Raiz Magazine
Overview
Raíz Latinoamericana Magazine & Productions is a student-run organization that showcases Latin American artist specializing in magazine publication, film, and theater created by our very own students. The main goal of the organization is to produce a compilation of multilingual productions, that will give the opportunity for Latinx students and anyone interested in the different latinx cultures to express their voice and challenge their creativity. Raíz Latinoamericana is proud to tell the stories and the experiences that have been untold in the Emerson Latinx community, thus, breaking stereotypes, stigmas, and societal norms.
My Contributions
For the 9th edition, I collaborated with models, writers, and layout designers to define the storyline and goals of the photoshoots. I also organized the approach and set-up for my own shoot, ensuring seamless execution. Additionally, I edited 50+ photographs to fit the intended style of the magazine through Adobe Photoshop.
For the 10th edition, I produced a poem as well as various photographs in the span of three months that focused on the theme of fragments. I also collaborated with the editors to update the written works to better align with the magazine’s vision. Furthermore, I translated my piece from English to Spanish, making the writing more accessible to a wider audience.
(Pictured Above)
The photographs I took, edited, and were featured for the 9th edition.
(Down Below) The poem I wrote & the translation of it that was published in the 10th edition.
The corresponding photos I took appear after the poem.
I Don’t Have Her Eyes
I don’t have her eyes
that radiates the warmth of Mother Earth’s soft soil
and shines like the light reflected on dark, bronze waters during moonrise
and holds a wise, well-traveled woman’s turmoil.
I don’t have her nose
that is perfectly straight downhill
and snuggles your hair after a long day because she knows
and never lets her be fully ill.
I don’t have her skin
that holds heat for the bitter winter that it was never meant to feel
and imitates the color of coffee as milk is being poured
and has never had to sun heal.
I don’t have her hair
that cascades like ink on a page
and is streaked with a golden flair
and holds the sophistication from her adulthood yet also the wildness from her years in teenage.
I don’t have her body
that curves like Iztaccíhuatl who lays in Mexico and embraces you tightly, fully, with all of her love embodied
and stands tall, even in her short stature, so she can, for us, for me, create a home.
I don’t have her physicality.
She is someone whole.
I have something else, her personality.
I am pieces of her.
I have her determination
that stands tall and strong in a storm, unwavered
and gives men heart palpitations
and clears the road ahead as we are pavers.
I have her intelligence
that surrounds us with those in need
and brings us the gifts of wisdom, trust, and elegance
and grows the minds of others as we (and our advice) are their planted seeds.
I have her optimism
that sees the glistening silver lining in the, gray, cloudy days
and is so rare in this bleak modernism
and makes us a shining light because we are the sun’s rays.
I have her honesty
that is as blunt as a baseball bat
and that will help when a friend is in need, I promise thee
and deters the weak of heart as we are their fact.
I have her adventurousness
that longs for nothing more than to explore
and fills our body with youthful independence and earnestness
and enables us to bring home colorful stories as we are not anyone’s bore.
I have her fighting spirit
that burns and glints like a fire
and terrifies traditional bigots and opens up every door we glide through as we have fought for our right to desire.
I have so much of her.
Yet so much is invisible.
It’s hard to see something that isn’t reflected back in the mirror.
I hope that one day I will feel—realize—that I am my mother’s daughter
and that I am whole because I have pieces of her
that I will carry with me forever.
I hope that one day she will feel—realize—that she is the reason I am who I am
and that her soul, values, and teachings
will live on through me forever.
I don’t have her eyes
but
I have her heart, mind, and soul
and
I hope that
is enough to make her proud.
...
No Tengo sus Ojos
No tengo sus ojos
que irradian el calor de la tierra suave de la Madre Tierra
y brilla como la luz reflejada en las aguas oscuras y bronceadas durante la salida de la luna
y sostiene la agitación de una mujer sabia y bien viajada.
No tengo su nariz
que está perfectamente recta
y acurruca tu cabello después de un día largo porque ella sabe
y nunca deja se que enferme completamente.
No tengo su piel
que retiene el calor para el amargo invierno que nunca estaba destinado a sentir
e imita el color del café mientras se sirve la leche
y nunca ha tenido una quemadura solar.
No tengo su cabello
que cae en cascada como la tinta en una página
y está rayado con un toque dorado
y mantiene la sofisticación de su adultez, pero también la naturaleza salvaje de su adolescencia.
No tengo su cuerpo
que se curva como Iztaccíhuatl que está en México
y abraza firmemente, completamente, con todo su amor
y se mantiene alta, incluso con su estatura baja, para que pueda, para nosotros, para mí, crear un hogar.
No tengo su físico.
Ella es alguien completa.
Tengo algo más, su personalidad.
Soy pedazos de ella.
Tengo su determinación
que se mantiene alta y fuerte en una tormenta, inquebrantable
y lo que da palpitaciones del corazón a los hombres
y despeja el camino por delante porque somos adoquines.
Tengo su inteligencia
que nos rodea con la gente necesitada
y que nos trae los regalos de sabiduría, confianza, y elegancia
y hace crecer las mentes de los demás porque nosotros (y nuestro consejo) somos sus semillas
plantadas.
Tengo su optimismo
que ve el resquicio de esperanza reluciendo en los días nublados grises
y es tan raro en esta edad desolado y nos hace una luz brillante porque somos los rayos del sol.
Tengo su honestidad
qué es tan contundente como un bate de béisbol
y le ayudará cuando un amigo está en necesidad, le prometo
y detesta a la debilidad del corazón porque somos su realidad.
Tengo su aventurero
que quiere nada más que explorar
y llena nuestro cuerpo con la independencia juvenil
y seriedad
y nos permite traer a casa historias coloridas, porque no somos aburridas.
Tengo su espíritu de lucha
que arde y brilla como un fuego y aterroriza a los fanáticos tradicionales
y abre cada puerta que caminamos por mientras luchamos por nuestro derecho a desear.
Tengo tanto de ella.
Sin embargo, demasiado es invisible.
Es difícil ver algo que no se refleja en el espejo.
Espero que algún día me sienta—me dé cuenta—que soy la hija de mi mama
y que estoy entera porque tengo piezas de ella
que llevaré conmigo para siempre.
Espero que un día ella se sienta—se dé cuenta—que ella es la razón por la que soy quien soy
y que su alma, sus valores, y sus enseñanzas
vivirán a través de mí para siempre.
No tengo sus ojos,
pero tengo su corazón, su mente y su alma
y
espero que eso sea suficiente para que ella se sienta orgullosa.
