Black World: Fall Issue II

BLACK WORLD

editorial Letter from Editor-in-Chief

By Oluwatunmise Akinfeleye

“Know Thyself ”

President

Oluwatunmise Akinfeleye

Vice President

During the journey to completing and publishing this work, Black World’s team has dedicated the time and energy befitting the observation of National Hispanic Heritage Month. We searched for underrepresented voices within the Latine community, with the goal of spotlighting all the hard work and talent that they continue to showcase here at Stony Brook University. I’d like to thank my exceptional writers, editors, photographers, graphic designers, and executive board for making our vision a reality. A very special thanks to the alumni that helped us along the way, providing wisdom and guidance during the arduous process. I would also like to personally thank you, the reader, for taking the time to read what we took all this time to make, just for you. Please enjoy, Black World: Hispanic Heritage Month Edition!

Oluwatoyin Kupoluyi

Treasurer

Philip Austin

Secretary

Gisselle Coatl

Assistant Secretary

Cameron Williams

Graduate Advisor

Audrey Fernandez

Event Coordinator

Jahnovia Wheatley

Social Media Chairmen/

Toni-Ann Beckford

Fundraising Chairmen/ Assistant Event Coordinator Social Media Chairmen

Brianna Chavez Antonio Cruz

Public Relations Officer

Anthoni Haynes

Lead Graphics Editor

Naomi Idehen

Audio/Visual Editor

Christopher Jean-Pierre

CONTRIBUTORS:

Videographer

Meloseri Dumnoi

Katelynn Heredia Maya Brown Alan Sanon Alessio Arena Alexandra Khan Danielle Ramirez Diana Moreno Diana Salomon Gabby Girard Jazela Wright Joelis Rodriguez Torres Kiara Ramirez Burgos Marisa Mourguez Sheilly Martinez

Photographer

Sophia Camulaire Andrew Candio

Web Master

Jeremy Galindo

Sitdown/ Podcast Producer

Momodou Sise

Writer

Jazela Wright James Sanchez Jordan Mayers Ayanna Hunter Stephan Julien

Editor

Damilys Santana Renée Smith Edward Yeboah

2 BLACK WORLD • FALL 2023

Supreme Court Rulings Affirmative Action Supreme Court Ruling

By Oluwatoyin Kupoluyi Vice President June 29th, 2023, the Supreme

who have a family connection

are created to address historical

African American students which is

Court ruled that colleges and

to an institution. Specifically,

and ongoing disparities faced

exactly what happened.

universities can no longer use race

legacy students are those who

by marginalized groups, mainly

as a consideration of admissions.

have a parent, grandparent, or

people of color, the idea that

Affirmative action refers to policies

sibling who attended the same

white women benefit from these

are created to address historical

or programs that aim to promote

college or university to which

policies is true. White women are

and ongoing disparities faced by

equal opportunities for individuals

they are applying. Legacy status

often viewed as holding a “double

marginalized groups, with the aim

from historically marginalized

is often considered by colleges

minority” status in the context

of promoting diversity and equal

or underrepresented groups.

and universities as a factor in

of affirmative action. They deal

opportunity. By actively seeking to

These policies typically involve

the admissions process. Legacy

with gender-related disparities

include underrepresented groups,

considering factors such as race,

preferences have been seen as a

while also being members of the

affirmative action helps reduce

ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic

way for institutions to create a

majority racial group, which can

discrimination. Affirmative action

background, or disability status

strong alumni network, encourage

give them certain advantages when

also seeks to provide individuals

as one of many factors in the

philanthropic support, and

it comes to job opportunities and

from marginalized communities

admissions process. However it is

enhance institutional reputation.

educational admissions. Affirmative

with equal opportunities for

important to note that the Supreme

Legacy admissions can also help

action policies in many instances

education and employment. It

Court only overturned affirmative

universities maintain connections

are created to include various

helps break down barriers that

action when it comes to race.

with influential families or

underrepresented groups, including

have historically limited their

individuals who have supported the

women. This inclusivity means

access to these opportunities. The

institution in the past. However,

that white women, based on their

overturning of affirmative action

been enough for most minority

how fair is this system? Mediocre

gender, can qualify for the same

will affect this in drastic ways.

college students. Like other black

white kids get admitted into top

benefits as women from minority

and brown students, I was raised

Ivy schools simply because their

racial backgrounds. Another

on the idea of working twice as

parents went there or are donors to

student pointed out a bigger

hard as my white counterparts

the school.

problem, the lack of unity between

Affirmative Action has never

to receive only half of what they get. This sentiment is something

Asian Americans and Black Over the past few days I

Americans. She pointed out how a

I never really took to heart.

asked students their thoughts on

lot of Asian Americans subscribe

However, as I started filling out my

the ruling. One student pointed

to the model minority myth as a

college applications, I realized how

out how affirmative action mainly

way to justify their success. Asian

biased the system is towards legacy

benefited white women. While

Americans have a culture that

students. Legacy students in college

it’s important to recognize that

values higher education so when

admissions refer to applicants

affirmative action programs

they don’t they tend to blame

Affirmative action programs

Irony Apparent as Affirmative Action is Rejected by Supreme

story that is more reflective of reality

sought to keep certain neighborhoods

would feature two applicants, one black

white. These veterans, instead of being

and one white, both with 4.0 GPAs and

able to own land after fighting for their

1590 SAT scores. In this situation where

country, were forced to rent apartments

both applications are nearly identical,

in inner cities, hampering their ability to

the applicants’ races would then come

accrue wealth.

into play, and the black student may be

Affirmative action existed as a

Court for “Racial

chosen.

Discrimination”

into consideration may seem unfair

locked in less privileged socioeconomic

considering nobody chooses their race,

statuses based on their race, which

but injustices against Black and Hispanic

in turn would make it harder for an

Americans have been happening in the

applicant to put together the grades

United States for centuries, the effects

necessary to be considered by an

of which are still being felt today. Black

esteemed Ivy League university, such

people are more likely to be born into

as Harvard. In plain terms, it is simply

less favorable socioeconomic positions

harder on average for a Black student

than White people and Asian Americans,

to reach the highest levels of education

due to the lack of generational wealth

due to the circumstances intentionally

as a result of slavery, black codes, Jim

created for Black people as a whole

Crow, the crack epidemic, and the general

throughout history, making a Black

attitude of refusal towards affording

student with an exceptionally high

benefits to black people that white

GPA and SAT score more impressive

people received. One such unwritten

than a White student with the same or

policy was upheld shortly after World

slightly higher credentials, on average.

War II. The GI Bill, which aimed to help

College performance is the number one

veterans after the war with guaranteed

individual-centered factor in increasing a

mortgages, was withheld from Black

person’s social mobility, so it is reasonable

World War II veterans by salesmen who

that the population whose social mobility

By Oluwatunmise Akinfeleye President On June 29th, 2023, The Supreme

SFFA invoked the Equal Protection

Court ruled affirmative action

Clause found in the 14th Amendment,

unconstitutional in a 6-3 decision. The

which was used to argue that all laws

plaintiff, Students For Fair Admissions

must apply to all people. This clause was

Inc. (SFFA) who challenged the

then applied to the Civil Rights Act of

Harvard University and University of

1964, which prohibits discrimination

North Carolina admissions programs,

based on race, sex, religion, and national

held a press conference shortly after

origin. The crux of the argument lies

the decision. During the conference,

within whether or not the Civil Rights

president of the organization, Edward J.

Act is relevant to affirmative action.

Blum stated, “The opinion issued today by the United States Supreme Court marks the beginning of the restoration of the colorblind legal covenant that binds together our multi-racial, multiethnic nation.” Color-blindness serves as the ethos of many conservatives who claim that their mission is to establish equal protection under the law for all; a principle that often denies the existence of race-based discrimination targeted against Black and Hispanic students.

Those in favor of getting rid of the decades-old policy often use anecdotes to support their position. The classic tale

A selection process that takes race

patchwork solution to the problem of Black and Hispanic Americans being

of the white applicant with a 4.0 GPA being beaten out for admission by a black applicant with a 2.5, and similar stories are touted by the right as evidence of affirmative action’s discriminatory nature. It is important to

Affirmative action has always been a

note, however, that during

less than optimal solution to a complex,

the admissions process,

multi-faceted problem, but it existed as

race only came into play

a solution, nonetheless. A race-based

after almost every other

aspect of a program used by all will

determinant for eligibility

always face scrutiny, but this situation

was examined, including

is unique because of the history as well

GPA and SAT scores.

as the arguments in favor of either side.

With this in mind, the

4 BLACK WORLD • FALL 2023

supremecourt.gov

has been hindered through centuries of oppression due to their race would receive extra consideration based on those circumstances.

What stands out the most about the decision of SFFA to bring this case to court is the failure to bring legacy admissions to the table. Legacy admissions tend to benefit white students, as 70% of the legacy students in Harvard’s Class of 2019 were White.

Supreme Court Shuts the Door On Student Loan Debt Forgiveness, and the Futures Of Many

By Jazela Wright

admissions is that keeping qualified Black and Hispanic students from “taking” the spot of a White applicant is more important than keeping unqualified White students from being grandfathered into the nation’s top universities.

