DECEMBER 2020 | 15TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
EXCLUSIVE!
A LITERARY JOURNEY WITH LINDA RONSTADT
SARAHI ESPINOZA SALAMANCA talks about the #FirstofTheMonth Fund and leading with love
TABLE OF CONTENTS 01
03
Editor's Note
The Power of What Makes You Amazing
09 Sarahi Espinoza Salamanca: Leading with Love
20 A literary Journey with Linda Ronstadt
14 Madre Award Recipient: Molly Carbajal
25 Modern Catrina
06 Raising Your Kids Bilingual Doesn’t Have to Suck
16 A Modern Latina's Guide to Pueblo Majicos
36 Is Your Personal Brand Visible Through your Video Conference Call?
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42
Children's Books Celebrating AfroLatinX Experiences
Aromatherapy for Depression and Anxiety
49 Sweet Blossom Dreams
57 The Latino Imperative: Building & Securing Intergenerational Wealth
51 Latina Representation in Tech
59 Featured Poets
44 Tamalada
54 Self-Care and Coping during Quarantine
WELCOME To our special Quinceañera issue. It feels like yesterday I had the idea to start Modern Latina, and today we’re celebrating our Quinceañera. I wanted to make it a big deal to celebrate our quince by hosting some special virtual events and having a big Quinceañera event. I am not going to lie; I didn’t think any of this would happen given the pandemic and with my own personal resources strapped to taking care of kids, homeschooling, and more. I am incredibly grateful for my family, friends, and community who came together to make it happen! The theme for this year’s festivities is “Celebrating our stories, cultura, and community.” I was honored to kick-off the celebration with a “Virtual Wine Tasting and Conversation with Amelia Ceja, Founder and President of Ceja Vineyards” event. We continued hosting more fun events and ended with an uplifting virtual fiesta featuring poetry readings, a musical performance by Gabriela Sepulveda, and recognition of Latina leaders making a difference in our community. In these difficult times, I see the resilience that our communidad has demonstrated and the best of humanity, countless beautiful acts of kindness and love. I am so happy that Modern Latina honored two amazing Latinas with the first-ever Chingona Award and Madre Award. In this issue, you will learn more about our Chingona Award recipient, Sarahi Espinoza Salamanca, Founder of DREAMers Roadmap. During COVID-19, Sarahi started the #FirstOfTheMonth Fund, an emergency relief fund to help close to 350 families in East Palo Alto pay their rent. You will also meet Molly Carbajal, this year’s Madre Award recipient. Currently, Molly is the COVID-19 Testing Branch Deputy Director for the County of Santa Clara. She spends countless hours identifying, solidifying, and communicating to the community about the COVID-19 testing sites, which is essential in managing the pandemic crisis. On top of her long workdays, Molly is a loving mother to her three daughters, Myla, Alia, and Bria. My dream for Modern Latina is to create a resource for Latinas to reach their full potential and provide a space where Latinas can advance, connect, give back, and live a life with a purpose. I hope as you read this special edition, made by Latinas for Latinas, you feel a more connected, inspired, and empowered.
Thank you for your continued support! LINDA CASTILLO Founder and Editor-In-Chief 1
EDITORIAL LINDA CASTILLO Editor-In-Chief
CONTRIBUTORS Diana Silva Elizabeth Jiménez Montelongo Leticia de la Vara Carmen Milagro G. Billie Quijano Diana Tenes Janet Lopez Galindo Diana Zamudio-Garcia María Rodríguez Esther "esty" Pagan Diana Medina
Rose Mendoza Marcela Davison Avilés Guisselle Nuñez Jasmine Colón Veronica Villa Sylvia Bonilla Zizumbo Rachel Ramirez Garcia Jen The Rainmaker Ana Davila Ramona Ortega
FASHION SPREAD Page 25 Model: Liz Olivares Photography: Efrain Gomez Makeup & headdress: Paulina Herrera Page 26 Model: Suzy Vista Photography: Efrain Gomez Makeup, wardrobe & headdress: Paulina Herrera Page 27 Model, makeup & fashion Designer: Paulina Herrera Photography: Efrain Gomez
Page 28 Top left Models: Stephanie Reyes and husband Photography: @gus.mejia.arte Makeup & headdress: Paulina Herrera Top right Models: Patricia Dena & husband Photography: @gus.mejia.arte Makeup & headdress: Paulina Herrera
Page 30 Left side Model: Ivonne Dias Photography: @gus.mejia.arte Makeup & headdress: Paulina Herrera Top right and bottom right Models: Velazquez Family Photography: @gus.mejia.arte Makeup, wardrobe & headdress: Paulina Herrera
Page 31 Bottom: Model & fashion designer: Paulina Model Clothing & Fashion:Paulina Herrera Herrera Photography: @gus.mejia.arte Photography: Efrain Gomez
Page 29 Models: Velazquez Family Photography: @gus.mejia.arte Makeup, wardrobe & headdress: Paulina Herrera
Page 32 Model: Kalia Karla Sepulveda Photography: Efrain Gomez Makeup & styling: Paulina Herrera
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THE POWER OF WHAT MAKES YOU AMAZING
BY SYLVIA BONILLA ZIZUMBO What are you good at? What
While you do want to show up as
makes you amazing? How would
the best version of yourself,
you respond if someone were to
unfortunately, that is easier said
ask you these questions? I am
than done. Your inner critic shows
willing to bet you would focus on
up and takes over. It can shame
your skills and what you do well,
you into holding back, it judges
and are less comfortable talking
you, it tells you you’re not good
about your natural talents as
enough (imposter syndrome,
strengths.
anyone?) and tells you to worry about what others think.
3
If any of this rings true, you are not
Here are some ways you can you
alone. In addition to dealing with
learn more about your natural
our inner critic, many of us struggle
talents:
with self-promotion and sometimes downplay, deflect and devalue what
What comes easily to you? These
makes us amazing.
are natural gifts that you may not think too much about
When it comes to your career, being
because it’s “just” the way you
clear about your skills and
are
developing them is important; but
What do others seek you out for?
knowing what your natural talents
Get their feedback and ask them
are and investing time on your
to tell you about your strengths
strengths is what makes you
What energizes you? When are
powerful!
you in the flow? Identify the environments and activities that
The key is to spend more time on
enable you to perform at your
what you are naturally strong in and
best
manage around your weaknesses.
Do you know what your top
Gallup’s research shows people who
strengths are? Take the
spend more time developing their
CliftonStrengths assessment
natural talents into strengths
online to learn about your top 5
experience improved performance
strengths
in their roles and are overall
Have you worked with a coach?
happier! Furthermore, Gallup
Consider investing in yourself
revealed that people who use their
and seek a coach to help you
strengths every day are three times
with career development, discuss
more likely to report having an
your top strengths and how to
excellent quality of life and six
maximize your impact
times more engaged in their jobs.
BE AMAZING 4
TCAPMI
Not only is it important to continue to develop your strengths, it is critical to be able to speak to what they are and how they show up. Only then are you able to go after what you want and more clearly articulate your value and impact. When your strengths are being fueled, your performance and happiness is exponential!
It’s time to take your power back: deepen the connection with your strengths, continue to invest time developing them and stop waiting for others to shine the spotlight on you, for you.
So, what makes you amazing?
Sylvia Bonilla Zizumbo is a
Career & Leadership Coach based in Silicon Valley with over 25 years of experience in the corporate world. She is now running a coaching and consulting practice to help clients with their personal and professional development and explore their full potential. For more information, visit www.coachwithsylvia.com.
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4 TIPS FOR MAKING BILINGUALISM A PART OF YOUR FAMILY’S EVERYDAY LIFE
RAISING YOUR KIDS BILINGUAL DOESN’T HAVE TO SUCK BY VERONICA VILLA Raising bilingual children should not be a daunting task, but a joyful experience. It should be a purposeful and natural part of your family life weaving into your daily routine. There is no universal definition of bilingualism; therefore we can make our own. Would we like it to mean our children can simply understand another language, be able to speak it, or even write it? Our success in raising bilingual children is determined by the definition each family gives it. Here are four tips to making bilingualism a part of your family’s everyday life.
Be Intentional & Mindful Both quantity and quality play a role in the comfort level and use of the target language in our homes. Ask yourself, “How much of the day are we using the target language?” An easy way to increase the amount of time we spend speaking the target language is by modeling. Modeling, like many things in parenting, allows for our children to see what’s expected. If we use the target language more, then they will too. Quality on the other hand, can sometimes seem more daunting. Although some parents get caught up in their insecurities with their accent and pronunciation, the best approach is to just go for it. For example, let’s start by using the target language while preparing meals together. In doing so, we are keeping the vocabulary specific and limited - allowing us to grow in our comfort level and then expanding into other activities and subjects. If you're a planner, designate times of the day or specific locations to use the target language. Being intentional can help build good habits and will become more natural over time.
"THERE IS NO UNIVERSAL DEFINITION OF BILINGUALISM; THEREFORE WE CAN MAKE OUR OWN. " 6
AS WE READ BOOKS, WE MUST CONNECT THE STORY AND CHARACTERS TO OUR OWN LIVES. WE SHOULD STRIVE TO FIND BOOKS THAT ARE DIVERSE, AND REPRESENTATIVE OF OUR FAMILY, CULTURE, AND HISTORY.
Go Beyond the Book
Be Consistent, yet Flexible
Read, read, read! Reading to our children in any language, particularly the minority language, will benefit them in many ways. From growing their vocabulary to incorporating quality time as a family, reading books together will help foster bilingualism. As we read books, we must connect the story and characters to our own lives. We should strive to find books that are diverse, and representative of our family, culture, and history. Taking themes from books and applying it to a game, art project, or even an educational lesson allows our children to broaden their perspective and connect deeper with text. Don’t have enough bilingual books? No problem, create them! Grow your home library by translating them yourself. Use a translating app or check-out the translated version from your local library so you can write-in or type out the translation into your own copy - either way, it beats translating from scratch and you can use the activity to nurture bonding with your children!
We are creatures of habit. Children thrive on routine, and to be honest so do we. Each family is unique and has different needs. We must plan accordingly and try out techniques that promote bilingualism. As parents, we make certain deliberate choices when it comes to raising our children - making the choice to raise them bilingual is no different. For instance, the use of One-Language-One-Parent (OPOL) can be chosen by a family as their designated technique to raise bilingual children. It is important for us to be consistent to create a habit. However, I urge parents to consistently evaluate the effectiveness of their chosen technique in cultivating bilingualism. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to raising bilingual children, therefore being flexible with our approach and making it our own is absolutely necessary to create an environment where bilingualism is a nurturing experience. You can find a variety of techniques in more detail at https://www.nenebilingue.com/post/raising-abilingual-child 7
"CELEBRATING THEIR ATTEMPTS TO COMMUNICATE IN THE TARGET LANGUAGE GIVES THEM THE CONFIDENCE TO TAKE RISKS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY OFFERS A SAFE SPACE TO DO SO."
