WEBVTT
00:02.733 --> 00:05.200 align:left position:12.5%,start line:5% size:77.5%
- Thank you so much for
coming here to Centro tonight.
00:05.300 --> 00:08.066 align:left position:17.5%,start line:5% size:72.5%
I see a lot of new faces,
which is really refreshing
00:08.166 --> 00:13.400 align:left position:10%,start line:5% size:80%
because as an agency that's been
in this community for 33 years,
00:13.500 --> 00:16.700 align:left position:27.5%,start line:5% size:62.5%
we strive to create
community here.
00:16.800 --> 00:18.566 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
I've been at Centro
for about three years,
00:18.666 --> 00:19.966 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
and there have been
significant changes
00:20.066 --> 00:23.666 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
in the way our Latino families
and our neighbors have grown
00:23.766 --> 00:25.866 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
and established themselves here.
00:25.966 --> 00:28.400 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
But our task is still
very much the same.
00:28.500 --> 00:32.000 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
We continue to focus on
programs that strengthen youth,
00:32.100 --> 00:34.233 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
strengthen adults, and
strengthen neighborhoods
00:34.333 --> 00:36.233 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
because our job
is yet to be finished.
00:36.333 --> 00:37.533 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5%
And I think
00:37.633 --> 00:40.366 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
a lot of rhetoric that you hear
out there points to that.
00:40.466 --> 00:42.300 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
That there's a need
to strengthen our families
00:42.400 --> 00:43.633 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
and to have events like this
00:43.733 --> 00:46.500 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
where we bring this conversation
to those in the community
00:46.600 --> 00:49.100 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
that perhaps
don't know enough about us.
00:49.200 --> 00:52.033 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
So, tonight, I'm very proud that
we have here
00:52.133 --> 00:54.033 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
such a wonderful voice in Reyna.
00:54.133 --> 00:57.733 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
She's such a wonderful voice
in our Latino community,
00:57.833 --> 01:00.333 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
and we get to share her with you
01:00.433 --> 01:01.933 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
so that you become
even more familiar
01:02.033 --> 01:05.100 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
with the complex dreams
of our families in Wisconsin
01:05.200 --> 01:07.566 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
and the families that we
serve here in Centro.
01:07.666 --> 01:09.166 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
And they're complex because
01:09.266 --> 01:12.566 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
they are the dreams of fathers,
of mothers, of children,
01:12.666 --> 01:16.433 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
intertwined with challenges,
life passages, and so on.
01:16.533 --> 01:18.600 align:left position:35%,start line:89% size:55%
So, you know,
01:18.700 --> 01:22.500 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
I heard Reyna speak
at the Madison Public Library.
01:22.600 --> 01:23.866 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
I guess it was last winter.
01:23.966 --> 01:26.300 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
It was really, really cold.
[laughter]
01:26.400 --> 01:27.966 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
Araceli Esparza, who's here,
01:28.066 --> 01:30.400 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
who's a beautiful
artist in this community,
01:30.500 --> 01:33.966 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
invited me to come and
introduced me to Reyna.
01:34.066 --> 01:35.500 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
And what I felt in that
01:35.600 --> 01:38.433 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
reading is that I had a
connection to her and her story.
01:38.533 --> 01:41.366 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
And no matter how cold it was,
I felt like I was at home.
01:41.466 --> 01:43.033 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
And I think that's
what her book does
01:43.133 --> 01:44.366 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
to so many in our community.
01:44.466 --> 01:48.866 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
So, Reyna Grande, as you may
have read on her website,
01:48.966 --> 01:51.800 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
is an award winning
novelist and memoirist.
01:51.900 --> 01:54.700 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
She has received an
American Book Award,
01:54.800 --> 01:56.700 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
the El Premio Aztlán
Literary Award,
01:56.800 --> 01:59.466 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
and the International
Latino Book Award.
01:59.566 --> 02:01.566 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
In 2012, she was a finalist
02:01.666 --> 02:04.966 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
for the prestigious National
Book Critics Circle Awards,
02:05.066 --> 02:09.700 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
and in 2015, she was honored
with a Luis Leal Award
02:09.800 --> 02:12.833 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
for Distinction in
Chicano/Latino Literature.
02:12.933 --> 02:15.300 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
Her novels,
"Across a Hundred Mountains,"
02:15.400 --> 02:17.000 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
and "Dancing with Butterflies,"
02:17.100 --> 02:18.566 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
were published
to critical acclaim.
02:18.666 --> 02:22.800 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
Now, "The Distance Between Us,"
her latest memoir,
02:22.900 --> 02:24.066 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
reflects on her life
02:24.166 --> 02:28.033 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
before and after immigrating
from Mexico to the US.
02:28.133 --> 02:29.966 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
Before we go on
and welcome Reyna,
02:30.066 --> 02:32.200 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
I also want to thank our
sponsors for tonight,
02:32.300 --> 02:34.966 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
without whom we wouldn't
be able to do this.
02:35.066 --> 02:37.566 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
Wisconsin Public Television,
our presenting sponsor,
02:37.666 --> 02:39.066 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
they're taping
the event tonight.
02:39.166 --> 02:41.133 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
The University of Wisconsin-
Madison
02:41.233 --> 02:44.066 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
Latin American, Caribbean,
and Iberian Studies program,
02:44.166 --> 02:46.900 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
the International Division
of the University,
02:47.000 --> 02:49.566 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
the Collaborative
for Education Research
02:49.666 --> 02:51.400 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
at University of Wisconsin-
Madison,
02:51.500 --> 02:53.400 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
otherwise known as
"The Network,"
02:53.500 --> 02:55.200 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
Grzeca Law Group Inc.,
02:55.300 --> 02:57.733 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
Madison Magazine,
the Cap Times,
02:57.833 --> 03:01.200 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
the Madison Reading Project,
andBravaMagazine.
03:01.300 --> 03:04.866 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
And lastly, I also want to thank
Food Fight Restaurant Group
03:04.966 --> 03:06.300 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5%
for donating the food tonight.
03:06.400 --> 03:08.266 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
If you hadn't had a chance
to taste it,
03:08.366 --> 03:11.933 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
go ahead and go to the back,
after the reading and Q&A,
03:12.033 --> 03:14.466 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
to have a little more.
03:14.566 --> 03:17.966 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
But without any further delay,
I want to welcome Reyna Grande
03:18.066 --> 03:20.866 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
and give her a big, warm
welcome from Madison again.
03:20.966 --> 03:23.966 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5%
[applause]
03:34.033 --> 03:37.366 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
- If you don't speak Spanish,
let me tell you that
03:37.466 --> 03:40.466 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
the name Reyna Grande
means "Big Queen."
03:40.566 --> 03:41.966 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5%
[laughter]
03:42.066 --> 03:44.366 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
It's a very hard name
to live with
03:44.466 --> 03:46.833 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
when you're only five feet tall,
let me tell you.
03:46.933 --> 03:48.000 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5%
[laughter]
03:48.100 --> 03:51.533 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
I don't know what
my mother was thinking,
03:51.633 --> 03:55.300 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
but I do have an aunt whose
name is Empress Grande.
03:55.400 --> 03:57.366 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
The "Big Empress."
[laughter]
03:57.466 --> 03:58.433 align:left position:27.5%,start line:89% size:62.5%
Emperatriz Grande.
03:58.533 --> 04:00.133 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
So, yeah, I think the Grandes
04:00.233 --> 04:02.133 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
are obsessed with royalty
or something.
04:02.233 --> 04:04.333 align:left position:35%,start line:83% size:55%
I don't know.
[laughter]
04:04.433 --> 04:08.933 align:left position:17.5%,start line:5% size:72.5%
So I am very, very, very
honored to be here tonight.
04:09.033 --> 04:12.233 align:left position:17.5%,start line:5% size:72.5%
I think one question
you might be wondering is,
04:12.333 --> 04:15.200 align:left position:25%,start line:5% size:65%
how often do
I come to Wisconsin?
04:15.300 --> 04:17.300 align:left position:22.5%,start line:5% size:67.5%
And I have to tell you
that I've been coming
04:17.400 --> 04:19.400 align:left position:22.5%,start line:5% size:67.5%
for the past 12 years.
04:19.500 --> 04:21.100 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
My husband is from Wisconsin.
04:21.200 --> 04:22.433 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
He was born in Racine.
04:22.533 --> 04:26.366 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
And I think he was made
in Madison because
04:26.466 --> 04:30.533 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
this is where my father-in-law
and mother-in-law met,
04:30.633 --> 04:32.900 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
here at the university.
[laughter]
04:33.000 --> 04:35.000 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
And they lived here for a while,
04:35.100 --> 04:38.966 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
and then my husband was born in
Racine, not too long afterward.
04:39.066 --> 04:40.933 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60%
So he has family.
04:41.033 --> 04:46.466 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
Grandma lives in Cambridge,
which is not too far from here.
04:46.566 --> 04:48.533 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
And then the rest of the family
04:48.633 --> 04:52.466 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
lives in the woods
in Manitowish Waters,
04:52.566 --> 04:55.966 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
which is actually one of my
favorite places in the world now
04:56.066 --> 04:58.300 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5%
because it's really beautiful.
04:58.400 --> 05:01.833 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
So, I feel very much at home
here in Wisconsin
05:01.933 --> 05:04.000 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
since I've been coming
for 12 years.
05:04.100 --> 05:06.500 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
I do enjoy the summers
a lot more than the winters,
05:06.600 --> 05:09.300 align:left position:32.5%,start line:89% size:57.5%
I have to say.
05:09.400 --> 05:10.600 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5%
[laughter]
05:10.700 --> 05:13.466 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
But it's always a wonderful
place to come and visit,
05:13.566 --> 05:17.833 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
and I always feel very, very
welcomed when I come here.
05:17.933 --> 05:23.166 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
So, I want to thank Karen and
Centro Hispano for inviting me
05:23.266 --> 05:29.066 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
to be here tonight to
share my story with you.
