tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48561664270853681252011-11-09T20:51:34.396-06:00cuentos y aventuras of everyday life to figure out everyday issues of Culture, Politics, Love (And some fun stuff in between...) Adelante!canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.comBlogger471100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-64495447814769285422011-02-08T15:04:00.000-06:002011-02-08T15:04:15.454-06:00

 Reposted from One Drop Rule: "Ever have men striven to conceive of their victims as different from the victors, endlessly different, in soul and blood, strength and cunning, race and lineage. It has been left, however, to Europe and to modern days to discover the eternal world-wide mark of meanness,—color!" W.E.B. Du Bois "The Soul of White Folk" Darkwater Today, most white people don't see

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-36328988886001273252011-02-04T15:09:00.000-06:002011-02-04T15:09:40.118-06:00

Hello Folks!!! Let me update you with what's going on with me. Well, for starters CaneLa Womyn is in California!  I got here just in time to miss the crazy blizzard that hit Chicago hard and has caused the city to shut down for... well, it just about still is. While I'm grateful to not be stuck in a car on LSD or having to deal with 2 ft+ of snow, this snowmaggedon (as some are calling it) still

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-67421012155238040952011-01-28T15:20:00.000-06:002011-01-28T15:20:36.677-06:00

The other night The Hubs and I watched Street Fight, a documentary about the 2002 Newark mayoral race between long standing mayor Sharpe James and newbie Cory Booker. The film was immediately intriguing. I was astounded by 1. Cory Booker's willingness eagerness to connect with the folks politicians never want to connect with: the poverty stricken folks of color. This man moved into the projects

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-82471625964771672002011-01-21T16:29:00.000-06:002011-01-21T16:29:10.641-06:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-57229663615516906112011-01-20T18:13:00.000-06:002011-01-20T18:13:59.487-06:00

The Hubs and I are at Target buying a gift for our nephew. Creepily, my dad calls and asks that I look for a new Priscilla since I was there. Priscilla is my little sister's favorite doll. She was originally a present for someone else, but Oli took such a liking to her that, well, she took her. She even named her, unlike the rest of her dolls, which are just called "babies".  Priscilla has

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-28836505945106547692011-01-12T15:34:00.000-06:002011-01-12T15:34:44.303-06:00

So this Monday was the season premier of Bad Girls Club. I was surprised at how much hype this show was getting all over. My Facebook updates were bombarded by BGC countdowns and I even had a long conversation with one of my mentees about the show. Apparently, besides college basketball, it's the only show she watches. So, I decided to check it out myself. I've seen short scenes here and there,

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-78592506649282581192010-12-30T16:36:00.001-06:002010-12-30T16:36:50.971-06:00

My middle name should have been "why you so skinny". At least, according to my family. I'm a small womyn. More like petite. I wear single digit jean sizes, my shoes are mostly on sale because they're small, and i can compactly fit in small chairs, cars and shared spaces. It's always bothered me how much weight, no pun intended, has been placed on my size. I'm not unhealthy, I'm not even skinny.

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-29718295195975848572010-12-16T16:34:00.000-06:002010-12-16T16:34:38.984-06:00

Ummm... Really? Because filling kids (and unfortunately waaaay too many adults) with garbage lyrics and negative stereotypes isn't enough. Although I will admit, the snow kinda covers up the line that says "Reading is Fundamental" and I can't really hate on that... but still. Are you down with the rap snacks or are they just playing ridiculous to you?