Celebrate Laughter is an indicator of having a good time, but let’s try to catch ourselves before laughing at the way our children say something, even if it's cute. Their pronunciation may sound a bit funny, especially if they are dominant in one language over the other. Instead of correcting their mistakes, let's pay attention to what they are saying rather than how they say it. Simply repeating what we hear and expanding on their ideas will encourage more use of the minority language. Celebrating their attempts to communicate in the target language gives them the confidence to take risks, and most importantly offers a safe space to do so. The journey of raising bilingual children takes many twists and turns. We are not alone, even when times are trying. If we put in the time, what is guaranteed in this journey of raising bilingual children is PROGRESS! Join me in reflecting about our goals, actions, triumphs, troubles, and our overall progress in raising our little ones.
Veronica Villa is the founder of Nene Bilingüe and blogs as “The Nene Bilingüe Mami” She is a bilingual literacy consultant and educator with 10 years of experience. Veronica is a first generation Chicana currently residing in Californiat with her husband and two bilingual nenes. Nene Bilingüe’s mission is to provide bilingual homes the tools and resources to promote language development for their little ones all while nurturing parent-child interaction.
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SARAHI ESPINOZA SALAMANCA BY LINDA CASTILLO PHOTOS COURTESY OF SARAHI ESPINOZA SALAMANCA
The beautiful Frida Kahlo mural by
Latina’s Quinceañera celebration.
important to her, and she had aspirations to be the first in her
talented artist Francisco Franco at Chacho’s Restaurant in Morgan Hill
Helping others has always been a
family to go to college. In her junior
was the perfect backdrop for the
way of life for Sarahi. As an
year in high school, she found out
conversation between two
immigrant from Mexico, coming to
that she wasn't eligible for federal
chingonas. Rosanna Alvarez, the
the United States when she was four
financial aid due to her status as an
founder of Hella Chingona podcast,
years old and the youngest of 11
undocumented immigrant. Upon
interviewed Chingona Award
children, she didn’t take it lightly
learning this news, she was
recipient Sarahi Espinoza
that she would be the first one to
completely devastated, and she felt
Salamanca, Founder of DREAMer’s
have the opportunity to go to school
like she was letting her family down.
Roadmap and recipient of the
in the United States. When she was
Chingona Award, as part of Modern
growing up, education was very 9
Sarahi decided to fix the problem so
that other ‘Dreamers’ wouldn’t encounter the same obstacles that she faced. In 2014, she had the idea to create DREAMer’s Roadmap, a free mobile app to help undocumented students find financial resources to go to college. Sarahi entered Voto Latino’s call for “Millennial-led projects that will improve the lives of and expand opportunities for Latinos in the U.S.” She walked away as the recipient of a $100,000 grant. With the funds, Sarahi went back to work on the App, and it officially launched in 2016. Her determination and perseverance paid off with DREAMer’s hitting over 30,000 users, and it has become a go-to resource to help many undocumented students find scholarships, an integral part of the college-admission process. Sarahi’s work for social good has been driven by simple values of caring for each other and helping others with trust and dignity. When the pandemic hit, Sarahi was at the forefront of helping the most impacted in her community. Her first thought was the undocumented community. “But what about everybody else that’s coming home that was stripped from their job. What’s their lifeline? They live paycheck to paycheck. We had a lifeline. I was thinking about my students and their families and parents,” recalled Sarahi. She had the idea to help families pay their rent during COVID-19 and started the #FirstOfTheMonth Fund to support the community in her own East Palo Alto neighborhood. It was important for Sarahi to keep our essential workers in their homes. “These families that ask for nothing and give so much to our country. They are the backbone of this country. In this specific moment, when everyone was closing the doors to them, we opened the gate and said VENGA,” said Sarahi. 10
The #FirstOfTheMonth Fund was initially started with a $1 million goal to help close to 150 families. Within 15-days, the goal was reached, and Sarahi aimed higher to raise over $2 million. In the end, the #FirstOfTheMonth Fund raised $2.5 million to help more than 350 families in need of aid. Sarahi says that she has always led with the idea of responsibility to help others, and jumping into action when she sees that need is one of the many reasons that make Sarahi a chingona. During the interview, she shared how she never would use the term chingona to describe herself when she was younger recalling that it wasn't in her vocabulary.
Lead with Love When things get hard for Sarahi, she goes back to that space when she was with her mom and knowing that she is an extension of her mom's legacy. For her, remembering where she came from and the situations and things that she lived through really taught her to create that change. “Sarahi you are a fixer, you are a doer. My mom would tell me that. Really believing,” recalled Sarahi. As she looked back, she realized that her mom was the first chingona in her life. “She came from Mexico with very little. She always had this faith and energy. She always had a perspective for putting perspective in me. On days when I would cry, she would say ‘Recuerda que tu eres una hija de Dios y tu eres una persona especial,’” says Sarahi. Now, Sarahi proudly owns that she is a chingona! And as a mother of two young daughters, she talked about the legacy that she wants to leave to her family. 11
“When I started this work, my mission and
“That’s what I want to leave behind that my kids
motivation are the generations that are coming
not only see what I accomplished but that I am
after me, whether they are my children or not. It’s
doing the work" she says. “You can help other
these kids who really didn’t have anyone to guide
people. You can be kind. You can take action.
them. Again, because that was me, I was that child. I
When you see a problem try to fix it with your
think now as a mom, there is a whole added layer of
friends and take action."
purpose and responsibility,” said Sarahi.
Sharing words of wisdom
She wants to teach her daughters to feel and know that they can really be and do whatever they want. She shared a proud moment when her daughter wanted to help unload the backpacks for the farmworkers’ children. Seeing her daughter want to do the work brought tears to her.
The conversation closed with Sarahi, sharing words of advice for other chingonas who want to start a business or leave a legacy. Her advice was simple and powerful. Lead with love Surround yourself with people who love you and believe in you, and really want to see you succeed. When one grows, we all grow – let’s help uplift each other. Never give up If you would like to support and learn more about the work that Sarahi is doing, visit www.DreamersRoadmap.org. 12
MADRE AWARD RECIPIENT: MOLLY CARBAJAL by Teresa Caseras Betancourt
Modern Latina recognizes that mothers are the heart of the family and our community, and as part of our Quince celebration we honored a mother who has made their family a priority while demonstrating exemplary service to their community with the “Madre Award.” Molly Carbajal is the recipient of the 2020 Madre Award. In the middle of the tragedy that has hit us all this year, you will find Molly furiously working on informing and coordinating testing sites for Santa Clara County. Molly’s role as a Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, has prepared her to deal with emergencies such as COVID-19. In January, she was activated in the Public Health Department’s response to COVID19 and she has not stopped ever since. Santa Clara county was hit as the ground zero for the
COVID-19 outbreak. She has spent countless hours identifying, solidifying, and communicating to the community about the COVID-19 testing sites, which are essential in managing the COVID19 crisis in Santa Clara County. The work that is carried out in a day is rapid, so Molly and her colleagues often refer to their work in ‘COVID time' where they have had extraordinarily little time to digest what is happening and yet make quick decisions to solidify their strategy and execute. Many times, she has found herself forgetting to eat because so much is going on and so many decisions must be made. It is unlike anything she has ever experienced in her tenure with the county. What she normally had done in 7-10 days before COVID hit, now needs to be done in 1 day. She is especially gratified about bringing some
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innovative programs that are in the pipeline for the upcoming months to help further handle the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate the spread. The sacrifices she is making have not gone unnoticed at home. She says her husband Frank and mother have helped tremendously with the children, and she finds the beauty in knowing her children have grandma right by to help when needed. However, she knows there are times when her exhaustion from work cannot supersede her desire to be a present mother. Molly is a loving mother to her three teenage daughters, Alia, Myla and Bria, and is greatly involved with her daughters’ education and extracurricular activities. She says that ensuring their well-being is her biggest life priority.
She has also been an advocate for her daughter Myla’s health care and special needs, who in 2005 she was diagnosed with a severe case of cerebral palsy due to a medical emergency at 5 months. Molly says the moment she gets home she feels the girls’ excitement to see her and that is what gets her through the week. She uses every moment she can at home to tune in to connecting with her family. So simple things like cooking dinner are opportunities to have great conversations with her teens. Weekends are the time for her family to still safely explore, like hiking and going to parks. She recalled one day when her youngest daughter began to cry and asked that she remind her work that she has kids. Molly reminded her daughter that this would only be a point in time and to remain patient. Her family has been so understanding, but with months and months of long hours where she is gone from the home, she understands their patience is breaking.
If all this is not enough, we must add that Molly is also active in her community, serving as a Board Member for Valle Verde, a nonprofit that promotes healthy eating and provides food access and microentrepreneurship training to lowincome families of San José. And therefore, it is no surprise why we are so honored to recognize Molly as this year’s Madre Awardee. Molly has demonstrated resilience during a time when her family and community have needed her the most. We congratulate Molly on this merited recognition.
Molly keeps her spirits up by reminding herself of her plans to take some time to travel next year with her family. Exposing her children to different cities and cultures is more important to her than buying material things.
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A MODERN LATINA'S GUIDE TO PUEBLO MAJICOS THE MEXICAN MAGIC TOWN EXPERIENCE BY ROSE MENDOZA
Los Estados de Mexico is home to 111 small towns, known as Pueblos Mågicos. These are Mexican towns whose culture, cuisine, history, and or natural treasures are described as a magical experience. Characteristics of these towns are the influences of Mexico’s indigenous past and their commitment to preserve their ancestral customs. Travelers will experience well preserved colonial churches, artesinal folk art, world-class museums, and mountaintop sanctuaries; a complete change of scenery from our favorite Mexican all-inclusive resorts. Latinas of Mexican heritage should consider visiting a Pueblo Magico experience, at least once in their lifetime. 16
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San Miguel de Allende Located in central Mexico, San Miguel de Allende is a walkable town, host to 250 boutiques, art galleries, café, and restaurant within 6 surrounding blocks of El Jardin. El Jardin is the heart of the city, surrounded by historical buildings and archways from the colonial era. Like many other designated Magic Towns all the shops sell only products produced in Mexico by artists, chefs, designers, promoting Mexican culture. The town is also a cultural hub, offering cooking classes and Spanish classes. San Miguel de Allende is rated the “Best Small City in the World” by the travel industry.
Top 5 Favorite Pueblos Majicos
Taxco Famous for silver mining and high-quality silver jewelry in the city markets. Explore the silver markets in the morning and then head down cobblestone street for a bowl of posole and a cool berta (an addictive tequila and honey cocktail) in the afternoon.
but most impressive is observing their dedication to their faith. A popular legend is of “La China Poblana” a slave brought to Mexico, she designed the popular dress, reflecting the colors of the Mexican flag and now represents Mexico’s identity.
