There was a señora, we’ll call her Doña Lopez, in the 16-week Reparenting series that I just completed for a long-term community partner. Doña López could WRITE.
In multiple sessions, she would read something she wrote in between our times together. On the final night, which was Tuesday, she asked the group if she could read a four page letter that she had written to her mother, and intended to translate it for her daughter.
She emailed it to me this morning, all four pages and in ink, signed by her. I recorded the audio (without identifiers) and I want to play it for the community with her permission at some point. She mentioned to the group that she had found the letter, but as I heard her read it and as she shed tears (and we all did), I knew they were her words.
They were poetic words, poignant and beautifully painted on the page. I know good writers because I am one (or try hard to be one lol😅)
Randomly, this screen shot from April 2022 came up in my memories on my phone, and it made me think about Doña Lopez, mother of three, immigrant, service worker, healing inner niña, and natural born ESCRITORA.
I felt so proud and honored to be shared her writing. I didn’t even assign a final project! But I did weave in writings throughout that were meant to inspire some kind of creativity.
Access to our artistry is liberatory. We continue to fight systems of oppression so that we can choose art. We deserve access to the parts of our brain that are not survival-ridden. Our comunidad especially is one FULL of brilliant minds. Doña López is just one or them.
Now, go practice resistance by resting in an art practice. Mine is writing and dance.
What is yours? What about your parents?
Remember that I love you. ❤️
#LatinxParenting #EndChanclaCulture #RaisingFutureAncestors #DecolonizeOurFamilias #IJustWantMiGenteToHeal #TheCycleStopsConmigo
[English Caption in Comments] Comunidad, una de las formas en que podemos honrar a las víctimas de la violencia armada es luchar por el control de armas para que ninguna otra familia o comunidad tenga que pasar por otra tragedia inimaginable.
Nuestra voz es nuestro poder y no podemos darnos el lujo de permanecer en silencio por más tiempo. La violencia armada continúa siendo la principal causa de muerte en los niños y es hora de que le pongamos fin.
La semana pasada hablé con Patricia Paduy-Oliver, quien perdió a su hijo Joaquín en el tiroteo de Parkland y fue una conversación que no olvidaré. Ninguna madre o familia merece perder a su hijo o ser querido por la violencia armada.
Mientras recordamos a Uvalde hoy, únete a nuestra lucha junto con @mamasconpoder y @changetheref para exigir que el Congreso tome medidas contra la violencia armada de una vez por todas.
1. Firme la petición para que el Congreso sepa que es hora de prohibir los rifles de asalto militar AHORA.
2. Manténgase actualizado con @mamasconpoder enviando un mensaje de texto al 747464
3. Visite www.myfirstschoolshooting.org (http://www.myfirstschoolshooting.org/) para leer Mi primer tiroteo en la escuela por Patricia Oliver y @changetheref y envíelo a sus funcionarios electos.
Cambiemos la realidad en la que vivimos y luchemos para asegurar un futuro en el qu
e nuestras familias y comunidades se sientan seguras contra la violencia armada.
#EndGunViolence #ViolenciaDeArmas #GunViolence #ParklandStrong #UvaldeStrong #stonemandouglas #uvalde #uvaldetexas #parklandshooting
Remembering these precious angels today and holding their loved ones close to our hearts always. 🦋
We won't let the comunidad of Uvalde be forgotten. May they rest in power.
🕯️Makenna Lee Elrod
🕯️Layla Salazar
🕯️Maranda Mathis
🕯️Nevaeh Bravo
🕯️Jose Manuel Flores Jr.
🕯️Xavier Lopez
🕯️Tess Marie Mata
🕯️Rojelio Torres
🕯️Eliahna “Ellie” Amyah Garcia
🕯️Eliahna A. Torres
🕯️Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez
🕯️Jackie Cazares
🕯️Uziyah Garcia
🕯️Jayce Carmelo Luevanos
🕯️Maite Yuleana Rodriguez
🕯️Jailah Nicole Silguero
🕯️Irma Garcia
🕯️Eva Mireles
🕯️Amerie Jo Garza
🕯️Alexandria “Lexi” Aniyah Rubio
🕯️Alithia Ramirez
🎨:@stephaniechinnart
#uvalde #uvaldestrong #robbelementaryschool
🎨: @tinamariaelena | “Shout out to the mothers who are healing their own childhood trauma.
The mothers who are healing emotionally and spiritually.
The mamas making the effort to break generational curses.
And the mamas who are putting their children’s mental, emotional, and spiritual needs first.
You are Superwoman without the cape, making sure you are raising emotionally intelligent children.
I see you and I honor you.” —Toshia Shaw
P.S. Our Healing the Madre Wound Introductory Workshop: Re-mothering the Latinx/Chicanx Mother is always accepting enrollees! Our workshop will not only support you in healing your Madre Wound, but help you in navigating your relationship with your mom, and setting boundaries when needed so you can thrive in your healing journey.
Remember, when you sign up for ANY of our Escuelita offerings, you get an invitation into our ✨special community✨ with other alumni who have taken the workshop so you can connect & grow with others who are also healing their Madre Wounds.
Visit our Escuelita in our L i n k i n B i o 🔗
www.latinxparenting.org/Escuelita
#LatinxParenting #EndChanclaCulture #RaisingFutureAncestors #DecolonizeOurFamilias #IJustWantMiGenteToHeal #TheCycleStopsConmigo #MadreWound #Mothering