American Dream” but with the ball

The Supreme Court announced to

and chain that is student loan debt, the

the public their decision to shut down

average citizen can barely get by, not

President Joe Biden’s plans to cancel

even able to choose their dream career

$400 billion in student loan debt,

after graduation. According to a study

deeming it as “unconstitutional”. This

published by the American Student

decision shall lead to withdrawal of many

Association, nearly 50% of graduates agree that their debts hindered their

relief in their student debt. The question

ability to further their careers or chose

Court decided in favor of conservative

remains, “How does this decision impact

one of their liking. “End up working a

dogma, a recent trend that began with

them and their future?”

regular 9-5 before pursuing my actual

the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022,

decisions, as the right leaning justices of the Supreme Court continue to present a united front against social and economic progress.

that this is a misinterpretation of the Constitution. Regardless, the problem remains that millions of Americans are in a bind because of this student loan debt crisis. The truth remains that something needs to be done to relieve this ball and chain off the legs of millions of

start a family, own a house, and have Friday, June 30th, by at 6-3 decision,

graduates who had high hopes of some

to abortion. Expect to see more 6-3

under the HEROES act. Biden argues

chance to pursue their desired career,

On June 29th 2023, the Supreme

which removed protections of the right

loan cancellation plan was not viable

borrowers, so that they can have a

The message sent by the SFFA in pursuing affirmative action before legacy

decision was overstepping, as the

dream career, just to pay off student August 24th, 2022 is when Biden announced his plans to work with the Department of Education under the HEROES act. A bill allowing the Secretary of Education to waive or modify provisions existing statutory or regulatory provisions applicable to financial assistance programs under the Education Act, to forgive the student loans of millions of Americans. But now with the recent rejection of forgiveness, the epidemic of student loan debt is bound to continue and burden many people in many different ways. For example, a delay in life goals, a hindrance in finances, and even an apprehension in going to college in the first place.

America is known for their reputation

loan debt,” borrower Emmanuel stated.

Furthermore, because of student loan debt, it delays a borrower’s ability to buy a home and start a family. According to a study, the task of paying off student loans and dealing with the finances of a homeowner is simply too much of a financial burden, and not to mention starting a family is far from being inexpensive—the average cost of taking care of a child from birth until eighteen years old, being $233,610, according to usda.gov. Americans can’t build their future if student loan debt is burdening their present. In the words of borrower Atara Jarvis, ‘They want Americans to stay in debt.

The Supreme Court defends their

as being “The land of the free” and a

decision of rejecting the student loan

place where anyone can obtain “The

forgiveness by claiming that Biden’s

financial stability. In other words, have liberty and freedom—the embodiment of the American dream. Otherwise— in the words of borrower Darian Jarvis, America will be “the land of the free and the home of the debt.”

303 Creative LLC v Elenis

By Toni-Ann & Cameron Williams

On June 30th, the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority ruled in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, that businesses can legally refuse services to LGBTQ+ customers.

After a lawsuit from a creative design company on December 5, 2022, the Supreme Court ruled it lawful to reject customers based on their sexual orientation.

with respect to her religion, declaring that she would not make content for anything that “contradicts biblical truth”, disregarding any accusations of antidiscrimination.

ultimately decided that “These cases illustrate that the First Amendment protects an individual’s right to speak their mind regardless of whether the government considers his speech sensible and wellCADA prohibits intentioned or all “public deeply “misguided,” accommodations” from Hurley, 515 U. S., denying “the full and at 574, and likely to equal enjoyment” of cause “anguish” or its goods and services “incalculable grief,” to any customer Snyder v. Phelps, 562 Using the First based on their race, U. S. 443”.

Amendment, Ms. creed, disability, sexual Smith, the owner of orientation, or other The First 303 Creative LLC statutorily enumerated Amendment is the created an argument trait. Colo. Rev. Stat. individual right against serving couples §24–34–601(2)(a)”. of Americans to of same-sex marriages Even so, the Supreme speak freely without stating “Colorado Court deems it restrictions on what will use the Colorado legitimate to refuse they can say or how Anti-Discrimination service to someone they can express Act to compel her—in based on the protected themselves. This is violation of the First classes. the amendment being Amendment—to create pointed at to justify a After comparing this websites celebrating hypothetical situation. case to others (Hurley marriages she does That the freedom to not endorse”. In doing v. Irish-American Gay express one’s religious this, she challenged the and Boy Scouts of beliefs and free America v.

Dale), they basis of her freedoms expression of speech

6 BLACK WORLD • FALL 2023

through the extension of their art.

It remains to be seen whether the basis of this case will carry over into other cases targeted toward LGTBQ rights or how the expression of religious beliefs can be used to deny service or access to others.

Regardless, this remains a massive decision on religious protections and their impact on several protected characteristics and liberties in exchange for freedom of speech.

Interviews President of Latin American Student Organization: Sheilly Martinez Conducted By Oluwatunmise Akinfeleye

President says she I sat down with joined the club virtually Sheilly Martinez, in 2020, as part of the President of the Latin freshman class that American Student had their highschool Organization, better experience cut short by known as LASO, to COVID. As the only gain some perspective senior on the executive on the Latine board, she provides a community here at Stony Brook University. level of experience and a social network crucial As we spoke in the Black World office, we to the organization’s discussed the pressures success. of presidency, On the topic of navigating higher her goal with LASO, learning as a member Martinez replied that of an underserved she and her executive group, and being the board are striving to child of immigrant “provide a sense of parents. community” for Latin “I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t my first choice,” Martinez confessed, when asked why she chose Stony Brook. “I feel like everything happens for a reason in the end. I’ve met great people. I’ll keep these friends even after I graduate.” The newly elected LASO

American individuals all throughout the university. LASO holds many events each semester tailored to this goal, including this Fall’s “Café con LASO,” the club’s annual banquet, complete with cultural food and dance performances.

Born in Honduras, Sheilly Martinez emigrated to the United States in elementary school. She credits this upbringing for making her bilingual. “Growing up my mom would force me to read books and write in Spanish, ‘’ Martinez joked. As the

interview began to wind down, we talked at length about possible collaborations between our two clubs.

Suffice it to say that LASO and Black World will share some flyers this semester, so keep an eye out!

Katelynn Heredia

of color.

Former Editor/Sitdown Producer

compared to the

Conducted By Cameron Williams called minorities, but this is the first time I

But I guess

white instructors, there’s not as many.

I would say the same

Cam:

felt like a minority. I had this one experience

thing about working as

How did you kind of come up with the

in a class, it was like a graphic design class.

a stagehand, most of

They [professor] put up like a picture

the people are people of

Kate:

because we were talking about art pieces and

color. Then you’ll see like

The sit down, me and my sister came up

photography. It was this lady sitting on the

the production assistants,

with it our freshman year when we first got

bus. Everybody was like, “Oh, I guess she’s

half of them are white,

to Stony Brook. But we never did anything

wearing white cause this, whatever.” And it

half of them are people

because we were like, idea people. But then,

was the Freedom Riders.

of color, but I would say

idea of the sit down? Everybody loves that.

None of the kids knew what it was, I was

in most places a majority

execute it. We just needed a group of people.

just looking around and I was like, wait, I’m

of the people that you’re

We didn’t know where to find those people.

the only Black person in this class and I’m

going to be working with,

We didn’t even know BlackWorld existed

not even fully Black. They all looked at me,

depending on what it is,

when we got here. The only thing we knew

and then I said, yeah, it’s the Freedom Riders,

are going to be white.

of was the press.

and the teacher was like, “yeah, yeah,” and it

Cam:

was just embarrassing.

What was it like being Afro-Latina on

we had an idea of how we were going to

As soon as we went in there, we were just like, nah, they’re not gonna want to do a

But embarrassing for them because I was

campus and being connected to your

show like the sit down. Or if they did, I feel

like, how do y’all not know this important

identity?

like it just wouldn’t, there just wasn’t enough

piece of history. And you got in this far to

Kate:

[Black] people in the club. Because the sit

the same seat that I’m at. And you don’t

There’s a difference between being Latina

down, the idea of the sit down was for it

know, American history, African American

and being Afro-Latina. I feel like there’s just

to be Black Latino students, or, you know,

history, it’s just, it was wild to me.

a different look. Like having my dad’s side

people of color.

That was the first time I realized I am the

and being more Black, and even just growing

And just looking in that room, there was

only Black person there, the only Latino

up in Harlem. You grow with Black and

not enough people of color in the room. So

person there. So it was very strange when I

Hispanic people, I grew up around Black

we just didn’t really know if we wanted to

finally realized that, because I didn’t notice it

people so I lean towards that. I don’t know

be involved.

right away. I noticed that I spoke differently

Spanish, and I’m trying to learn it. I know a

Cam:

and things like that, but it took me, like, a

few words here and there.

What was the shift like coming from

couple weeks into going to Stony Brook to

Cam:

realize I’m the only person who looks like

Do your parents know spanish?

me in that class.

Kate:

Harlem to Stony Brook?

Kate: Yeah, it’s like being constantly surrounded

Cam:

Yeah, my parents both speak Spanish,

Not to veer too much off of that, but

but they learned English from me going to

white people I knew were, like, my teachers.

do you also see the same thing now after

school. I got their accents but they did not

And then I came to Stony Brook and it’s

graduating?

speak a lot of Spanish around me when

like, yeah, like, most of my professors are

Kate:

I was younger. I would pick up Spanglish

white still. But then there’s also a bunch of

I’m doing my first job, media right now. I

words but not the full language. The most

white and asian students. I didn’t have that

work at Peloton and it’s focused on fitness.

Spanish I learned was from school. So even

many Asian people growing up around me.

They produce fitness content to put on the

the clubs I joined I was hesitant to join like

And it’s a predominantly Asian and white

Peloton app and onto their bikes and stuff

LASO and Jubilee. I was in Jubile for a little

institution, right?

like that. A lot of the instructors are white,

bit but I didn’t really listen to Spanish music.

but also a good amount of them are people

It was more to get in touch with my culture.

by Black and Hispanic people. The only

So yeah, it was just very new. I know we’re

8 BLACK WORLD • FALL 2023

I know Hispanic food and listen to some salsa because my mom’s Puerto Rican and also a little bit of bachata. Mostly whatever is popular. Also there’s different types of Hispanic people. And I feel that being at Stony Brook opened my mind to being both Hispanic and Black. Along with the varying array of Hispanic culture.

I’m Afro-Latina if I have to put a label to myself but at the end of the day you are, you. You have your own experiences and I feel that’s how I connect with people through my experiences.

Cam: What advice would you give to current students?

Kate: If you want to do something then you have to sometimes put yourself in an uncomfortable position to make it happen.

I put myself in a situation like that when accepting the NAACP award because no one wanted to do it. I volunteered for it because everyone else was nervous. Eventually, you get more comfortable doing it, you’ll still be nervous but being nervous is a natural feeling.