Puebla
Tequila
North of Mexico city, about 80 miles, is a perfect day trip, to immerse in the culture. The town offers cultural traditions, such as museums, churches gilded in gold, countless cuisine options, candies, and many legends,
The town of Tequila, located in the state of Jalisco, is the official town in which tequila is produced. Most popular is boarding the Tequila Train and enjoy the ride to the town of Tequila, enjoying tasting along the way. 17
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Patzcuaro Miles away from other popular tourist locations, the town is known for its colorful and exceptional ceramic Day of The Dead figurines. The city has many affordable bed and breakfasts and plentiful homemade Mexican cuisine. It's near a lake where you can fish with the locals, and there are also a few small pyramids in nearby Huiatzio. Other towns with similar experiences are Oaxaca, known for exceptional cuisines dishes such as Mole, Mezcal and elaborate Dia De Los Muertos celebrations. The experiences will fill your soul with pride and understand why UNESCO has named the Mexican culture as an intangible asset to the world. I am reminded of one of my favorite phrases “One of the most valuable possessions a Latina has is her culture.” Bien Viaje Amigas!
Rose Mendoza is a California native and second-generation Latina. Rose established Dulce Vida Travel LLC, specializing in guided tours that highlight the culture and history of Mexico’s Magic Towns, as well as the thriving Latino art and food scene within California. Prior to establishing an LLC, Rose enjoyed a successful Silicon Valley career with tech giants such as IBM, Intel and Cisco Systems. She held senior level corporate marketing positions. Rose co-authored “Destiny Talks” women empowerment stories, sharing her personal journey, that led to her successful Silicon Valley career, and her re-discovery of her Mexican heritage. She maintains MBA, with an emphasis on marketing, and is a graduate of UCLA Executive Latino Leadership Program.
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A LITERARY JOURNEY WITH LINDA RONSTADT by Marcela Davison Avilés Photos courtesy of Linda Ronstadt
Lately I’ve been thinking, as I usually do, about arts movements and storytelling with a social justice purpose. Pan American history on this craft is as old as the continents. In 20th Century Latin America for example, the Nuevo Canción, sings a lyrical prose rooted in everyday people and their concerns. It’s bittersweet, brutally honest and nostalgic. Take the Chilean anthem called Volver a los 17 (Return to 17), and its composer Violeta Parra. Her efforts to preserve over 3,000 Chilean songs, recipes, traditions, and proverbs, and to launch cultural centers like La Carpa de la Reina and Peña de los Parra formed
the foundation of a music scene that both sang and nurtured social justice. The canon sings about poverty, empowerment, imperialism, democracy, human rights, identity. But it also sings of promise. Listening to Volver a los 17 is to go back - to a time before cynicism, before the need for revolution, when being naive was wonderful and even magical. If Nuevo Cancion stories occupy my mind lately it’s not only because we’re experiencing a revolution disguised as an election. It’s been said that you can't have a revolution without angels or songs. So I
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A conversation on books and storytelling
Ronstadt broke barriers and lifted the voice of Latinos worldwide with songs from her Mexican heritage.
Stories and books are an ingredient of recovery and discovery.
asked myself, if someone invented a U.S. version of the Nuevo Cancion, a unique Spanish language U.S. music movement stamped with the dust of how we are and where we want to be, who might it be? We U.S. Americans also have a pioneer who impacted the role of Spanish language music in social justice. She is Linda Ronstadt. Her album, Canciones de Mi Padre fueled an explosion of popular Mexican and Latin music, notable not only for its popularity and commercial success, but also for its impact on social justice and the U.S. narrative about Mexicans, MexicanAmericans and Latinos. The album reads like a novel - the tracks and the printed material accompanying the songs reveal a narrative arc with a beginning, middle and an end that literally transports you to the angels.
In the U.S., when one thinks about the Latino narrative, there is Before Linda and After Linda. Like Violetta Parra, Ronstadt broke barriers and lifted the voice of Latinos worldwide with songs from her Mexican heritage. Ronstadt also vigorously supports Latino community organizations, immigration reform and Mexican culture and heritage efforts. But the fact that her artistry has current purpose, over 30 years after the release of Canciones, speaks to the relevant urgency of her storytelling. Today, with 247 narco shows registered on IMDB and a U.S. political ecology still debating the merits of Manifest Destiny, her storytelling is essential. To celebrate Modern Latina’s own teen anthem - its quinceañera - we invited Ms. Ronstadt to a conversation about storytelling, about the nature of reading, and why stories and books are an ingredient of recovery and discovery. The following interview is edited for length and accuracy. MDA: Linda, thanks so much for taking the time to have this conversation. Modern Latina is celebrating its 15th anniversary as a Chicana-owned and published online magazine. Do you remember your favorite books from when you were 15? LR: I was reading To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. Scout reminded me of me. But it’s tricky literature; there’s the white patronizing gaze no matter how well intended. It’s hard not to see a shadow of that. It doesn’t make it any less a good book. But if I want to know about Black culture I read Black writers. An excerpt from To Kill a Mockingbird:
"Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. In rainy weather the streets turned to red slop; grass grew on the sidewalks, the courthouse sagged in the square. Somehow, it was hotter then: a black dog suffered on a summer’s day; bony mules hitched to Hoover carts flicked flies in the sweltering shade of the live oaks on the square. Men’s stiff collars wilted by nine in the morning. Ladies bathed before noon, after their three-o’clock naps, and by nightfall were like soft teacakes with frostings of sweat and sweet talcum.
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People moved slowly then. They ambled across the square, shuffled in and out of the stores around it, took their time about everything. A day was twenty-four hours long but seemed longer. There was no hurry, for there was nowhere to go, nothing to buy and no money to buy it with, nothing to see outside the boundaries of Maycomb County. But it was a time of vague optimism for some of the people: Maycomb County had recently been told that it had nothing to fear but fear itself." LR: When I was a little girl I also read the Oz series by L. Frank Baum. Baum was a feminist who wrote really strong girl characters, like Ozma, the girl ruler of Oz. The girls in his books were resilient and smart. There were no politics in Oz. Only good witches and bad witches. The girls have adventures and they’re good problem solvers. That reminds me, I was visiting a dear friend of mine who is six years old. I asked her what she would wish for, and she said, ‘I would like for all good ideas to become reality.’ How’s that for 6 years old? I would have chosen a winged horse - or a whole wall of chocolate. MDA: That reminds me of Yip Harburg, the lyricist of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” He once said, “Words make you think thoughts. Music makes you feel a feeling. But a song makes you feel a thought.” LR: It’s one of the best songs about yearning I ever heard, to imagine a better place existing, and about hearing it could come true. When you hear it, you’re waiting for something, you’re living in that dream reality and it’s a great place to be when true reality is harsh. MDA: Because one can never overhear “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” here are three classic interpretations selected by Linda: - From Judy Garland https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=PSZxmZmBfnU&t=7s - From Israel “Iz” Kamakawiwo’ole https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=V1bFr2SWP1I - And from Eva Cassidy https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=2rd8VktT8xY MDA: What books are on your bedside stand now? LR: Caste - The Origins of Our Discontent by Isabel Willkerson, which elucidates race through the lens of caste. Her book compares the U.S. system of caste with Nazi
Germany and India. Her writing is beautiful and very lyrical; she takes you step by step through the experience of enslaved peoples. It’s brilliant. There’s no way that you can read it and not think that reparations are in order. It’s a really important book and should be required reading in school. Kiddies can handle the truth. An excerpt from Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent: "The election would set the United States on a course toward isolationism. Tribalism, the walling in and protecting of ones own, the worship of wealth and acquisition at the expense of others, even of the planet itself. After the votes had been counted and the billionaire declared the winner, to the shock of the world and of those perhaps less steeped in the country’s racial and political history, a man on a golf course in Georgia could feel freer to express himself. He was a son of the Confederacy, which had gone to war against the United States for the right to enslave other humans. The election was victory for him and for the social order he had been born to. He said to those around him, “I remember a time when everybody knew their place. Time we got back to that.” MDA: Anything else? LR: I’m reading a book about fungi! (Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds by Merlin Sheldrake) It’s life changing! It’s so good, so charmingly written - fungi may be the most successful species on earth and probably more advanced than us. You’ll never think the same about putting your feet on the ground again. They don’t need telephones, they have mycelium (the vegetative part of a fungus or fungus-like bacterial colony, consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like filaments). Genetically, fungi are more animal than plant. Unlike animals, who take food into their body and digest it from the inside, fungi enter into their food and digest it through the outside. They support the “Wood Wide Web” which is the underground inter-connected network of tree roots. There are more fungi on the planet than there are humans. It’s one of my favorite books. An excerpt from Entangled Life: "The rootlets branched like a small tree and their surface was covered with a filmy layer that appeared fresh and sticky. It was these
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delicate structures I wanted to examine. From these roots, a fungal network laced out into the soil and around the roots of nearby trees. Without this fungal web my tree would not exist. Without similar fungal webs no plant would exist anywhere. All life on land, including my own, depended on these networks. I tugged lightly on muy root and felt the ground move." MDA: Do you have a favorite literary genre? LR: Literary fiction - from the shank of the 18th century up to about 1959 was a time when writers seemed to have an incredible love of detail, and they built worlds of detail. Modern writers don’t seem to have the patience for it. I read Thomas Mann’s The Magic Mountain, during the pandemic shutdown. I got to the end and started all over again. It does a strange thing to time. I got even more out of it the second reading. Excerpt from The Magic Mountain: "Isn't it grand, isn't it good, that language has only one word for everything we associate with love - from utter sanctity to the most fleshly lust? The result is perfect clarity in ambiguity, for love cannot be disembodied even in its most sanctified forms, nor is it without sanctity even at its most fleshly. Love is always simply itself, both as a subtle affirmation of life and as the highest passion; love is our sympathy with organic life."
MDA: I remember the documentary with you and Dolores Huerta that focused on the women of the Mexican Revolution, where you both talked about mariachi music inspiring the farmworker movement. What is it about Mexican ranchera music that is so inspiring? LR: It’s a combination of place and emotion an essence that evokes where I come from the emotion is distilled into each phrase, it’s nostalgia and yearning that hits like a ton of bricks. MDA: You grew up in Sonora - do you think of yourself as a Sonoran? Is there a book or a writer from the borderlands or the Southwest you admire? LR: The Devil’s Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea, who is from Tijuana, and also his book The Hummingbird’s Daughter. An excerpt from The Devil’s Highway: "The were walking for water now, not salvation. Just a drink. They whispered it to each other as they staggered into parched pools of their own shadows, forever spilling, downhill, before them. Just one drink, brothers. Water! Cold water!" Simple Dreams: A Musical Memoir by Linda Ronstadt In this memoir, iconic singer Linda Ronstadt weaves together a captivating story of her origins in Tucson, Arizona, and her rise to stardom in the Southern California music scene of the 1960s and ’70s. Tracing the timeline of her remarkable life, Linda Ronstadt, whose forty-five year career has encompassed a wide array of musical styles, weaves together a captivating story of her origins in Tucson, Arizona, and her rise to stardom in the Southern California music scene of the 1960s and ’70s. Linda Ronstadt was born into a musical family, and her childhood was filled with everything from Gilbert and Sullivan to Mexican folk music to jazz and opera. Her artistic curiosity blossomed early, and she and her siblings began performing their own music for anyone who would listen. Now, in this beautifully crafted memoir, Ronstadt tells the story of her wide-ranging and utterly unique musical journey. Ronstadt arrived in Los Angeles just as the folkrock movement was beginning to bloom, setting the stage for the development of country-rock. As part of the coterie of like-minded artists who played at the famed Troubadour club in West Hollywood, she helped define the musical style that dominated American music in the 1970s. One of her early backup bands went on to become the Eagles, and Linda went on to become the most successful female artist of the decade.
