We had a special opportunity to spend 24 hours catching up with dear friend Demetria Martínez, in town for a keynote presentation at the Santa Barbara Women’s Literary Festival, June 1, 2013. Last September she gave us her new book, The Block Captain’s Daughter as we enjoyed a tasty dinner at El Patio restaurant in Albuquerque, a favorite hangout of the characters in the book. I couldn’t wait to share the special book with students, and did so in a class on U.S. Latino literature in Winter 2013. This not-to-be-missed short work of fiction brings together diverse narrative perspectives and voices of a unique group of friends in Northern New Mexico who will soon welcome a new child. The book engages in what Martínez has termed literary liberation theology, offering rich human portraits of U.S. Latinos that go beyond the stereotypes, statistics, and one-dimensional news headlines that flood American culture. With humor and insight, she draws us in to an eclectic spirituality and community where social activism and day-to-day support nurture human interaction. How splendid to learn that on May 30 the book received the First Place Prize for the best Latino-Focused Fiction Book at the 2013 International Latino Book Awards in New York City.
Demetria exudes calm and grace, drawing people in with her warm personality. She radiates happiness as she tells about her sustained and committed activism since we last saw her. Tuesdays and Saturdays she volunteers at the Los Jardines community garden, which, among other projects, helps to bring chemical-free food to the schools and works for environmental justice. She participates in a Banned Book Club that reads and discusses the books that have been banned in Arizona schools. Nothing like censorship to promote interest and motivate people to take charge of their own learning! Inspired by Tony Díaz who organized the Librotraficante caravan to bring Arizona’s banned books back into the state, the Albuquerque center at the Los Jardines Institute draws people together to read, discuss, and understand these Latino books deemed worthy of banning. (Arizona Superintendent of Education John Hupenthall implies that the books are similar to Mein Kampf in a video about the caravan on Democracy Now! http://www.occupynewmexico.org/home/el-libro-traficante-to-arizona/.) Reconfiguring the stereotype of the narcotraficante, or drug dealer, Díaz substitutes books for drugs, and helped to establish a chain of banned book reading sites across the southwest.
Demetria continues the spirit of the caravan by bringing news of her continued, lifelong commitment to activism and social justice to her numerous speaking venues. Read her poetry and fiction, and her blog for the National Catholic Reporter (http://ncronline.org/authors/demetria-martinez) for enjoyment, inspiration, and knowledge. Check out her webpage: http://www.demetriamartinez.com/. How lucky to have her as a friend!
Demetria exudes calm and grace, drawing people in with her warm personality. She radiates happiness as she tells about her sustained and committed activism since we last saw her. Tuesdays and Saturdays she volunteers at the Los Jardines community garden, which, among other projects, helps to bring chemical-free food to the schools and works for environmental justice. She participates in a Banned Book Club that reads and discusses the books that have been banned in Arizona schools. Nothing like censorship to promote interest and motivate people to take charge of their own learning! Inspired by Tony Díaz who organized the Librotraficante caravan to bring Arizona’s banned books back into the state, the Albuquerque center at the Los Jardines Institute draws people together to read, discuss, and understand these Latino books deemed worthy of banning. (Arizona Superintendent of Education John Hupenthall implies that the books are similar to Mein Kampf in a video about the caravan on Democracy Now! http://www.occupynewmexico.org/home/el-libro-traficante-to-arizona/.) Reconfiguring the stereotype of the narcotraficante, or drug dealer, Díaz substitutes books for drugs, and helped to establish a chain of banned book reading sites across the southwest.
Demetria continues the spirit of the caravan by bringing news of her continued, lifelong commitment to activism and social justice to her numerous speaking venues. Read her poetry and fiction, and her blog for the National Catholic Reporter (http://ncronline.org/authors/demetria-martinez) for enjoyment, inspiration, and knowledge. Check out her webpage: http://www.demetriamartinez.com/. How lucky to have her as a friend!