Maya Brown LASO Alumni/ Reporter for NBC News Conducted By Cameron Williams

Cam:

on is “La Familia”

Do you see a difference in experiences prior

two towns can be right next to each other, yet

because you’re not

to coming to Stony and now being an alumni?

so different. The schools, the AP courses that

just a club. You really

Maya:

both schools have, the metal detectors that

do become a family

Yeah, I would definitely say so. Some of the

Hempstead has, the after school programs,

because of similar

programs and discussions we were having, it

the graduation rates, the detention rates, all of

experiences, similar

made me realize things that were happening

it is just so different. As you know, there’s a

background, similar

that I didn’t think were an issue sometimes.

bunch of streets and stuff where you’re going

foods, and then we

You feel like you’re not alone when you hear

down the street and then all of a sudden, one

also collaborated a lot

other people say, “oh, yeah, like, people tell

minute, you’ll see public housing apartments

with Caribbean clubs as

me all the time…” There’s a term called a

and then next minute you’ll see mansions.

well. It’s just a sense of

“no sabo kid,” I was a “no sabo kid”. I went

So that’s what I was covering. I think I

culture basically, which

to church, I went to a Hispanic church, and

covered that just because of seeing, like, the

I loved. Freshman year

I spoke Spanish but not well, I wouldn’t take

differences from Freeport and Merrick, the

I joined as a public

pride in it. So you could tell I was shy. I would

differences from driving to the mall. I just

What got you into LASO?

relations representative. Sophomore year and

go up to people saying “yo sabe, yo sabe”

saw a bunch of different things that were

Maya:

junior year I loved it. I got super close with

which isn’t the right tense but “yo sabo” is not

made evident growing up, and I wanted to

Freshman year, I went to an involvement

everyone on eboard. A lot of them are still

current either. It is supposed to be “yo se.”

talk about it. That was the first time where I

fair and I tried to see what clubs I was going

my friends and we go out a lot. We would get

But Latinos a lot of times call other Latinos

was able to put where I came from and what I

to join. I’m half Black and half Mexican, I

lunch together, it just really provided me with

who may not know Spanish “no sabo kids”.

learned growing up into something and make

always felt connected to my Black side but

a sense of community that I didn’t have on

They are basically putting this label on them

it an investigative kind of piece.

I wanted to know more of my Latino side.

campus beforehand.

saying, you don’t know Spanish. Are you really

Cam:

I didn’t speak the most fluent Spanish and

Cam:

Hispanic? And right now, I think Latinos are

To finish up, what would be your advice to

then also hearing “you’re not Black enough”

What did you love about LASO?

trying to take that term back for themselves

incoming freshmen and new students that are

or “you’re not Hispanic enough”, especially

Maya:

and say, “just because I don’t know Spanish

Latino, to be able to flourish at Stony Brook?

I love the programs we did. Like breaking

as well as you, doesn’t make me less than you.”

Also, taking that into whatever profession

when you’re Afro Latina. So I wanted to prove my culture, even though I know I don’t

stereotypes which gives everyone a chance

have to, but I wanted to. I wanted to practice

to vent about different stereotypes that have

more Spanish and especially being at a PWI I

been placed on them. Also, colorism in the

wanted to get a more close knit community.

Hispanic community because there is a ton of

Maya:

out there. Go to involvement fairs, sit next to

I joined LASO and became part of their

it and that annoys me. Especially because I’m

So at NBC, the team I’m on, are other

someone and start a conversation. Don’t be

first Universal pageant. I was also part of the

Black and Hispanic, and I face colorism from

minorities but I am the only Black person.

afraid to make friends, join groups because

dance club, Deja Vu. However, they had a

my Hispanic side even though I’m Black. So

They are very open and sometimes I will pitch

that’s the only way you’re gonna start to

competition the same day as the pageant. So,

it gave us the opportunity to dive into those

a story about racial reporting because I’m just

gain confidence in who you are. And more

I had to drop the pageant to do the dance

layers and break them down. You know, talk

passionate about it. So any type of hate crime

confidence in where you come from and

competition. But what I loved was that I got

about hard conversations like stigma and

that has happened, because I’m passionate

speaking Spanish, I know there’s people out

close to the people in LASO. We had a little

stereotyping. Then I was the Vice President

about reporting those things, they flag it to

there who also feel insecure about speaking

get together as we were learning more about

my senior year and I loved it. I loved having a

me and they’re like, “Maya, do you want to

Spanish. And I’m going to steal from Nike,

each other’s culture because each girl had a

leadership role in that organization because we

take it?” They know what my expertise is.

but “Just Do It”. Just go out there, put

different country they represented. And it

were able to do many ideas that we had and

Also, I’m always looking for different stories

yourself out there, no one’s going to make fun

wasn’t just Latin and American countries,

implemented them. So I am very thankful for

that went on in my neighborhood, things that

of you. Be proud of where you come from.

which was cool. I really got a sense of family

having that safe place on campus for us.

went on in my community. I did a story on

from that, and something LASO prides itself

Cam:

Cam: Do you find other people are able to relate in similar ways as you?

Garden City and Hempstead showing that

afterwards.

Maya: I would say don’t be shy, to put yourself

Origin of Hispanic Heritage Month

By Oluwatoyin Kupoluyi Every year, from September 15th to October 15th, people in the United States celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to honor the rich and diverse history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. The month-long celebration begins on September 15th, marking the independence days of five Central American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the establishment of National Hispanic Heritage Week. The week-long celebration was celebrated during the week that included September 15th and 16th, and it aimed to recognize and honor the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the United States.

In 1988, President Ronald Reagan extended the observance to a monthlong celebration, now known as Hispanic Heritage Month. The month encompasses a broader period to provide more opportunities for people to learn about, appreciate, and celebrate Hispanic culture and heritage.

The Hispanic and Latino community is incredibly diverse, representing various countries, cultures, languages, and traditions. Hispanic Heritage “Saint Mary” by Gabrielle Girard, IGLESIA DE SANTA Month allows for the celebration of this rich diversity, showing that there MARÍA en Sádaba, Cinco Villas, Zaragoza, España is no single “Hispanic” or “Latino” identity, but instead several distinct identities. Hispanic Heritage Month creates a sense of inclusion and belonging among Hispanic and Latino Americans.

It sends a powerful message that their contributions to the nation are recognized and valued. Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for cultural exchange and celebration. Events, festivals, art exhibitions, music performances, and culinary experiences often take place across the country, providing opportunities for individuals to engage with Hispanic and Latino culture firsthand. Hispanic and Latino Americans have made significant contributions to fields such as science, medicine, politics, art, literature, sports, and more. By dedicating a month to their heritage, these contributions receive the attention and recognition they deserve.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for the United States to celebrate the vibrant cultures, “These birds are called the Guacamaya; they have been around since the Mayans (between 400 and traditions, and histories of Hispanic and Latino 800 A.D). This photo was taken in the Copan Mayan Ruinas, Copan, Honduras. They are colorful and communities. It is a reminder that America’s to the Mayans the red color of their feathers represented the rays of the sun, while the yellow feathers strength lies in its diversity and by embracing symbolized the sun and the blue as the sky. The Guacamaya is so important in Honduras as it is our and appreciating this diversity, the nation can national bird due to its history in the country. These birds are made to seem extremely important but continue to grow and prosper as an inclusive the same government does not care for them, they are slowly going extinct. Through foreign investment society. these birds have been able to maintain presence, not because our government cared.”

Sheilly Martinez

10 BLACK WORLD • FALL 2023

Our Community Unity Under Stormy Skies: Caribfest X Blackout - A Celebration of Culture and Collaboration Not even the declaration of a state of emergency could stop approximately 300 of Stony Brook University’s students from participating in the highly anticipated Caribfest!

Student-run organizations and clubs including the Latin American Student Organization, the Haitian Student Organization, and the Caribbean Student Organization, with backing from the Undergraduate Student Government and the Student Engagement and Activities Department, originally developed and executed a plan to host a Caribfest celebration honoring Caribbean and Latinx students alike, allowing students to destress, socialize, and network with each other. However, after Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency due to flooding the day of the original Caribfest, it became clear to the executive board members of the organizations that Caribfest would have to be delayed for the safety and well-being of students and caterers traveling from New York City.

Stony Brook University requires all clubs and organizations to book spaces through a program called 25 Live. The approval process can take several days, and the anticipation of this event left numerous students disheartened by its postponement. The executive leaders of the organizations did not waste time finding a solution. After several conversations with the African Student Union and the Black Womyn’s Association about a possible collaboration with their event “Blackout 8: Party No Dey Stop”, scheduled a day after the original Caribfest, a “band-aid” was found. From one of the most unexpected weather events, came a beautiful collaboration between even more minority studentled organizations, “Blackout X Caribfest: Party No Dey Stop”.

Event Coordinator of the Latin American Student Organization, Madelyne Gaibor, explained to me just how much time went into planning this event. “The planning started over the summer and even a bit before. CSO handled the vendor side, LASO’s President, Sheilly Martinez, created a poster board of cultural folklore with accompanying pamphlets created by LASO’s executive board to provide new knowledge for our attendees. HSO helped facilitate and staff the event which provided “good vibes” to the atmosphere. Jubilé Latino, Caribana, and L’Afrique dance groups were in contact to ensure communication as it was a large group. The final merger between both events went smoothly due to excellent communication channels. We’re glad to have been able to conduct a successful event with them.”

With this event being planned months in advance, the organizers specifically planned for this event to be hosted during Hispanic Heritage Month. When asked how Caribfest contributed to honoring Hispanic Heritage Month, Gaibor stated, “In the realm of Latin American cultural acknowledgment, it is often the Caribbean region that goes unnoticed, despite possessing a distinct and vibrant cultural identity of its own. Caribfest was a platform that adeptly showcased the rich cultural tapestry of the Caribbean. It provided an avenue of cultural appreciation through celebrating our individual and collective identities. Being that it was an extensive collaboration, it was just a big kumbaya moment that our student body has been waiting to see!”. When asked what inspired them to collaborate with other organizations, Haitian Student Organization Vice President, Andrew Candio, stated, “Unity is really a big aspect that is sometimes missing within our community. And our executive boards are pushing for those efforts.”