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-61148964758405785632010-12-15T21:21:00.001-06:002010-12-15T21:24:30.352-06:00

for my resilient friend parting with her tub A couple of days ago, I experienced a loss. My Mac died. Not only was it most inconvenient because finals were due in two days, but as much as I scorned it's slow demise, it was sudden and heartbreaking. Anyone who'd seen Mac Morrison knew it was just a matter of time. It was astonishingly slow, all the programs were outdated (and were unable to

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-51145063544821162612010-12-14T16:04:00.000-06:002010-12-14T16:04:32.016-06:00

Last week I was on the train on my way to school and a brother hops on the train and scopes it out. He's wearing a thick sweater and thin coat. Dull boots. Short beard. Broad voice. He says he's sorry to inconvenience anyone... Immediately, I think, like all the other people who get on the train starting with that sentence, he's gonna ask for money. Still, I pull my headphones out. Says he's

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-19559008175117277282010-11-16T16:41:00.000-06:002010-11-16T16:41:02.513-06:00

...But not for Facebook I know a woman. A beautiful, intelligent sister with tons of personality and a genuine heart. She has an extraordinary amount of potential and is at the top of her professional game. Unfortunately, it's hard to see her positive attributes because she constantly downgrades herself in social media with over-the-top sass, assumed promiscuity, and dozens of half

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-85648267423245513282010-11-04T19:58:00.000-05:002010-11-04T19:58:08.955-05:00

After a long day (and night) I patiently await my bus with a group of equally chilly, tired people. Once the bus pulls up I can see it's going to be an interesting ride- it's packed. After a few folks get off I think, oh this isn't so bad, there's more than enough room to accommodate all the people trying to get on. I let a woman with her child get on before me and proceed to step up just to

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-3433099827178610262010-10-21T01:30:00.001-05:002010-11-10T17:01:40.043-06:00

A couple weeks ago I sitting at the laundromat waiting on my clothes to dry. While trying to figure out what to have for dinner, I realized that one of Tyler Perry's shows was on. At first, it was background noise along with bickering children and clinking metal in machines, but slowly it crept up into the focus of my brain and I couldn't help, but to think, are you f*ck'n serious?!?! I

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-70921373446608556652010-10-19T14:26:00.003-05:002010-11-10T17:02:09.011-06:00

Some time ago I was stopped at a red light and did kind of a double take when I saw this sign posted on an old, abandoned medical center. I laughed because it seemed as outrageous as the signs I've been seeing recently in my new neighborhood : "Is your loved one cheating? call ***-***-****" I questioned, who actually calls these things and why would you ever want to cut the cord that quick and

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-5266120598619976032010-10-10T19:51:00.004-05:002010-12-14T18:42:48.651-06:00

Hello again readers! Sorry I just left you all hanging for a little while, it's been a busy couple of weeks for me. The Hubs and I have just moved into a new place. Though moving is a ton of work, I absolutely love our new place. At first, the idea of moving filled me with dread and sudden laziness. I hate (HATE) boxing up all my things, transferring them and then living in Boxland for an

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-76334632885289503432010-09-19T17:42:00.000-05:002010-09-19T17:42:45.640-05:00

I saw this ad the other day in one of my classes. Unfortunately, gay marriage is a right taken from people all over the world and not just in the U.S. I've seen a lot of commercials, ads, posters, you name it. I like this one a lot. Puts things into perspective, no?

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-66752227805872871772010-09-15T15:51:00.001-05:002010-12-14T18:42:15.932-06:00

As mentioned in previous postings, The Hubs and I live in one of the largest Mexican communities in Chicago. It's a love-hate relationship we got, me and "the Mexicans". While on one hand I'm ecstatic to be surrounded by memories and images of my childhood, I'm not impressed by the American version of Mexican. This weekend was the celebration of el Dia de Independencia or Mexican Independence

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-5180391974534515592010-09-07T19:15:00.015-05:002010-12-14T18:41:36.246-06:00

Now that Ramadan is only a few days shy of being over, I've been feeling reflective about what's changed for me. I found myself with a grand appreciation for water (although it's already my main drink of choice), learning how to pace myself during the day and not over do it, being patient and checking myself when I start to act like a turd because I'm hungry or thirsty (sorry love...) and,

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-27383491591927717472010-08-30T15:04:00.002-05:002010-12-14T18:40:58.992-06:00

Four years ago, as a confused young womyn in the dead of winter, I purchased a one-way ticket to Costa Rica, and with nothing but the bag on my back, traveled throughout the country learning about life, culture, and to take a breath to appreciate the beautiful things in life. Why Costa Rica? I flipped through a book once, intoxicated by the plush greenery, progressive national identity and the

