THIS WEEK ON LATINOPIA: ENRIQUE “KIKI” CASTILLO ON THE DEAD OF SUMMER, AND THE DEAD OF SUMMER CROSSING GENRES, AMALIA MESA BAINS ON DAY OF THE DAY, BURUNDANGA BORICUA ON PUERTO RICANS NOT IDENTIFYING AS WHITE, AND RICARDO ROMO’S TEJANO REPORT ON GONZO247.
We got a lot to share this week. We begin with a novel by acclaimed actor and director Enrique “Kiki” Castillo. His novel, The Dead of Summer, takes on a Border Patrol agent who rapes a woman crossing illegally into the United States and kills her two children. How’s that for an inciting incident? Check the interview with Kiki Castillo talking about what motivated him to write this novel and in another video Kiki talks about how his novel crosses genres. Is it a grisly story about death on murder on the border or a horror story hearkening La Llorona? Not to be missed!
Also this week, we celebrate Dia de Los Muertos with a look at how the tradition started and what it involves with a visit with acclaimed installation artist Amalia Mesa Bains.
From Puerto Rico, José Umpierre brings us another Burundanga Boricua. This week he looks at a recent government census that compares how Puerto Ricans identified themselves back in 2000 and how they identify themselves today. The results are quite stunning. In 2000 80% identified themselves as white but n 2020 only 17% so identified. Whaaaaa? Check it out!
Lastly, Ricardo Romo’s Tejano Report highlights the mural work of artist Gonzo247. This young talent has already created numerous murals in Texas in his free-wheeling unique style.
Enjoy your week on Latinopia and watch out for the cucuy!
Tia Tenopia