Key successful factors of the event included the free catered food, student-favorite DJs including “Destinee” and “DJ A-minor”, and performances from dance teams, Caribana and L’Afrique! I spoke with the Co-Captain of Caribana, Eliana Yens, on how her team prepared for their performance. Yens stated, “We made sure to practice for about 3 hours every day during the week of Caribfest. It was intense but worth it considering the turnout. This performance was different from other performances as we had to adapt to a new captain, a new level of choreography, and our newest members.” She explained to me her goals from this performance included showcasing Caribana’s potential beyond “dutty wines and moving hips” to go against “the oversexualized aspects of Caribbean culture and dance”. Similarly, the captain of the L’Afrique Dance Team, Janell Boakye, stated they also trained and prepared for this event for extensively long hours the week leading up to Caribfest. Boakye stated, “Compared to our other performances, this one was more significant because of the audience’s diversity, which included not just Africans but also Caribbeans, Latinxs, and African Americans. I hope the Stony Brook community has gained an appreciation for the diversity and talent within our dance team. I look forward to future opportunities to showcase our passion and creativity.”

The methodical planning and determination from each of the executive boards of all organizations contributed to a beautifully diverse event that positively impacted the students of Stony Brook University. Many students stayed on campus just for the event, posted their “OOTDs” (outfit-of-the-day) pictures on Instagram, and spent the night dancing and socializing with friends. All organizations enjoyed this huge collaboration and expressed their interest in planning additional collaborations for the diverse student of color population here at Stony Brook University.

La Familia: A Feature on Jubilé Latino

By Brianna Chavez Jubilé Latino continues to rapidly grow and

see these dancers show me their authentic

members emphasize their plans to sustain

connecting with our audience on a profound

gain campus-wide and statewide recognition

happiness on stage, it conveys a passion they

the organizations’ partnerships together.

level.” To put their campus involvement

for their talent and showstopping energy!

have for dancing that truly makes them stand

Fresh off placing for two consecutive

out from the rest. This helps me see you

years at SUNY Binghamton’s El Polvorín

have stage presence, which I look for in a

competitions, they have capitalized on their

dancer to join the team.”

success for future recruitment. The group markets themselves as the “First and only Latinx-Afro infused dance team at Stony Brook University”, as per their Instagram bio (@jubile.latino), bringing a unique quality to campus. In a university with only 14.9% of Hispanic or Latino-identifying undergraduate students and 9.3% of Black or African American-identifying undergraduate students, Jubilé has not let these circumstances slow them down. The Secretary of Jubilé Latino, Fatima Beltran, comments, “We reach out to Stony Brook’s Latinx community with the ultimate goal

Jubilé Latino looks forward to growing on

appreciation of Latinx culture with other Hispanics and Latinos who can relate to similar cultural experiences, it is also vital to establish connections with other diverse groups on campus—remaining engaged on campus, showing up, and listening shows that we care about the growth of our diverse

of Jubilé, Helena Riascos states, “Finding a

Undergraduate Student Government, I can attest to the hard work, dedication, and commitment that Jubilé Latino brings forth

much as I do was one of the best things to

year, the team is trying to gain interest on

ever happen in my college life. The love and

their Instagram by uploading their TikToks

support I feel from everyone motivates me

to IG reels. Courtney Bentham, Jubilé

to do my best, not just for myself, but for

Latino’s public relations officer states, “We

the team. We are a family, and that pushes

have some short-term as well as some lofty,

me to go above and beyond in every way I

long-term goals this semester such as hitting

can.” Additionally, the Senior Advisor of

1000 followers (almost there!) on Instagram

Jubilé states, “While we dance and learn

as well as growing our TikTok page to

new choreography, learning with our peers

the same size. With our team, we have

makes it all the more fun. Having the sense

the potential to reach all of our goals this

of a group of people always being there

semester.” One of

for you and having your back is something

would greatly appreciate your support and

I believe everyone in Stony Brook should

love at the event, and they look forward to

have, and Jubi is the embodiment of this.”

giving you the performance of a lifetime!

their most successful Instagram post of all time, created by Julia Taveras, the current Vice President of Jubilé, was their Un Prom Sin Ti Banquet flyer reaching nearly 2,800 users.

To further emphasize the point, the team members make it clear that this group is significantly more than just a dance team, it is a substantial component of a community of

Jubilé Latino hosts an annual banquet to

minority students at Stony Brook University.

celebrate the day they became an official organization. “Jubilé was once under LASO

learn more about our Latin culture and what

2019, however, we

Their recruitment plan proved to be

chosen family mean to them? The Treasurer

Vice-President of University Affairs in the

recently established a TikTok account last

until we became an independent club in

dance, which is a universal language!”.

“la familia”, as they say. But what does this

his thoughts on the organization. “As the

group of people who enjoy Latin dancing as

communities on campus. We want people to

better way to do it than through music and

team that has extended into a family, or

into perspective, Joseph Bisiani gave me

all social media platforms as well. Having

of helping them feel appreciated and heard. As important as it is to share our

This organization is essentially a dance

continue to maintain a strong relationship.

As Stony Brook’s biggest Latinx clubs, we value the importance of “la familia’’ and

effective as they just recently held their most

having a sense of belonging in a community.

successful audition season in the history of

Jubilé Latino would not be where we are

the organization. With over 90 participants in

today if it were not for LASO and their

attendance, on September 13th dancers of all

constant support!”, says Julia Taveras. The

ethnicities and backgrounds came together

Latin American Student Organization’s

to audition for Jubilé’s competitive dance

President, Sheilly Martinez, conveys “LASO

team. Dayra Cardenas, a lead choreographer

and Jublié have always and will always be tied

of the team expresses, “It was surreal to

to one another. It is imperative for us to stay

see the amount of people we’ve impacted

connected on campus because we represent

who see the vision that Jubi has and desire

the small Latinx community at Stony Brook.

to join. What I love to see at these auditions

We make students feel that there is a home

is the joy people show when dancing. As I

away from home.” Both executive board

to the Stony Brook campus community.

I have seen their organization put forth amazing events that attract hundreds of people, as they infuse their culture, stories, and feelings through dancing. Jubilé has an amazing future ahead, as they continue to showcase their talents, skills, and passions for what they love”, says Joseph. Their most notable performance of the fall semester will be at Stony Brook University’s Seawolves Showcase on October 20th! The team

Family comes in many different forms, and for this team, Jubilé Latino has created a network of Latine dancers, working professionals, and students tied together by their genuine passion for dance and

La Familia has tons of exciting programs

each other. With their network reaching

planned for this year, including a Bachata

approximately 130 Jubilé members and

Social in partnership with The UNITI

alumni, the family’s numbers only continue

Cultural Center and Chávez Hall in

to grow. The proclaimed “Father of Jubi’’

celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, a

and most recent alum, Kevenz Gonzalez,

Paint n’ Sip Night in celebration of Dia de

gave me his thoughts on how Jubilé

los Muertos, a Loteriá Night, Noche de Baile,

continues to carry on the traditions and

& much more! Regarding performances,

legacy he left behind. Kevenz states, “What

they are currently getting ready for the

started as a dance club has become a home

Black Student Union’s Black & Latino

and safe place for all its members. From

Involvement Fair and the Carribean Student

sharing meals, experiences, and ideals to

Organization’s Caribfest! Yeilyn Guzman,

forging everlasting friendships, Jubilé Latino

the Jubilé Event Coordinator explains, “My

plays a crucial role in its members’ college

goal for event programming this semester

experiences. Because of this and much more,

is to host and perform as much as we can

Jubilé’s Alumni are always grateful for the

to continue captivating our audience and

everlasting friendships, connections, and

showcasing the dedication and talent of our

memories that continue to thrive. Gracias a

team. Through our events, we aim to foster

la familia!”

a sense of unity and passion for dance,

12 BLACK WORLD • FALL 2023

The Reality of Being a First-Gen Student I was in kindergarten when the race started. The expectations were constantly enforced by relatives. “You must always do well in school; it’s how you will be successful in life”. Getting 4s on a report card became the routine. My parents receiving glowing remarks from my teachers at parent-teacher conferences was expected. This became the standard expectation throughout primary school.

The race started to feel a bit unequal entering high school, and I’ll tell you why. It started to feel like there were a lot more options on where to attend school, what classes to take, and what SAT prep courses you were going to choose. Going to a public school in New York City felt like someone tied my shoes together in a marathon and said, “Bet I can beat you to the end.” Like, well, no duh, my shoes are tied together. So how do you want me to run? If I had other responsibilities outside of classes, how was I supposed to have enough time to take five AP courses? If I couldn’t afford the SAT prep classes like other classmates, were we really taking the same college entrance exam?

That didn’t change my family’s expectations of me. It was never a conversation of “Will you be going to college?”; It was always, “Where will you be going to college?” I understand that it came from a place of encouragement, but it also felt very overwhelming.

Success is the only option–it has always been the only option. And despite the immense support from my family when I first started college at Stony Brook, something felt like it was missing from me. I didn’t feel worthy of being a college student. I didn’t feel like I belonged to such a big university with huge amounts of resources and a big name. I felt like I had to work harder than everyone else to prove I belonged.

The burnout hit. And it hit hard. Holding yourself to perfection as the standard is setting yourself up for failure. I wish someone had told me that sooner. Well, maybe they did try to tell me, so I guess I should have listened.

I realized I didn’t have to be the best at everything to belong here. Being myself is reason enough to be a student here. I got accepted for a reason. My fellow first-gen students, you were accepted for a reason.

I let people make me feel small as if affirmative action was the sole reason I got into college, but I refuse to allow that to take up any more space in my mind and my life.

First-generation students, we can be exceptional. We can be the first in our families to graduate. We can make our families and ourselves proud. But as first-generation students, we can also take mental health days. We deserve to be compassionate and kind to ourselves as well. Some days we get to be lazy, relax, and prioritize our needs.