05:29.166 --> 05:34.900 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
I say that as an immigrant
and also as a writer,
05:35.000 --> 05:39.366 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
it is such a privilege
to be asked to share my story
05:39.466 --> 05:42.466 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
and to feel that
my voice is being heard
05:42.566 --> 05:46.266 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
because immigrants struggle
to have our voices heard,
05:46.366 --> 05:49.633 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
and writers also struggle
to have our voices heard.
05:49.733 --> 05:52.666 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60%
So it is such an
honor to be here.
05:52.766 --> 05:57.366 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
I want to thank Karen and Centro
Hispano and also our sponsors
05:57.466 --> 06:00.033 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
because they're the ones who
make this event possible.
06:00.133 --> 06:03.633 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
And also thank you for being
here tonight because without you
06:03.733 --> 06:05.200 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70%
it wouldn't be an event.
06:05.300 --> 06:07.833 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
So, thank you so much.
06:07.933 --> 06:11.200 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
Ultimately, my dream
for all of us
06:11.300 --> 06:14.900 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
is for our voices to be heard
06:15.000 --> 06:18.400 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
and to feel that
our stories matter.
06:18.500 --> 06:23.000 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
So, tonight's event is called
"An Evening of Dreaming," and
06:23.100 --> 06:26.833 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
I want to thank you, too, for
coming here to celebrate dreams,
06:26.933 --> 06:29.900 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
especially the immigrant dream.
06:30.000 --> 06:32.400 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
So you might know this already,
06:32.500 --> 06:35.566 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
but immigrants are
the biggest dreamers.
06:35.666 --> 06:39.366 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
And it takes a lot of faith
to hold on
06:39.466 --> 06:41.200 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
and to believe in a dream.
06:41.300 --> 06:44.833 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
It takes a lot of tenacity
and perseverance
06:44.933 --> 06:48.800 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
and something that,
in Spanish, is calledganas.
06:48.900 --> 06:53.633 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
Ganas: to turn a dream
into a reality.
06:53.733 --> 06:56.466 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
So, tonight, I'm going to be
talking to you about
06:56.566 --> 06:59.633 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
my latest book, which is
"The Distance Between Us,"
06:59.733 --> 07:01.800 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
and the book came out
a few years ago
07:01.900 --> 07:06.333 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
and it has gone on to have
a really wonderful journey.
07:06.433 --> 07:09.166 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
Many universities across
the country
07:09.266 --> 07:11.433 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
have chosen
"The Distance Between Us"
07:11.533 --> 07:14.400 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
for their freshman read
or for their common read.
07:14.500 --> 07:19.166 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
Communities across the US
have picked the book
07:19.266 --> 07:21.833 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
for their
One Book, One Community.
07:21.933 --> 07:25.100 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
A few years ago, the state of
Maryland chose
07:25.200 --> 07:26.500 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70%
"The Distance Between Us"
07:26.600 --> 07:28.700 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
for their
One Book, One Maryland,
07:28.800 --> 07:31.900 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
and that was such a fantastic
thing for a whole state, right,
07:32.000 --> 07:33.333 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60%
to pick my book.
07:33.433 --> 07:37.133 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
And, granted, Maryland
is a little state.
07:37.233 --> 07:38.133 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5%
[laughter]
07:38.233 --> 07:39.800 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
But it's still kind of
cool to say
07:39.900 --> 07:42.366 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
that a state
was reading my book.
07:42.466 --> 07:43.600 align:left position:40%,start line:89% size:50%
So, yeah.
07:43.700 --> 07:47.233 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
So now "The Distance Between Us"
07:47.333 --> 07:50.966 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
is getting republished
for young readers.
07:51.066 --> 07:55.333 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
I did write the
book for an adult audience.
07:55.433 --> 07:58.300 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
And this September,
the book is being reissued
07:58.400 --> 08:02.700 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
by Simon & Schuster's
children's division, Aladdin,
08:02.800 --> 08:04.033 align:left position:27.5%,start line:89% size:62.5%
for young readers.
08:04.133 --> 08:08.533 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
So it's going to be available
for 10- to 14-year-olds.
08:08.633 --> 08:12.700 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
So that, to me, has been
a really wonderful experience
08:12.800 --> 08:17.566 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
because I really think it's
important for our young people
08:17.666 --> 08:20.100 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
to have a mirror in which
they could see themselves.
08:20.200 --> 08:24.433 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60%
And I struggled
as an immigrant--
08:24.533 --> 08:26.566 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
As a child immigrant,
08:26.666 --> 08:30.400 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
I always struggled to find books
that I could relate to.
08:30.500 --> 08:35.433 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
And a lot of the books that I
read when I was learning English
08:35.533 --> 08:36.800 align:left position:32.5%,start line:89% size:57.5%
were books like
08:36.900 --> 08:40.133 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
"Sweet Valley High"
and "The Babysitter's Club."
08:40.233 --> 08:41.266 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5%
[laughter]
08:41.366 --> 08:43.500 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
And, you know,
there were no Latino characters
08:43.600 --> 08:45.866 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
in those books,
and it was really hard for me.
08:45.966 --> 08:49.133 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
And I always asked myself,
where am I?
08:49.233 --> 08:50.633 align:left position:32.5%,start line:89% size:57.5%
Do I not exist?
08:50.733 --> 08:53.366 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
Because I couldn't see myself
in those books.
08:53.466 --> 08:54.600 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
So that's why, for me, like
08:54.700 --> 08:58.366 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
it's really special
to be able to have this book
08:58.466 --> 09:02.533 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
and to offer it as a mirror
for our Latino youth.
09:02.633 --> 09:05.566 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
And then, for our
non-immigrant youth,
09:05.666 --> 09:08.233 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5%
to be able to share this story
09:08.333 --> 09:12.466 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
so that they can understand,
you know, their peers,
09:12.566 --> 09:15.233 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
the other students
that they go to school with.
09:15.333 --> 09:17.500 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
And I'm really hoping that,
you know,
09:17.600 --> 09:22.100 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
this will help to remind
our young people
09:22.200 --> 09:24.666 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
where they come from
09:24.766 --> 09:27.166 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
and to recognize, you know,
as Joe mentioned earlier,
09:27.266 --> 09:29.166 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
that this is
a nation of immigrants
09:29.266 --> 09:31.100 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
and we did come from somewhere.
09:31.200 --> 09:35.466 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
So this is what I'm going
to be speaking to you about,
09:35.566 --> 09:37.900 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
is about
"The Distance Between Us."
09:38.000 --> 09:40.833 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
And in the book,
I write about dreams.
09:40.933 --> 09:42.700 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5%
That is the theme of the book.
09:42.800 --> 09:47.866 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
And there's a quote that
I start the book with that says:
09:47.966 --> 09:51.100 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
"Nothing happens
unless first we dream."
09:51.200 --> 09:54.133 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
And that is from the poet
Carl Sandburg.
09:54.233 --> 09:57.300 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And I do believe with all my
heart that nothing happens
09:57.400 --> 09:59.433 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
unless first we dream.
09:59.533 --> 10:04.100 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
And I am where I am today
because of the dreams
10:04.200 --> 10:06.700 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5%
that my family dared to dream.
10:06.800 --> 10:09.866 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And I'm sure that all of you
are where you are today
10:09.966 --> 10:11.700 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
for the same reason.
10:11.800 --> 10:13.800 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70%
Because we dare to dream.
10:13.900 --> 10:17.000 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
So I'm going to show you
just some pictures
10:17.100 --> 10:19.933 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
as I go along with my talk.
10:20.033 --> 10:22.066 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
And then, after I'm done--
10:22.166 --> 10:25.233 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
Oh, I'm going to read a couple
of excerpts from the book,
10:25.333 --> 10:27.866 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
and then when I'm done,
I'll open it up for questions.
10:27.966 --> 10:29.333 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
So if you guys
have any questions,
10:29.433 --> 10:31.666 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
feel free to ask me
anything you want
10:31.766 --> 10:33.766 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
because I'm literally
an open book.
10:33.866 --> 10:36.166 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5%
[laughter]
10:36.266 --> 10:40.600 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5%
So, my journey began in Mexico
10:40.700 --> 10:45.033 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60%
in a city called
Iguala Guerrero.
10:45.133 --> 10:47.766 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
And Iguala Guerrero is known as
10:47.866 --> 10:51.233 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
the birthplace
of the Mexican flag.
10:51.333 --> 10:54.766 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
So it's like the Philadelphia
of Mexico.
10:54.866 --> 10:58.433 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
So it's "Cuna de la
bandera nacional."
10:58.533 --> 10:59.666 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
So, like Philadelphia,
10:59.766 --> 11:03.700 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
it's also about three hours
from the capital.
11:03.800 --> 11:09.333 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
But unlike when you drive from,
you know, Philadelphia to DC,
11:09.433 --> 11:12.133 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
when you drive
from Mexico City to Iguala,
11:12.233 --> 11:16.733 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
you actually feel like you're
driving into another world
11:16.833 --> 11:18.633 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
because the two couldn't be,
11:18.733 --> 11:21.033 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
you know, so different.
11:21.133 --> 11:25.366 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
Mexico City is a big city
with millions of people.
11:25.466 --> 11:27.866 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
A metropolitan with
a lot of culture too.
11:27.966 --> 11:29.400 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
You know,
a lot of old buildings.
11:29.500 --> 11:35.333 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
But it's very, very different
than when you come into my city,
11:35.433 --> 11:38.566 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
which is very small
and very, very poor.
11:38.666 --> 11:41.233 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
One of the things
that we do boast is that
11:41.333 --> 11:44.966 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
the biggest Mexican flag
in the country
11:45.066 --> 11:48.566 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5%
flies over the city of Iguala.
11:48.666 --> 11:51.633 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
And it's surrounded by
very beautiful mountains,
11:51.733 --> 11:54.966 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
and I'm sure those of you
who've read my first book
11:55.066 --> 11:56.233 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
"Across a Hundred Mountains,"
11:56.333 --> 11:57.966 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
and also in
"The Distance Between Us"
11:58.066 --> 11:59.733 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
I write about the mountains
11:59.833 --> 12:03.100 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
because they played a big part
in my childhood.