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-15906781114413095982010-08-16T16:00:00.008-05:002010-12-14T18:40:02.326-06:00

The other day I was watching television and this obnoxious commercial came on. I tend to think that most commercials are over the top, but this one was outright wrong. It's a Windows 7 commercial that takes place in the college dorms. A boy sits outside of this room while his roommate gets "private tutoring" from a girl. There was a tube sock on the doorknob and you can here muffled sounds

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-89340698314964675962010-08-11T18:39:00.001-05:002010-12-14T18:38:58.251-06:00

It is that time of year friends: The Holy Month of Ramadan. Muslim brothers and sisters all around the world are observing this month with fasting and tons of inner reflection. I've heard (and read) the excitement leading up to today. I found myself becoming more pumped as I stuffed groceries into my cart focusing on two meals: Breakfast and Dinner. This morning the Hubs and I woke before the

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-54902986047799165102010-08-06T13:20:00.002-05:002010-12-14T18:38:19.729-06:00

By Daryl Cagle  This week was a late night on CTA. We were downtown waiting on the train after an awesome Animate Objects show with the rest of late night Chicago: a middle aged Black woman wearing a security uniform and reading a novel, middle class, young white couple, two young dudes hustlin' bottled water, and a few tired individuals feenin' for a bed. It was quite somber as i

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-11437296552900334152010-07-30T14:06:00.002-05:002010-12-14T18:37:23.468-06:00

One of my greatest pet peeves is seeing people being treated unjustly. People in relationships (let's not forget womyn can be verbally, physically and emotionally abusive too), POC, "third world countries", womyn... you get the point. Recently, I've added one to the top of my list: children being mistreated by their mamas. I take public transportation pretty frequently and it never fails that I

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-63687567047368555612010-07-22T20:34:00.001-05:002010-07-22T20:36:41.842-05:00

I find myself frequently having conversations with friends, peers and the Hubs about crazy things that people do and why we don't understand them. Yesterday as I strolled through Hyde Park enjoying the day I found myself having another one of those conversations. At the end of the day, most of those conversations end with the idea that people need to love themselves. It's the greatest lesson

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-58750150700657958922010-07-19T17:26:00.003-05:002010-12-14T18:36:35.527-06:00

   Now that it's really nice out, and by nice I mean Chicago humid and 90 degrees, we've been taking more walks in the neighborhood and even out walk the bus sometimes (another posting y'all...). Living in a Mexican community, for me, is a bitter sweet experience. I love being surrounded by my people. There's familiarity, comfort and it satisfies some of my Mexico nostalgia.  But... While I love

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-25598890414886242552010-07-12T15:10:00.001-05:002010-12-14T18:35:47.512-06:00

                                                                          Yes, the title really says that. Yesterday, as we were driving in middle america Wisconsin, we listened to conservative talk radio. Occasionally, I like listening to conservative arguments as a way to understand where people are coming from and how valid their points could be.The benefit of doubt, have you. We pulled

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-38364392983040792582010-06-18T16:36:00.075-05:002010-06-22T11:03:33.212-05:00

Last week Millennium Park, along with Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN), hosted a night called "Dandana: a Celebration of Muslim Voices" Featuring Tinariwen. Considering my last post and experience, this was a big deal. The park was packed. Bodies, good energy, amazing food and, most importantly, solidarity held people on the lawn between busy city streets and shadowing skyscrapers. I

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-61683280471433755872010-06-15T16:41:00.001-05:002010-12-14T18:34:49.892-06:00

This past weekend we took a Greyhound bus to Minneapolis to visit with some friends. This was my first time taking long distance buses in the U.S. We stood in line, waiting for the doors to open and the conductor to start taking tickets. Right in front of us there was a young man, no older than 20, wearing army fatigues and carrying a duffel bag.I watched as he embraced an older man, maybe a

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-80664501836861651872010-06-03T11:25:00.003-05:002010-12-14T18:33:09.566-06:00