The truth is, life after college may not feel very different for us. We may be in this race for the long haul, but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Knowing our self-value and our self-worth can make a difference.

My fellow first-gen student, I see you. And as cheesy as this may sound, you are worthy just as you are.

Poetry Corner Sincerely Yours

By Brianna Chavez I didn’t know how much I would miss you, Until you were gone.

I didn’t know how much I love you, Until I could no longer feel our hugs.

I didn’t know how much I needed you, Until you were no longer there.

I didn’t know how much we talked, Until you didn’t pick up my calls.

I didn’t know how safe you made me feel, Until your safety net was missing.

I didn’t know how much our food diaries meant to me, Until the two blue check marks disappeared.

I didn’t know how much love went into your food, Until I tried to remake it, and it didn’t taste the same.

I feel you around me even though you are no longer here. You’re in the ocean’s breeze. You’re in la Bandera de Puerto Rico. You’re in my smile and my laugh. You live on in my heart and I promise I’ll continue to make you proud.

Until I see you again, Sincerely yours

14 BLACK WORLD • FALL 2023

I Love Latinas

By Kiara Ramirez Burgos The phrase falls every so often from loose lips on pale faces, “I love Latinas.”

The words are uttered again, chanted, screamed.

A lie every man repeats when they see how we carry our culture on our hips.

It is the music they cannot dance to, the food they cannot cook, the skin they can’t ever touch.

It is our tone they say they love, how our voices raise when we get mad, but how can you love a language you cannot understand?

Our words are just sounds, our pleas for freedom stuck in liner and gloss.

When we laugh, they shush us and duck; when we speak, they make note of our mother tongue molding together with foreign talk.

We are sun and sand, islands and borders.

But to them, we are the sweat that waters their lawn, a category of porn, a sharp tongue and attitude, our mothers who stayed with men who never deserved them. An exotic gift you bought last summer in Puerto Rico.

Oda a los buñuelos Danielle Ramirez Every time Coco makes buñuelos, My day glows from gray to yellow.

La Muñeca, El Pajarito, y La Rosa Negra Sophia Camulaire La Muñeca Negra Baila.

Baila Baila Baila, La Muñeca Negra baila.

Bailase! Bailase!

Que baila La Muñeca Negra, Baila, Baila.

Bailando por ahí, Bailando por allá, y Por todo el lado La Muñeca Negra esta Bailando; Buscando Alguien para Quere.

El Pajarito Negro Canta.

Canta Canta Canta, El Pajarito Negro canta.

Canta! Canta!

Que cante El Pajarito Negro Canta, Canta.

Cantando por ahí, Cantando por allá, y Por todo el lado El Pajarito Negro esta Cantando;

Escuchando A la musica del Cielo.

La Rosa Negra Llora.

Llora Llora Llora, La Rosa Negra llora.

Llora! Llora!

Que llore La Rosa Negra, Llora, Llora.

Llorando por ahí, Llorando por allá, y Por todo el lado La Rosa Negra esta Llorando; Gritando Por las penas De la vida.

Y para ellos, la vida no se detendrá.

Y le pregunté a Dios “¿Por qué la vida de este color siempre está lleno de dolor?”

Con una sonrisa Me respuesta, “Porque mi cariña, La Vida Negra, es muy muy bella.”

16 BLACK WORLD • FALL 2023

Navegando Por el Espacio Alexandra Khan

Estamos bajo la misma luna But we seem so far away Trabajamos bajo los mismos rayos de sol But we are treated like gnats Brillamos más que un trillón de estrellas But our lights have been burnt out Nos tratan como si fuéramos de otro planeta But we are not aliens Nos envían al espacio con esperanza de que no regresamos But we are migrants We have traveled in sweltering heats Pero lo superamos We have dealt with discrimination and racism Pero lo superamos We have left behind our families and communities for hope Pero lo superamos We have been confronted with anger, envy, and threats Pero lo superamos We have built our communities and homes in this world different from ours Y no nos vamos de aquí

La Casita Azul Diana Moreno

Había una casita azul en una calle donde había muchos niños. Esos niños estaban fascinados con esta casita. No era una mansión ni una casa de lujo, pero en esa casita se sentía el amor. Era un amor puro, un amor inquebrantable. Un amor tan poderoso que sanaba heridas, regalaba sonrisas, unía la familia, y daba esperanza. En esa casita vivía una niñita que era muy feliz porque ella tenía todo y más. No, no era una niñita rica en dinero, pero en esa casita nunca faltaba el amor ni el apoyo. Esa niñita recibió algo que muchos anhelaban, pero ella no lo sabía. Podría ser posible que esa niñita no sabía lo que tenía, pero ella disfrutó de lo que tenía sin saberlo. Ella se sentía como la niña más feliz del mundo. La abuelita de esa niña fue el pegamento de la familia. Cuando ella se fue, la niña tomó ese lugar, o por lo menos trató. Esa niñita soy yo. Yo vivía en esa casita azul. Y tengo la responsabilidad de continuar el legado que esta niñita heredó.

That’s home!

by Joelis Rodríguez You enamored me, you enchanted me, and you bewitched me, from the moment I took my first seawater-scented breath. The ocean bathing your shores watched me crawl in the sand as an infant and walk as a young woman, leaving footprints, my legacy marked. Your waterfalls showered me with passion and sheltered me every time I slipped on your slimy rocks. Your tropical forest guided me, every time I got lost, your lighthouse illuminating a path for me. Your food surfed through my taste buds, opening a portal to paradise with each taste, opening a portal to heaven with each swallow. Your music forced me to move my hips, side to side, gently, to close my eyes and allow my body to absorb the rhythm. Your people taught me how to love, how to laugh, how to cherish life, how to be loud and proud, but your apagones also made me throw away freshly bought meat, and study under the mercy of a single candle. Your droughts made me take needle baths before school, numbing water streaming down my back at dawn.

Your earthquakes resulted in me getting injured, a violet bruise covering me tight after my body was used as a ping pong ball, getting hit by furniture, as the earth below me opened and Mother Nature sucked me down with her. Your corrupt government accused my mother of ripping her own ceiling in order to get money and left us for dead, our death certificates already written, printed, and signed. Your hurricanes Took everything from me.

Everything.

Every thing.

Every. Thing.

A blessed archipelago for six months and doomed for the remaining half of the year. A complicated treasure located where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea.

18 BLACK WORLD • FALL 2023

George “Ei Ei” Martin’s Legacy Danielle Ramirez

Daenerys, Rhaenyra.

Crowned as the “White people’s s%@#.”

Y? Y is placed where you’d expect in a name.

Ryleigh, Kaitlyn.

Lyn, Leigh, and Lyne.

(Synonymous for Live, laugh, and love).

The law says, Y is Anonymous to the traditionally rooted like Lyn, Leigh, and Lyne.

(Not to be mixed with abomination, though.)

Daenerys, Rhaenyra.

Rys, yra.

Syllabyzing these names out loud is like petals flying out of your mouth; soft and bejeweled.

Deyanira, Reynis.

Ira, ris.

The Dominicans conquered the Targaryens’ prefix, suffix names; they rule over the Targaryens.

For every fictional Naerys, there is a Neris in real life.

Even the letter J found its popularity in both groups: Jaehaerys, Jharrel. Jacaerys, Jhonny.

Hell, even the Targaryen names can be passed off as unique Dominican names: Aelyx defies Alex.

Aemma destroys Emma.

Aemond dethrones Raymond.

Even the Dominicans go above and beyond in inventing many new prefixes and roots, but what stayed true from the beginning?

Y. With one special rule along: Be anywhere where it shouldn’t belong.

Yahaira, Anyelina, Amaryllis, Merys, Elianny.

So, Y? Is it still capped as the “White people’s s%#*?”

The “María Airlines: The Musical” Premiere:

by Joelis Rodríguez People flinch once I move my lips, and words in my second language stumble out of my mouth. People flinch once they pick up on my accent.

“Where are you from?”, they often ask, their eyebrows twisted in skepticism.

“Puerto Rico,” I reply proudly in an “American” accent instead of, “PueLto Rico,” because I know that saying it in my native tongue will make them uncomfortable. The reactions are always identical, “I love Puerto Rico!”

“I traveled there once!”

“Where did you learn how to speak English?”

These last two thousand one hundred and ninety days, the answers have been different.

“It was such a beautiful place… until the Hurricane hit.” “I helped the people of Puerto Rico,” here it comes… “by traveling there after the Hurricane and contributing to their economy!”

This is the moment where habitually, I hold my tongue between my teeth, a sandwich of struggle and a muscular organ. I nod. An internal monologue starts inside my head. I am suddenly in the center of a stage, spotlights burning my vision, all eyes on me. My brain replays the hunger, the thirst, the torment.

And… Action!

You didn’t contribute to the economy, you took advantage of a tsunami of death and suffering. Your vacation was fifty percent off because the island was too busy burying their dead, feeding their hungry, sheltering their homeless, to be massaging your privileged feet in your first-class seat.

And… Scene!

20 BLACK WORLD • FALL 2023

Diagnosing the States with Large Latino Population as Medical Emergency: Danielle Ramirez N: Welcome, Doctor United States. It’s good to have you back here in the ER. D: Thank you. Do I need to perform CPR? N: Here, the patient files. I’ll read them aloud to you: New York is an inguinal hernia, with most of the swelling lying in the housing crisis.

Third degree burns, dehydrated patients due to wildfire and heatstroke: California, Arizona.

Texas suffers from recurrent food poisoning. Once ingested with Republican ideology, it explodes everywhere with vomit, diarrhea, and human rights violations.

Florida is a testicular torsion; it kills all of the necessary blood supply (tourism and education) to the scrotum.

D: Great, no need for CPR. D: We’ll overbill them for the inconvenience of having health issues in the first place.

N: On it.

D: Nurse, here’s what else we can do. Put all of the preventable public safety announcements videos in the VCR. D: Put it right in the patient’s waiting room for all other states to see, you hear me?

N: Yes, doctor.

