Selena Laurence, author of the novellas "Camouflaged" and "Concealed," was groomed by Latino culture, although she herself isn't Latina. Born in Texas, a state with a Hispanic population twice the national average, Laurence grew up in the heart of Latino immigration, language, food and influence.
"Mañana Means Heaven" author Tim Z. Hernandez pays respect to his heritage and his family each time he writes stories about the people, experiences and realities that he and his family come from.
Sandra Amezquita, a five-months pregnant Brooklyn woman, was grabbed by the arm and thrown to the pavement by a police officer at 2:15 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20 in Sunset Park; the event marking the continuation of police violence against non-whites and women with impunity.
SpanglishBaby co-founder and "Bilingual is Better" co-author Ana Flores grew up con un pie aquí y otro allá (with one foot here and there). Since childhood, the Houston-born online media socialite has been divided between the U.S. and El Salvador, where her parents are from, but has reconciled being the product of two nations, cognizant that a bicultural identity is valuable.
Daisy Hernandez, author of the must-read "A Cup of Water Under My Bed: A Memoir," was politicized by feminism. The social movement made an impression on the reluctantly controversial NPR contributor, making her starkly aware of her personal identity and the gendered lessons imparted on her during her upbringing.
What we call Latino literature in the U.S. has a long, winding history. It dates back to the early conquistadores period, beginning with the experiences of indigenous tribes in southern parts of the U.S., such as Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca’s account of his experience among Native Americans during the 1500s. That writing is widely recognized as a foundational text for U.S. Latin literature.
"Lily Garafulic: Centenary Celebration," a traveling exhibit, features both important and recently discovered work from the artist, and is presently stationed in New York City, where art-lovers can reacquaint themselves with Garafulic's vivid life and unfailing legacy.
Across the United States, particularly in the U.S.' largest cities, the heritage, history and legacy of more than 20 Latin American nations will be on full display.
The two-day Fiestas Patrias, or Dieciocho, marks Thursday, Sept. 18 as Chilean Independence Day, commemorating the beginning of Chilean independence from Spain, and Friday, Sept. 19 as the "Day of Glories of the Army."
Sandra López wrote "Esperanza" while juggling a full course load of classes. With little time to devote to the project she had to quickly pen the story, which in many ways spoke to her own experience of "growing up in a poor barrio as the eldest daughter of an absentee father and a single, working mother."
A narrative work that's unapologetic and compelling, addressing immigration, maturation, abandonment, isolation and triumph is not a tale that's easily told. Yet Cecilia M. Fernandez, writer and journalist, shares her story "Leaving Little Havana: A Memoir of Miami's Cuban Ghetto," as if sharing easy conversation a with collection of friends with parallel experiences.
Success within the Hispanic market simply demands that small businesses and large corporations provide first-rate service. There are few underhanded tricks to sway the growing community. U.S. born Latinos, as well as those who've recently entered the country under dire circumstances, must be treated with respect, something that many marketers are still struggling to understand.
