One thing I love about writing on the Vivir Latino blog is that for probably the first time in my life, I have instant access to a wide range of Latino opinions and perspectives. Living in the U.S. Midwest is an often an isolating and solitary experience.

But one of the things I noticed about Vivir Latino is that it often focuses on the NYC experiences of Latin@s. Which is essential and vitally important! But I’ve been thinking that since I am from the Midwest, it’d be really great to use the platform that VL provides to start highlighting what’s happening with those of us who live in the Midwest!

One of the first things to note about politicized Latin@s in the Midwest is that very often there simply isn’t enough of us to do much “Latin@” based organizing. That is, we can’t organize huge parades (for example) like the folks out in California can–there simply isn’t enough of us.

So very often, we spend a lot of time organizing with other groups that are either dealing with the same sense of isolation or who are bigger and have more resources. For Latin@s in my area, this usually means hooking up with Arab and/or black communities.

Which means we spend a lot of time listening and learning. Not that we’ll ever know what it’s like to be Arab and/or black–but more that there are similarities and differences between communities that may lead to productive ways of allying together.

And one of the ways we “speak” when working together is through art. We may not understand each others languages, but how our art speaks volumes:

Dar Films Production © presents the first Palestinian Animation film. Inspired from a true story, Fatenah، a Palestinian woman who lives in Gaza Strip. Her simple wishes were her consolation in the absurd living situation around her. But when she discovers a lump near her breast, she will start a journey to save her dreams.

Directed and Animated by: Ahmad Habash
Executive Producer: Saed Andoni
Music: Said Murad
Editing: Saed Andoni
D.O.P: Ahmad Habash

Again, although the experience of Palestinians and Chican@s is not the same, it doesn’t have to be. And it actually makes us stronger that it’s not. In what ways can we in the Midwest be a part of creating an even stronger and more nuanced critical analysis of immigration–simply by sharing our stories with each other?

Are you a Latin@ from the Midwest? Or with a group that has organized with Latin@s in the Midwest? I’d love to hear your experiences in comments!