Kira Golden

by Joelis Rodríguez - In response to a modern colonizer and white supremacist’s, Kira Golden, statements in the “A Canadian Investing in the USA” podcast. This interview took place on January 26, 2019, less than two years after 4,000 people died after Hurricane Maria passed through Puerto Rico.

You say Hurricane Maria in 2017 was amazing for the island, but my eyes observing my home’s roof flying into a flooded road believes otherwise.

You say many opportunities were born that catastrophic night, but my neighbor who was assassinated by a lamppost thinks otherwise.

You say so much funding came down, but my mother sobbing quietly, helplessly standing inside the ruins of what used to be our residence because FEMA denied all forms of aid, thinks otherwise.

You say tourism increased, but the individuals begging outside the hotels for shelter and bread think otherwise.

You say vacation rental properties are getting more demand on the island than they have before, but my aging grandparents carrying gallons of water every night for a needle bath, because of the luxury of running water became non-existing, think otherwise.

You say people born and raised under the Taíno sun and endless waves losing their homes was a blessing, but for me and my mother being homeless for three hundred and sixty-five days, being hungry for two hundred and seventy-three days, being thirsty for a hundred and twenty-one days, think otherwise.

You come from a foreign land and snag us from the ocean that birthed us, one grain of sand at a time.

You milk the money out of the four thousand corpses resulting from that night.

You s#*@ on their watery graves and you slice the limbs of the ones left, cooking our sun-kissed flesh like a cannibal, eating us and our wealthy soil.

Gringo, go home, we scream. Leave us, our beaches, our ancestors, and our culture in peace.

22 BLACK WORLD • FALL 2023

(and it took me a while to write this because i will not write you a feel good story) Marisa Mourgues it took me a while to write that poem this month, even though I was determined to. it took me a while to write that poem, even though i knew i was more than qualified to write it. it took me a while to write that poem because i have adhd, and because i procrastinate, and i forget and lose myself in time, and because why does hispanic heritage month have to start halfway through the month? and it took me a while to write that poem because i was tired. and it took me a while to write that poem because i was busy. and it took me a while to write that poem because i was bored. and it took me a while to write that poem because before i even conceived it, before pen touched to paper, we both already knew what it had to be written about. and it took me a while to write that poem because i already knew why you wanted it, and it took me a while to write that poem because i already knew why you wanted me; and it took me a while to write that poem because once again, i didn’t want to keep doing what you wanted. but it took me a while to write that poem because as i was writing, i couldn’t shake the sensation of expectant blue eyes waiting, whispering, watching me work. it took me a while to write that poem because i didn’t want to use my voice to delight you while your o-so-curious white fingers entangled themselves in my hair, to pleasure your hands resting unwanted on my hips, aroused by spanish i won’t italicize, it took me a while to write that poem because my sounds and shapes are sexy and you got distracted. and it took me a while to write that poem because that was all my fault. and it took me a while because you wanted me to say something slutty in spanish and i refused. and it took me a while to write that poem because when i refused, i got in trouble. and it took me a while because when i tried to speak, you put your hand over my mouth. and it took me a while because when i sat down to write at my desk, you only wanted me bent over. and it took me a while to write that poem because you kept making me cry. it took me a while to write that poem because you only wanted one about brown bodies and tears; it took me too long to write that poem because i will not write you a feel good story. it took me a while to write that poem because i could have written a riot act, but it would’ve taken too long, but you would have preferred a recipe. so in the end, it took me a while to write this poem because i’m angry, perpetually; it took me a while to write this poem because i’m scared, justifiably; for i do not aim to teach you about what i love about my world, about every joy i hold close and dear that you haven’t yet ‘discovered.’ because this hispanic heritage month, i take pride in what is mine. because this month, i only write to celebrate myself.

Short Story Fragmento de Hell’s Kitchen con luna Alessio Arena Since colonial times, although more developed in the 19th century, female peasant singers have traveled the roads of rural Chile. Such peasants traveled mostly in central and southern Chile to provide significant service to their communities. Dominant figures in the transmission of popular wisdom and true guides for the rural female world, these exceptional women accompanied the most important festivities of the rural calendar with their music and poetry, which were also required in the key events of the peasant’s private life. This brief work aims to offer an approach to this phenomenon, unique to Latin America and analyzes the transition from the oral lyrics of female peasant singers to the dissemination of printed brochures of popular poets’ compositions, among which the figure of Rosa Araneda (1853-1895) stands out.

Originally from Naples, Italy, he graduated from Venice Ca’ Foscari University, University of Barcelona, and Tarragona Rovira I Virgili University in Hispanic works of literature and languages and High school teaching. He divided his career between his two home countries (Italy and Spain) reconciling literary and musical projects that seek to soften borders between the two areas of expression. As a writer and singer-songwriter he has recorded some music albums, featuring artists of the Spanish and Latin American music scene, and he has published some literary fiction novels, being awarded with the Elsa Morante Literary Prize for his last book in 2022. As a translator, he has worked on the Italian versions of Reinaldo Arena’s first books.

Si tú me miras soy una mariposa roja.

(Fragmento de un poema de los indios Piaroa de Venezuela)

I Al llegar al sexto piso hizo caer al

se mareara varias veces en la cerradura

suelo las bolsas con las que había

de su nuevo apartamento antes de

cargado como la cruz de Cristo. A

partirla en dos. Ya estaba de rodillas,

Guadalupe Ulloa el sudor le cambiaba

rendida ante ese dolor que le caía de los

el color de los ojos, porque era allí

ojos, cuando la puerta se abrió desde

donde se le metía la necesidad de

dentro con un silbido metálico.

depilarse las cejas, sin dejar nada más en la frente.

Se sacó la llave del pecho e hizo que

«Me va a dar algo, ¡Mari#! @*&%!»

de puntillas.

«Yo creo que ya te dio» dijo el

El apartamento se encontraba en

chiquillo, ajustándose la sábana en las

la cuarenta y cuatro, esquina con la

caderas, ni que fueran las vestiduras de

avenida nueve. Ya solo por tratarse de

una cariátide. Acto seguido, evitando

un walk up, como en Nueva York se

el brazo tendido de su madre que

llaman los edificios sin ascensor, habría

Celestino apareció envuelto en una

necesitaba ayuda para ponerse de pie,

sido un hogar poco apetecible para la

sábana que le cubría hasta la cara.

Celestino cogió las bolsas del suelo y

mayoría. Empeoraba el cuadro la falta

tiró hacia el final del pasillo caminando

de luz natural y ese constante olor a

24 BLACK WORLD • FALL 2023

encierro, como si la única ventana del

el padre de Celestino, y hasta que ese

«No lo voy a creer porque mis ojos no

comedor, desde donde se vislumbraban

tiparraco no le hubiera comenzado

ven casi una mierda.»

algunos edificios y un trocito de la

a pagar lo que le debía para el

cola helada del Hudson, hubiera sido

mantenimiento del chico.

pintada en la pared con yeso y en realidad no hubiera ninguna circulación de aire.

Las paredes del pasillo desde el cual se accedía a dicho comedor y al cuarto estaban cubiertas de un papel con motivos tropicales. En la cual el anterior inquilino había colgado grandes fotos enmarcadas para cubrir las manchas de humedad.

De la mesa del comedor se levantaban torres de papeles manuscritos, algunos

«Ya me dirás cómo hiciste para entrar, ¿no?»

«Ya sé, ya sé.» dijo su madre «Si me lo

a estar solos.» Dijo también y fue entonces cuando a Celestino le cambió

Celestino ni se inmutó. Estaba algo

Guadalupe miraba a su hijo que ahora

decían en su familia, y con resignación.

sorbía algo muy caliente de una taza

Vio que su madre ponía la estatuilla de

con el logo de los New York Giants.

una mujer con una larga melena negra y

Celestino seguía medio apagado,

un velo blanco encima de unas páginas

apoyado al cristal de la ventana.

agujereadas del New York Times, en

aquí solo?»

«A ver, cariño, no hay ningún lugar al

gruesos por los que esa voz saltaba

estatua de mujer se conocía en su

mensaje mal escrito: “No toca”.

como el vapor de una olla a presión,

Venezuela natal.

Debió de ser uno de los asistentes

esa mirada estrábica, y el gesto de los

de la agencia Colchie quien los puso.

hombros, tambaleándose por cada

Tom Colchie había sido durante años

palabra pronunciada, en fin, todo lo que

el único puerto seguro al que los

Celestino lograba ser cuando hablaba

escritores latinoamericanos establecidos

con su madre, tenía poco que ver con la

en la ciudad podían llegar. Ese gringo

imagen de un niño del Bronx, un poco

sabía mucho de libros, de cómo los

más de doce años.

ellos que se le había ocurrido, junto con otros miembros del PEN Club de Nueva York, poner a disposición de sus autores en dificultad económica

Celestino conocía bien la historia de la joven partera de Santa María de Ipire, en el Estado Guárico. Su madre le había repetido mil veces que si seguían vivos los dos, se lo debían a la estatuilla de aquella mujer, que la había asistido durante el parto en el Roosevelt Hospital.

«No te has fijado en el artículo del

Lo dijo mientras sacaba las cosas de

periódico, ¿Verdad? Es de la mañana

las bolsas: leche, queso, y encurtidos.

del 9 de Diciembre del 90.»

Iba guardando todo en los muebles

Guadalupe le recordó que aquel

vacíos de la cocina y en la nevera.

era el día en que murió Rey. Dijo que

algunos apartamentos, como aquél

Así era como la llamaban las p@*&!

había encontrado el número del New

de Hell’s Kitchen. Él mismo le había

del barrio, dijo también. Celestino le

York Times en la portería del edificio

dado permiso a Guadalupe Ulloa para

hacía poco caso, miraba por la ventana.

de Brooklyn donde iba a limpiar cada

quedarse allí hasta que no hubiera resuelto el lío judicial que tenía con

miércoles. Era una señal inequívoca

«No vas a creer tus ojos cuando lo

de que Rey reclamaba la protección

veas.» ?

de la santa, aún habiendo marchado al

II

dulzura femenina y se fue corriendo a encerrarse en el cuarto de baño.

mientras le preguntaba qué le pasaba.

cada torre un cartelito con el mismo

que no me llames cariño?»

pasaba, el niño sonrió con toda su

de los bolsillos de sus vaqueros y

Uno de los nombres con los que esa

Además, había hecho tanto dinero con

se le acercó para preguntarle qué le

Guadalupe se desesperó bien pronto.