Marcela Davison Avilés is the "go to" professional in Hollywood for storytellers of Latino/Latinx and Hispanic subject matter who require cultural consulting, production and writing services. She is a trusted and valued team player in the television and film industry with a portfolio of projects that include Golden Globe award winners, Academy Award and Emmy nominated films and television programs and numerous award winning festivals and live events. Currently, Marcela is developing an original slate of scripted and reality-based content and also serves as the lead cultural constultant/dramaturge for Pixar’s Academy-Award winning feature, COCO. Her work as an elucidator of Mexican culture impacted all aspects of the film’s production and public relations, consumer products and marketing and continues in the film’s after-market extensions. She is a trusted advisor, relied upon by Hollywood studios and arts organizations to ensure their storytelling is culturally authentic and relevant. In addition to her work in arts and entertainment, Marcela is a freelance journalist covering Latin/a/o/x/Hispanic issues.
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n r e Mod a n i r t Ca
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MEET THE ARTIST Paulina Herrera was born and raised in a small farming town in Central California. She started sewing at the tender age of 10, with her mother’s old sewing machine,
a gift from
her father to her mother for giving birth to the first girl in a family of 4 male siblings. Sewing came about more as a necessity than a hobby and a solution to create clothing that fit her tall lengthy body.
Her style soon
became a hit at school as she started getting custom orders from friends and family.
At age 12, she joined an
International all-female Western Performance team, Riata Ranch CowboyGirls, that toured the world and she became their costume designer.
At age 18, she left
everything she knew about life and family behind to follow her art and fashion dreams. She studied at Brooks in Long Beach- Art, Graphics and Fashion.
Times were tough,
but with drive and good faith, she was blessed to land some fantastic opportunities in costuming, editorial covers with Super Street Bike Magazine, various stage productions, musicals, and films as a set costume designer.
Today she is an artist, designer, and digital textile artist who now incorporates wearable art into day wear and sportswear.
Her
inspiration comes from her travels worldwide, culture, Mexican fine art, family, tradition, and personal experiences.
For the past 13
years, she has made a mark in the fashion industry as an Art Director designing for major brands like Disney Couture, Harley Davidson, Roxy, Forever 21, Chico's, Dress Barn, and Avenue.
Although this has given
her an edge on the main-stream market, a salary isn't as fulfilling as creating her heart desires.
Freedom of self-expression through
art is the greatest gift!
Her passion in life
has become to dress women of all body types to feel beautiful and comfortable in their own skin.
You can find the "Paulina"
clothing collection online or at various specialty boutiques and museum stores across the United States and Canada. Visit www.paulinaclothing.com to see her latest collection.
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IS YOUR PERSONAL BRAND VISIBLE THROUGH YOUR VIDEO CONFERENCE CALL? By Guisselle Nuñez
Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley, Latino Board Leadership Academy, "Take Charge of Your Brand" Workshop
W
ell, it’s now December 2020 and shelter-in-place doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. But when it is rescinded, that doesn’t mean that employers won’t be asking their employees to continue to work from home. So, with that said, whether we like it or not, our working environment will continue to be dispersed and virtual, which means our work relationships will also continue to become virtual. In the absence of face to face time, when it comes to managing your personal brand, we need to behave differently and become even more proactive in how we stay visible among our colleagues and managers. We can continue to keep our personal brand visible with authenticity and communication. Personalize Your Virtual Self How can you show your personality and confidence through a computer screen? This requires showing the viewer a bit of your personality and authenticity, which requires courage, because it takes courage to be your true self. Being aware of your authenticity can help you build the confidence to show your true personality and your true self to others. 36
Your Brand Is Working For You 24 Hours A Day
Here are three ways to show your personality and confidence through your computer screen: 1
2
PERSONALIZED BACKGROUND
MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION
Use a personalized virtual video background. What can you share of your personal passions, beliefs, or goals via your virtual background? I like to use pictures of places I’ve traveled, or pictures of my alma mater (Go Broncos! Santa Clara University). It shows a little bit of my personality and it can be a conversation starter.
It takes three seconds to make a first impression. Just as your virtual background can present your virtual audience with a snapshot of your personality (so if you have messy desks, make sure you clean it up), your image and attire, also provide the viewer a snapshot of your personality and competence. You may not want to wear pants, but remember, you may get up, and forget that you didn’t put on pants that day…don’t be the “butt of the office joke” (no pun intended)…so…make some effort to ensure your image and attire reflect how you want your personal brand to be represented.
“
Communication In Your Virtual Workplace
3 HAVE A PROFILE NAME & HEAD SHOT So you take yourself off video and are only listening? What does your video profile name say—is it a blank screen? If it is, what does that say about your personal brand? Make sure you have your full name and a professional head shot as part of your video profile. The professional head shot should match the head shot used on your social media accounts such as LinkedIn, etc.
”
In our virtual workplace, it’s critical to be strategic and proactive about what it means to manage your personal brand so that you may stay visible, continue to build trust and showcase your brand. Strategic communication is key to ensuring your personal brand remains visible with your colleagues and managers. Use video-According to Mehrabian’s Communication Theory, 7% of a message pertaining to feelings and attitudes is in the words that are spoken and 55% of a message pertaining to feelings and attitudes is in facial expression. Normally we tend to gravitate towards email or instant messaging as a method of daily communication. This is still an effective tool, however, in this virtual world, when you need to deliver an important message, give a pitch, or even just manage a team meeting, you should consider video as your primary tool for communication. So although video can’t replace face to face time, it will however, through that visual connection, help you to continue to build trust and deepen relationships. Warning- Screen sharing- just as you would clear out your desk space for a meeting, don’t forget to clear out your desktop, when you are hosting and sharing your screen during a virtual meeting. Also, pay attention to who you message via chat box or instant messaging…you may send it to the wrong person, or better yet, you may send it to the right person, but your screen was being shared and everybody read your snarky message to your colleague.
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Become an active listener-When you are using video, make sure you are an active listener. It’s easy to become distracted and check your email, text, or do other things during that meeting. To show you are an active listener while on video, make sure your attention is on the speaker. When possible, repeat what you hear, nod and focus your gaze on the speaker. These actions will show that you are actively listening, just as, hopefully, what you would be doing during a face to face meeting. Communicate by giving back- how are you adding value to your workplace or community? What skill or best practice can you share with your colleagues or community? How about inviting your colleagues to a workshop to help them improve a particular skill? You can stay visible, share your brand passion, within your desired communities (work or personal network), by sharing your skills and helping others Stay Connected- How are you staying connected to the office and your colleagues? Perhaps find various office buddies that can help you stay in touch with what’s going and can share information you normally wouldn’t learn from a conference call, etc. If you can’t have face to face lunch breaks with your colleagues, how about scheduling a virtual lunch? Or how about scheduling a virtual happy hour with your colleagues? There are various apps that you can use to stay in touch, have “virtual” fun, such as “House Party” or “Scattergories.” Essentially, don’t forget to stay connected outside of your regular business meetings and interactions. Your Brand Is Working For You 24 Hours A Day Your personal brand needs to be consistent with who you are offline and online. Your personal brand needs to scream out your goals. You need to be consistent with how your brand shows up online and offline. Be confident, be authentic, and be purposeful. Your personal brand is constant, it’s working 24 hours a day; make sure it is communicating what you want. What have you done for your brand today?
Guisselle Nuñez is the author of “Take Charge of Your Brand,” which helps professionals learn to communicate their value by building a strong personal brand. www.guissellenunez.com
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HILDREN S BOOKS ELEBRATING AFRO-LATINX EXPERIEN ES
C
'
C
C
BY JASMINE COLÓN
Representation matters. Children need to see their faces, their communities, and their experiences between pages of books. We Need Diverse Books advocates for book publishers to amplify authors who center diverse characters and stories for all children to enjoy. Thanks to the efforts of organizations like We Need Diverse Books, diversity in published works are becoming more available. A stroll through Target’s children’s book section we can now find dedicated space to diverse voices and faces staring back at us waiting for our children to be introduced to them. Below is a short list of children's picture books that celebrate Afro-LatinX stories and histories. Some of these selections detail the rise of historical persons, demonstrate self-love, and others share the stories of children making sense of the world around them.
Island Born by Junot Diaz and illustrated by Leo Espinosa
Celia Cruz by Veronica Chambers and illustrated by Julie Maren
A story of familial discovery as a young girl who was born in the Dominican Republic but moved the United States as a baby learns about her homeland, culture, identity and the reasons why she and her family left their island.
Highlights the legacy of Afro-Latina Celia Cruz and her rise from her childhood in Cuba to being internationally revered as Salsa royalty.
Pele, King of Soccer/Pele, El Rey Del Futbol by Monica Brown and illustrated by Rudy Gutierrrez A dual language book that highlights one of soccer’s most celebrated players, Pele. Growing up in poverty stricken childhood in Brazil where he had to use grapefruits as soccer balls to his path to win multiple World Cups.
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REPRESENTATION MATTERS
My Feet are Laughing by Lissette Norman illustrated by Frank Morrison
Bad Hair Does not Exist by Sulma V. Arzu and illustrated by Isidra Sabio
Sixteen poems following the life of Sadie, a DominicanAmerican girl, who moves into her grandmother's home in NYC. Each poem travels with Sadie as she discovers her neighborhood, meets with friends, and her family situations.
A tool to give examples of the diversity of hair and the language to describe and appreciate their hair.
Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engel and illustrated by Rafael Lรณpez A young Chinese-African-Cuban drummer quietly honed her craft on a pair of bongos as she breaks the taboo of girl drummers.
