What Legacy Do We Carry?
On November 11th, my new poetic series, "Until Proven Innocent," begins its monthly release. This collection of eight poems shifts focus from personal regret to the pressing public reality facing those of Hispanic heritage in the current political climate; the feeling that simply possessing a brown skin or a Hispanic name is treated as an infraction, where citizenship and belonging must be proven daily.
This series confronts the visceral and constant sense of fear; the chilling knowledge that none of us are safe from suspicion, and even documented citizens face the difficulty of proving their rights against an invisible, accusing system.
The Launch: "Vet's Camo" (November 11th)
The "Until Proven Innocent" journey launches on Veteran's Day with the first title: "Vet's Camo." This piece sets the stage not for the political battle ahead, but for the personal identity that informs it. It is an exploration of my memory, my service, and the complex identity I carry into the home, grounding the subsequent poems in a fierce and undeniable personal history.
The Emotional Scope of the Series
Released sequentially over the next seven months, the core of this collection dives into the specific emotional and political struggles faced by those targeted for their background, blending resilience with defiance:
We explore the constant anxiety where simple acts of living are perceived as criminal, demanding fear and resilience from the subject.
These poems feature a confrontation, an internal dialogue between the self and the accusing, omnipresent "system" that assigns guilt before evidence.
One piece centers on Navidad, celebrating cultural pride and heritage as an act of defiance against contempt or cultural erasure.
The series offers a challenge to those who choose assimilation over cultural solidarity, examining the cost of separating one’s identity from the community.
One poem confronts external criticism of the work itself, asserting that this poetry is not written for those who seek to judge or dismiss the experience it chronicles.
Ultimately, "Until Proven Innocent" is a declaration. It is a raw, unflinching look at the daily truth of being seen as suspect, and a defiant assertion that our heritage is not a crime.
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