Recommended Reading
American chica: two worlds, one childhood,
Marie Arana. A rich, emotionally resonant portrait of a child who must
come to terms with being neither North nor South American, but a mixture
of both. Though this memoir of growing up in America and Peru centers on
Arana's parents' turbulent marriage, her real focus is the way cultures
define, limit and enrich us. She writes beautifully, whether describing
hunting for ghosts in Peru's highlands, chewing tobacco in Wyoming, attending
an American school in Lima or finding friends in New Jersey. Arana, the
editor of the Washington Post Book World, blends a journalist's dedication
to research with a style that sings with humor.
Growing up Latino: memoirs and stories,
edited by Harold Augenbraum and Ilan Stavans. The best in autobiographical
reflections and fiction by Latino authors gathered in an intriguing and
excellent volume. A brief excerpt from Oscar "Zeta'' Acosta is about
growing up during WW II, the son of a Mexican father who has become an
enthusiastic American and a mother who sings songs from the homeland. A
selection from Jose Antonio Villareal tells of a strike by farm laborers
during the Depression through the eyes of a young boy. Edward Rivera's
seriocomic tale of his first Communion and Nash Candelaria's tale concerning
the nature and cultural character of hero worship deserve to be singled
out. The introduction, a fine overview of Latino autobiography, helps put
the selections into their cultural context.
Links:
Hispanic
There are hundreds of websites in English and Spanish
devoted to Hispanic issues and interests. The sites listed below are a
selection of some of the best and most comprehensive. All are in English,
and some are also available in Spanish.
Portal to all things Latin on
the web: books, magazines, music, and more.
Hispanic Online. Chat, message
boards, news, and more.
Hispanic Magazine
Pew Hispanic Center. Research on
Hispanic demographics, economics, attitudes, education, immigration,
politics, and more.
The Tomas Rivera Policy
Institute. Premier research institute on Latino issues.
la Musica. Premier
Latin music site, with news, interviews, reviews, video clips, chat, links
to Latin radio stations, and more.
Latino/Hispanic
history
Hispanic
Heritage Month: September 15 – October 15. Resources for teachers.
Another
site for Hispanic Heritage Month: history, famous people, activities,
and interactive map.
Migrant
workers’ children: firsthand stories.
RISE: Rochester In Support of Everyone:
A brief overview of Mexican American migrant workers in the Rochester
area.
La Prensa de Minnesota: Spanish news for Latinos in Minnesota
Check out these other groups:
African American
Bosnian
Cambodian
Hmong
Somali
Sudanese
Vietnamese
