Critics hold a mirror to you because they’re too weak to look into their own reflection (or they’re vampires).
I believe this quote, a la moi, and feel it. I have much to be happy about and criticisms of my books, my life, the mode in which I display my pride in my Chamorro heritage—anything I do from those on the outside will remain outside. Before you step into my house, take off your shoes. Then, I might lend an ear to your words.
Flinging opinions to the wind, in hopes that the target will somehow receive it is a cowardly way to give yourself a voice. Face to face, intellect to intellect…let’s do this. If not, then hold your tongue or find a way to do it yourself. By the way, just because I don’t speak Chamorro, it doesn’t minimize my Chamorro-ness…I had enough of that growing up and I won’t be bullied now.
I’m a concrete house, I’m mighty, mighty….
I had a wonderful, academic and cultural-filled weekend. The UCLA visit was awesome and the support from the Pacific Islander community was uplifting. Keith Camacho, Liz DeLoughrey, Craig Santos Perez and our guides, Alfred and Pua made our visit to UCLA and our panel discussion memorable. So, Si Yu’os Ma’ase! Twelve hours in high heels was worth the experience.
The Jacobs Market Creek Plaza’s 5th Annual Arts and Cultural Fest was our first vendor experience and we learned much and made great contacts. We were pleased by each and every visitor and proud to be a part of our community’s effort to celebrate each culture’s beauty.
Family and friends, Ninja Nari and Kamille (aka Kim Kardashian), Lee, Hank, Z and B, my kidlets, Barb, GW Geckos '92--Penny and Amy, helped make Guam Books and Beads’ first appearance a successful one.
Thank you for your support, until our next event! Read a book why don’t you!
Esta Later!
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Keep on keepin' ON Miss Tanya! We come from a very hyper-critical community (ahhh the impacts of colonization); but what you do is significant and a definite step in the right direction. There are many steps we must take in preserving ourselves and insuring that we sustain as a people (and while becoming more proficient in our language is one of them), it is by NO means the only strategy that needs to be put in place. We attack from many different angles and should do it in support of each other (regardless of how different the formula employed may be). I know that I'm really happy to have a book, written by a Chamorro woman (in my family) for this baby sitting in me. It's a book written for OUR children. Our children are always reading books and stories left behind by people of other cultures for children of other cultures. Thank you for leaving us some that we can call our own. <3 your prima in Yigo
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