Sneak Peek of my interview with Cristy C Road! To read the full thing and to check out the 50 pg edition purchase Muchacha’s brand new issue “Brown Queen: Latina Voices of the 21st Century”HERE!
DS- I want to begin with asking you some questions, including a few about your recent graphic novel Spit and Passion.
DS- In Spit and Passion you write: “Green day explained a life I wanted to create for myself- an underworld where people like me could exist in” (55). In what ways do you see music influencing marginalized youth (queer, poc, etc) in the modern day compared to the early-mid 1990’s? How do you think this process has changed or remained the same?
CR- I think the concept of gathering inspiration from angry radical musicians who have a powerful voice remains the same; but Its difficult to identify what cultural icons kids access these days because of what the mainstream media is embracing. Theres a lot of intense reality Television out there and there isnt the kinds of music programming that there used to be that focused on artists (120 Minutes, Yo! MTV Raps, Alternative Nation, MTV Jams, etc.) —— I think that if television/mainstream pop culture is what kids primarily have access to, the really radical icons come so few and far between. I was really inspired by Nicky Minaj when she came out on TV and I think kids got a lot from her; kids really loved Lady Gaga and that was a really cute of era; but I really think there is a lack of “alternative” voices in mainstream pop culture. The weird thing nowadays is, however, that kids have THE INTERNET. And theres things like YOUTUBE and TUMBLR and I dont even know how to make my way around those things, in regards to discovering new art. My discovery of the “underground” through a band that was on television is a timeless experience, though. I think that although underground politically charged subcultures are exposed on TV; the core of them still exist in the underground, and its still a journey (for youth) to discover it.
DS- An important theme in your book seemed to center around the different ways that “coming out” may look like depending on one’s race or culture. I think that this is an issue that goes unaddressed and people who stay in the closet are often judged as cowardly, etc. Do you think that Spit and Passion can serve as a guide for other young queer Latinas or POC to reconcile the fears of cultural exile as a result of coming out and feeling a loss of identity as a result of not coming out?
CR- I wouldnt go as far as calling it a “guide”, since its my experience and we all have individual experiences; but I do hope that it can be some kind of beacon of light, or message saying that their timeline (as far as discovering gender, sexuality, and identity) is completely up to them and their individual process. And if they choose to compromise with their family/culture in order to dismiss whiteness as part of their coming out; then more power to them!!!! But its SO HARD to see that, or even feel safe doing that, when you are young and alone as a queer. I certainly ended up feeling alone and lost in PUNK a lot of the time, until I found my queer and POC punks to share a life with.
DS- I appreciated how you incorporated Catholicism into your story. Specifically, I was intrigued when you write about La Virgen De La Caridad and how we will never know exactly who she was because “her history has already been destroyed by patriarchy” (35). As a Latina woman who has also reappropriated Catholic religious figures, such as La Virgin de Guadalupe, I found this idea fascinating. In what ways can religious symbolism be a source of empowerment for Latin@s and other POC?
CR- I feel so intense about reclaiming spirituality, because that connection to nature/the earth/the universe/the “goddess”/dieties was taken away from us as queers who were raised Catholic. We were told that our identities were frowed upon by the spiritual powers that be. I felt like I embraced a really atheist mindset, but I was secretly obsessed with spirituality. And I always wondered how an interest in social and environmental justice could even exist without a connection to the universe. I eventually developed my connections to the universe—- I got into reading tarot, and I got into my own spirits and saints. I connect a lot more with Santeria; and Ive learned to see La Virgen De La Caridad as a female image of power that represents my past and my family’s past. Santeria was always frowned upon (feared by) Catholics, and as Ive grown connected to the universe through my experiences as an artist; Ive felt really powerful and cleansed by (mentally) destroying that war between Cuban saints—- Its kind of what I had to do in oder to further destroy the homophobic agenda of Catholicism in the first place.