12:03.200 --> 12:07.300 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
Iguala, like I said,
is, you know, very, very poor
12:07.400 --> 12:11.033 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
because it's located
in the state of Guerrero.
12:11.133 --> 12:14.900 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
And Guerrero is the second
poorest state in Mexico.
12:15.000 --> 12:18.766 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
70% of the population
there lives in poverty.
12:18.866 --> 12:22.566 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
When you're driving from Mexico
City from the airport to Iguala,
12:22.666 --> 12:25.333 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
that's the first thing you see
when you enter the city is
12:25.433 --> 12:28.533 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5%
a lot of dirt roads and shacks
12:28.633 --> 12:31.966 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
and most people there are still
living without running water.
12:32.066 --> 12:34.933 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
And some people are still living
there with no electricity.
12:35.033 --> 12:38.266 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
So there hasn't been
a lot of progress.
12:38.366 --> 12:41.233 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And once in a while you hear
that Mexico is doing better
12:41.333 --> 12:44.033 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
or that the economy
is doing better,
12:44.133 --> 12:46.300 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
but that's true like
in big cities
12:46.400 --> 12:49.033 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
like Mexico City or Guadalajara,
12:49.133 --> 12:53.000 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
but that progress never
really reaches little places
12:53.100 --> 12:56.833 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
like Guerrero, like Iguala.
12:56.933 --> 12:59.300 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
There's so many things
happening in my city
12:59.400 --> 13:01.800 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5%
that I want to tell you about.
13:01.900 --> 13:06.366 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
First, is that
due to heroin epidemic
13:06.466 --> 13:09.266 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
that we're dealing with
here in the US,
13:09.366 --> 13:12.566 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60%
that has affected
my city in Iguala
13:12.666 --> 13:14.866 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
because Guerrero--
Because, you know,
13:14.966 --> 13:18.800 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
Mexico is the number one
supplier of heroin to the US,
13:18.900 --> 13:22.600 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
and the state of Guerrero
grows the most crops
13:22.700 --> 13:24.133 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
for the heroin trade.
13:24.233 --> 13:25.966 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
So, my city of Iguala
13:26.066 --> 13:29.066 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
is a distribution center
for the Cartel.
13:29.166 --> 13:33.800 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
And there are about
200 pounds of heroin paste
13:33.900 --> 13:36.433 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
that gets shipped
out of Iguala every week
13:36.533 --> 13:40.500 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
and delivered to places
like Los Angeles and Chicago.
13:40.600 --> 13:42.333 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
So that is one thing
13:42.433 --> 13:45.400 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
that the mountains
that surround my hometown
13:45.500 --> 13:49.033 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
are now covered in poppy fields.
13:49.133 --> 13:51.333 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
And the other thing
about Guerrero,
13:51.433 --> 13:53.833 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
in addition to being
the second poorest state,
13:53.933 --> 13:57.666 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
it's also now the most violent
state in Mexico.
13:57.766 --> 14:00.600 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
And so when you enter my city,
the first thing you see
14:00.700 --> 14:03.666 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
are the federal police
patrolling the city.
14:03.766 --> 14:07.500 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
There are no state police
and no local police anymore.
14:07.600 --> 14:08.900 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
They have been removed.
14:09.000 --> 14:10.566 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5%
So now it's the federal police
14:10.666 --> 14:13.133 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
that's always
patrolling the city.
14:13.233 --> 14:16.866 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
And you will also see
the city hall in Iguala,
14:16.966 --> 14:21.600 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
which burned down,
is now being repaired
14:21.700 --> 14:23.900 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
after it got burned down
during a protest.
14:24.000 --> 14:27.366 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
And Iguala has now
become a place
14:27.466 --> 14:31.533 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
where college students
can disappear overnight.
14:31.633 --> 14:34.466 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
Just like what happened in 2014
14:34.566 --> 14:37.766 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
where 43 students disappeared
in my hometown,
14:37.866 --> 14:40.566 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
and to this day
they have not been found.
14:40.666 --> 14:43.233 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
We still don't know
what happened to them.
14:43.333 --> 14:48.866 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
Many people have been arrested,
but nobody has been tried yet.
14:48.966 --> 14:51.466 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And there's still
so many unanswered questions,
14:51.566 --> 14:53.033 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
and the Mexican government
14:53.133 --> 14:56.366 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
continues to sabotage
the investigation.
14:56.466 --> 15:01.300 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
And, again, we still don't know
where the students were taken
15:01.400 --> 15:03.866 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
or why or what happened to them.
15:03.966 --> 15:05.966 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
And that has really
affected the city.
15:06.066 --> 15:07.200 align:left position:40%,start line:89% size:50%
You know?
15:07.300 --> 15:11.033 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
The feel of the city,
the people who live there.
15:11.133 --> 15:15.333 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
So it's been a tragedy
that, you know,
15:15.433 --> 15:17.733 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
because we still don't know
what happened,
15:17.833 --> 15:21.366 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
it's still very raw
and very painful
15:21.466 --> 15:24.066 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
and people there can't move on.
15:24.166 --> 15:25.566 align:left position:27.5%,start line:89% size:62.5%
They can't move on.
15:25.666 --> 15:26.833 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60%
They can't heal.
15:26.933 --> 15:31.166 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
And also due to the
disappearance of the students,
15:31.266 --> 15:37.766 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
more and more disappeared
have been--
15:37.866 --> 15:39.033 align:left position:32.5%,start line:89% size:57.5%
What can I say?
15:39.133 --> 15:41.000 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
More people who have families
who have disappeared
15:41.100 --> 15:43.500 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
have come out and said,
you know, it's not--
15:43.600 --> 15:44.800 align:left position:27.5%,start line:89% size:62.5%
It wasn't just 43.
15:44.900 --> 15:48.933 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
It's actually thousands
and thousands of disappeared
15:49.033 --> 15:50.000 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5%
in Mexico.
15:50.100 --> 15:53.433 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
And the mountains
that surround my hometown
15:53.533 --> 15:55.866 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
are covered in graves.
15:55.966 --> 15:58.666 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
So, to this day, ever since
the students disappeared,
15:58.766 --> 16:02.133 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
they found over 120 mass graves
16:02.233 --> 16:04.066 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60%
around the place
where I grew up.
16:04.166 --> 16:08.266 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
So that is my Iguala.
That's my hometown.
16:08.366 --> 16:10.400 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And I talk about this
because it's really important
16:10.500 --> 16:14.766 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
to always know, like, you know,
where immigrants come from.
16:14.866 --> 16:16.133 align:left position:42.5%,start line:89% size:47.5%
Right?
16:16.233 --> 16:20.733 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
And what is happening in
their towns and their countries
16:20.833 --> 16:23.200 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5%
that is causing the migration.
16:23.300 --> 16:25.500 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
So, with my family, you know,
16:25.600 --> 16:28.066 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
a lot of these things
hadn't happened yet.
16:28.166 --> 16:31.766 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
My family immigrated here due to
16:31.866 --> 16:35.533 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
the economy and the poverty
and the lack of opportunities.
16:35.633 --> 16:38.766 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
But now that the people that are
migrating from my hometown
16:38.866 --> 16:41.166 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
are migrating for not just the
poverty,
16:41.266 --> 16:45.566 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
but now because of
the violence and the stability
16:45.666 --> 16:48.533 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
and all of these things
that are happening in my town.
16:48.633 --> 16:55.666 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
So, back then, in Iguala,
I lived there with my family,
16:55.766 --> 16:58.033 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
and it was me,
I was the youngest,
16:58.133 --> 17:01.433 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
and my brother, Carlos,
and my sister, Mago.
17:01.533 --> 17:05.666 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
And the three of us,
we lived with our mother.
17:05.766 --> 17:09.466 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
And, for me, you know,
this picture is really special
17:09.566 --> 17:12.300 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60%
because that was
the last picture
17:12.400 --> 17:14.933 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
that we took with my mother.
17:15.033 --> 17:17.333 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
And one day,
things changed for the family,
17:17.433 --> 17:20.133 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60%
and that's where
I start the book.
17:20.233 --> 17:24.400 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
The day when everything changed
for me and my siblings.
17:24.500 --> 17:27.633 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
So I'm going to read to you
the very beginning of
17:27.733 --> 17:29.166 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70%
"The Distance Between Us"
17:29.266 --> 17:33.033 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
just to introduce you
to the story
17:33.133 --> 17:38.466 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
and to the day
that changed my life.
17:41.700 --> 17:45.733 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
My father's mother,
Abuela Evila,
17:45.833 --> 17:49.233 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
liked to scare us
with stories of La Llorona,
17:49.333 --> 17:53.100 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
the weeping woman who roams the
canal and steals children away.
17:53.200 --> 17:56.166 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
She would say that
if we didn't behave,
17:56.266 --> 17:59.200 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
La Llorona would take us
far away
17:59.300 --> 18:02.600 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
where we would never see
our parents again.
18:02.700 --> 18:05.400 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
My other grandmother,
Abuelita Chinta,
18:05.500 --> 18:08.500 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
would tell us not to be afraid
of La Llorona.
18:08.600 --> 18:12.000 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
That if we prayed,
God, La Virgen, and the saints
18:12.100 --> 18:14.233 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
would protect us from her.
18:14.333 --> 18:16.166 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
Neither of my grandmothers
told us
18:16.266 --> 18:18.933 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
that there's something
more powerful than La Llorona,
18:19.033 --> 18:23.400 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
a power that takes away parents,
not children.
18:23.500 --> 18:26.900 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
It is called the United States.
18:27.000 --> 18:29.866 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
In 1980,
when I was four years old,
18:29.966 --> 18:32.666 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
I didn't know yet
where the United States was
18:32.766 --> 18:36.000 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
or why everyone in my hometown
of Iguala, Guerrero,
18:36.100 --> 18:39.833 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
referred to it as El Otro Lado,
the Other Side.
