This book follows many women across time portraying a family’s history and story of Cubans, and a woman and her daughter trying to migrate to a better home in the USA. I did not know much about the immigration stories and history of Cubans Americans. This book showed different perspectives and experiences of why people immigrate, the many ways people immigrate, and how this impacts the rest of your family and generations to come. It was really interesting how the author weaves the story lines to explain and present the ways decisions impact later generations. A key theme Garcia was trying to convey was the differences between immigrants, in how they experienced the American system due to privileges and what nation they originally came from.
The most interesting for me to read about was the racial discussion amongst Cubans. How there is a divide and privilege between Black/African descent Cubans, and European Cubans. I was not aware of the clear racism between Cubans. Garcia did a great job in showing how this racism and division has transferred to the USA. That the assumed race and appearance of a Cuban is white and some Cubans actively distance themselves from anything to do with being Latino or brown. A important quote that captures this notion:
“I’m not Latino, I’m Cuban”, they will say. By which they mean, I am white, another kind of white you don’t know about, outsider – 141pg
The racial tensions that exist across the Americas is very prevalent. The supposed idea of what a Brazilian, or Mexican, or Cuban is thought of to be usually erases Black/African descendants from the country. Garcia truly captures this in her character Jeanette who is Cuban American. Her ideas of what Cuba is like is based on American idealistic ideas of Cuba, and this is similar for many nations in the Americas. The Cuban image erases Black people from Cuba which is why when Jeanette sees a documentary that includes Black Cubans this was a surprise to her. She did not know there are Black Cubans. As she grows up and sees more of the world as it is, she sees the racism when she visits Cuba, and her Grandmother who is clearly prejudice towards Black Cubans. The ignoring of African descents and presence in Cuba is also made clear by Garcia in this quote especially.
Don’t ask my mother about her curly hair. Don’t ask my mother about some of her features. Don’t ask her why she hates to tan – 141pg
This was one of my key take-aways from this book. Another character which is appreciated and learnt a lot from is Gloria. Gloria is from El Salvador and has illegally entered USA via car boot and this is her second attempt living in America. She was detained by ICE and separated from her daughter Ana. The experience of being in a ICE facility and the lack of individuality to the people detained was shocking to read. How everyone is swept under the same rug and dropped off in Mexico with no care where they are actually from or investigating their background. It was sad to witness the survival mode Gloria and Ana had to go through as they remained in Mexico and as going ‘home’ was not a option for them. The interesting aspect of Gloria’s perspective was her view of America. She makes the connection between the violence of her country and American intervention. Violence in weapon distribution and the dollar causing unrest poverty, death, and violence in her country.
At least we are safer here. I fled the person who killed my brother. Simmering violence. A government whose response was to militarize the streets. Of course with US help. Of course they don’t talk about this on the news – 88pg
I’m afraid of how I survive in a country where the official currency is the US dollar and farmers can barely afford the abane for the milpas but the rich hire private security firms. I’m afraid every moment of everyday, thinking about Ana, thinking about my life if it’s not here […] – 88pg [Gloria speaking whilst living in USA]
This book was powerful and intentional with the voices placed in this book. I respect the contrast of experiences between immigrants from Cuba to the El Salvador. It is important to see the diverse experiences and reasoning for immigration. The Caribbean experience of moving to Western nations is a key part of history. The decision to leave your nation/island, and the repercussions of that on your family and future generations. It is a running theme I have witnessed in Caribbean literature. The tale of a family member or neighbour to leave for a ‘better life’, money or education. Even though most of this story is based in USA it reflects the thinking, survival, and experiences of Caribbean people including when they leave their home/island.
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