Three months in creation, I proudly present you Muchacha Fanzine’s fifth issue “Brown Queen: Latina Voices of the 21st Century”. Intended to honor, celebrate and promote the artistic visions of Latinas, this 50 pg edition features beautiful poetry, heartfelt short stories, powerful essays, awe-aspiring artwork, unique photography and a breathtaking performance piece from 24 diverse self-identified Latinas, Chicanas, Hispanics and Afro-Latinas. This issue also spotlights a 5-page interview with artist Cristy C. Road about her most recent graphic novel Spit and Passion, zine subcultures between the 90’s and now, spirituality and how she has learned to navigate her identity as a queer punk woman of color.
AM I FUCKING DREAMING? My heroine, Cuban-American Artist and Writer Cristy C. Road, just agreed to have an interview with me about her latest graphic novel Spit and Passion for my upcoming “Brown Queen” fanzine edition. I plan to have this Spring issue available at my shop by mid-March.
Latin@s, Chican@s, Queers, POC, Feminists &/or Punks… be on the look out to have your brains melted!
The theme for the upcoming issue #5 (Spring, 13’) of my fanzine Muchacha is “Brown Queen: Latina Voices of the 21st Century”. I am calling out to Latina/Chicana/Hispanic identified women worldwide to contribute their voices though an array of mediums including poetry, essays, art, comics, etc. I want this issue to serve as a time capsule for future generations of Brown women. Let our voices be heard and let us pick up the pieces and continue the lessons of our foremothers. As Gloria Anzaldúa brilliantly said: “I will no longer be made to feel ashamed of existing. I will have my voice: Indian, Spanish, white. I will have my serpent’s tongue - my woman’s voice, my sexual voice, my poet’s voice. I will overcome the tradition of silence.”
Join me in overcoming the traditions of silence. To submit your contributions contact me at Riotgrrrl56@yahoo.com with “Brown Queen” as the subject. Deadline for submissions is March 1st, 2013.
La tema de mi próxima edición #5 (Primavera, 13’) di me revistilla Muchacha es “Brown Queen: Latina Voices of the 21st Century” (Reina Morena: Voces Latinas Del Siglo 21). Estoy llamando a las mujeres identificadas como Latina/Chicana/Hispana por todo el mundo para contribuir sus voces a través de una variedad de medios incluyendo poesía, ensayos, arte, cómicos, etc. Quiero que esta edición sirva como una cápsula del tiempo para las futuras generaciones de mujeres Latinas. Deje que nuestras voces se escuchen, y deje que nosotros recogemos los pedazos y seguir las lecciones de nuestras antepasadas. Como Gloria Anzaldúa brillantemente dijo: “Ya no mi haré sentir vergüenza por existir. Tendré mi voz: India, Español, blanca. Tendré mi lengua de serpiente - la voz de mi mujer, mi voz sexual, la voz de mi poeta. Voy a superar la tradición del silencio.”
Acompáñeme en el vencimiento de las tradiciones de silencio. Para enviar sus contribuciones póngase en contacto conmigo Riotgrrrl56@yahoo.com con “Reina Morena” en el título. Fecha límite para submisions es Marzo 1st, 2013.
To get into holiday spirit I would like to thank the Universe for all of the support I have received lately. In attempt to say thanks I have decided to do a “buy one, get one free” special for my feminist fanzine “Muchacha”. This special offer will only be happening between Tuesday, November 13th and Friday, November 23rd.
How it works: When you buy an issue on etsy simply attach a message telling me what other issue you would like. You are welcome to choose an extra copy of the same issue you buy. Also, if you would rather send a check/money order e-mail me at Riotgrrrl56@yahoo.com for details.
So after applying to several more jobs with still no luck here is where I’m at: I have 5 days to go to make my $550 rent. Thanks to all of the support, I have almost reached my rent quota. I only need to sell $100 worth of zines to stop from being kicked to the curb! With the help of all of you badass feminists and/or rad zinester-loving folks who know what it’s like to be struggling financially, I’m restocked and ready to sell more! Visit my etsy here. I have 4 issues, $1.50 a copy plus shipping. Each is half the cost of a Starbucks coffee!
Re-blog and support feminist zinesters! I will love you forever.