18:39.933 --> 18:42.466 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
What I knew back then
was that El Otro Lado
18:42.566 --> 18:45.066 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
had already
taken my father away.
18:45.166 --> 18:48.166 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
What I knew was that
prayers didn't work
18:48.266 --> 18:49.666 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
because if they did,
18:49.766 --> 18:54.133 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
El Otro Lado wouldn't be
taking my mother away, too.
18:54.233 --> 18:56.566 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
It was January 1980.
18:56.666 --> 19:00.066 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
The following month,
my mother would be turning 30,
19:00.166 --> 19:03.566 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
but she wouldn't be celebrating
her birthday with us.
19:03.666 --> 19:06.666 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
I clutched on
my mother's dress and asked,
19:06.766 --> 19:09.066 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
"How long will you be gone?"
19:09.166 --> 19:12.166 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60%
"Not too long,"
was her response.
19:12.266 --> 19:14.100 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
She closed the latch
on the small suitcase
19:14.200 --> 19:17.433 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
she had bought secondhand
for her trip to El Otro Lado,
19:17.533 --> 19:21.566 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
and I knew the hour had come
for her to leave.
19:21.666 --> 19:26.100 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
"It's time to go," Mami said
as she picked up her suitcase.
19:26.200 --> 19:28.600 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
My sister Mago,
my brother Carlos, and I
19:28.700 --> 19:31.133 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
grabbed the plastic
bags filled with our clothes.
19:31.233 --> 19:33.633 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
We stood at the threshold
of the little house
19:33.733 --> 19:36.800 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
we had been renting
from a man named Don Ruben
19:36.900 --> 19:39.500 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
and looked around us
one more time.
19:39.600 --> 19:41.733 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
Mami's brothers were packing our
belongings
19:41.833 --> 19:44.400 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
to be stored
at my grandmother's house:
19:44.500 --> 19:46.433 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
a refrigerator that didn't work,
19:46.533 --> 19:48.233 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
but that Mami
hoped to fix one day,
19:48.333 --> 19:53.900 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
the bed Mago and I had shared
with Mami ever since Papi left,
19:54.000 --> 19:57.333 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
the wardrobe we decorated with
El Chavo del Ocho stickers
19:57.433 --> 20:01.000 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
to hide the places where
the paint had peeled off.
20:01.100 --> 20:03.133 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
The house was almost empty now.
20:03.233 --> 20:04.433 align:left position:32.5%,start line:89% size:57.5%
Later that day,
20:04.533 --> 20:07.166 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
Mami would be handing the key
back to Don Ruben,
20:07.266 --> 20:11.766 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
and this would no longer be
our home, but someone else's.
20:11.866 --> 20:14.166 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
As we were about to step
into the sunlight,
20:14.266 --> 20:16.133 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
I caught a glimpse of Papi.
20:16.233 --> 20:19.566 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
My uncle was putting
a photo of him into a box.
20:19.666 --> 20:22.766 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
I ran to take the photo
from my uncle.
20:22.866 --> 20:24.900 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
"Why are you taking that?"
Mami said,
20:25.000 --> 20:28.533 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
as we headed down the dirt road
to Papi's mother's house
20:28.633 --> 20:30.433 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
where we'd be living
from then on.
20:30.533 --> 20:32.900 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
"He's my Papi," I said,
20:33.000 --> 20:36.300 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
and I clutched the frame
tight against my chest.
20:36.400 --> 20:38.166 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70%
"I know that," Mami said.
20:38.266 --> 20:41.666 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
"Your grandmother has pictures
of your father at her house.
20:41.766 --> 20:44.200 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
You don't need to take
that photo with you."
20:44.300 --> 20:48.266 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
"But this is my Papi,"
I told her again.
20:48.366 --> 20:49.833 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
She didn't understand that
20:49.933 --> 20:52.633 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
this paper face
behind a wall of glass
20:52.733 --> 20:56.300 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
was the only father
I had ever known.
20:56.400 --> 20:59.200 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
I was two years old
when my father left.
20:59.300 --> 21:04.800 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
The year before, the peso was
devalued 45% to the US dollar.
21:04.900 --> 21:06.066 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
It was the beginning
21:06.166 --> 21:09.700 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
of the worst recession Mexico
has seen in 50 years.
21:09.800 --> 21:14.200 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
My father left to pursue
a dream: to build us a house.
21:14.300 --> 21:17.900 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
Although he was a bricklayer
and had built many houses,
21:18.000 --> 21:20.200 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
with Mexico's unstable economy,
21:20.300 --> 21:22.333 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
he would never earn
the money he needed
21:22.433 --> 21:24.900 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
to make his dream a reality.
21:25.000 --> 21:28.466 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
Like most immigrants, my father
had left his native country
21:28.566 --> 21:29.833 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
with high expectations
21:29.933 --> 21:32.733 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
of what life in El Otro Lado
would be like.
21:32.833 --> 21:35.833 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
Once reality set in
and he realized that
21:35.933 --> 21:37.533 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
dollars weren't as easy to make
21:37.633 --> 21:40.366 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
as the stories people told
made it seem,
21:40.466 --> 21:42.700 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60%
he had been faced
with two choices:
21:42.800 --> 21:47.266 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
return to Mexico empty-handed
and with his head held low,
21:47.366 --> 21:49.500 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
or send for my mother.
21:49.600 --> 21:53.433 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
He decided on the latter, hoping
that between the two of them,
21:53.533 --> 21:55.166 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
they could earn
the money he needed
21:55.266 --> 21:57.400 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
to build the house
he dreamed of.
21:57.500 --> 21:59.733 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
Then he would
finally be able to return
21:59.833 --> 22:03.300 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
to the country of his birth
with his head held high,
22:03.400 --> 22:05.366 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
proud of what
he had accomplished.
22:05.466 --> 22:09.000 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
In the meantime, he was
leaving us without a mother.
22:09.100 --> 22:12.333 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5%
Thank you.
22:12.433 --> 22:15.433 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5%
[applause]
22:19.433 --> 22:21.966 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
So I started the book there
22:22.066 --> 22:25.666 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
because I really do feel that
this is where my journey began.
22:25.766 --> 22:30.766 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And after my mother left, it
was just now the three of us.
22:32.866 --> 22:35.066 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
Just me and my
brother and my sister.
22:35.166 --> 22:40.466 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
And so, basically, by the time
I was four-and-a-half,
22:40.566 --> 22:43.766 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
I had no father
and I had no mother
22:43.866 --> 22:49.133 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
and there was a border that
stood between me and my parents.
22:49.233 --> 22:51.400 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
And, to me, you know,
as a little girl,
22:51.500 --> 22:55.000 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
that was really difficult
to wrap my head around.
22:55.100 --> 22:59.000 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
To have them so far away
and to not understand, you know,
22:59.100 --> 23:01.366 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
what had driven them away.
23:01.466 --> 23:08.433 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
And we don't understand anything
about, you know, the economy.
23:08.533 --> 23:10.000 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
We don't understand
anything about
23:10.100 --> 23:13.433 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
when the peso was being devalued
and that there were no jobs
23:13.533 --> 23:14.633 align:left position:27.5%,start line:89% size:62.5%
and that, you know,
23:14.733 --> 23:16.700 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60%
there were lacks
of opportunities.
23:16.800 --> 23:19.866 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
As a child, what I felt
was that my parents had left
23:19.966 --> 23:23.300 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
because they didn't love me
enough to stay with me.
23:23.400 --> 23:28.700 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
And it really affected me
to be separated from them
23:28.800 --> 23:31.966 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
and to not know if
I would ever see them again.
23:32.066 --> 23:34.633 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70%
And when my mother left,
23:34.733 --> 23:38.466 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
we were left behind
with my paternal grandmother.
23:38.566 --> 23:42.133 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
And I refer to her a lot
as my evil grandmother
23:42.233 --> 23:43.966 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
because she was really mean.
23:44.066 --> 23:48.000 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
But also because her name is--
It was Evila,
23:48.100 --> 23:50.566 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
which is spelled like
the word evil with an 'A'.
23:50.666 --> 23:51.900 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5%
[laughter]
23:52.000 --> 23:54.433 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
And I remember the first--
When I was learning English
23:54.533 --> 23:57.866 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
and I ran into the word "evil"
in a fairy tale,
23:57.966 --> 24:01.033 align:left position:15%,start line:77% size:75%
I said, "Ooh, that looks like
my grandmother's name."
[laughter]
24:01.133 --> 24:03.366 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
And I looked up
the definition of evil,
24:03.466 --> 24:05.733 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
and I said, "Ooh,
that is my grandmother's name."
24:05.833 --> 24:06.900 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5%
[laughter]
24:07.000 --> 24:09.033 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
So I know those of you
who've read the book,
24:09.133 --> 24:14.133 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
you know that my grandmother
made life very difficult for us
24:14.233 --> 24:15.166 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
while we lived there.
24:15.266 --> 24:16.666 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70%
And she wasn't very happy
24:16.766 --> 24:19.933 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
about being stuck with
three grandchildren to raise,
24:20.033 --> 24:21.800 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
and, you know,
especially at her age.
24:21.900 --> 24:26.333 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
And she really did
feel being put upon,
24:26.433 --> 24:29.766 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
having to take care
of me and my siblings.
24:29.866 --> 24:31.666 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
So as the years went by,
you know,
24:31.766 --> 24:34.733 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
my siblings and I,
we just had each other.
24:34.833 --> 24:37.800 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
And my older sister
became my little mother,
24:37.900 --> 24:40.266 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
and she did her best to provide
24:40.366 --> 24:44.000 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
and to give me
love and nurturing.
24:44.100 --> 24:48.400 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And she had to sacrifice her
childhood to become a parent,
24:48.500 --> 24:52.133 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
which, for me, it's also one
of the tragedies in my family.
24:52.233 --> 24:53.200 align:left position:40%,start line:89% size:50%
You know?
24:53.300 --> 24:54.600 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
That something like
that had to happen.
