Latina Leadership Lessons: Our Love Affair with the Paranormal
October 22, 2009 by Caridad Pineiro
Filed under Education, Pineiro
With the Halloween season in full gear, it’s no wonder that we see La Bruja almost everywhere, flying around on her broomstick, long black robes and hair trailing behind her. But La Bruja isn’t alone these days in her mischief. She’s accompanied by an endless number of vampires, werewolves, zombies, Transformers and Disney princesses. I don’t know which of those is the scariest.
On television, all those things that go bump in the night are available on a daily basis. Just flip through the channels for a serving of ghosts, vampires, alternate realities and assorted monsters. In movie theaters, Paranormal Activity is scaring audiences everywhere as it strives to become a cult hit.
So why is it that we are all so enamored of scary things? Why are paranormal books, movies and television such big business today?
Scientists and psychologists will likely tell you that the fright we get from such things produces a rush from the adrenaline rocketing through our bodies, much like the experience from a roller coaster ride. The rush is safe and easily repeated by just getting on the ride again.
But as a writer of the paranormal, I like to believe that it’s about much much more than that.
Think about those ghosts and spirits. Isn’t it a comfort to believe that there is a place to which we might pass when our mortal lives end and that despite death, we can somehow reach that place? That the death of those that we love doesn’t end our ability to connect with them? Isn’t it even scarier to imagine that something has gone wrong with that passing over and that an angry spirit is going to let us know they are unhappy?
As a paranormal writer, death and the dark side are things I play with in almost every story because they are universal fears. Regardless of religious beliefs, race or ethnic background, death and darkness play an important role in most cultures. Is it any wonder then that virtually every culture has some kind of version of an immortal creature that can survive death and thrives in the night, usually by gorging on the blood of others?
Bram Stoker’s Dracula is one of the more well-known novels about vampires, but I’m sure Bram Stoker couldn’t have imagined the industry he would spawn with the creation of his night-loving bloodsucker. Stoker also probably didn’t realize that the myth would become one associated with such sexiness. From the unrequited love angst of teen vampires to the more erotic writings in adult paranormals, vampires have become creatures that we love and who love us. Often. Sometimes in very unique and different ways.
Because readers love that difference, it is not uncommon to see Latinos and their myths in paranormals, including the Latino version of a vampire – the chupacabra – which has appeared in various books and television shows like The X-Files.
Unfortunately not as sexy as Dracula, the chupacabra myth is also not as long lived as other vampire legends. Monstropedia notes that the earliest stories regarding the red-eyed lizard/dog-like demon reputed to suck blood from goats began in the 1990s and incidents involving chupacabras were limited to attacks in Puerto Rico. In recent years, however, chupacabra sightings have occurred in South Texas. In 2007, the Associated Press reported on the apparent discovery of a weird dog-like creature thought to be the elusive chupacabra just outside of Austin.
So is it possible the chupacabra isn’t just a myth or urban legend?
What about another Latino demon – La Llorona?
There are many versions of La Llorona throughout the Americas with the same basic theme – a woman kills her children and then herself and is then doomed to spend eternity wandering the world weeping and searching for her children. Sometimes the myth includes the woman taking wandering children to replace those she had lost. According to the Handbook of Texas Online, La Llorona is probably the most well-known ghost in Texas and possibly associated with Cortez’s interpreter Malinche who some believe betrayed her native Mexico to the Conquistadors.
Have you ever heard La Llorona weeping in the night or seen something run into the underbrush that didn’t look quite like a dog? Have you experienced a paranormal event of your own or do you have some other Latino myths that you’d like to share with us?
Leave us your comments and we’ll pick one lucky winner to receive a copy of one of my earlier vampire novels - DEVOTION CALLS - which features my take on what happens when a chupacabra makes its lair in Spanish Harlem!
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Our Love Affair with the Paranormal at PowerfulLatinas.com | Caridad Pineiro on Thu, 22nd Oct 2009 12:35 pm
[...] You may notice something different on our Thoughtful Thursdays in the coming months – I’ll be a guest blogger at an awesome site – PowerfulLatinas.com. [...]
Marta Acosta on Thu, 22nd Oct 2009 2:19 pm
Hi, Caridad, I remember first hearing about a chupacabra. I thought it was hilarious. Then I met someone online who created a chupacabra in his kitchen that he used as a sideshow exhibit. I remember the title of the exhibit was “roadkill from hell,” which is, you must admit, utter genius.
Best of luck with your new column here!
