The Haunting of Alejandra shows us that we have not just generational trauma but also generational strength. Alejandra and Cathy were both tormented by negative thoughts, whether they came from judgemental nurses, their inner critics, or evil creatures. Despite this they sought help and defeated a generational curse that seemed insurmountable. 

I read The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett twice. Once many years ago, and again recently for my book club. The first time I read it, I loved the book. I didn’t remember much from my first reading of it except that it left me with so much pain and love for the characters.

En ‘Temes’ iLe cuestiona “¿por qué me temes?” y enumera ejemplos de violencia que enfrentamos las mujeres. Cuando escuché la canción por primera vez, pensé inmediatamente en la crítica que recibe el movimiento de derechos de mujeres en Latinoamérica.

In ‘Temes’ iLe questions what men are afraid of in their subjugation of women when it is women who face criticism, blame, and violence. And when I first heard the song, I couldn’t help but think of the response to the women’s movement in Latin America.

Estar de luto de este lado de la frontera no es satisfactorio. Ya estamos acostumbrados a extrañar a nuestros seres queridos. Ya estamos acostumbrados a vivir sin ellos.

Mourning on this side of the border is unsatisfactory. We’re already used to missing our loved ones. We’re already used to living without them.

La esponja, en la esquina del lavabo, cierra los ojos para descansar de su día ocupado de ser esponja, y comienza a pesadillar.