24:54.700 --> 24:56.933 align:left position:27.5%,start line:89% size:62.5%
But she was the one
24:57.033 --> 25:00.533 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
who really helped us
to deal with the situation,
25:00.633 --> 25:05.100 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
and she was also a big dreamer.
25:05.200 --> 25:07.233 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
She would always talk about
the dream that
25:07.333 --> 25:11.300 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
when our parents would return,
and that's really, I think,
25:11.400 --> 25:15.333 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
when I became a dreamer
because that's all I had.
25:15.433 --> 25:18.866 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
And I had this dream
that one day, you know,
25:18.966 --> 25:21.833 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
our family was going to be
put back together again.
25:21.933 --> 25:25.033 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And that's what I held on to
during the eight years
25:25.133 --> 25:27.466 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70%
that my father was gone.
25:27.566 --> 25:31.433 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
I held on to that dream
with all my heart.
25:31.533 --> 25:34.700 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
So, when I was
almost 10 years old,
25:34.800 --> 25:37.200 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
my father finally
came back to Iguala.
25:37.300 --> 25:41.166 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And by the time he came back,
a lot of things had changed.
25:41.266 --> 25:45.100 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
The economy in Mexico
had gone from bad to worse,
25:45.200 --> 25:47.700 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
and people were not
going back home.
25:47.800 --> 25:50.733 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
They were actually
continuing to migrate.
25:50.833 --> 25:55.600 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
And, you know, my father and me,
we were part of
25:55.700 --> 25:58.400 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
that biggest wave of immigration
from Mexico
25:58.500 --> 26:00.466 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
that lasted for like,
how many years?
26:00.566 --> 26:02.633 align:left position:40%,start line:5% size:50%
40 years?
26:02.733 --> 26:05.533 align:left position:10%,start line:5% size:80%
So, my father,
he couldn't come back to Mexico
26:05.633 --> 26:07.366 align:left position:10%,start line:5% size:80%
because there were still no jobs
26:07.466 --> 26:09.833 align:left position:22.5%,start line:5% size:67.5%
and the peso
kept getting devalued.
26:09.933 --> 26:12.833 align:left position:20%,start line:5% size:70%
And also other things
that changed in my family
26:12.933 --> 26:16.500 align:left position:15%,start line:5% size:75%
was that my parents separated
when they were here,
26:16.600 --> 26:20.000 align:left position:20%,start line:5% size:70%
and my father left my mom
for another woman.
26:20.100 --> 26:22.066 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
So when he came back to Mexico,
26:22.166 --> 26:24.066 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
he came back
with this new woman.
26:24.166 --> 26:26.600 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
And it was really traumatic
for me
26:26.700 --> 26:28.733 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
to meet my father
for the first time
26:28.833 --> 26:33.133 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
and then to see a complete
stranger next to my father.
26:33.233 --> 26:35.833 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And it was seeing this woman
with my father
26:35.933 --> 26:38.600 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
that when I really realized that
26:38.700 --> 26:42.700 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
my family was never going
to be put back together again.
26:42.800 --> 26:45.266 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
So that was a very difficult
moment for me,
26:45.366 --> 26:48.800 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
but again, it was an experience
that changed my life,
26:48.900 --> 26:51.366 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
when my father
came back to Iguala,
26:51.466 --> 26:54.200 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
because he decided
to bring us to the US
26:54.300 --> 26:56.833 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
since he wasn't going to
come back anymore.
26:56.933 --> 26:59.433 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
And one of the biggest ironies
in my life was that
26:59.533 --> 27:01.900 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
it took my father eight years
27:02.000 --> 27:04.466 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
to build us the house
that he dreamed of,
27:04.566 --> 27:06.100 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
and yet we never lived in it.
27:06.200 --> 27:07.800 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60%
Even for one day.
27:07.900 --> 27:10.300 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
So, when I was nine-and-a-half,
27:10.400 --> 27:13.700 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
I found myself face to face
with the US border.
27:13.800 --> 27:16.300 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5%
And, for me, it was, you know,
27:16.400 --> 27:21.466 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
a very shocking experience to
see it with my own eyes because
27:21.566 --> 27:25.500 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
this border had stood between
me and my parents for so long
27:25.600 --> 27:29.333 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
and for me to finally
find myself there.
27:29.433 --> 27:34.766 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
I wasn't very concerned about
that I was going to lose my life
27:34.866 --> 27:39.233 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
because we were about to embark
in this dangerous journey
27:39.333 --> 27:40.466 align:left position:27.5%,start line:89% size:62.5%
across the border.
27:40.566 --> 27:42.900 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
But, for me, the stakes were so
much higher than that
27:43.000 --> 27:45.266 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
because the stakes for me
were, you know,
27:45.366 --> 27:49.000 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
losing my chance to have
a father back in my life,
27:49.100 --> 27:50.733 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
if I didn't succeed.
27:50.833 --> 27:54.200 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
So I'm going to read to you the
second excerpt of the book,
27:54.300 --> 27:57.000 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
and then I'll finish
up my presentation,
27:57.100 --> 27:59.100 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
and then I'll take answers.
27:59.200 --> 28:01.166 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
But I'm going to read to you
28:01.266 --> 28:05.566 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
the version of the young
reader's edition.
28:07.633 --> 28:09.133 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70%
In the original version,
28:09.233 --> 28:13.633 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
the border crossing is
only one chapter in the story,
28:13.733 --> 28:17.500 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
but when I did the adaptation
for young readers
28:17.600 --> 28:20.866 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
my editor asked me to expand
the border crossing
28:20.966 --> 28:22.400 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
into three chapters.
28:22.500 --> 28:25.900 align:left position:25%,start line:77% size:65%
I'm not going to read
the three of them.
[laughter]
28:26.000 --> 28:28.733 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
I'll just read the beginning.
28:28.833 --> 28:32.433 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
So this is
our first border crossing.
28:32.533 --> 28:34.333 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And it was really interesting
for me
28:34.433 --> 28:38.466 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
to go back into the book
that I had already written
28:38.566 --> 28:39.800 align:left position:32.5%,start line:89% size:57.5%
and reshape it.
28:39.900 --> 28:41.466 align:left position:27.5%,start line:89% size:62.5%
And restructure it.
28:41.566 --> 28:44.733 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
And the difference
between the two
28:44.833 --> 28:48.500 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
is that I cut out
about a hundred pages.
28:48.600 --> 28:51.966 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
Even though they look the same,
you know, they're just as thick,
28:52.066 --> 28:56.766 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
but this one the font is bigger,
which I really like now
28:56.866 --> 28:59.233 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
because now that I'm like 40,
I'm blind
28:59.333 --> 29:02.833 align:left position:25%,start line:77% size:65%
and I can hardly read
this font anymore.
[laughter]
29:02.933 --> 29:05.100 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
So I love the big font.
29:05.200 --> 29:08.200 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
So now I actually like reading
from this version
29:08.300 --> 29:11.200 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
because I don't need
to put on glasses yet.
29:11.300 --> 29:12.533 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5%
All right.
29:12.633 --> 29:17.733 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
So, here's our first attempt
at crossing the border.
29:17.833 --> 29:20.566 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
Papi checked us
into a small hotel.
29:20.666 --> 29:24.633 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
There was only a full-size bed,
a night table, a dresser,
29:24.733 --> 29:26.933 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
and a television in the room.
29:27.033 --> 29:29.400 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
Papi said we three
could have the bed.
29:29.500 --> 29:31.600 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
"I'll sleep on the
floor," he said.
29:31.700 --> 29:33.033 align:left position:27.5%,start line:89% size:62.5%
The floor was tiled
29:33.133 --> 29:36.766 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
and I knew it would be
uncomfortable to sleep on,
29:36.866 --> 29:38.700 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
but he said
a bigger room costs more.
29:38.800 --> 29:43.766 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
"And with any luck, we will only
be here for one night," he said.
29:43.866 --> 29:45.733 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
He left us there
to watch television,
29:45.833 --> 29:48.933 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
and he went out in search
of food and a coyotaje.
29:49.033 --> 29:51.666 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
The smuggler
who would take us across.
29:51.766 --> 29:53.800 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
We watched reruns of
El Chavo del Ocho
29:53.900 --> 29:55.633 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70%
while we waited for Papi.
29:55.733 --> 29:58.233 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
We had never stayed
in a hotel before,
29:58.333 --> 30:00.933 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
and we had never
watched TV in bed.
30:01.033 --> 30:02.233 align:left position:27.5%,start line:89% size:62.5%
For the first time,
30:02.333 --> 30:05.733 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
I found myself beginning
to enjoy our journey north.
30:05.833 --> 30:08.400 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
Papi came back
with tacos and sodas.
30:08.500 --> 30:10.433 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
"We head out tomorrow," he said.
30:10.533 --> 30:12.866 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
"Eat your food
and then go straight to bed.
30:12.966 --> 30:15.166 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60%
We'll leave early
in the morning."
30:15.266 --> 30:18.566 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
The smuggler picked us up
before sunrise at the hotel
30:18.666 --> 30:20.666 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
and drove us across the city.
30:20.766 --> 30:24.800 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
I was sleepy, and I found myself
struggling to stay awake.
30:24.900 --> 30:27.200 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
I wasn't used to
waking up that early,
30:27.300 --> 30:29.966 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
and I was groggy and grumpy.
30:30.066 --> 30:31.466 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
To make matters worse,
30:31.566 --> 30:34.033 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
that morning I had woken up
with a tooth ache,
30:34.133 --> 30:36.866 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
and Papi didn't have anything
to give me.
30:36.966 --> 30:39.100 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60%
My tooth had hurt
once in a while,
30:39.200 --> 30:42.333 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
and my grandmother had given me
mint leaves to chew on.
30:42.433 --> 30:46.600 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
This time, there was nothing
I could do except doze off,
30:46.700 --> 30:49.600 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
hoping that when I woke up the
pain would be gone.
30:49.700 --> 30:52.100 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60%
"Reyna, wake up.
30:52.200 --> 30:53.800 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
We're here," Mago said.
30:53.900 --> 30:57.966 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
The sun was just coming out
when we came to a stop.