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Aromatherapy is beneficial for people with depression and anxiety. I was diagnosed with
AROMATHERAPY FOR DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY
social anxiety disorder (SAD) in 2002 and with major depression in 2005. I have always been a fan of fragrances, but a few years after my diagnosis, I discovered how much the scent of something familiar would relax and remind me of the happy moments in my life. One scent of Chanel No. 5 and I was a junior in high school again. The smell of brewing coffee would instantly remind me of my first year in college. How exactly does a familiar scent invoke
By Rachel Ramirez Garcia
memories? Our noses have an olfactory nerve that runs directly from the back of the nose and ends in the temporal lobe, where the hippocampus (the area that stores memories) and the amygdala (the emotional center of the brain) are located. Once someone smells a familiar scent, receptors are activated that send messages via the olfactory nerve to the temporal lobe. Think about how scents such as pumpkin spice, pine needles, or baking chocolate chip cookies, make you feel. Out of all our five senses, smell is the only one that immediately jogs our memories.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
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NOMADIC
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When we hear the term aromatherapy, we immediately think of using essential oils (EOs) including lavender, jasmine, peppermint and chamomile to relax, soothe, or invigorate. However, one of my go-to scents is Tahitian Monoi oil. Why? It reminds me of going to the beach and swimming pools as a kid. The scent is a mix of coconut and gardenia and always reminds me of applying sunscreen. When I use this scent in the winter, I’m instantly transported to the beach on a summer day. Another one of my go-to scents is rose absolute. Some forms of aromatherapy include using:
pillowcase and, nowadays, my face mask. EOs can be used alongside treatments including
• Candles • Bath salts • Massage oils • Electric diffusers • Incense burners
massage or meditation. Keep in mind that aromatherapy is meant to compliment and not replace current medical treatment for depression and anxiety. Some other
If you decide on incorporating a concentrated EO
precautions may include:
aromatherapy to help your mood and mindset,
• Pregnant or nursing women
keep in mind that because they are volatile,
• People with asthma, allergies, or epilepsy
organic compounds, they may cause irritation or
• People with a compromised immune system
an allergic reaction if applied directly onto skin.
• Young children – always use less since their skin
Instead, mix them with a carrier oil, such as
is thinner. A safe ratio to begin with is one drop of
jojoba, olive or coconut, with a ratio of 15-30
EO to two tablespoons of carrier oil
drops of an EO with one ounce of carrier oil. EOs can be mixed together accordingly to make a
Whether it’s the scent of coconuts, cookies,
unique, customized scent for the user. Since they
flowers, or cut wood, there are no rules to what to
are concentrated, a few drops of EOs can be
use for aromatherapy. It’s a unique and personal
added directly into a bath, mixed with distilled
approach to help rationalize the world around you
water to make a homemade room deodorizer, or
and bring you into the present moment.
placed in a humidifier. Rachel Ramirez Garcia has written for Modern Latina since 2006. Many of her articles reflect her interest and specialty in skin, beauty, and nutrition. Rachel received her Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from San Jose State University.
I like placing the oils on my wrists and pulse points and, although it sounds a little strange, I place a few drops under my nostrils, careful to avoid the mucus membranes to avoid any irritation. I like to re-apply as needed whenever I need a pick-me-up throughout the day. I get obsessive I N T H E S Pand O T Lend I G Hup T placing a few drops on my
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NOMADIC
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TAMALADA TAMALE MAKING GATHERINGS ARE ONE OF THE MOST CHERISHED HOLIDAY MEMORIES
BY DIANA SILVA, MOLÉ MAMA MAKING HOLIDAY MEMORIES Last year I had the pleasure of hosting a tamalada party in our new home with a team of Cake Wars award-winning bakers, their mama, and daughters! Alicias Delicias, her mama, Gina, and Little Hunnys Cakery brought their A-game tamale making skills. We made 14 dozen tamales in a few hours, and had a remarkable experience that left my heart full of gratitude and joy! Tamale making gatherings are one of my most cherished holiday memories of cooking with my mama Rose. This was the first tamalada I’d hosted since she went to heaven almost nine years ago. I had so much fear about trying to make them without her guidance. My mama’s tamales were perfection and legendary in our family. I was merely a student in her kitchen that continued to learn during many decades but never felt like I graduated and could host my tamalada. With the encouragement of my new beautiful friend Alicia, I decided to face my fear and host my first tamalada.
MASA IS THE MOST CRITICAL INGREDIENT
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The most critical ingredient for any great tamale is the masa (corn flour dough). It’s like the cake batter of a great cake and needs to be the right balance of great flavor, moistness, firmness, and not overly greasy and EASY to spread raw on damp ojas (corn husks)! It’s a Mexican art form to perfect your masa. The primary ingredients of masa are fat, corn flour, and broth. When I was a child, my mama made all of these ingredients from scratch. She would cook dried corn, and my brother and I would grind into corn flour with a hand crank grinder, make homemade lard from making chicharrones, and stock from boiling pork in a multiday back-breaking process.
Today there are lots of tamale masa options, including purchasing fresh masa, preparada (prepared/ready to use), no preparada (freshly ground corn flour needing broth and fat), or corn flour. You can buy these in Mexican markets, supermarkets, and online. After a great deal of research on YouTube and various cookbooks, I decided to use Maseca’s Tamal corn flour. My mama used too after she retired our corn grinder. And since I didn’t have her recipe, I chose to use the recipe on the side of the bag, and it turned out perfectly with my mama’s upgrades of fresh pork stock and pork lard. Once my hands started mixing the masa, I was transported back to her kitchen, and I remembered how to mix it! See complete recipe below. My mama always made three types of tamales, pork mole, chicken mole and rajas and queso (poblano chiles and cheese). Since it was my first tamalada, I decided to keep our fillings simple and prepared shredded pork and rajas and queso (poblano chiles and cheese). You can be creative and fill your tamales with almost anything you want. If you decide to use pork, chicken, or beef, they need to be thoroughly cooked and have an added sauce or extra stock, so it doesn't try out when added to the masa and steamed. Vegetables should be partially fresh or partially cooked.
RECRUIT YOUR TEAM Recruit your assembly team. You need at least one person to spread the masa on the ojas (corn husks), and another to add the filling and fold. But trust me, the more help, the better. Little Hunny's Cakery came with tamale spreaders. I’d always used spoons, but after watching her use the spreaders and trying them my self, I’m sold. And she was so fast; it was like watching an olympian gracefully spreading masa on oja, after oja in mere seconds. You had to watch closely without blinking to catch her do one at a time. Alicia Delicias and her mama Gina were assembly goddesses, first making pork tamales and our queso and rajas. They were going so fast, and so focused that it was tough to get them to take a short break for a shot of tequila and wine. I filled in here and there and was in awe of these chefs! In 4 hours we made 14 dozen tamales, ate lunch, fresh hot tamales with Salsa Fresca, Spanish rice, and Peruvian refried beans and Little Hunny’s Cakery pumpkin spice cupcakes and cleaned up! I highly recommend hosting your tamalada or participating to fully understand the connection and joy this ancient Mexican tradition will bring you! Here are the recipes and steps you’ll need to create your own Tamalada!
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DAY 1 TAMALE PREP AT LEAST ONE DAY BEFORE YOUR TAMALADA
PORK STOCK Ingredients Pork butt or roast whole peeled garlic yellow Onions Salt Water Directions Cut pork into large cubes and put into stock (soup) pan, add garlic and onions and salt Boil for 2-3 hours until pork is tender and falls apart. Remove pork and place in a bowl to cool, strain stock and remove garlic and onions and other fat pieces. Shred pork and remove all fat. Store stock and pork in the refrigerator.
OJAS (CORN HUSKS) Directions Wash and soak overnight in water wholly submerged. Don’t refrigerate.
PREPARING RAJAS (POBLANO CHILES) Note: You can substitute canned Ortega chiles or jalapeños. Directions Fire roast in a skillet or grill. Place hot chiles in a bowl and cover with paper towels and allow the chiles to sweat and cool so the skin will loosen. Peel and remove skin, seeds and cut into 2” x 2” slices Monterey Jack Cheese - Slice into 1” x 2” x ⁄ ” slices Store all ingredients in the refrigerator.
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DAY 2 - TAMALE MAKING DAY PREPARE TAMALE MASA (BATTER) Ingredients 2 cups Maseca Tamal corn flour 1 ⁄ cups pork stock 1 tsp. baker powder 1 tsp. salt ⁄ cup lard (Farmer John's or fresh lard) 1 tablespoon dry chili powder Directions Step 1 Melt lard on low heat Mix all dry ingredients in large bowl Step 2 Remove lard from the stove, add cold pork stock Begin adding liquid to dry ingredients gradually. Mix with hands until mixed well and then add more liquid, repeat until mixed well. Test Masa readiness with two methods: Place a small ball in water and if floats it’s ready Spread on oja and if it goes on smoothly and quickly, it’s ready; my preferred method.
TAMALE ASSEMBLY Directions Spreading the masa on the ojas Use a large spoon or tamale spreader and spread evenly on the oja, covering the flat edge and leaving 1”- 2” empty from the top of the oja. Tip from Gina, spread masa on the smooth side of the oja so that it will peel away from the oja once cooked! It works! Fill tamales with pork (about 1 tablespoon)and fold Rajas - 2 pieces of poblano chiles and 1 piece of cheese fold
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DAY 2 - TAMALE MAKING DAY (CONTINUED) STEAM TAMALES Directions Stand tamales in a steamer and cover with corn husks and damp clean towel for about 90 - 120 minutes. When masa begins to separate from the corn husk they are ready. Remove from heat and let cool for about 10-15 minutes, remove ojas, and it’s my favorite time to eat tamales. Freezing tamales. Freeze uncooked tamales for up to 3 months, thaw and follow #3 above (steam tamales).
ABOUT MOLÉ MAMA Molé Mama is a San Diego-based author, home chef, vlogger, and podcaster. Diving into her Latina roots, she uses her magical molcajete, and other tools and techniques that make her food taste like grandma used to make back in Mexico. Her book, Molé Mama; A Memoir of Love, Cooking, and Loss, shares the stories of how she perfected her beloved mother's recipes. Readers swear that they smell Sonora enchiladas, Spanish rice, mole, and other delicious Mexican food simmering in their kitchens as they read her book. Molé Mama Recipes YouTube cooking videos and weekly podcast celebrates family recipes, cooking delicious meals at home, and adding love to every recipe. Along with her guest chefs, Molé Mama explores recipes and traditions from around the world and the stories that keep them alive. Most of her podcasts will make you hungry, and you may find yourself dancing in your kitchen to salsa music. Molé Mama is calling everyone to return to their kitchens and to preserve their living and past ancestors' favorite recipes and stories for future generations. "We need to try to preserve our cultures and not just let those favorite recipes disappear forever. The common thread of every cherished family recipe is that they were homemade with love, and that's the real secret ingredient," says Molé Mama. For many home chefs, cooking is their preferred love language, and that's why we cherish their recipes. Their love has the power to transcend an ordinary recipe into magic! Culinary Training Diana was just nine years old, and when her culinary training began. Rose was making her legendary flour tortillas, and Diana's big job was to mix the masa. Rose expertly poured water, flour, salt, and a little baking powder in the bowl, and Diana eagerly put her small hands in the bowl and tried to follow her mother's patient instructions on how to mix it. Diana loved the way the sticky dough felt in her little fingers. She was so very proud and excited to help her mama. Diana didn't understand the road she had embarked on that afternoon and the joy she'd experience cooking with her mother for more than 20 years. To watch Molé Mama’s videos, listen to her podcasts and learn more go to: https://www.molemama.com/ youtube.com/c/molemamarecipes https://www.molemama.com/mole-mama-cooking-with-love-podcast facebook.com/molemama @mole_mama
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SWEET BLOSSOM DREAMS BY JEN THE RAINMAKER ARTWORK TITLED SHE AMEN BY ARTIST TSUMNU, TSUMNUARTWORK.COM
Just for a moment I want you to imagine a world where everything your heart desires is yours. I want you to daydream about waking up every day to a life that you absolutely love, one that fills you with tears of gratitude. What does that day look and feel like to you? Did you know that on average we spend approximately 1/3 of our life sleeping? That means that by the time we are 75 we would have spent 25 years sleeping. It is said that 97% of everything we do is based on the subconscious programming we received from the last 3 months in our mother's womb until we were about 13 years old.