La voz de Celestino, esos labios

son irreverentes y cuando sorprenden.

al estómago. Sin embargo, cuando

Comenzó a dar puñetazos a la puerta,

alrededor del Ánima del Taguapire.

«¿Cuántas veces tendré que decirte

como si hubiera recibido un puñetazo

había sacado unas hojas puntiagudas

separados por un hilo de cuerda. En

libros se hacen más necesarios cuando

la cara. Su madre lo vió doblarse

un rincón de la cocina. Guadalupe

muy delicadamente las iba poniendo

que me iría solo que no sea este»

«Sé bien que en esta casa no vamos

ha dicho mi espalda.»

acostumbrado a los disparates que se

«¿Y cómo te dio por venir a dormir

otro lado.

«¡Encima aún no me has dicho cómo has hecho para dormir aquí anoche!»

«Estabas borracha, cariño» Susurró Celestino del otro lado, «Y no recuerdas que me dejaste una copia de las llaves.

Me habías dicho que en la noche del eclipse podía pasar algo muy grande, muy muy importante para mí. Que incluso podría haberme raptado mi padre, y que por eso debía quedarme en un lugar tranquilo, custodiado…»

Guadalupe se encogió de hombros.

El eclipse iba a ser aquella noche. Era así, ¿Cierto?

Le rogó a Celestino que le dijera que sí, pero solo pudo escuchar que lloraba.

En el apartamento de Hell’s Kitchen las cosas se volvieron oscuras de repente.

Nadie habló más, ni los presentes ni los ausentes que todavía vivían allí.

El walk up de Hell’s Kitchen, ese

Una de las maldiciones de este país.»

su vida estaría sujeta a las fases lunares

quien quería arrebatarle al niño a toda

edificio de ladrillos descoloridos a

«¿Hay que esperar mucho?»

más que la de todos los otros pequeños.

costa, diciendo que con ella estaba

«Claro, ármate de paciencia. Hay

Aquella noche del Roosevelt Hospital

al menos siete personas antes que

la luna se parecía a un huevo frito, le

nosotros.»

había dicho Guadalupe, como si te

escasas cuadras de Times Square, era donde Tom Colchie había puesto un pequeño apartamento a disposición de Reinaldo Arenas, poco tiempo después de que el escritor llegara a la ciudad. Rey, como todos sus amigos lo llamaban, había escapado de Cuba por el puerto de Mariel, como lo hicieron muchos otros sujetos indeseables según el gobierno de la Revolución, entre el 15 de abril y el 31 de octubre de 1980.

Para ese Rey de esplendorosa indigencia escapar fue mucho más complicado que para los demás. Pero esta es la historia que él mismo contó destripando, mitificando, y vengando su vida en una obra cuya belleza es incuestionable.

Lo que cabe destacar aquí es aquel apretón de manos que Guadalupe Ulloa encontró en el Roosevelt Hospital cuando los dolores del parto parecían que le estaban partiendo el cuerpo en dos pedazos.

En ese momento, Rey se encontraba en el mismo hospital, acompañado por Jaime Manrique, el escritor colombiano a quien había conocido algunos meses antes en un restaurante de Jackson Heights, al lado de la agencia literaria de Colchie. Fue Manrique quien le había aconsejado a Rey ir a que le miraran lo de la infección detrás de la oreja izquierda y las hemicranias constantes.

«Pobre niña, debe de estar sola.»

«Uno se acostumbra muy pronto, Rey. En los hospitales de Nueva York siempre habrá latinos de todos los acentos poniendo el grito en el cielo.»

Manrique dijo eso después de que cogieran el turno para su visita, en una sala contigua a la de maternidad.

«Siempre tienen problemas de seguro.

Por eso Rey se levantó de esa silla de plástico verde, cogió la bolsita de tela

estuviera mirando desde su centro, desde su único ojo amarillento.

creciendo como un animal. Fue por eso por lo que ella y su hijo se mudaron al apartamento de Hell’s Kitchen, en principio por unos días.

Celestino había cumplido diez años.

que Manrique tenía a su lado junto a

«Oye, por cierto» la interrumpió Rey

«No les hagas caso si se meten con

los papeles para la visita y tiró hacia el

«¿Tú sabes cocinar?»

tus ojos.» le dijo Rey postrado en el

pasillo, siguiendo los gritos de aquella mujer. Debió de hacerse pasar por un familiar, pero el caso es que pocos minutos después, ya estaba al lado de Guadalupe, contándole que justo ese día su amigo colombiano le había regalado una estatuilla de la Panchita Duarte, la santa de las mujeres en parto, una bien conocida también en Cuba, una que veneraba también su madre.

«La conozco bien» dijo Guadalupe, con la voz rota por el dolor, «es de donde soy yo». «¿Viste? A veces hay que cagarse en ellos para llamar la atención de los santos.» «¿Pero tú quién eres? ¿Un ángel?» «¿Yo? ¡Qué va! Soy un escritor» dijo Rey, abriendo su sonrisa de dientes imperfectos.

Guadalupe le contestó que no, que no tenía ni idea, y la conversación murió allí. Sin embargo fue ella quien, unos cuantos años después, volvió a ponerse en contacto con el escritor cubano y, como si no hubiera pasado el tiempo, le ofreció su ayuda.

Guadalupe no tardó en volverse una especie de asistente personal. No solo improvisaba con sus resquicios de sabiduría popular venezolana en la cocina, sino que se encargaba de la compra, de limpiar el apartamento de Hell’s Kitchen, separaba y organizaba la correspondencia, contestaba al teléfono.

Rey ya estaba bastante mal. Entraba y salía de los hospitales. Hacía tiempo que la noticia de su enfermedad estaba en boca de todo el mundo. Tenía ese

Fue entonces cuando Guadalupe lo

mal que asustaba más que cualquier

miró bien a los ojos mientras acariciaba

otro y fueron muchos los que habían

la cabeza de la estatuilla con una mano.

dejado de verlo, de invitarlo a las

Y dijo que si la Santa la ayudaba a parir

presentaciones, a las fiestas, y a las

sin más problemas, el niño tendría

conferencias en las Universidades.

el nombre de algún personaje de sus libros. El mejor.

Incluso Lázaro Carriles, ese niñito que trabajaba como portero en un bloque

Algunos días después, Rey llamó

de Astoria, y que muchos consideraban

al número que la mujer le había

la ex pareja de Rey, asomaba por su casa

garabateado en un trozo de papel,

apenas una vez cada dos o tres semanas.

dándoselo a un enfermero antes de que la llevaran a la sala de parta.

Cuando al escritor le diagnosticaron una neumonía asociada al virus del

Estuvieron hablando por horas, de

SIDA, algunos colegios de Queens

la vida, del pasado, y de Celestino, que

y de Brooklyn habían sido cerrados

había nacido blanquito y sin rechistar.

por una plaga de ratas. Guadalupe

Al parecer, como la de todos los niños

había confesado estar obsesionada por

salvados por el Ánima del Taguapire,

las amenazas del padre de Celestino,

26 BLACK WORLD • FALL 2023

sofá, con su Olivetti apoyada sobre el pecho. Pero él sabía también que los ojos de Celestino eran lo de menos.

Ya lo había hablado con su madre. El chiquillo no tenía amigos, ni chicos ni chicas: los primeros debían de verlo como una especie de bruja afrocaribeña reencarnada en el cuerpo de un niño; las otras probablemente no verían su amaneramiento como elemento de feminidad suficiente como para aceptarlo en su círculo de diarios perfumados, cassettes de Madonna y de matasapo durante el recreo.

Guadalupe le había contado a Rey que Celestino ya se duchaba solo, que no le era permitido ayudarlo. Que lo había espiado por la mirilla de la puerta del baño y había visto que solo meaba sentado.

«Dicen que me faltan los cocos» explicó Celestino, nauseado y entretenido al mismo tiempo. «Esos, antes o después comenzarán a pesarte» le dijo Rey «Y si no, si necesitas unas bolas más grandes para tener menos miedo en la vida, hay que pedírselo a Virgilio, como cualquier cosa.» «¿A quién?»

Rey pidió ayuda para incorporarse, apoyó la máquina de escribir en el suelo y, bajo el brazo de Celestino, caminó por el pasillo hasta detenerse ante la foto de aquel hombre de camisa de manga corta, cara delgada, y expresión resignada.

Después de hacer unas breves

después de aquellas palabras Rey se

colegio, el niño subía donde Rey junto

a Guadalupe algunas semanas antes de

presentaciones, Rey le explicó a

arrodilló ante la foto y en voz alta le

a su madre. Mientras ella limpiaba, él

suicidarse, «como se lo hagas pesar y se

Celestino que Virgilio Piñera, aquel

pidió a Virgilio otros tres años de vida

ayudaba a organizar los manuscritos

lo pongas más difícil aún juro que voy a

hombre, era uno de los escritores

para acabar su obra. Solo tres años más

o incluso a pasar por la máquina de

volver como fantasma, cada noche, para

cubanos a los que más admiraba. Que

habrían sido suficientes para terminar

escribir lo que Rey dictaba de lo que

que te cagues de miedo.»

había sido protector suyo en vida, y lo

los libros que tenía en la cabeza.

quedaba de una novela llamada, “El

estaba siendo aún más después de su muerte.

Celestino le contaría a su madre que

color del verano”.