30:58.066 --> 31:00.533 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
We got out of the car
and looked around.
31:00.633 --> 31:04.500 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
The border turned out to be
nothing but dirt and bushes,
31:04.600 --> 31:08.300 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
rocks and weeds,
under a light blue sky.
31:08.400 --> 31:11.633 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
"This is where we start,"
the smuggler said.
31:11.733 --> 31:14.500 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
He looked at me and said,
"Try to keep up, okay?
31:14.600 --> 31:17.600 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
You don't want to be
left behind, do you?"
31:17.700 --> 31:19.033 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60%
I looked at Papi.
31:19.133 --> 31:20.400 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
My stomach clenched at
31:20.500 --> 31:22.800 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
the thought of being abandoned
in the middle of nowhere.
31:22.900 --> 31:26.966 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
The coyotaje must have seen
the terrified look on my face
31:27.066 --> 31:28.833 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
because he laughed
and patted my head.
31:28.933 --> 31:31.266 align:left position:27.5%,start line:89% size:62.5%
"I'm just teasing."
31:31.366 --> 31:34.433 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
Papi's face was serious
when he looked at us and said,
31:34.533 --> 31:37.633 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
"Stay alert and do
as the coyotaje says.
31:37.733 --> 31:41.233 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
The coyotaje led us through
a hole in a chain link fence
31:41.333 --> 31:43.900 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
into the vacant land
on the other side.
31:44.000 --> 31:45.733 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
We followed in silence.
31:45.833 --> 31:49.400 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
I looked at the ants scurrying
around, gathering food.
31:49.500 --> 31:51.700 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
A hawk soared above in the wind.
31:51.800 --> 31:53.000 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
Birds chirped in trees.
31:53.100 --> 31:55.866 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
Lizards crawled under rocks.
31:55.966 --> 31:57.800 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
If I hadn't been so afraid,
31:57.900 --> 32:00.266 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
I would have been
enjoying our adventure.
32:00.366 --> 32:03.800 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
But then I remembered that even
though this place was beautiful,
32:03.900 --> 32:05.500 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
it was forbidden land.
32:05.600 --> 32:07.666 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70%
We were not welcome here.
32:07.766 --> 32:08.900 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60%
Once in a while,
32:09.000 --> 32:11.533 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
the coyotaje shouted orders
to us and we obeyed.
32:11.633 --> 32:12.833 align:left position:42.5%,start line:89% size:47.5%
"Walk!"
32:12.933 --> 32:14.166 align:left position:42.5%,start line:89% size:47.5%
"Hide!"
32:14.266 --> 32:15.466 align:left position:42.5%,start line:89% size:47.5%
"Run!"
32:15.566 --> 32:16.966 align:left position:40%,start line:89% size:50%
"Crawl!"
32:17.066 --> 32:20.366 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
I wasn't used to walking and
running so much and so fast.
32:20.466 --> 32:23.533 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
My tooth began to hurt
even more, and around noon,
32:23.633 --> 32:26.933 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
as we walked through the hills
under the heat of the sun,
32:27.033 --> 32:29.166 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
I began to get a fever.
32:29.266 --> 32:31.933 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
Mago put her arm around me
so that I could lean on her
32:32.033 --> 32:35.900 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
as we walked, but soon we found
ourselves lagging behind.
32:36.000 --> 32:39.433 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
"Come on, Reyna,
you can do it," Mago said.
32:39.533 --> 32:41.400 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
"Maybe we should turn around
and go back,"
32:41.500 --> 32:43.700 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
the coyotaje said to Papi.
32:43.800 --> 32:46.366 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
He stopped and waited
for us to catch up.
32:46.466 --> 32:49.533 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
"It's hard making this journey
with children."
32:49.633 --> 32:51.233 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60%
"No," Papi said.
32:51.333 --> 32:52.400 align:left position:32.5%,start line:89% size:57.5%
"We keep going.
32:52.500 --> 32:54.333 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60%
She'll be okay."
32:54.433 --> 32:57.066 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
Papi ended up carrying me
on his back.
32:57.166 --> 32:59.266 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5%
I held on as tight as I could,
32:59.366 --> 33:04.100 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
branches grasping at me as if
trying to tear me away from him.
33:04.200 --> 33:08.400 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
I didn't remember ever being
given a piggyback ride by Papi,
33:08.500 --> 33:10.433 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
and I wish
we were somewhere else,
33:10.533 --> 33:13.966 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
like at a park having fun,
not at the border.
33:14.066 --> 33:18.133 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
Not when I was hungry and sick
and terrified of being caught.
33:18.233 --> 33:19.600 align:left position:27.5%,start line:89% size:62.5%
My throat felt dry,
33:19.700 --> 33:23.200 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
and I asked for water
for the hundredth time that day.
33:23.300 --> 33:27.666 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
"Not right now," Papi said again
as he struggled up the path.
33:27.766 --> 33:29.600 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
His breaths came in gasps.
33:29.700 --> 33:32.166 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5%
I knew Papi was getting tired.
33:32.266 --> 33:35.100 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
Suddenly, a cloud of dust
rose in the distance,
33:35.200 --> 33:39.133 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
and before we knew it, a white
truck was heading our way.
33:39.233 --> 33:41.333 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
"Run!" the coyotaje yelled.
33:41.433 --> 33:42.666 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
We rushed into the bushes,
33:42.766 --> 33:45.733 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
and I clung to Papi
with all my might as he ran.
33:45.833 --> 33:47.433 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
He dove behind a rock.
33:47.533 --> 33:49.866 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
I gripped him so hard
I choked him.
33:49.966 --> 33:53.833 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
He pulled free from my grip and
muffled a cough into his arm.
33:53.933 --> 33:56.233 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
Had La Migra heard him?
33:56.333 --> 33:58.866 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
The truck pulled over
and men dressed in green,
33:58.966 --> 34:03.033 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
the men Papi had called
La Migra, got out of the truck.
34:03.133 --> 34:04.333 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
"Come out," they said.
34:04.433 --> 34:06.366 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
"There's nowhere to hide."
34:06.466 --> 34:09.000 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
They took us to the
border patrol station.
34:09.100 --> 34:11.766 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
Mago, Carlos, and I
waited in the hallway
34:11.866 --> 34:14.866 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
while the agents took Papi
into their office.
34:14.966 --> 34:18.366 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
We didn't know what
they would do to us, to him.
34:18.466 --> 34:19.900 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
We waited and waited.
34:20.000 --> 34:22.933 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
Our eyes hurt
from too much crying.
34:23.033 --> 34:25.600 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
Agents passed by
without looking at us.
34:25.700 --> 34:27.666 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
More and more migrants arrived.
34:27.766 --> 34:31.400 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
Mostly men and a few women,
but no children.
34:31.500 --> 34:34.266 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
Even though they were
just as afraid as we were,
34:34.366 --> 34:37.800 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
they looked at us and they
smiled, encouraging us.
34:37.900 --> 34:42.733 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
With their eyes, they said to
me, "Have faith, don't give up."
34:42.833 --> 34:45.833 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
I didn't know how long Papi
had been with the agents.
34:45.933 --> 34:48.100 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
I didn't know
what they were asking him
34:48.200 --> 34:49.800 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
or what he was saying.
34:49.900 --> 34:51.566 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
But as the minutes went by,
34:51.666 --> 34:55.000 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
I began to wonder
if they would ever let him go.
34:55.100 --> 34:56.666 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
What if they arrested him?
34:56.766 --> 34:58.466 align:left position:35%,start line:89% size:55%
Arrested us?
34:58.566 --> 35:01.200 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
What if we never saw
each other again?
35:01.300 --> 35:03.266 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
I clutched my brother and sister
35:03.366 --> 35:06.900 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
as fresh tears
came out of my eyes.
35:07.000 --> 35:10.533 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
A border patrol agent with the
bluest eyes I had ever seen
35:10.633 --> 35:14.066 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
stopped in front of us and said
something to us in English.
35:14.166 --> 35:15.333 align:left position:27.5%,start line:89% size:62.5%
We shook our heads,
35:15.433 --> 35:18.100 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
feeling stupid because we
couldn't understand him
35:18.200 --> 35:20.600 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
and we didn't know
how to tell him that.
35:20.700 --> 35:23.300 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
He smiled and went to
the vending machine.
35:23.400 --> 35:25.766 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
Then he came back
with sodas for us.
35:25.866 --> 35:28.400 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
He patted our heads
and walked away.
35:28.500 --> 35:32.666 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
I didn't realize until then
how hungry and thirsty I was.
35:32.766 --> 35:33.866 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
I had been too afraid
35:33.966 --> 35:37.133 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
to think about anything
other than my father.
35:37.233 --> 35:41.000 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
We opened our sodas, and the
sweetness of it gave me hope.
35:41.100 --> 35:44.233 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
It was a gift from
a border patrol agent.
35:44.333 --> 35:47.300 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
From a gringo
with kind blue eyes.
35:47.400 --> 35:49.966 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
Maybe the agents
weren't so bad after all.
35:50.066 --> 35:51.766 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
Maybe they would understand
35:51.866 --> 35:55.500 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
that all we wanted
was to have a family,
35:55.600 --> 35:58.166 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5%
and they would soon let us go.
35:58.266 --> 36:01.633 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
And they would let us
keep our dream.
36:01.733 --> 36:02.966 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5%
Thank you.
36:03.066 --> 36:08.033 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5%
[applause]
36:08.133 --> 36:10.966 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5%
All right.
36:11.066 --> 36:15.066 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
So, you know how the crossing
turned out because I'm here now.
36:15.166 --> 36:16.466 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5%
[laughter]
36:16.566 --> 36:18.233 align:left position:27.5%,start line:89% size:62.5%
So, we did make it.
36:18.333 --> 36:20.533 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
It took us three times.
36:20.633 --> 36:24.900 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
And my dream came true in a way.
