Editorial: A Journey Through the World of Letters Along the Path of Hopes in Hartford

 

Photo: Boceto Media

Hartford CT.- Saturday afternoon with perfect autumn weather—not too cold, with colorful leaves blanketing the city streets—I went for a walk around Frog Hollow, accompanied by the gentle breeze of the changing season. With the splendid sun setting, casting its orange-yellow rays, and ready to make way for the evening, I turned onto Arbor Street and stumbled upon a festival I hadn’t heard of before.

CT Literacy Festival 2021. Photo:  Boceto Media

"One step inside, and the voices of poets could already be heard, baring the depths of their inner selves as they recited their poems. These poems touched on diverse experiences, like love, discrimination, social change, political frustrations, and indignation; all spoke with passion, while others listened in silence. It was another dimension, a pathway that touched the soul."

I kept taking steps to discover what else was on display when, suddenly, I saw something that brought memories of a moment from my early childhood. It was a typewriter; the kind my mother used when she was in university, long before I was born. Of course, I only saw it as a decoration in our home, since being a millennial, those things were from the past.

With big smiles, young people sat down to feel the key presses on the machine. Some said the keys felt stiff; others didn’t know how to use it. All I could do was watch the old experts who, with a small chuckle, mocked the younger ones, starting to type away, both skillfully and clumsily. It was quite a spectacle. I kept moving, and I saw a series of tables with people talking and books resting on them like fairies under the feet of the gods. I approached those who greeted me with a friendly glance. Maybe they wondered, “Who is this?” But, with my camera as a protective shield and my courage on display, I approached and said, "I’m a journalist, may I take a photo?"

"Of course!" they said, "We are authors," and holding their books, they smiled. I was lucky enough that they even gave me a poetry book; the kind I used to read when I was 15.

I resumed my walk through the space, and as I passed a crowd, I heard some Spanish voices. Two Latina authors were present, and I thought, I’ll stay here for a while.

Authors, Sergio Troncoso, and Okey Ndibe. Photo: Boceto Media

I struck up a conversation with Inés Rivera, a local Hispanic writer, one of ours who should be heard more to spark curiosity and love for reading. Inés had given a talk on revisionist stories and how they can be used to revolutionize current literature. Inés is the author of the book Carta de Amor a la Otra Vida (Letter to an Afterlife), published by Blackboards Press in 2018.

Inés said she writes with a strong desire to see herself represented in the world of literature. She is of Dominican-Argentine origin, and is the first generation in her family born and raised in the United States.

"I didn’t always grow up seeing protagonists or hearing poems about people like me, who don’t quite fit in. Clearly, in these ideas of what it means to be a woman, Afro-Latina, bilingual, bicultural, that’s why I write," she said. I turned around to look for more Latino writers, and for my luck, there was already one in line, ready to share her opinions.

It was Victoria Buitrón, an author of Ecuadorian origin. She had spoken about her book A Body Across Two Hemispheres, which would be released in March 2022. Buitrón was born in Ecuador but moved to Connecticut at a young age. According to her, she grew up between New England and her homeland. Her writings reflect her experiences, family history, and the struggles of immigrants.

"Children shouldn’t be taught to read as a punishment, but as something positive and fun. Read about something you enjoy, whether it’s comic books, fiction, science, fantasy, or memoirs, and find the joy in it. Don’t let anyone force you to read something you don’t want to."

After gathering statements, and thinking I had seen it all, I decided to leave when suddenly I heard a powerful voice speaking with passion. It was a descendant of the Pequot tribe. As she recited her poem, everyone fell silent. Her presence captivated those who had been dismissive, and she reproached them, saying, “You are standing on stolen land.” Her native lineage, her stance, her presence, were the kind that make a deep impact on the heart and conscience.

Natasha Gambrell. Photo, Boceto Media

I followed her, as she was about to leave after sharing her poem. Her name is Natasha Gambrell, and she is the daughter of Valerie Gambrell, both current council members of the Pequot Tribe. Natasha represents her Native American roots through Eastern Blanket, Jingle, and Northern traditional dances since she was eight years old.

"I fight every day to prove that we exist, so I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening to these words and hearing me. Many times, especially in the state of Connecticut, we aren’t allowed to tell our story, but I will tell everyone until they realize that the land they walk on is Native land and needs to be represented."

We parted with a smile and a few photos. Her words left me inspired and proud to feel connected to this American land. For I am also part of the land my Andean ancestors left as a legacy in South America, the Incas. We are from here. I finished my visit to this realm of thought, crossing again the path of hope, the one leading to Arbor Street, and left with many ideas. I thought as I walked, how lovely it is to be back home. Seeing the graffiti, the thoughts that seek change, the ideas, the colors, the books, and talking with thinkers.

And as the Pequot spirits said through the poem recited by Natasha, "Warriors never say goodbye, we always say, I’ll see you later."

---

Original article “Editorial: Un Paseo Por El Mundo De Las Letras A Través Del Camino De Las Esperanzas En Hartford”, published by Maricarmen Cajahuaringa in Boceto Media on 10/23/21.