Usually, beta and alpha brain waves are present individually; however, during the hypnagogic state, they occur simultaneously. When one can tap into this state effectively and cautiously the creative powers are uninhibited. Your subconscious controls all of the processes and functions of your body. It also has all of the solutions to your problems.
The state right before we fall asleep is known as the hypnagogic state and it is one of the best times to issue a command to reprogram your subconscious.
The subconscious is creating the conscious. Thus creating your reality. Which is why my ancestors said, “Your dreams create your waking reality.”
It was Thomas Edison who said, “Never go to sleep without a request to your subconscious.” Napoleon Hill said, "Your subconscious mind works continuously, while you are awake, and while you sleep."
Many of the world's most successful people and thought leaders work with their subconscious mind while they're sleeping. How do you ask?
I teach a dream warrior practice to my students in DreamYOU University and we do it in our hypnagogic state, the dream-like state in between wakefulness and sleep.
They will typically meditate on and then write down the things they are trying to accomplish before they go to sleep.
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Then in Edison's words, they make some "requests." They write their questions and thoughts down on paper. I believe the questions we ask ourselves shape our reality because when we ask a question our subconscious has to find the answer. Most people limit themselves with statements such as I can never be happy, find my dream partner, work at my dream job, travel, etc.
My intent with this article is to plant some seeds in your subconscious that no matter what your outside circumstances are they do not dictate what is possible for you. I encourage you to practice working with your subconscious daily, the one that is creating you, and see the results for yourself. May you and all your dreams blossom with beauty.
When they should be asking how they can have these things.
Ometeotl
You can ask these questions to your subconscious before you go to sleep and then ask to remember them in the morning. While you're sleeping, your subconscious mind will get to work on those things. Be mindful of the questions you ask though. I had a student I was working with who was struggling in her business and I told her, “Pretend you are talking to God, what question would you ask?” She said, “Why can’t I make $10,000 in my business every month?” I said what if the answer is, “Your marketing sucks.” The better question is, “How can I make at least $10,000 in my business every month?” Why is that the better question? The answer will tell you how you can get what you desire. The answer could be “You need to hire this company to do your marketing.” When you want to create what your heart desires the better question is always “How can I…” Also, instead of asking questions you can begin to issue commands to your subconscious before you go to sleep. Depending on your beliefs you can say “Subconscious/God/Creator/Creatress while I sleep take me to the place where I am healthy, happy, loved, joyful, peaceful, abundant and prosperous.”
Jen The Rainmaker has been called a Native Life and Dream Guide, Wisdom Carrier, Medicine Carrier, and Curandera by elders in her community. She teaches ancient native traditional manifestation, healing, and dreaming practices that have been passed down for thousands of years by her Chichimeca ancestors known as dream planting. She teaches people to reprogram their subconscious while they sleep. She also teaches super lucid dreaming to create your reality and super lucid dreaming. Jen is a former corporate coach with a mission to leave a legacy that will help trillions of people live their dream lives. Visit www.jentherainmaker.com.
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LATINA REPRESENTATION IN TECH BY ANA DAVILA
DATA
I came into the tech industry about 5 years ago after working in Latino Television, Higher Education, and Documentary film, all of which had
Some big tech companies like Google, Facebook,
diverse work environments. At this time, I was
and Apple, now provide their diversity data on their
aware of the lack of representation of Latinas (and
websites, which is a step in the right direction. Yet,
people of color) in tech, however, I could not truly
there are still many steps to take. Here are some
understand this until I walked into a leadership
numbers that paint the picture:
conference and appeared to be one of a few (if not the only). Since this day, it has been my mission
26% of computing positions in the US are held
and passion to talk about the lack of diversity in
by women. 2% are Hispanic women.
the tech workforce. For the 15th anniversary of
Overall Latina representation at Google is 2%.
Modern Latina, I want to continue this
Overall Latinx representation at Facebook is
conversation, spread awareness, and encourage
6.3%
mi gente to do the same.
Overall Hispanic representation at Apple is 14% (includes retail stores)
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Diversity in the workplace matters
THE NEED FOR LATINAS AND DIVERSITY IN TECH Many studies have found people with similar identities and backgrounds tend to have the same thought process, this is one of the critical factors for needing more diversity in the workplace. When you have diverse representation at work the following can happen: Increased creativity and innovation Better consumer understanding Better business reputation Better employee performance A larger talent pool Access to a broader client base Increased profits Reduced employee turnover Improved employee engagement Increased cultural insight
52
LATINA POWER PLAYERS While there is a need to better diversify the tech industry, there are some Latinx women who are making an impact: Rosanna Durruthy Vice President, Global Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at LinkedIn Elizabeth Nieto Head of Global Diversity and Inclusion at Amazon Maria Martinez EVP & Chief Customer Experience Officer (CXO) at Cisco Carolina Huaranca Mendoza Advisor at Kapor Capital and Board Member at Latinas in Tech Cecilia Corral Co-Founder, VP of Product at CareMessage Alexandra Zatarain Co-Founder at Eight Sleep Katia Beauchamp Co-Founder at CEO at Birchbox While these are just a few of the Latinas creating change, there is still a critical need for more in technical and nontechnical roles across all sectors of the tech industry. SUPPORT To create this change there are many organizations dedicated to supporting the success of Latinas in tech, career growth, and leadership starting in elementary and going beyond. TECHNOLOchicas CODeLLA’s Latinas In STEM Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley SMASH Hispanic Foundation Of Silicon Valley Silicon Valley Latino SANCAS LeanIn Latinas Latino StartUp Alliance Kapor Center People Of Color In Tech The lack of Latina representation in tech may not be new news, but it is important to continue to have conversations, educate, recruit, and support.
Ana Davila is a Bay Area native who spent several years on the SFSU campus where she earned her BA in Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts and MA in Communication Studies. At the beginning of her career, she worked in the Latinx television market, holding every job from production assistant to co-producer. She then moved into communications managing projects and programs. She has now landed in the world of tech working in people operations. Throughout her multifaceted career, supporting underrepresented groups has always been a focus. While Ana has moved into the tech space she is passionate about content that matters and tells the stories of underrepresented groups to spark change, foster discussion, empower, and educate. 53
SELF-CARE AND COPING DURING QUARANTINE BY DELILAH MONTOYA
A Hola Mi Gente,
put together. Even if I am just home, putting on regular clothes, a little makeup,
I hope everyone is staying healthy and
and combing my hair makes me feel so
safe during these unprecedented times.
much better.
The year of 2020 has been a crazy one,
feel good.
When you look good, you
which has thrown us all for a loop, to say the least.
Move daily
However, keeping a positive
- Now that most of us are
mindset and focusing on what we can
working from home, we can get stuck at
control now is a good way to get through
our computer and forget to take breaks.
each day.
Getting up to stretch, have a glass of
I wanted to share a few helpful
tips on how I am coping with stress and
water, take a quick stroll around the block
anxiety during this quarantine.
will help clear your mind, and help you burn a few calories. Moving and stretching
Set a routine
- Having a daily routine sets
allows your body to reset to push through
the tone for your day and prepares you to check things off your to-do list.
the rest of your day.
At the
beginning of the quarantine, I fell into a
Eat healthy
slump, PJs all day and keeping my zoom
snack more and reach for all the wrong
camera off.
things.
I found myself not as
productive and feeling sluggish.
I have
- Being home, we may tend to
Keeping fresh fruit and veggies on
hand, along with other healthy
been practicing now to get up early,
alternatives, is best.
working out, showering, and getting myself
your body with natural vitamins and
54
It’s important to fill
Self-care
- Self-care is essential.
We
need to take time to pamper and treat ourselves with what makes us happy and feel good. Whether you are giving yourself a manicure, reading a book, listening to some music, dancing, giving yourself a mini facial, or starting your day/night skincare routine. Take time for yourself because you deserve it and are worth it.
As we continue to move forward, let’s love one another and focus on community, peace, self-love, and setting new goals— cheers to a better 2021.
Stay Healthy and Safe! Besos Delilah
nutrients. Check out your local farmer's market and support small businesses for fresh fruit and veggies.
Like my Abuela
always says, if you don’t have your health,
Delilah Montoya was
you don’t have anything. It is vital to
born and raised in San
maintain a healthy immune system,
Jose, California, and is a
especially during this scary pandemic and
mother of two. She works
flu season.
in Higher Education as a
Nothing like comfort food to
warm the soul; I have a yummy caldo de
Senior HR Partner for
pollo recipe, which you can find on my
Human Resources in
Instagram page at @mizzfancychef.
Silicon Valley and is also a freelance makeup
Rest
- Plenty of rest is essential to stay on
artist for Fancy that Face
track with your routine and maintaining a
Beauty.
healthy body and immune system.
been passionate about makeup, beauty, and
Now
Since she was a young girl, she has
that you’re home, take the opportunity to
fashion. She is a self-taught artist who has
utilize your 15-minute break or lunch to
worked alongside amazing artists for companies
power nap. you did.
I guarantee you will be happy
Don’t forget to set your alarm;
you don’t want to be late to log back on
such as Bare Essentials and MAC Cosmetics. Also, she enjoys cooking and finds it to be a great stress reliever. Creating and experimenting with new recipes and also
for work.
cooking traditional family recipes.
Unplug
- Unplug off social media, work,
and all of the electronics at least an hour before bed.
Give your eyes and mind a
During her
free time, she enjoys spending time with her children, family, and friends. Her hobbies include working out, reading, dancing, music, cooking, and fashion and beauty.
break. You can spend this time with your family, preparing your meals for the next day, or getting a jump start on your night
All things beauty: @fancythatfacebeauty All yummy recipes: @mizzfancychef
routine.
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The Latino Imperative: Building & Securing Intergenerational Wealth RAMONA MY
ORTEGA
FUTURE
AND
BOOK,
“NO
GIRL'S
GUIDE
IS
THE
FOUNDER
AUTHOR
SHAME TO
IN
THE
OF
THE
MONEY
BUILDING
OF
MY
MONEY
FORTHCOMING GAME:
A
BROKE
The good news is that many of these data points can be reversed with financial guidance and more access and increased understanding of financial services which is exactly why I founded My Money My Future. Our mission is to help communities of color not just survive but thrive by helping them save, invest and build wealth.
