Issue 17: Evolution

Also known as Barby The Book Fairy and I run a book program on Milwaukee’s south side that promotes literacy. I collect gently used books from community members and refill the little free libraries I am in my neighborhood. When I have been able to fundraise money, I have purchased new books written by Black and brown authors. I am also an entrepreneur. I recently opened a bookstore called La Revo Books with my sister, Valeria Cerda. Our selection BarBara

Cerda is affordable, relevant and a reflejo of nuestra comunidad/ reflection of our community. We intentionally and carefully select new and used books for and by Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), with a specialization in Latinx literature. Barby The Book Fairy and La Revo Books are important to me because I know that when we learn new things about ourselves and our culture and history - our dreams start to run wild. These two were born during the COVID-19 pandemic and as I have reflected on my purpose in bringing these two projects to life - I remember my abuelita Fidela. I think about a specific memory that fuels the work I do. Twenty- three year old me is walking through the large wooden doors of my abuelita’s house in Mexico. The house is partially made out of adobe and is over 100 years old. The house smells like wet dirt and I can smell the food cooking on the stove. I made my way to her kitchen to find her sitting in her favorite chair knitting a blanket. I sit down at the table and we begin talking about the little town I had visited earlier with my dad. My abuelita Fidela begins to tell me a story about my abuelito visiting that same town years before. She revealed surprising details of a story I had never heard before. At one point, mi abuelita says she had to sign a document at the bank where my abuelito was depositing money. She tells me she signed her name by drawing two little sticks. She didn’t know how to read or write which is why she just signed with a pair of little lines. I don’t even think that she truly knew what she was signing off on that day but trusted my abuelito with disclosing the actual details. That conversation that I had with her - is my most favorite moment, because all of her stories had a lesson and she was an amazing storyteller. This story was basically about saving your money. I think about this story a lot because when I go back to Mexico and walk through those doors, I won’t ever have an experience like that with her anymore. My beautiful, smiling, abuelita passed away this January when COVID-19 ravaged through our family. A day after she passed, we also lost my uncle, Jorge - who never left her side and who I loved very much.

Ex Fabula is thrilled to partner with CopyWrite Magazine. This partnership will combine different forms of expression and produce a space for community members’ true, personal stories in written and visual form. By connecting the stage to the page, both Ex Fabula and CopyWrite will reach new audiences, connect with new storytellers, and build community.

While I know that she lived a life that she loved, I wonder what her life would have been like if she had the opportunity to learn how to read and write. I pictured my abuelita crossing the stage to get her bachelor’s degree, getting lost in the stories of hundreds of books, writing research papers at her kitchen table, and reading contracts on her own without anyone’s help. I also envisioned her signing her name with a blue pen, taking up all the space she could.

As I reflect further on my abuelita, I know now that literacy and imagination go beyond being able to read and write. She shared so much with us. Her prayers, blessings, stories and her love. Fidela Vargas was never afraid to be herself. I have these wonderful memories of her. My daughters were fortunate enough to meet her and interact with her days before she passed. With the work that I do in my community, I want children

and families to have memories with each other- reading books and telling stories. These are the things that I share with my daughters after a long day, and spending quality time together brings us so much happiness. We do this to stay connected with each other and it helps us preserve the traditions that my abuelita taught us. I hope that my abuelita is proud of me. Because I am so proud of her.