Linda Henderson on Thu, 22nd Oct 2009 3:00 pm
I have never experienced anything paranormal myself. I enjoy reading paranormal books and I always enjoy your books. I found my way over here from your website.
Catherine Bybee on Thu, 22nd Oct 2009 4:45 pm
Hey you… I love writing and reading all about those things that go bump in the night. This is my favorite time of the year for spooky TV and all things fangs and fur.
I can’t wait for Sins to hit the shelves!
Mickey Flagg on Thu, 22nd Oct 2009 4:48 pm
Hi Caridad. Great article with lots to think about. I agree that old Bram wouldn’t have expected the sensual attachment to a vamp, but they are fun to read and to write. Maybe it’s immortality, maybe the draw of something supernatural. Either way, they are a great draw which I don’t see piddling out all too soon. Thanks for the information on the Latino legends. Very interesting and something to think about. I wish you continued success with your riveting novels. Some great stories there:) - Mickey
Fun Friday Freebie Possibilities | Caridad Pineiro on Fri, 23rd Oct 2009 5:48 am
[...] Leave a comment at my new blog at PowerfulLatinas.com for the chance to win a copy of DEVOTION CALLS, one of my earlier releases in THE CALLING Vampire novels. Just follow this link: http://www.powerfullatinas.com/latina-leadership-lessons-our-love-affair-with-the-paranormal [...]
Caridad Pineiro on Fri, 23rd Oct 2009 6:01 am
Thanks for dropping by! I am so excited to be here to blog with this wonderful group of Latinas.
Mayra Calvani on Fri, 23rd Oct 2009 6:21 am
Wonderful post, Caridad!
Indeed, I doubt Stoker would have imagined the legacy he left us when he created Dracula.
Part of the reason we’re in love with the paranormal is that nothing is more scary or mysterious than the unknown, those things we can’t explain. Of course, with paranormal fiction we get the thrills without the danger.
Bonnie S. Mata on Fri, 23rd Oct 2009 6:42 am
Perfect blogging just in time for Halloween!!
Enjoyed reading your article and how funny you mentioned La Chupacabra because I wrote about that hairless creature in my next book, Storm Love.
And as for La Llorona, well what can I say I’m from Texas and I remember being scared of that ugly woman at an early age, like three. I owe that to my big brothers and sister. But payback can be cruel, when they had there kids, guest what? I too, told them about that La Llorona!
Best of all Cari!
Bonnie Mata
Jo Ann Hernandez on Fri, 23rd Oct 2009 7:08 am
Congratulations Aurelia for having such a fabulous guest as Caridad. She’s an excellent writer and great author. People are clamoring to learn more about Caridad. Thank you for offering this bit of insight to an already celebrated author.
Jo Ann Hernandez
BronzeWord Latino Authors
//authorslatino.com/wordpress
susan leech on Fri, 23rd Oct 2009 10:27 am
Gee I am first to stop in..I like to be early..hate to be late so I made my grand entrance..so to speak! I always like to see when you have a blog in action, Caridad. You have some great topics and I love to read what you have been doing. This time is just as good as the past ones..I love how you come up with such good issues to talk about. I hear the tale about the woman in La Llorona, Tx and I truly have no doubts that it’s true. I have pen pals in TX and they swear it’s the truth. I deal with many Latinas and I know they are strong believers in ghosts and so on. I will try and return to hear what else others have to say..I work today but will get back when I can. I hope to be entered for Devotion Calls as I do not have that one. Have a good day. Susan L.
Lisa G on Fri, 23rd Oct 2009 1:39 pm
I find this so interesting. I knew every culture had their own beliefs. Thanks you for telling me about them.
Teonda Tollison on Fri, 23rd Oct 2009 5:05 pm
I am not big on scary movies however paranormal book I love. Anything with werewolves, shifters and or vampires really catch my attention and I find myself unable to put the book down.
Tracy Montoya on Sat, 24th Oct 2009 5:24 am
Loved the post, Cari! I had a weird run-in with an ouija board in college, which is too long of a story to tell here! I think I missed Devotion Calls–I really need to search that one out if there’s a chupacabra in it!
tami on Sun, 25th Oct 2009 1:50 pm
love the calling series, am glad you was one of the firstt i knew name of author that was paranormal
dont enter me for book,have it
Caridad Pineiro on Tue, 27th Oct 2009 5:30 am
Thanks to all of you for dropping by. I love paranormal things, but must confess to having been a scairdy cat as a kid. Always buried my head in the pillow during those Saturday horror movie festivals my sis and mom loved. I’ll be picking a winner before the next blog post and contacting you for an address if you’re the lucky winner!