Power in numbers The Latino dollar is strong and we are the driving force behind the U.S. demographic shift. A new report released in
WEALTH.�
September by the Latino Donor
BY RAMONA ORTEGA
Collaborative (LDC) said that if the U.S. Latino community were
The Latino community has been devastated by the COVID pandemic. We have been disproportionately impacted by the virus and the economic crisis which is why this moment demands that we focus our collective efforts on building
a country, its GDP of $2.6 trillion would make it the 8th largest economy in the world. The Latino population is expected to grow to 33% of the
and securing intergenerational wealth.
total by 2050 and close to 51%
The latest figures show that 72% of percent of Latinos say they are facing serious financial problems, compared with 36% of whites and as of September 2020, the unemployment rate for Latinos was 10.3% compared with just 7% for white Americans.
Closing the long standing racial wealth gap means focusing on asset building and protecting that wealth through intentional estate planning.
No Silver Bullet Closing the racial wealth gap requires a multi-prong approach focused on the long-game and will require policy interventions like minimum wage increases and student loan forgiveness as well as increased financial engagement.
The racial wealth gap is not getting better. Latinos have a net worth of approximately $21K compared with $171K for white households. This gap can be attributed to the wage gap, lower access and participation in retirement plans, and lower rates of home ownership, among other things.
57
of Latinos are under the age of 30. These numbers are on our
side and there is a massive opportunity for
Only 5% of Latino families receive an inheritance
financial institutions, fintechs, and nonprofits to
compared with 26% of white households, and
drive financial inclusion and economic mobility.
that does not include inter-vivos wealth transfers (paying for school or providing a down payment
How do we build intergenerational wealth?
for a home). Inheritance, in the form of cash, a business, or a home is the mechanism for passing down intergenerational wealth. Latino families
The simple answer is 1) build assets and reduce
often struggle talking about money, especially
liabilities and 2) protect the wealth you have
with parents, but the conversation is necessary if
amassed.
we are to ensure the financial security and mobility of our children and communities.
But in reality, each of these is not so simple. It takes quality financial guidance to make the right
Personal finance is overwhelming and confusing for
decisions and often many variables are out of our
everyone but particularly communities that have
control. Take student debt. Our parents sold us on
been overlooked or underserved by financial
the idea that education is our ticket to economic
institutions. We might not have a tradition of talking
mobility but for many that has not been true. In fact,
about money but now is time to add it to our
the student debt crisis has disproportionately
collection of rich family traditions.
impacted Black and Latino students and stagnant wages has left many with negative net worth.
Sign up for My Money Money Future’s newsletter at www.rortega@mymoneymyfuture.co to get access to
Moreover, UnidosUS reported that only 31% of Latino
our upcoming wealth building webinar.
workers participate in an employer-sponsored retirement plan (401K) compared to 48% of all other workers ages 21 to 64. While access is a big problem, so is participation. Low wages, distrust and lack of financial education result in Latinos missing out on years of compound interest and matching dollars inside of retirement accounts. Latinos are also the least likely to own stock. Pew research center found that a majority (61%) of non-Hispanic white households own some stock, compared with 28% of Hispanic households and that the median investment balance among whites was about $51,000 compared to $11,000 for Latino families.
Ramona Ortega is an innovator, technology entrepreneur, corporate attorney and policy
Let’s take more calculated risks and talk about money.
wonk. Her breadth of experience across industries and the public private sector gives her a unique advantage to solve complex problems in finance,
There is no doubt Latinos understand the value of a
technology and law. She is a driven professional
dollar but for a myriad of reasons, including distrust,
with extensive experience leading, building and
many are risk averse, often shying away from
executing new programs, initiatives and
investing in the stock market or buying life insurance.
businesses. An experienced speaker and thought leader, she brings gravatas and passion to all her
The result is that we miss out on two important parts
endeavors. She is a contributor to TechCrunch
of building intergenerational wealth. By putting all
and the Huffington Post and is a sought-after
our eggs in one basket (real-estate) and not buying
speaker and thought leader. She earned her
life insurance to ensure the property is paid-off, we
Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA and her Juris
run the risk of losing the wealth we build.
Doctor from Fordham School of Law.
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Featured Poets
59
Las últimas scars to fade Are in the mind and DNA Mindless traditions/ Repetitions are not my way
WISDOM, CONOCIMIENTO On a stone engraving That wasn’t the end No-- that was the beginning
Cortaron my manos Yet they are recreating Cosas that you’ve never seen Pero vas a ver: keep waiting Cortaron my lenguas But I grew back a few más I’m planting a garden Scatter seeds as I pass
Ancestors in my sangre Whispering through my corazón Painting con manos antiguas Writing palabras con razón My ancestors viviendo en mi Son los que estás viendo Paintings, poem-songs, ‘n danzas In my sangre are corriendo
For each libro burned Escribo diez más HOY Write them with an ink They cannot destroy
DEMOLISH A CITY, A PERSON But nunca a nation Dormidos but waking After each assassination Despierten, my arms, With a message for our gente Despierten, my feet, Images clear the mente Wake up my minds and lenguas Learn it, speak it, read it Despierten, my hearts, Create and grow and don’t quit Vivimos in the ruins, But our hearts are the vines Conditioning is veneno Our creations free minds
Elizabeth Jiménez Montelongo is a visual artist, poet, and teacher based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her work is influenced by her indigenous Mesoamerican ancestry, Mexika (Aztec) philosophy, Mexican culture, the Chicano Movement, and her experiences as a woman in the United States. Elizabeth's artwork has been included in over fifty exhibitions in galleries and museums across the United States. Her poetry is published and forthcoming in various literary magazines and anthologies. Elizabeth Jiménez Montelongo graduated from San José State University with a BFA in Art (Pictorial Art) and a BA in French in 2010. Elizabeth completed her first fulllength poetry collection and first chapbook in 2020, both pending publication. Also in 2020, she was co-editor of the first issue of Culture Counts Magazine by Culture Counts Reading Series, an organization based at San José State University. She teaches poetry workshops online, offers poetry readings and presentations, and was recently selected as a 2021 Creative Ambassador by the San José Office of Cultural Affairs. As of December 2020, she was voted in as a Board Member of Poetry Center San José. www.ejmontelongo.com/poetry
ÚLTIMAS SCARS BY ELIZABETH JIMÉNEZ MONTELONGO
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KITCHEN CAFECITO BY LETICIA DE LA VARA
My earliest memories of a chingona were at the kitchen table In an unassuming house, on a quiet little street My mother, my tías, my abuelitas Cafecito in hand My first feminists aren’t in a history book They’re in books never written Books of sorrow at homelands left behind | Books of broken hearts and love’s betrayal Books of dreams deferred when motherhood unexpectedly called Leave the history books to the men | They need the reminders of greatness The chingonas know their strength | The power feminine The living embodiments of Coatlicue Bringer of life And of death At the kitchen table
Late at night Early in the morning This is where I got my first lessons in feminism In strength Where I saw women lean on each other Where tears and laughter covered the table | Colored my wonder And when I became a woman with my own stories I knew the strength of my foremothers would carry me Just as sure as their blood ran through my veins As a child I could sit there quietly At the kitchen table In an unassuming house on a quiet little street As a child I listened closely And heard the colors in the kitchen cafecito
Leticia de la Vara is a Chicana mother based in Phoenix, AZ. Part of the Latina womens art collective, Phoenix Fridas. She uses both words and shrine boxes to highlight the strength and joy of femenismo and unapologetic self love. 61
He left me alone and dropped me in the field of dreams.. Suicide a distraction, a cellular reaction… La Duende struck me at my core And left my heart oh so sore… I question why grief has lied Waves of pain won’t subside… And in you, you are on the fly You are not my friend But on my, are you sly… You must never hide Otherwise I will never see him in the high… His warm kisses His whispers in the trees My walk sways and struts With the divine in me… The lacey pattern of salt in the sea La Sirena calls to me… Her teal blue waves caressing my eyes And caressing my thighs… Intoxicated by love My third eye split Through all my grief My heart is lit… My soul is singing And my spirit won’t quit… And what the water taught me brings beauty, joy and bliss… And the world will come to me With a splendid kiss…
SUICIDE FOR A WIDOWED CHINGONA, WHEN LIPSTICK WASN’T ENOUGH… BY G. BILLIE QUIJANO G. Billie Quijano Poet, Artist, Photographer, Bruja, Mestiza, born in the corazon of East Los. Presently residing in San Francisco. . 62
Baila de por vida porque puedes llorar cuando tienes que ... en secreto o en voz alta si te hace sentir mejor Ahora ¡ Hoy es el día en que te has puesto tu ropa de fiesta! ¡danza! Mañana puede que no venga Baila, canta, ríe, sigue Vete al parque, camina con tu mijo, mija, mamá, papa,hermanita, hermanito
Dance for life because you can Cry when you have to... secretly or out loud if it makes you feel better Ahora Today is the day you have Put on your party clothes! dance! Tomorrow may not come Dance, sing, laugh, carry on Go to the park, walk with your mijo, mija, mama, hermanita, hermanito
Llévate si no tienes a nadie Sé tu mejor amigo Trae tu muneca- tu vieja o una nueva Vístete con lo que te haga feliz Disfruta el beso del sol en tu rostro, piel Siente el calor de tu alma Regocíjate en la familia, la amistad y los seres queridos que tienes en tu corazón Cariños para todos
Take yourself if you have noone Be your best friend Bring your muneca- your old one or a new one Dress in what makes you happy Enjoy the kiss of the sun on your face, skin Feel the warmth of your soul Rejoice in familia, friendship and the loved ones you hold in your heart Cariños para todos
Diana Tenes is a native Californian of Mexican descent. She has been on Ozcat Radio reading poetry, at the Virtual Poetry night with the International Museum of Art in San Francisco, has poetry in two local anthologies, has a video online at the Solano County Library and has over 400 poems on her instagram page; get_your_happy. She created a "Get Your Happy" card game that connects you and who you play with to your happiness; on etsy.cm/shop/getyourhappy.