This past weekend was all about love. Aquil and I were invited to a wedding by a woman from the community that he works closely with. When he called to let me know we'd been invited, I was excited and immediately expressed my desire to attend, remembering the comical story she told me. She'd been with her now husband for over 20 years. They have children, grandchildren, love each other very

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-55634441305696366072010-05-27T12:41:00.000-05:002010-05-27T12:41:34.041-05:00

(you know sometimes you wake up extra in love and feeling good? This is to that feeling and the person who inspires it.) I play chicken when the sun until It burns out like a hookah coal, Ash gray and thick, Stuck in the center of the sky Sometimes, as you sleep, I lick The poetry off of your skin and savor The taste on my tongue for days, Sometimes weeks, While writing drafts of recipes

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-87588510071595254412010-05-26T13:30:00.001-05:002010-12-14T18:32:32.214-06:00

Thursday, Aquil and I attended an event a friend of ours sponsored at the University of Chicago campus. She explained to us, in great passion, the need to get people together from the university and the community, while knowing the great disenchantment each have for one another. She did this as a founding member and president of SPIN, Students Promoting Interracial Networking, a group dedicated

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-43671252135412218842010-05-17T16:52:00.010-05:002010-12-14T18:31:56.844-06:00

                             Oh, the places I've gone! That's right, it's my birthday. Well, not really, it's Saturday, but you get the point. And like many people do around this time, I've been filled with tons of reflection. The past year or so has brought plenty of change to my life. As I go about my daily routines of traveling to grammar school world, engaging in beautiful conversations and

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-15335969393539004342010-05-15T16:27:00.001-05:002010-12-14T18:31:25.233-06:00

My last posting was focused on the issues created by Observe and Report (2009), a "comedy" movie, created by Jody Hill and Seth Rogan, about a bipolar mall security guard who attempts at solving a case of continuous indecent exposure while going through the tribulations of his disorder. This movie is over the edge with several references to abusive relationships, domestic violence and, my

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-11465164598973483242010-05-13T12:42:00.005-05:002010-12-14T18:30:42.100-06:00

click the title to watch the scene. If you are like thousands of other people, you were most likely offended, insulted and outraged by the problematic scene in this movie. On a dinner and movie night, we rented Observe and Protect on our way home and popped it in later in the evening. Initially expecting that it would be a funny movie about a too serious mall cop, I found that throughout

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-29639076875160467072010-05-12T11:23:00.001-05:002010-05-13T12:52:08.423-05:00

inspired by true events woke up this morning feelin good and fine got me some lovin, from a soul pure and divine let the sun shower me with bronze painted rays took a quiet walk with the breeze reminiscing of warm summer days got back home and chatted up a friend got a good idea so i picked up a pen pick-pocketed my brain tick-tockin eyes droppin like tropic rain woke to a song of children

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-81000420813863803402010-05-10T14:44:00.005-05:002010-12-14T18:29:44.987-06:00

A few postings ago I mentioned a book I was reading, Silvana Paternostro's In the Land of God and Man, about sexual culture and female repression within americalatina. While I was reading the book I couldn't help but to recount numerous experiences and stories I have heard about women who were uneducated about their sexuality and sex being a taboo unless you had a penis. These memories and the

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-26030114049705256832010-05-07T20:39:00.004-05:002010-12-14T18:28:52.289-06:00

This week I started a writer's workshop at an elementary school in the Englewood community. Because I've been working in the neighborhood, I knew the dynamics I was walking into. Englewood, like many Chicago communities, is drowned in poverty, foreclosed homes, food deserts and is home to the number one murder rate in the city. Still, all of my experiences with the youth have been nothing but

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-44239446170170039872010-04-30T14:33:00.003-05:002010-05-12T11:23:59.863-05:00

SO... yesterday I was kinda annoyed by the news. Why wouldn't I be? There's all kinds of craziness happening in the world. So to save my blog from becoming the cynical downer of the virtual world, I thought I'd share some things that make me happy. It's a beautiful day in Chicago, I had a wonderful evening with Aquil and the band (shameless plug: visit Animate Objects website for FREE great hip

