Bodies in Movement: Developing a Latin American Feminist Identity Through Family, Memory, and Geographical and Inter-lingual Spaces
“What we talk about when we talk about love…”Carlos Colato
Gracias a Mi Tío Carlos[1]
Mi Nieto You are Antonio Alfaro’s first grandchild. The reason Antonio forgave María de Jesús for eloping with Fernando Colato.
Mi Hijo Carlos era el preferido de tu Abuelito Fernando. Se escapó a morir cuando mataron a tu Tío Carlos.[2]
Mi Hermano Cada vez que llegaba a la casa, siempre estaba cosiendo. Si estaba cosiendo un par de pantalones, los dejaba, se paraba, y me sonreia. Lo tengo tan presente.[3]
Mi Esposo Your pregnant wife found your dead body thrown in front of your house.
A slit to the throat. Stoned to death. Shot.
Mi Papa Edith, Saul Antonio, Adela, Jose Aristides, Liduvina – sus hijos.[4] Your youngest girl never met you. Three men (two cousins and a friend) killed you before you set eyes on her; but somewhere on a piece of paper, tucked away inside your desk drawer, you wrote the name Liduvina. Gracias a sus hijos, ahora es dichoso de tener nietos y bisnietos.[5]
Mi Tío Carlos I believe that your motivation and determination gave your generation the courage to immigrate to California, and blessed my generation with multiple opportunities. Todo gracias a mi Tío Carlos.[6]
[1] Thanks to my Uncle Carlos
[2] Carlos was your grandfather Fernando’s favorite. He nearly died when they killed him.
[3] He was busy sewing every time I would visit his at home. If he was sewing a pair of pants, he would set them down, stand up and smile at me. I have this image engrained in my mind.
[4] Your children
[5] Thanks to your children, you are now honored to have grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
