this amazing anthology of short biographies. Each chapter is surprising in that it unveils historical facts about Latinas who never made it into our history books, which I think is a shame, because the stories are exactly what history should be made of -- brave, enterprising, and creative figures who positively impacted their communities.
If you have a minute, please visit the Latinas4LatinoLit Facebook page. MY BELOVED by Sonia Sotomayor, UNBREAKABLE by Jenni Rivera, and RITA MORENO: A MEMOIR by Rita Moreno are also being discussed. And feel free to jump in at any time, past and/or current posts. You might find some literacy resources, too.
Mexican-American author-poet Sandra Cisneros raises this simple question in her timeless classic The House on Mango Street. This book of vignettes is one that can be opened to any page without having to know what came in the story before, or what comes after, and that invites the reader to reflect on the meaning of its passages that at moments come across as bocadillos de amor, tiny morsels of love, and at others, sadness. It’s a book about gender, tradition, family, neighbors, single parents, latch-key kids, obligation, shame … denial. No topic is ignored in this book, that in all its simplicity and poetry, canvasses life in the barrio in so few pages.
Esperanza, whose name means hope, is a young Latina growing up in a poor Chicago neighborhood, in a dilapidated house, who aspires to a life better than the one she sees the women around her living.
She says about her great-grandmother whose name she inherited: "She looked out the window her whole life, the way so many women sit their sadness on an elbow. I wonder if she made the best with what she got or was sorry because she couldn't be all the things she wanted to be. I have inherited her name, but I don't want to inherit her place by the window."
The passage that’s stuck with me is from one of the last vignettes, The Three Sisters. In it three comadres come to visit when a young baby dies. During the wake, one of the women takes Esperanza’s hands in hers, and foretells that she will “go very far.” The old woman then asks her to make a wish, after which she says,
"When you leave you must remember to come back for the others. A circle, understand? You will always be Esperanza. You will always be Mango Street. You can't erase what you know. You can't erase what you are ... You must remember to come back. For the ones who cannot leave as easily as you. You will remember?"
Esperanza feels shame because her aunt sees into her soul; it’s obvious what the young girl has wished for. Even though Esperanza does not understand the meaning of her aunt’s words, the day will come when she will.
I’m glad I finally read this book. It is one that I think should be required reading for all freshman in high school for the universality of its themes. It’s one I’ve carried around, rereading, pondering the last few weeks, making me happy, and sad with the wisdom of its words. It raises questions and depicts situations that not only apply to our Latino youth and the challenges they face as they seek to improve their lives, but also to any community that has been forgotten by not only its law-makers, but also those who have left. It begs the bigger question, “What can we do to help?”
How do we ensure that positive role models/mentors are available to youth when their home and/or immediate environment have none to offer?
What does it mean to have a sense of duty to our “community?” Does it matter how we define “community?”
How do our sense of obligation, culture, traditions and gender expectations influence our choices? Can we ever be wrong?
If you have a moment, watch this short video clip in which Sandra Cisneros discusses what inspired her to write The House on Mango Street, where the lines of truth and fiction blurred for her and why she thinks it has resonated so much with today’s youth.
If you're looking for something to read for Hispanic Heritage Month, this is one book I'm certain you'd enjoy as much as I did.
(This post is an edited version of one previously postedon Multicultural Familia in 2011.)
My eight-year-old son and I had the pleasure of previewing the all-new season of "CURIOUS GEORGE Celebrates the Arts," which is set to premier today on PBS KIDS, with: "Auctioneer George" and "Sock Monkey Opera."
We loved the six new episodes that both entertained and gave us several ideas for "do-it-at-home" crafts, activities, and science projects. Every now and then while viewing them, my son would give the we-have-to-try-that look.
"The Arts are actually a great vehicle to teach kids about science, engineering and math," said WGBH Executive Producer Dorothea Gillim." With this new season, kids will be inspired to dance, sculpt and paint along with George, and they'll also come away with knowledge of important STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Math] concepts."
Following are two clips and descriptions for today's episodes:
DESCRIPTION: "In 'Auctioneer George," George has one dollar to buy anything he wants at the Annual Corn Roast and Attic Auction, and he sets his sights on a pair of red elephant mittens. When the Man with the Yellow Hat leaves George alone, he bids ... and bids ... and wins! Only, he didn't realize how bidding works, and now he owes $100. While George tries to re-auction the mittens himself, Marco searches the city for the only person unique enough to pay $101 for red elephant mittens ... Mr. Glass."
DESCRIPTION: "In 'Sock Monkey Opera," when Betsy gets the chicken pox and can't see her favorite opera, Hansel and Gretel, she sends George in her place. George loves the opera so much, he decides to cheer up Betsy by performing for his itchy friend. But how can one little monkey sing, dance and act for an entire cast of characters?"
As a mom, I love that George's innocent, improvisational and inquisitive nature have remained unchanged, from the monkey my son came to know and love as a toddler. Watching these episodes reminded me not only of the importance of educational programming for young minds, but also that George has not lost his appeal to an almost nine-year-old boy, who still enjoys watching him get into trouble. Half-way through viewing these, he waved the empty DVD case and asked, "Can you get me the rest?" By "rest," I learned he meant "previous seasons." Guess I have some homework to do!
If you have have little ones, or even if they're older, be sure to check out Curious George's new misadventures on PBS Kids, September 5-7, 2011 (check local listings). Our favorite episode was "Hamster Cam," where Hoagie, the hamster, wears a tiny webcam and escapes into the city. The hamster is too cute for words and George saves the day! : )
Also, don't miss out on the re-airing of Curious George Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, September 19-21, 2011. More to come.
"George's Super Subway Adventure"
"Well Done, George"
Tuesday, September 20
"George and Marco Sound It Out"
"A Monkey's Duckling"
Wednesday, September 21
"Auctioneer George"
"Sock Monkey Opera"
Thursday, September 22
"George's Home Run"
"Monkey on Ice"
Friday, September 23
"Mother's Day Surprise"
"Jungle Gym"
Nuestra colección. Es imposible no amar este changito.
Our personal collection. It's impossible to not love this little monkey.
I submitted my name to Latina Bloggers Connect and was selected to preview these episodes, which I was allowed to keep. This post is my entry into a random drawing to receive $75.00.
