The Power of Truth
I met Emanuel Xavier, author of the poetic memoir Love(ly) Child, when I interviewed him recently for the Las Comadres and Friends National Latino Book Club. His talent, honesty, and generosity of spirit inspired me to stay in touch with him because I have an underappreciated gay brother who died in the 80s and I have also written a poetic memoir that took a lot of courage for me to put out into the world (check it out here.) Serendipitously, it turned out our books were competing with each other for the 2024 International Latino Book Awards’ Juan Felipe Herrera Best Poetry Book Award. His was listed as a Finalist and mine as an Honorable Mention. I am profoundly honored to be in such outstanding company!
Emanuel Xavier dedicates his life and work to supporting queer youth and Latinx writers.
Here's a list of his accomplishments from the Poetry Foundation:
Life’s ups and downs can be particularly heart-wrenching and may even be traumatic for every one of us, albeit in different ways. No one has a monopoly on the most tragic story because, to the person who is living it, their personal story is painful enough. Nevertheless, my own growth story is a walk in the park compared to Xavier’s. What we have in common is our daring to reveal our pain so our readers can benefit from the lessons we’ve learned the hard way. Our desire to encourage ourselves and others to persevere through the dark times in our lives, build communities based on our common humanity, and persevere in our healing process while celebrating each other’s unique being is what motivates and enriches our work.
Thinking how much you’d appreciate his poetic memoir, I decided to ask Xavier to send me one of his favorite poems and a brief commentary on his oeuvre that I could share on this page.
Love(ly) Child
is a Finalist for the 2024 International Latino Book Awards’ Juan Felipe Herrera Best Poetry Book Award.
This is what Xavier shared:
“In Love(ly) Child, Xavier continues his tradition of confronting societal norms and challenging the status quo. The poems in this collection are unflinchingly honest, addressing themes such as identity, love, loss, and survival with a candor that is both refreshing and necessary. Xavier’s writing is not for the faint of heart—his words are sharp, his imagery vivid, and his message clear: there is power in speaking your truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be.”
something between Latino and Latina, reclaiming how we are
defined hombres sitting in front of lit mirrors with a table full of
cosmetics & mujeres with skin fades and ACE-bandaged-down
breasts. Something like drag queens at La Escuelita and butches at
Café con Leche, like your cool tio that teaches you how to death drop
and titi with a mustache. Something like your primo that
mysteriously disappeared from the family and is never spoken about.
Somewhere between “When did you come into this country?” &
brown babies in hospital delivery rooms. Growing up in
a country where we are told to go back to wherever we came from.
Somewhere between being oppressed by white-washed politicians
that come from families that look like us & our bodies outlined with
white chalk on sidewalks when we are killed. Checked boxes without
nuance. Something between J-Lo & Jenny from the block, Rita
Hayworth & Rita Moreno, migrating across rivers & spending
all your money on airfare. Something between VapoRub & brujeria.
Appreciating art by Goya & Trump-loving Goya products from
Spain. Taco Tuesdays & the waitstaff and cooks at Italian
restaurants, children in cages & kids bussed to schools where they
are called “Spics!” Teens turning to gangs for brotherhood/
sisterhood & in the hood, maricones getting gay-bashed.
Alcoholism & Corona, tequila, margaritas, mezcal. Somewhere
between a quinceañera and a Sweet Sixteen. Celebrating Cinco de
Mayo & clutching your purse as brown boys walk by. Fetishizing
Latin lovers & sex-trafficking girls who speak Spanish.
Getting displaced by gentrification & “They’re taking over our
neighborhoods!” Somewhere between desirable & Undesirable.
Being unwanted no matter what letter closes us out—
an o, an a, an x, an e.
Somewhere between Vanna White and “Wanna buy a vowel?”
Somewhere between “Your English is so good!” and speaking
Spanglish. Somewhere between the right to live the American
dream & being a “welfare queen!” Somewhere between “Gracias to
the Academy!” & filling up our prisons. Somewhere between “¡El
pueblo, unido, jamás será vencido!” and “We’re Here! We’re
Queer! Get used to it!” Somewhere between Dia de los Muertos &
painting your face white to symbolize death. Somewhere between
“You have the right to remain silent!” and “Silence equals death.”
Somewhere between telenovelas and the new One Day at a Time.
Somewhere between Richie Valens & Cardi B. Gender fluid like
Walter Mercado and Demi Lovato. Somewhere between Lady
Bunny’s favorite snacks & Bad Bunny. Something like we were here
on this land first and x marks the damn spot!
The complete video of my interview with Emanuel Xavier for Las Comadres and Friends National Latino Book Club can be found here at 27:15. Xavier’s thoughts on “poetry is for everyone” are at 34:30; overcoming anger at 37:57; advice for Latinx writers at 40:10; and his reading of “Latinx Is” at 46:53. Here’s a fragment for you to enjoy!
“Support independent poetry, embrace the power of words, and let Emanuel Xavier’s Love(ly) Child find its place in your collection today.” Emanuel Xavier