A partir de aquel día Rey y Celestino comenzaron a hacerse compañía, a

«Tu hijo se va a volver una especie de

apoyarse mutuamente. Al salir del

mujer, un día de estos» le había dicho

III

Cuando Celestino salió del baño, su madre quiso agarrar en sus brazos, levantarlo

«Peró, dime, ¿viste a Rey? ¿Se te apareció antes de que la luna se pusiera negra?» «No

del suelo, llenarlo de besos para que se le fuera todo ese miedo que le atravesaba el

lo ví, pero le recé a su foto. Como hacía él con la de Virgilio. Le dije que no quería

cuerpo.

tener sangre en la nariz, ni en las orejas.»

«¿Esta noche habrá eclipse de luna, verdad? Desde los pisos altos de Hell’s Kitchen

«Ay, Dios mío, ¡Soy una sinvergüenza!»

se puede apreciar mucho mejor» dijo rascándose la piel encima de los ojos, donde un tiempo habían estado sus frágiles cejas. «Parece que antes va a haber una luna rojiza» continuó, «por eso dicen que es normal si notas algo de sangre en la nariz o en las orejas. Es señal de que eres hijo suyo.»

«Te equivocas, cariño.»

Celestino la acariciaba. Parecía que le costaba articular las palabras.

«El eclipse fue ayer, ya te dije: te quedaste dormida en el sofá después de vaciar esa botella de Chivas. Entonces me vine solo. Y me puse a esperar. Esperé toda la noche para ver si pasaba algo.» «Ay, ¡lo siento! ¡No sirvo para nada!» lloriqueó Guadalupe golpeándose el pecho como una plañidera.

«Le pedí que me hiciera sangrar por donde sangran las niñas.»

«Qué horrible, hijo mío» siguió diciendo su madre, pero más seria, como si pesara cada palabra. «Soy un deshecho humano.»

Celestino se secó las lágrimas.

Miró por la ventana sin decir nada más.

Había oscurecido y brillaban los rótulos fluorescentes de Hell’s Kitchen.

Como si imitaran el cielo que en otro tiempo, en otro lugar debió de haber existido.

Visual Art

Photo Series from Alan Sanon Models: Selom Ayi & Ashley Gonzalez

28 BLACK WORLD • FALL 2023

The Summer I Fell In Love With A Country

By Brianna Chavez

“Epidermis”

By Diana Salomon Currently, I have an exhibition at the Lawrence Alloway Gallery in Stony Brook titled “The Mother Anatomy” which includes this piece.

“Epidermis” is a memorialization of my belly that carried my four beautiful children. As a Latina, it is common to hear how plastic surgery is frowned upon in our community. However, I believe it is important to raise awareness that women should have a choice over what to do with their own bodies. While I still embrace my tiger stripes and resilience, I chose to have plastic surgery to repair an issue called Diastasis Recti, which was causing extreme discomfort. I think it’s important to improve our quality of life, whether it be for health-related purposes or feeling better about ourselves. “Epidermis” is a tool for awareness and empowerment for women to make the best decisions for themselves.

“Epidermis” is a 20x20 metal print with a textured finish.

Photography Series by Sheilly Martinez These are the hallways to my aunt’s house in San Antonio Del Norte, La Paz, Honduras. These hallways mean my childhood to me as I would run through them with my primos growing up. They also signify the struggle Hondureños face in the

◄

country. My aunt and uncle worked tremendously hard to have such a home in which many currently today will probably will never be able to afford. Many Hondureños living in Honduras can’t afford to buy land, houses, or build their own homes as there is a lack of jobs. Owning a house or having some sort of property is becoming a luxury for many.

This is a playground right by la canchá in San Antonio Del Norte, La Paz, Honduras. It is where kids play around and you can hear all the laughter throughout the street. Nowadays it often stays empty as many kids get jobs to help out at home or are oftentimes studying hard at home in hopes of getting to go to

►

high schools in the city for a better chance of getting a high paying job.

This is my uncle, Tínes, coming inside my grandfather’s house in San Antonio Del

◄

This photo was taken outside my aunt’s home in Comayagua, Honduras. The colorful houses going down the street that you will only find in “third world countries.” This is home to me, where I was born, where the air smells cleaner.

Norte, La Paz, Honduras. Although he is death, that has never stopped him from doing el campo work. He knows how to gather the cattle, milk 20 cows a day, make queso, crema, and all sorts of dairy products; which he goes out to sell. He represents all the campesinos in Honduras. Working to survive.

► One of the only complete Mayan books in Copan Mayan Ruinas, Copan, Honduras.

It is a part of the country’s history. Never really cared for by the conquistadors, and

◄

still not by the Honduran government. Such an important part of history yet when archaeologists first discovered it, the Honduran government didn’t want to pay them with money but instead gave a far more valuable piece, which is why there is an empty space where a Mayan King should’ve been. A piece that is far worth more than the money they were asking for, a such important discovery that is still mainly taken care by foreign investors.

30 BLACK WORLD • FALL 2023

Photography by Gabrielle Girard Study Abroad in Spain

“Don’t mess with the bull”

“Stroll during drizzle”

Graphic Art

By Danielle Ramirez

“Fountains Galore”

“Roman ruins”

Impactful Latino figures

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, otherwise known as AOC, is a prominent American politician and activist born of Puerto Rican descent. Born and raised in Bronx, New York, Alexandria started from humble beginnings, first attending and graduating Yorktown High School. During her time there, she was involved in the National Institute

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lorenzo de Salva Youth Legislative Session and received recognition and

Lin-Manuel Miranda is a prominent American songwriter, actor, filmmaker, and playwright

awards by The Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Shortly after,

born of Puerto Rican Mexican descent. Born and raised in Manhattan, New York, Miranda

Cortez enrolled in Boston University where she obtained her Bachelor

attended Hunter College High School where he began to write musicals. During his years

of Arts degree in international relations and economics. Cortez then

in college, he went on to write his earliest draft of what would become his first reputable

went on to strengthen her political experience by joining campaigns and

Broadway musical, “In the Heights.” Later on, Miranda would go on to write, direct, and

taking internships. This continued until she ran for the Democratic Party’s

star in numerous musicals throughout his career, including his renowned Broadway musical,

primary election for New York’s 14th congressional district and won, taking

“Hamilton,” a depiction of the story of Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton. Due to his

office at the age of 29 becoming the youngest woman to serve in the United States

contributions to the entertainment industry, he went on to receive many accolades such as the Tony Award for Best Musical, Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Best Original Score, Best

Nytimes.com

Congress. Cortez continues to advocate a platform for workplace democracy, Medicare for All, tuition-free public college, a federal jobs guarantee, a Green New Deal, and abolishing

Book of a Musical, the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album

the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She is recognized for her quick wit

and so much more. Miranda has also dabbled in collaborations

and passion for people—she is a force to be reckoned with like no other.

with Disney in projects such as Moana, Encanto, and The

Mirabel Sisters

Little Mermaid. Lin-Manuel Miranda is known for his genius creativity that brings to light his culture and ethnicity.

The Mirabel Sisters—Patria, Maria, and Minerva Mirabal, were three sisters born and

Newsweek.com

raised in the Dominican Republic striving as political activists. During the 30-year reign of Trujillo— a brutal dictator of the Dominican Republic, many people suffered at his hands; ordering the massacre of 13,000 to 20,000 Haitian men, women, and children. The Mirabel Sisters saw the destruction and death of his leadership and decided to fight against the

Sylvia Rivera

regime of Trujillo by joining forces with their husbands and starting what would be known as the June 14 Revolutionary Movement. A movement in honor

Sylvia Rivera was an American gay liberation and transgender rights activist born of

of the Dominican rebels who were killed in their attempt to overthrow

Puerto Rican and Venezuelan descent. Rivera’s early life was not an easy one; she

the Rafael Trujillo regime. As a result of this movement, the Mirabel

was abandoned by her birth father and became an orphan after her mother died by

Sisters and their husbands were thrown in prison and after a while, the

suicide which resulted in Rivera being raised by her grandmother. As time went on,

sisters were freed but their husbands were not. Many times were the

Rivera came to the discovery of her gender identity—Rivera was assigned a male at

sisters thrown in jail or threatened by Trujillo, but they never gave up their

birth but later came to realize that she was a female. Her grandmother disapproved

endeavor to see Trujillo’s downfall. On November 25, 1960, the sisters were

of her gender awakening and ultimately Rivera left home at the age of 10, living

found dead in a car accident, but later on,it was revealed by Trujillo’s soldiers

on the streets of New York as a prostitute, under the care of local drag queens.

Rivera was involved in many causes such as Gay Liberation Front’s

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Drag Queen Caucus and Gay Activists Alliance. She fought

that they murdered the three sisters by orders from Trujillo. Today, the Mirabel Sisters’ memory is still honored today, having a day dedicated to them: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, amongst other things. The Mirabel Sisters are still

for the rights of gay people and the inclusion of drag

remembered today for their bravery and fight for freedom and independence.

queens. At many points in her life, Rivera struggled with substance abuse and suicide ideation. In spite

Roberto Clemente

of it, Rivera had always desired to see change in her community of people, even on her deathbed,

Roberto Clemente was a Puerto-Rican professional baseball player born in Barrio San Anton

when she met with ESPA to negotiate transgender

in Carolina, Puerto Rico. In Clemente’s early life— as a result of poverty, he and his family

inclusion in the political structure. Sylvia Rivera died

had to work in a sugar cane crop to make ends meet. Around this time Clemente was a track

on February 19, 2002 due to liver cancer, but she will

and field star before he turned his interest to baseball and joined Puerto Rico’s amateur

always be remembered for the passion and drive she had

league. Soon after seeing Clemente’s talent and skill, the Brooklyn Dodgers offered

for her people.

him a contract which he accepted. Clemente later on went to do great things in his

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baseball career—reaching stardom and collecting accolades left and right. He won the batting title four times, won the league’s MVP award, was an All-Star every season he played, and so much more. Unfortunately, his rich life was cut short at the age of 38. Clemente died in an airplane crash while he was on his way to Nicaragua, Central America to deliver relief supplies to earthquake victims. His death was a hard blow to the Latino community, but he will always be remembered

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for his contributions in successfully bringing attention to the gifts, talents, and capabilities Latin people had.