Becoming Latina
Becoming Latina
By Elisa Tavares Bell – Like any teenager, my friends’ perception of me played a strong role in defining who I was:  friendly, smart, attractive, helpful, funny and talented. Latina? Not so much. But Papi and Mami still attempted to teach me about my cultural background...
Read More
When Mami Was Here
When Mami Was Here
By Lucia A. Crespo – Lourdes Lisette Crespo was disciplined, loyal, loving and also extremely goofy. “Lourdes por favor, por favor!” yelled out abuela to mami.  Abuela was not a jokester like mami was; she was more firm and serious.  Many times mami used to like cucando...
Read More
End the raids
End the raids
By Iya Bakare – How do we solve the problem of illegal immigration? It’s the never-ending question that plagues the minds of many as we discuss the delicate issue of immigration in our country. Too many often treat it and the people involved like pests that need to be fumigated....
Read More
Going Home
Going Home
By Jan Peña-Davis – My mother’s only wish before she died was for her children to visit Cuba and meet our family. Ten years ago, I took my only son, who thinks he’s boricua and my youngest daughter, who’s often asked if she’s Brazilian to Cuba. I finally understood...
Read More
Latin Time
Latin Time
By Marisella Veiga – Whenever a memo went out to parents calling for a meeting with the teachers and administrators of Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in South Miami, Florida, a phrase designed to help with our assimilation appeared at its bottom: 8:00 p.m. American time. The reminder...
Read More
It’s Never Too Late
It’s Never Too Late
By Irma Iliana Gutierrez – The clock is ticking, starting to fall behind schedule. The hair is up, just pin in the veil, load the dress, jump in the truck and speed to the church. The date: Valentine’s Day 2009. The occasion: My mother’s third marriage, but her first trip...
Read More
Time Went By Too Fast
Time Went By Too Fast
By Lizette Torres – I was a teenager still attending high school when I became a mom. Now I look at my son and I am amazed he is going to turn 22 this year. My son was the first grandchild on both sides of the family and I can still remember the tug of war I had with my mother,...
Read More
Mariachi Love story
Mariachi Love story
By Teresa Puente – At 60, my mom, Santa, was preparing to retire, sell the house we grew up in Oak Park and move someplace warmer than Chicago. We threw her a big birthday party and invited the whole familia – and that’s a lot of people considering she’s one of 11 children...
Read More
Not so Ugly Mari
Not so Ugly Mari
By Maricruz Barrera – As I noticed David during Christmas mass last December, a lump formed in my throat and my stomach turned. I shyly looked up to see him smiling at me, and quickly looked down again. I was not expecting this. A sudden wave of happiness overcame me and as...
Read More
A Life Changing Experience
A Life Changing Experience
By Alyssa Sanchez – In the summer of 2007 I experienced something that would change my life forever. It was mid- June and there I was with a big black Nike duffle bag and a suitcase that weighed more than I did. Dad said, “You will be okay. Just walk through the doors, wait...
Read More

« Previous Entries