A Bushwick bookstore is hosting a unique event where attendees can help shape a new Spanish poetry book. On Friday, November 22nd, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., Mil Mundos Books will host Samy Nemir Olivares for a reading and interactive workshop centered around their debut book, “CuirDoRican: Between Queer and Latine”.
Nemir, a genderqueer Puerto Rican Dominican writer, poet and contributor of Bushwick Daily, describes their new book, CuirDoRican: Between Queer and Latine, as “an invitation to explore the fierce world of genderqueer trans and Latine self-liberation beyond the binary.” The book, which features poetry and journal prompts, is designed to encourage self-reflection and empowerment.
In a 2024 interview with the New York Times, Nemir discussed the importance of style as a form of self-expression, particularly for those whose voices are often marginalized. “For me, it’s not about this piece of clothing itself, but about the physical expression of our identity expressed through style, which is a spiritual & political act of resistance altogether,” Nemir shared. “For queer visibility, sometimes we don’t get to speak or even before doing so, our styles send a strong political message and communicate to the world our sense of freedom, autonomy over our lives & rejection of gender or societal norms.”
This sentiment is echoed in CuirDoRican, which encourages readers to embrace their individuality and challenge societal expectations. The book delves into themes of identity, healing, and social justice, inviting readers to “write their own story alongside it.”
“As many of you might be feeling similarly today, I have felt devastated, lost, frustrated, angered, and even depressed. Yet, in the past two years, I realized that staying stuck was not helping me, and it was impacting my wellbeing,” Nemir writes in the book’s introduction. “Until one day, I decided to see things from a different angle and leave some memories behind. I realized that I was giving some people and circumstances too much power. That’s when I started my healing and started to understand that my true power lies within, and that I -we- can’t give it away.”
Mil Mundos Books, located in the heart of Bushwick, is known for its commitment to promoting social justice and amplifying marginalized voices. The bookstore regularly hosts events that foster dialogue and community engagement, making it the perfect setting for Nemir’s interactive workshop.
Attendees are encouraged to come ready to share their own stories and contribute to the ongoing conversation around queer and Latinx identity. “CuirDoRican guides you to reflect beyond your gender and race on human identity, family dynamics, personal healing and empowerment, social justice, and our ancestral lineage of wisdom and power,” explains Nemir.
Locals in Bushwick are welcome to respond to open prompts in Samy Nemir’s new Spanish Poetry workbook entitled “CuirDoRican: Between Queer and Latine” on Friday November 22nd, 2024 at Spanish activist bookstore Mil Mundos Books at 6:30pm RSVP here.
Photo Credit for Cover Image: María Fernanda Alarcón
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