Chisme Blog
Feliz Año Nuevo to all my readers! This past year has brought more creativity and blessings into my writer’s life. One of the most monumental things that I experienced was that for the very first time, my seven-year old granddaughter Atzi, actually performed with me on stage. It was for my Raza Speaks poetry and music event that I hosted in November at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts and Education Center. Atzi actually joined me on stage to sing her song, “Atzi in Aztlan” from the Double Bubbleheads CD. She was a natural like her abuelita, using the microphone like a pro and the audience absoutely loved her! I felt so proud and wondered if maybe, just maybe she’ll turn out like her Nana! (pobre de ella).
Another inspirational moment came in March of last year when I was asked to speak on a Saturday to over a hundred Latino and African American high school students at the Trio Leadership Youth Conference held on our campus. It was thrilling sharing my “Edúcate” message with the students and I couldn’t believe it when they wanted me to autograph their t-shirts, not their books! I kept asking them, “Are you sure you want me to write on your t-shirt?” They kept saying yes and they kept coming! That was the first time I’d signed my name on a t-shirt. (I once autographed a guitar, believe it or not!) But of all the things I do, what I love the most, is being a role-model and showing young people that someone from humble roots make their dreams come true. I gave this same message to the “real” Roosevelt High School Students in Johnstown, Colorado, when I visited them in May. Sharing my message reminds me of what my two dear friends once said about this, my Cherokee friend said, “Young people are your medicine and you are their medicine; and my Catholic friend said, “They are your ministry.” These two metaphors clearly capture my role as a humanitarian and my life time commitment to “Edúcate.”
As for more blessings in my life, I was honored to have several videos produced using my music and poetry. The first one was produced by Tim Romero, who used the first song I ever wrote, “Son in Vietnam,” to create a powerful video about Vietham and those who died there, like my only brother Fini. The other three videos were produced by filmmaker John Rodríguez, who used two of my songs as well as my classic poem, “Black Shoes.” I was very moved by this, especially by the “Going Home” video which features my cousin Steve Joseph Quintana, who lived and died with AIDS. For those of you who don’t know, my novel, Tommy Stands Alone, was loosely based on Steve’s life. The sequel, Tommy Stands Tall is currently with the publisher and hopefully will be available soon. These four new videos will soon be posted on my website as well as on my Facebook page.
I’m currently working on the tenth novel in the RHS Series, but it’s coming very slowly since I put it aside to begin working on a new children’s book series, which I’ve been totally obsessed about, to the point of staying in my pajamas until noon so I can work on it. (I like to write in the morning upstairs in my bedroom where I have an inspirational view of San Luis Mountain from my bed –after I have my cup of espresso, of course) My new series is entitled, “Atzi in Aztlán,” (sound familiar? Title of one of my songs) and thus far, I’ve completed the first two episodes. But that’s all I’ll say about this new series for now…
My next performance is for the Cultural Diversity Symposium here at Cal Poly where I will be performing poetry with the help of my guitarist friend, Tony Dominguez. I’ll be debuting my most recent social protest poem, “Ode to Rodney King.” The message in this poem is very powerful. I will also be reading my “Rosa Parks” poem, which emphasizes how Rosa Parks has been a hero for all women of color, especially women like my mother, Francisca, who barely made it to first grade in school.
Bueno, it’s time to sign off--time to watch the Laker game. ( Did you know I’m a big Laker fan? That’s why I used the colors purple and gold on the Xicana on the Run cover art, which is also on my opening page. Will keep you posted on all the chisme in my writer’s life….well, not all of it. Hasta la próxima, La Sometime Superwoman Xicana!
