Somos Latinas

by Nuestras Voces, Centro Hispano Youth Group, Madison

I am not who they think I am…
I am not a whore
I am not a Chicana or an American
I am not the color of my skin
I am not the clothes I wear
I am not my hair
I am not a bad friend
I am not a gangster
I am not a word
I am not a stereotype
But what they do not know is that…
I am a happy loner
I am a Mexican with a sense of pride that no one can take away
I am a dancer
I am a girl who chooses ART to be her freedom instead of drugs
I am powerful because I am strong
But what they do not know is that… everyone is crazy and weird in their own way

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"Somos Latinas" is a collaborative poem by a group of young women who meet at the Centro Hispano of Dane County.

Nuestras Voces is a seven-week (June 19, 2012- August 2, 2012) leadership development program that provides a supportive space for Latina youth (ages 12 to 19) to discuss and share knowledge of cultural identity, violence prevention, emotional and physical well-being, and community involvement. Through visual art, spoken or written word, and other artistic outlets, the members of the group reflect upon their lives, dreams, and challenges they face. Along with developing creative skills, participants will be learning about each other’s unique Latina history, while developing and maintaining a support system for each other.

There are 6 core elements to the program which include: self-awareness, artistic expression, supportive space, higher education, family appreciation, community involvement. Each week has a different theme that influences the direction of the curriculum and activities. These themes include: identity, self-awareness, self-image, healthy relationships (with self, family, and romantic), and community. Within community the intent is for them to recognize their circumstances and acknowledge the power within culture, accept their situations along with their skills, knowledge and experience, and finally empower themselves, each other, their families, their community, and other communities around them.

Sonia Marroquin is the coordinator and facilitator for Nuestras Voces. She was born in Guatemala and moved to southern California when she was 3 years old. She became a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison at the age of 18 and recently graduated in May 2012 with a BS in Human Development and Family studies along with Anthropology. She has been working at Centro Hispano for a year with Nuestras Voces and, most recently, Club de Pesca(Fishing Club).

She writes: "Developing and implementing the curriculum for Nuestras Voces has been a life changing experience for various reasons, but mainly, it has given me the opportunity to witness the youth express themselves through art. Art is a powerful tool that can transcend barriers and can connect them on a mental, emotional and spiritual level. It is an extremely beautiful process and I hope other programs focused on the arts will emerge and continue to support youth, their skills, and creative process."

Her advice for similar projects: "Focus on student strengths (they are not disadvantaged, and have different advantages). Recognize and accept the power of culture. Encourage the growth into their identity. Art is a healthy way for them to express themselves and release negative and positive energies. Time and space are essential. Allow stories to be shared and heard. Art has the power to connect youth on various levels. Breaks down walls and barriers they have had to build because of their circumstance."