36:25.000 --> 36:26.833 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
I had dreamed of
having both my parents,
36:26.933 --> 36:31.700 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
but I ended up with just my dad,
which, in many ways,
36:31.800 --> 36:33.833 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
I think it was a good thing
36:33.933 --> 36:36.300 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
because my father,
more than my mother,
36:36.400 --> 36:39.066 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
had a really, really big impact
36:39.166 --> 36:41.833 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
on the the person
that I turned out to be.
36:41.933 --> 36:44.233 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5%
So there I was with my father.
36:44.333 --> 36:47.100 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
We came to live with him
in Los Angeles.
36:47.200 --> 36:49.700 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
And when we arrived in LA,
36:49.800 --> 36:53.600 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
I thought that I had finally
put the border between us
36:53.700 --> 36:56.333 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
and that there would never be
another border
36:56.433 --> 36:58.833 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70%
that I had to get across.
36:58.933 --> 37:00.900 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
But, you know,
like most immigrants,
37:01.000 --> 37:03.333 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
when we arrive here,
we realize that
37:03.433 --> 37:08.033 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
the US border is really just
our first border to overcome.
37:08.133 --> 37:09.600 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60%
And when we come
to this country,
37:09.700 --> 37:13.633 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
there's so many more borders
that we need to get across.
37:13.733 --> 37:17.566 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
And, you know,
these are borders like language.
37:17.666 --> 37:19.633 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
The language barrier.
37:19.733 --> 37:21.600 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
There's a cultural barrier.
37:21.700 --> 37:25.466 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
And then, for many of us,
there's also the legal barrier
37:25.566 --> 37:30.033 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
when we come here
without proper documentation.
37:30.133 --> 37:32.600 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
And so these were
so many other borders
37:32.700 --> 37:36.466 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
that I had to cross
when I arrived.
37:36.566 --> 37:39.133 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
And at school, when I
first started, you know,
37:39.233 --> 37:42.500 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
I realized that
school was another border
37:42.600 --> 37:44.900 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
that I needed to overcome.
37:45.000 --> 37:47.400 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
And I attended a school
that didn't really have
37:47.500 --> 37:49.666 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
resources for
immigrant children.
37:49.766 --> 37:51.600 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
They didn't have
bilingual education.
37:51.700 --> 37:53.000 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
They didn't have ESL.
37:53.100 --> 37:57.666 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
They just had a sink or swim
approach to learning English.
37:57.766 --> 37:59.366 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
And I was thrown into a
classroom
37:59.466 --> 38:01.633 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
where I didn't speak
the language,
38:01.733 --> 38:04.900 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
and, for me, it was
a very difficult experience
38:05.000 --> 38:08.833 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
because it was at school
where I first experienced
38:08.933 --> 38:13.133 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
marginalization where, you
know, I felt discriminated,
38:13.233 --> 38:17.533 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
where I felt that I didn't have
a voice, and I realized that,
38:17.633 --> 38:22.966 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
you know, I was going to have to
fight for my right to remain.
38:23.066 --> 38:26.633 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
But, you know, as I
mentioned earlier,
38:26.733 --> 38:29.200 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
I was really lucky to come to
live with my father
38:29.300 --> 38:31.666 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
because my father was
a very big dreamer.
38:31.766 --> 38:34.333 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
And maybe it's our
last name, Grande,
38:34.433 --> 38:35.966 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
that he tried to live up to
38:36.066 --> 38:37.933 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
because he didn't have
little dreams,
38:38.033 --> 38:40.200 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
he hadgrandedreams.
38:40.300 --> 38:44.166 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
And my father, when we
got here, he told us that.
38:44.266 --> 38:47.433 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
You know, he brought us here
so that we could succeed,
38:47.533 --> 38:48.766 align:left position:32.5%,start line:89% size:57.5%
and he told us
38:48.866 --> 38:53.600 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
that he expected nothing
but 'A's from us from school.
38:53.700 --> 38:56.433 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
And threatened to deport us
back to Mexico
38:56.533 --> 38:58.566 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
if we didn't do well in school.
[laughter]
38:58.666 --> 39:00.433 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
So I wasn't afraid
of border patrol.
39:00.533 --> 39:03.300 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
I was afraid of my father
because I knew that he would
39:03.400 --> 39:05.933 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
deport us if we didn't,
you know, get straight 'A's.
39:06.033 --> 39:09.300 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
So we were really good
students, my siblings and I,
39:09.400 --> 39:13.966 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
and we were straight A students,
and my father talked to us
39:14.066 --> 39:16.500 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
about, you know, going to
college one day
39:16.600 --> 39:19.833 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
and having a career one day and
being homeowners one day
39:19.933 --> 39:22.433 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
and having money
for retirement one day.
39:22.533 --> 39:24.666 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
And, you know,
I was 11 years old
39:24.766 --> 39:26.666 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
and he was telling me
about retirement already.
39:26.766 --> 39:28.833 align:left position:27.5%,start line:89% size:62.5%
So that was my dad.
39:28.933 --> 39:31.166 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And one of the things that
I really appreciated the most
39:31.266 --> 39:32.866 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
about my dad was that,
you know,
39:32.966 --> 39:35.033 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
even though
we were undocumented,
39:35.133 --> 39:36.433 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
he would always say,
39:36.533 --> 39:39.766 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
"Just because we're undocumented
doesn't mean we cannot dream."
39:39.866 --> 39:41.166 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
And he was the kind of person
39:41.266 --> 39:44.733 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
that he was always ready
for tomorrow.
39:44.833 --> 39:47.033 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60%
He would tell us,
"You never know
39:47.133 --> 39:49.133 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
what opportunities
might come tomorrow,
39:49.233 --> 39:52.200 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
and we need to be prepared
for those opportunities."
39:52.300 --> 39:55.133 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
So that's kind of how he
taught us to live our lives.
39:55.233 --> 39:56.433 align:left position:40%,start line:89% size:50%
You know?
39:56.533 --> 39:58.366 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
To always be prepared
for what tomorrow might bring.
39:58.466 --> 40:00.666 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
And, luckily for us,
40:00.766 --> 40:04.733 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
what tomorrow brought
was the 1986 amnesty,
40:04.833 --> 40:08.500 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
which legalized the status
of three million people.
40:08.600 --> 40:12.800 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
And both of my parents
became legal residents
40:12.900 --> 40:14.633 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
because of the amnesty.
40:14.733 --> 40:16.566 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
So when I was 15 years old
40:16.666 --> 40:20.300 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
was when our Green Cards
arrived in the mail.
40:20.400 --> 40:23.300 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And I remember that day when
my father opened the envelope
40:23.400 --> 40:24.733 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
and he took out the Green Cards
40:24.833 --> 40:26.700 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
and he gave us each
a Green Card.
40:26.800 --> 40:30.900 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
He said, "I've done my part,
the rest is up to you."
40:31.000 --> 40:35.333 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
And that was a very, you know,
powerful moment for me
40:35.433 --> 40:36.900 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
because having that Green Card,
40:37.000 --> 40:39.833 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
it really allowed me
40:39.933 --> 40:43.833 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5%
to finally embrace the dreams.
40:43.933 --> 40:46.166 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70%
To not be afraid anymore.
40:46.266 --> 40:50.366 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
To not ask my father, you know,
"Can we really aspire
40:50.466 --> 40:52.600 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
to all these things
you're talking about?"
40:52.700 --> 40:55.900 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
And when that Green
Card came, you know,
40:56.000 --> 40:57.266 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5%
it really--
40:57.366 --> 41:00.900 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
I took the Green Card my father
handed me and I ran with it.
41:01.000 --> 41:04.533 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And so,
many dreams came true for me
41:04.633 --> 41:06.600 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
thanks to that opportunity.
41:06.700 --> 41:08.100 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
That, you know, for me,
41:08.200 --> 41:12.366 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
one of the reasons why I wrote
"The Distance Between Us"
41:12.466 --> 41:17.800 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
was to really try
to emphasize what can happen
41:17.900 --> 41:20.566 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
when we give that opportunity,
right, to people,
41:20.666 --> 41:22.866 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
and especially to our dreamers.
41:22.966 --> 41:24.266 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
To our immigrant youth.
41:24.366 --> 41:25.700 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
You know, what's going to happen
41:25.800 --> 41:29.033 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
when we allow them
to legalize their status?
41:29.133 --> 41:32.733 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
So when I was given that
opportunity as a 15-year-old,
41:32.833 --> 41:36.166 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
you know, I went on to
accomplish all my dreams.
41:36.266 --> 41:39.000 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
So I dreamt of going to college.
41:39.100 --> 41:43.666 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
And I, you know, I ended up
at the community college
41:43.766 --> 41:45.800 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
where I did
a lot of great things,
41:45.900 --> 41:49.533 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
and one of them was to
participate in the Rose Parade.
41:49.633 --> 41:53.933 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And that was a big dream for
me to be in the Rose Parade.
41:54.033 --> 41:56.233 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
And then, from there,
41:56.333 --> 41:58.466 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
I transferred
to a four-year university,
41:58.566 --> 42:01.000 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
and I ended up at UC-Santa Cruz.
42:01.100 --> 42:03.466 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
And there,
I became the first in my family
42:03.566 --> 42:05.666 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
to graduate from college.
[applause]
42:05.766 --> 42:09.000 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
42:09.100 --> 42:10.366 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5%
[applause]
42:10.466 --> 42:12.666 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And, you know, for me it was
a really big accomplishment
42:12.766 --> 42:15.233 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
because my father
only went to the third grade
42:15.333 --> 42:17.566 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
and my mother went
to the sixth grade.
42:17.666 --> 42:20.966 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
So, for me, like, it meant like
once I did it,
42:21.066 --> 42:23.333 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
I was able to break that cycle,
you know,
42:23.433 --> 42:25.000 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
that my family
had been stuck in.
42:25.100 --> 42:28.933 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
And I knew that by me doing it,
that meant that
42:29.033 --> 42:31.866 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
I could now guide
the rest of my family
42:31.966 --> 42:35.033 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
and the next generation
of Grandes through that door.