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-17477560439341633492010-04-29T13:42:00.004-05:002010-12-14T18:27:38.989-06:00

   1939: after Germany invaded Poland, Jewish people were required to wear the Star of David in patch form on their arm while constantly keeping their identification present should a member of the Nazi army ask for it. This law was enforced to keep tabs on the Jewish community, embarrass them and subject them to hate crimes based on their ethnicity. Jewish people who refused to abide by the

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-58402792889111957122010-04-27T16:14:00.003-05:002010-12-14T18:26:38.516-06:00

disclaimer or disculpa: in no way am i advocating for people to stop buying from eloteros. Please continue to support this independent, honest business to contribute to local economy.  i decided to take a walk saturday afternoon since it was a dingy, yet warm day. i strolled along, hidden beneath the bill of my knitted cap and the independence of my sweatpants. Dozens of people walked past me,

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-83998638785045728222010-04-23T16:33:00.006-05:002010-08-16T16:25:15.897-05:00

about a month or so ago i was walking home and spotted a Macy's bag labeled "FREE BOOKS" two doors down from my spot. As an avid reader I was excited to search the bag of goodies. One in particular caught the attention of the righteous womynist in me.  It was titled "The Real Rules for Girls". I decided I would read it and, if it passed my examination of what the real rules for girls were, I

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-22735893476662297212010-04-22T13:34:00.002-05:002010-05-21T12:46:22.663-05:00

                Yes, we all see them with their red t-shirts on State Street as we dart past trying to get to the train station, work or even just away from them. We all know the green people with the clipboards asking crassly if you have time to save the environment today. Although I too step up my pace and juke them on the sidewalk when I see them come my way, they have a point: do you time

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-82993964457310440232010-04-20T16:06:00.006-05:002010-12-14T18:25:07.489-06:00

although i've already posted today, this seems too important to wait.    Every now and then I succumb to reading magazines. I used to read them a lot more, but found myself frequently frustrated by the focus on chisme and anti-womynist propaganda hidden behind titles like, 'Sexy secrets to keep your man happy'. However, I recently became a born-again Latina magazine reader. Don't get me wrong,

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-28545467241680102652010-04-19T11:20:00.003-05:002010-05-21T12:51:18.290-05:00

  As a child I experienced what many poor people do: constant moving from apartment to apartment. For the most part, my single mother kept us in the Low End, where we had family and familiarity, but for some time we relocated to the westside of Chicago. We stayed in Little Village for a few years into my early adolescence until a series of violent acts were committed against our next-door

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-68230342947896216312010-04-14T11:20:00.003-05:002010-12-14T18:24:19.759-06:00

  During my senior year of high school i wrote a poem called 'No In Between' about the social obsession of Black and white people in the united states with no regard for those considered 'other'. It was a very personal piece for me. I minced no words about my frustration with being overlooked as a Latina woman by a society stepping around Black folks and gawking at white people. Considering this

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-57016851957265340572010-04-12T13:45:00.006-05:002010-05-13T13:01:09.316-05:00

My family is some doing m f'ers. Pilgrimages, polar plunges, pulling planes... I don't know exactly where it comes from. Perhaps its my grandmother's fiesty genes. Not only does she uphold the tightest matriarchy i've ever seen, she also walks everywhere there's a sidewalk and still instills the greatest fear in everyone younger than her all while sitting comfortably in her 70s. In any case, the

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4856166427085368125.post-65392765579834449312010-04-09T14:00:00.004-05:002010-11-10T17:06:54.394-06:00

  A few months ago, I got an Amazon Books monthly newsletter in my inbox. In this edition they were featuring a new and soaring poet, Elvis Dino Esquivel. I don't normally read all the articles, but this one in particular interested me because the author was being compared to Pablo Neruda, one of my favorite Latin American poets. I read the article and was completely consumed by his story.

canelawomynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986441180317881376noreply@blogger.com1