My name is Ana.
My grandma immigrated from Guatemala, and I lived in her house for most of my childhood. She taught me how to sew, and create things from nothing. For example, I created a collage of Frida Kahlo made from buttons my grandma had collected over her lifespan to help me process her passing. Sewing is a process that makes individual scraps stronger when brought together. Similarly, as I grow and learn about my intersectionalities, I learn that my strong suits lie in the stitches, in this case mi Latinidad and my healing journey. I hope to inspire hope, humility and pride in everyone’s individual blanket of stories.
Personal Prose
What is a Latina?
Is she my first role model because she too has skin that is covered in pelo negro and colored brown? No, because she is not constrained to a particular appearance from mixing with the Spanish crown.
Who is Latina?
Are they those who hold the key to the sacred mother tongue? No, they are those whose heart drums with the blood of their ancestors underneath a lung.
How am I Latina?
Even though mi abuelita buried the key of mi lengua and sawed off the branches of my family tree? Yes, because even though they forced her to girdle her roots and bury her voice yesterday has become today and through me her Latinanidad can be freed.
When am I Latina?
Is it the day that I proudly wear the key on my chest and feel the rhythm in my feet and the purr of my lips? Is it only within the safety net of my small family or friend groups or in the empty box on federal slips? No, because just as one doesn't need feet to feel the ground beneath when you have wings to fly or the nods of others for to continue walking by. A Latina is the result of many forces that define her unique experience
Am I Latinx enough?
Si. Estoy escuchando a mi familia, mis jefes mexicanos, y mis amigas. Estoy aprendiendo la lengua, la historia y la cultura. Estoy trabajando con mis manos, mis ojos, y mi alma. Estoy preguntando todo. Estoy hablando por otros que no pueden. Soy Latina porque esta es mi vida, mi lengua, mi historia y mi cultura. I am a third generation Latina, discovering what my grandmother tried to erase to protect her family. Today's Latinx are the answer they were praying for. We are learning together so we can heal the wounds of our ancestors.