42:35.133 --> 42:38.533 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And it's just really
interesting for me, you know,
42:38.633 --> 42:42.233 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5%
that experience because it's--
42:42.333 --> 42:46.866 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
With my husband,
who I said is from Wisconsin,
42:46.966 --> 42:50.866 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
his mother has a master's
degree, his father has a PhD,
42:50.966 --> 42:52.666 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
his sister has
a master's degree,
42:52.766 --> 42:54.900 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
my husband has
two master's degrees,
42:55.000 --> 42:58.166 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
and his aunts and his uncles
have PhDs and master's degrees.
42:58.266 --> 43:00.400 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70%
I'm like, geez, you know?
43:00.500 --> 43:03.600 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
And I guess, you know,
his family,
43:03.700 --> 43:05.400 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
his father's side
migrated from Finland,
43:05.500 --> 43:10.000 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
and it was his great grandfather
who migrated.
43:10.100 --> 43:13.000 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
And, for me,
it gives me a lot of hope
43:13.100 --> 43:16.533 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
because I feel like
two generations from now
43:16.633 --> 43:21.000 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
my great grandchildren
are going to be saying that
43:21.100 --> 43:23.366 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70%
about the Grande family.
43:23.466 --> 43:25.500 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
So that's what I aspire to now.
43:25.600 --> 43:26.733 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
That's my dream now.
43:26.833 --> 43:30.933 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
But that's what it meant to me
when I graduated,
43:31.033 --> 43:32.666 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70%
that I started something.
43:32.766 --> 43:38.000 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
And then, also, I, you know,
dreamed of being a US citizen,
43:38.100 --> 43:41.800 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
and 10 years ago,
I became a US citizen.
43:41.900 --> 43:45.833 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And then my dream of being
a published author came true,
43:45.933 --> 43:47.866 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
and not just being
published in the US,
43:47.966 --> 43:51.200 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
but also being published
in other languages abroad.
43:51.300 --> 43:56.300 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
And then, you know,
I have my own role models,
43:56.400 --> 44:02.433 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
and these are Latino successful
artists that are my role models.
44:02.533 --> 44:05.733 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
So being recognized by them
for the things that I'm doing
44:05.833 --> 44:07.833 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5%
has meant a lot to me as well.
44:07.933 --> 44:11.533 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
So, having that opportunity
to meet these role models.
44:11.633 --> 44:14.833 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
And for 20 years, I dreamt of
44:14.933 --> 44:17.133 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
being on the stage
with Sandra Cisneros,
44:17.233 --> 44:19.100 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
who's my, like, idol.
[laughter]
44:19.200 --> 44:22.733 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
And that dream came true
last year.
44:22.833 --> 44:26.566 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And it's like, man, I waited
20 years but, you know,
44:26.666 --> 44:28.833 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
you just got to
hold on to those dreams
44:28.933 --> 44:30.700 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
no matter how long it takes.
44:30.800 --> 44:33.633 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
So, for me, you know,
what's driving me now
44:33.733 --> 44:36.700 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
after all these dreams that
I've been able to accomplish is,
44:36.800 --> 44:40.666 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
you know, I'm continuing
to fight for immigrant rights
44:40.766 --> 44:43.133 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
because I do feel that,
you know,
44:43.233 --> 44:46.333 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
that's my responsibility
as an immigrant.
44:46.433 --> 44:48.766 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
And I fight
against invisibility.
44:48.866 --> 44:49.766 align:left position:40%,start line:89% size:50%
You know?
44:49.866 --> 44:52.033 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
And that's why
I always push myself
44:52.133 --> 44:53.833 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
to keep going with my writing
44:53.933 --> 44:56.566 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
because I feel like
if I'm not writing my stories,
44:56.666 --> 44:59.433 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
then who's going to
write our stories?
44:59.533 --> 45:03.700 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And so I fight against
invisibility through my work,
45:03.800 --> 45:06.933 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
and I contribute my stories
to American literature
45:07.033 --> 45:12.466 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
to remind people that Latinos
are part of the American story.
45:12.566 --> 45:18.100 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
And that we need to be part
of our literature.
45:18.200 --> 45:20.800 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
So, those of us
who have made it, you know,
45:20.900 --> 45:24.133 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60%
I think all of us
here in the room,
45:24.233 --> 45:29.100 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
or many of us here in the room,
have made it in many ways.
45:29.200 --> 45:33.233 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
We're still working towards
our dreams, but, you know,
45:33.333 --> 45:38.066 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
we have a responsibility to
keep the dream alive for others,
45:38.166 --> 45:39.333 align:left position:42.5%,start line:89% size:47.5%
right?
45:39.433 --> 45:41.000 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70%
And that's something that
45:41.100 --> 45:44.000 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
I take that responsibility
very seriously.
45:44.100 --> 45:47.533 align:left position:17.5%,start line:5% size:72.5%
As Michelle Obama once said
in a speech,
45:47.633 --> 45:49.733 align:left position:22.5%,start line:5% size:67.5%
that we shouldn't
close the door, right?
45:49.833 --> 45:52.633 align:left position:20%,start line:5% size:70%
Once we go through
the door of opportunity,
45:52.733 --> 45:53.900 align:left position:15%,start line:5% size:75%
we shouldn't close the door.
45:54.000 --> 45:58.000 align:left position:17.5%,start line:5% size:72.5%
We should leave it open
for those coming after us.
45:58.100 --> 46:01.166 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
So, that's what
I try to do with my work.
46:01.266 --> 46:04.433 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
And that's what I encourage
all of you guys to do.
46:04.533 --> 46:07.933 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
To keep the door open and to
keep helping other people
46:08.033 --> 46:09.366 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70%
to go through that door.
46:09.466 --> 46:13.033 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
And especially, you know,
our immigrant families.
46:13.133 --> 46:17.366 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
And that's something that
Centro is doing beautifully.
46:17.466 --> 46:18.633 align:left position:40%,start line:89% size:50%
You know?
46:18.733 --> 46:20.266 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
Keeping that door open,
literally.
46:20.366 --> 46:21.733 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5%
Keeping that door open
46:21.833 --> 46:25.633 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
and helping immigrant families
to fight for their dreams.
46:25.733 --> 46:30.733 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
Continuing to support
our immigrant youth.
46:30.833 --> 46:34.633 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
I think that's very, very
important because, as we know,
46:34.733 --> 46:38.733 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
youth are the future
of this country,
46:38.833 --> 46:40.900 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
whether they're immigrant
or not immigrant.
46:41.000 --> 46:42.566 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5%
You know, we need to make sure
46:42.666 --> 46:45.566 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
that we help them
reach their full potential
46:45.666 --> 46:48.966 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
and that we give them those
opportunities that they need
46:49.066 --> 46:50.266 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60%
so that later on
46:50.366 --> 46:53.400 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
they can contribute
their talents and their skills
46:53.500 --> 46:56.000 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
to our communities
and make this a better place.
46:56.100 --> 47:01.866 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
Also, you know, right now in
terms of immigration, you know,
47:01.966 --> 47:06.466 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
we're living through the biggest
immigration crisis in history
47:06.566 --> 47:09.100 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
here in the United States.
47:09.200 --> 47:12.700 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
We're seeing it happening
in Europe, as well.
47:12.800 --> 47:16.233 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
There are more displaced people
in the world today
47:16.333 --> 47:18.033 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60%
than ever before.
47:18.133 --> 47:22.100 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
So it's important, you know, to
keep talking about immigration
47:22.200 --> 47:25.666 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65%
and not just locally,
but globally.
47:25.766 --> 47:28.600 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
You know?
Like, what's going on?
47:28.700 --> 47:30.533 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
And like I said,
I am a big dreamer.
47:30.633 --> 47:34.166 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
So I dream of a world
where there is respect
47:34.266 --> 47:37.600 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
for all human beings
regardless of where we come from
47:37.700 --> 47:40.166 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
regardless of
the color of our skin.
47:40.266 --> 47:43.566 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
But I also think that we need to
do some serious soul searching
47:43.666 --> 47:48.100 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80%
as a country and also as a world
47:48.200 --> 47:52.400 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
because I see that powerful
countries
47:52.500 --> 47:57.200 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
have a history of denying
or failing to recognize that
47:57.300 --> 47:59.366 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75%
their acts and their policies
47:59.466 --> 48:01.933 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5%
create instability
in other countries.
48:02.033 --> 48:05.500 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5%
And what I see is that,
you know,
48:05.600 --> 48:11.333 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
first we create catalysts
for immigration,
48:11.433 --> 48:14.733 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
and then we punish people
for immigrating.
48:14.833 --> 48:18.700 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
So, we need to
really start asking ourselves,
48:18.800 --> 48:19.966 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
"What are we doing?"
48:20.066 --> 48:25.133 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
and, "How can we
change things for the better?"
48:25.233 --> 48:28.466 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5%
So, just to conclude,
and I'm going to open it up
48:28.566 --> 48:31.400 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
for questions after this,
is that, you know,
48:31.500 --> 48:34.900 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
I really believe that there
has to be a place for immigrants
48:35.000 --> 48:38.766 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
in our hearts, in our country,
in our literature,
48:38.866 --> 48:42.500 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80%
and this is, for me,
what I'm fighting for the most.
48:42.600 --> 48:45.500 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
This country, as we
mentioned earlier, you know,
48:45.600 --> 48:47.433 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75%
it was founded by immigrants,
right?
48:47.533 --> 48:49.266 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
It's fueled by immigrants.
48:49.366 --> 48:52.533 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65%
It began as a dream.
48:52.633 --> 48:54.633 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
It was founded by dreamers.
48:54.733 --> 48:58.300 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5%
And it is dreamers,
especially our young dreamers,
48:58.400 --> 49:01.266 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70%
who will continue to
make this country great.
49:01.366 --> 49:04.466 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5%
So, let us dream together.
49:04.566 --> 49:09.133 align:left position:37.5%,start line:83% size:52.5%
Thank you.
[applause]
49:09.233 --> 49:10.866 align:left position:27.5%,start line:89% size:62.5%
Thank you so much.