BAILE POR TU VIDA BY DIANA TENES 63
No longer human, no longer a woman, no longer a sister or daughter I am seen as nothing more than a political controversy I am undocumented But undocumented is not who I am These politicians have dressed their words in white robes, manipulated history so well that people who have forgotten how their ancestors got here are convinced I am an illegal act My status is a taboo And confuses you Your ignorance fools you, and fuels you in to your hatred I speak to my Abuelita in broken Spanish At times, I can say more with my hands than I can with this split tongue yet you ask me how I speak English so well My tongue can not stand “salsa q pica mucho” or remaining silent any longer And No I don't clean houses like my mother but even if I did I'd be proud because It was my mother who told me as long as you're not stealing there is nothing to be ashamed of
SEE ME BY JANET LOPEZ GALINDO
Part of me wants to make you feel what I have felt every time the lack of a 9 digit number has stopped me from doing things you don’t EVEN think twice about When driving to the store can be the moment that changes our lives you have mistaken your ordinary for your privilege. But I know you don’t understand I know that if I wasn’t Undocumented I probably wouldn’t understand either b/c how can you understand how much I need agency over my own body the way a detained child needs the warmth of their mother 64
How the fragments of freedom distributed in a two-year work permit will never be enough How I didn't know the price of being here is realizing my parents are also children who will never see their parents again How much longer will it take you to see that you are merely the product of a racist nation that doesn’t want me unless I have a 4.0 GPA and I am willing to leave my brown skin at a port of entry The product of a system who taught you to dehumanize us that lies to your face when it says it's here to protect you and illegal immigrants like me are a danger to you and your job You have been taught to think of immigrants with a negative connotation Damn I am so tired of defending my parents’ decision to bring me to this country I’m slowly losing patience! But most of the time... Most of the time, I feel hope Hope. That you will see me just as you see others I hope you see you have the power to save my people And by save my people I mean save OUR people You need to redefine what undocumented means to you UNDOCUMENTED Let the word fill you with the courage of brave migrants who risked everything and I mean everything to give those they love a chance the world denied them UNDOCUMENTED Let it fill you with the memory of those who tried but didn’t make it and all that’s left of them is bones in the desert with no name, no grave, and no dignity Don’t you know that these borders were man-made? And don't you dare forget that man has not always been right Now can you see us, can you see me?
Janet Lopez Galindo was born in Mexico City, Mexico and migrated to the U.S. when she was 10 months old. She studied Political Science at San Francisco State University and is in the non-profit sector providing legal services to the immigrant community. She enjoys writing poetry as a form of art and as a method of healing through generational trauma and oppression.
65
QUINCEAÑERA BY MARÍA RODRÍGUEZ
Today, we gather. We recognize you. We recognize your feminization. Like a butterfly, leaving behind what once was innocent, you reemerge, a woman, full of knowledge and sophistication. Today, we kneel. We pray for you. We pray for your health, a cultured mind, and a heart full of determination. Like a tree, you are rooted so deeply, and able to withstand the harsh pounding of life’s frustrations. Today, we feast. We feast with you. We feast with loved ones on ancestral dishes, and account tales from your adolescence. Like a thanksgiving dinner, we gather to give thanks to those that influenced your destination. Today, we dance. We dance with you. We dance to rhythms, drums, and pure jubilation. Like the beating of a drum, you pound the ground releasing your anxieties, and accepting your new emergence with complete elation. Quinceañera, today we celebrate you! Quinceañera
Hoy nos reunimos. Te reconocemos. Reconocemos tu feminización. Como una mariposa, dejando atrás lo que alguna vez fue inocente, resurges, una mujer, llena de conocimiento y sofisticación. Hoy nos arrodillamos. Rezamos por ti. Rezamos por tú salud, una mente culta y un corazón lleno de determinación. Como un árbol, estás enraizada tan profundamente y capaz de soportar los duros golpes de las frustraciones de la vida. Hoy nos damos un festín. Festejamos contigo. Festejamos con nuestros seres queridos con platos ancestrales, y relatamos de tu adolescencia. Como una cena de acción de gracias, nos reúnimos para agradecer a todos los que influyeron en tu destino. Hoy bailamos. Bailamos contigo. Bailamos a ritmos, tambores y con puro júbilo. Como el batir de un tambor, golpeas el suelo, liberando tus ansiedades y aceptando tu nueva aparición con total júbilo. ¡Quinceañera, hoy te celebramos! 66
María Rodríguez was born in Aguililla, Michoacan Mexico, and immigrated to the USA at the age of one. She is the daughter of a house cleaner, nanny mother and horse caretaker father. Currently, she is the proud mother of two teenage sons, and an elementary school principal in San José, CA.
TAINA
BY ESTHER "ESTY" PAGAN
My roots come from within, My blood runs many...cultures. From the beautiful jungles of Africa, to the glitter of Madrid. My cousins, France, Italy, Germany & Ireland. My cultures are many. But through my veins runs one true blood of a Taina. A noble woman am I. Strong with dignity, proud standing tall. Beautiful with all my cultural curves, from white to black. Pureness in my heart, fruitful in my soul. Taina am I, proud to be the Puerto Rican I am. Proud to be Taina. The skin tones, the sounds, the smells, the laughter all flow...rhythmically. From our past‌ the beginning, when our beauty emerged. With our Boriqua Sun & our Rainbow of Colors. 67
Taina, yes am I.
Mmm...que rica soy yo. Soy yo Taina, Boriqua from head to toe.
Proud fighter, ama de casa, carinosa, giver, supporter, mother, wife, sister, daughter... All in one.
Puerto Rico yo te amo. You are in my soul. My body my Spirit we will rise again. Yet stronger. Our love for culture will save us. It will bring us together as one. Mi Isla we will rise above the storm.
Si, soy yo Taina, yo soy Boriqua. Olgullosa, till my days are done. This proud blood which runs through my veins, strong... you can't knock it down. Comi el Coqui, tan alegre que canta, no where else but en mi Isla del Encanto.
Esther "Star Angel" Pagan
Y no te olvides de mi arroz con gandules y pernir. Que sabroso. My taste buds come alive... to the feast which we as humble people always welcome.
I am a Cancer survivor/artist/inspirational performer who uses my own brand of art through community activism and education. I give strength to others sharing my own experiences creatively.
Mi Isla Bonita, tan bella y abundante de amor. I'm to proud to let la politica take over mi corazon. My beauty, mi olgullo, my dignity, my intellect, my power, my soul. This energy comes out con Salsa Picante... Running through my veins and pores.
68
AMOR MATERNAL BY DIANA ZAMUDIOGARCIA
I am mami’s first creation Mami’s primeriza Con quien por primera vez, en su vientre cargó vida Los primeros latidos y ultrasonidos Las primeras pataditas Soy los antojitos de tacos, champurado, mango con chile, fresas con crema y churritos I am a pedacito from her whom La primera habitante en su útero. Soy las primeras náuseas y los primeros mareos Soy las cicatrices en su abdomen Soy el cordón umbilical I am mami’s widened hips, Swollen pies, and swollen pechos. I am her aching nipples. Soy los primeros desvelos I am her tired ojitos, The dark under eye ojeras. I am mami’s warm breast milk Soy sus “felicidades, serás muy buena mamá” I am mami’s first canas And her first señora facial arrugas Her first regaño as a madre With “hija de tu madre” Her first mothering condolences With a heavy gasp followed by a “ay m’ija” Soy el primer suspiro profundo de orgullesimiento With “esa es m’ija” I am mami’s first born
Soy su primer amor incondicional.
Me llamo Diana Zamudio-Garcia and my hometowns are Michoacan, Mexico and Salinas, California. I am a graduate estudiante in the Chicano/ Chicana Studies Masters program at SJSU. I am a scholar artivist working in the service of my community, as an ethical and critical thinking educator in our multicultural and increasingly interconnected global society. In the future, I want to be a community leader who uses my Chicanx studies, knowledge, and skills to address pressing issues in marginalized communities. 69
WORLD WAR 3 BY DIANA MEDINA
Attention, attention! This is a call to action Its official World War 3 is a war of words My notebook is locked and loaded And I am saving you a seat at the mesa, mesa, mesa que mas applauda... I asked them to send la Niña but she’s still locked in a cage with all the others and now that we hear that hard truth I want you to be outraged with me Then I want you to pray with me… Pray for the babies in the cages with me Pray for their mamis and papis with me Pray for the refugees fleeing war with me Pray for the folks drowning in student loan debt with me Pray for the third-grade reading scores in the hood to rise with me Pray for mother earth with me I want you use your imagination De Colores with me Let’s take over this world like a Pinky and the Brain style scheme to fix society I want you to write things into existence with me I want you to tell other people your dreams with me I want you to put on your pilas with me I want you to manifest some magical shit with me Because these people of no color keep putting sour cream on our culture and its pissing me off I want you to be pissed off with me I want you to embrace your duality be both mac daddy and daddy mac with me Say words that will make you jump jump with me Say words like "What the fuck?" with me Say words like "Fuck Donald Trump" with me 70
Say words like "Si se puede" with me Say words like "Black Lives Matter" with me Say them over and over until the revolution is a reality Bang on tables, knock on doors, and stop your feet with me Organize and storm the beaches of white supremacy Tell them my parents didn't cross borders to build a life here so they could fuck with me Tell them over and over until WE manifest OUR destiny Tell them we matter Tell them we exist Tell them the carne asada awakening is gonna be lit There will be soul food for the people tacos with a side of truth rice with a side of resistance beans with benefits cafe con consciousness pan con possibilities everyone is invited We’re clearly soldiers with paper and pens Dauntless crusaders hustling To Make America Free Again Our ancestors’ ancestors will adore us standing hand in hand with our children’s children they will sing in grateful chorus: Hey! Where the party at? Transformation came we need a party hat You and your pens fought for all of that Well done. Well done And when we hear them our hearts will burst Like rivers of living poetry… flowing What a tear-filled sight it will be to see Our communidades finally thriving… growing All because of what we wrote and did today Now I want you to repeat after me so the world can hear us: We pledge abundance to our hearts We are the United States of America and to our ancestors with whom we stand one nation, ready to heal, indestructible with clarity and compassion for all
Diana Medina is a first generation Latina born and raised in Los Angeles and living in Sacramento. Her mission in life is to use clarity, compassion, and comic relief to make the world a better place. She puts her passions to work professionally as a Program Director for a local nonprofit and creatively as a poet, storyteller, and selfproclaimed extreme crafter. She is currently working on her upcoming poetry book, Heal Out Loud, through Alegria Magazine's publishing program. 71
There’s only one way to succeed they say There’s only one way and that’s “pray” They don’t see the fire within cannot be contained They can’t see the hope that always remains? Why can’t that be? If only they would see They would see the fire is within me! There’s only one winner they say There’s only one way and that’s “pray” There’s only those who have or have not Why bother to try? I’ll tell you why YOU must choose to see that rainbow in the sky! And what can be is the fire within...but that fire within it’s ME!
Carmen Milagro is first-generation San Franciscan, entrepreneur-artist, pragmatic visionary, certified CBDeducator, confidence strategist/coach, mentor, inventor, patent-holder, storyteller/lyricist/writer, music/video producer, advocate for women’s successes and creator of a premium hemp CBD lifestyle brand. She’s a Hispa role model and is featured in their 20k Hispanic / Latinx Stories Campaign (https://20kstories.hispa.org/user/carmenmilagro) and is also a Hispanic Star Ambassador and was chosen as 1 out of only 90 Latinos in "Hispanic Stars Rising ~ The New Face Of Power" a book of stories. .
THE FIRE WITHIN BY CARMEN MILAGRO 72
Celebrating
15 years!!
Special 15th Anniversary Edition