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There are times when we believe a battle exists, when in fact we’ve created it in our minds.  I know what I’m talking about because I’ve done it to myself numerous times.  Fortunately, I’m better at recognizing it now than I used to be, but I still find myself, more often than I’d like to …

The woman warrior – this vision can be powerful and inspiring, such as the rebel, the activist, the revolutionary, and even the quiet subversive.

We have icons in our pop culture, such as Xena, the Warrior Princess, and even Wonder Woman. (She was my favorite! Did you know Linda Carter, the actress who played Wonder Woman, was Latina?)

These roles give us models of strong women who are capable, active, and even a little sexy. These women can take care of themselves – and they get to wear cool outfits! (Ok, back to Wonder Woman – I always wanted a lasso of truth, bracelets that could deflect bullets and a tiara that could double as a boomerang. Well, what little girl doesn’t want a tiara?!? Just kidding, I know not all of us did!)

In this month of May, we celebrate Cinco de Mayo, a holiday that to many is mistaken as Mexican Independence Day. Of course, most of you know that Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence Day (that date is September 16), but do you know WHY we celebrate this holiday?

I have to say that for myself, although I knew the basics, each year I learn more and more and I thought I would share some of these insights with you. I believe they are important especially because, as Jovita Juarez, this week’s interviewee, reminded us, our Latino holidays often get “co-opted” by the companies who want to do Hispanic Marketing, and in particular, alcohol companies who want to make our holidays all about drinking.

I was so touched and moved by the interviewee this past week with Frances Rodriguez, author of the book of poetry entitled The New York Woman. What an accomplishment to simply live, survive and want to give back and support others in whatever ways you can… Here is a woman whose stepfather used her to test the quality of his drugs. He would inject her to see if the supply was “pure” and OK to sell to clients. He gave no regard to if she became hooked, or to her safety whatsoever. Matter of fact, Frances was so frightened of him (and suffered so many kinds of abuses at his hands) that she left home at age 11 to live on the streets.

Desert Blood: The Juarez Murders by Alicia Gaspar de Alba
(Arte Publico Press) A haunting novel inspired by the killings of “girls from the south.”