Assimilate, then what?
Two widely different accounts of the Dominican-American experience
By Achy Obejas
After respective fifteen-year breaks from adult fiction, two of the best-known US-based Dominican writers have returned with some of their finest work — mature, intense stories that focus on US immigrant life and yet couldn’t be more different. Not that the authors haven’t been busy during this period: Julia Alvarez has been writing young adult and children’s books, non-fiction and poetry, while Angie Cruz founded and still edits the literary journal Aster(ix).
The Little Fidel in All of Us
By Achy Obejas
The headline scrolled through the corner of my computer screen sometime after 10 on Friday night. Fidel Castro had died. It was news I’d been waiting to hear my entire life, and yet I hesitated.
Why Cuba will never send Assata Shakur to the U.S.
By ACHY OBEJAS
In May 2013, on the 40th anniversary of her arrest, Assata Shakur was suddenly and inexplicably named to the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists list, with an award of up to $2 million for her capture. She was the first woman ever put on that list, but she gained that notorious promotion at a time when she was doing little that could be conceived of as criminal.
What Anthony Bourdain didn’t tell you about Cuban food
By Achy Obejas
Inevitably, when I say I’m going to Cuba, somebody says, “Mmm, yummy! I love Cuban food.” And after watching Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations” season premiere episode on Cuba, you might be tempted to think something delicious awaits you on the island.
But here’s the honest to God truth: Most food in Cuba is awful.
Homophobia
By Achy Obejas
Here's some of the testimony that aldermen heard--and gave--before voting on the gay rights ordinance. Don't laugh. It's not funny.
In Honor of Danny Sotomayor
By Achy Obejas
"Of course I know he's not here," said Rick Garcia as he stood outside the mayor's office on the fifth floor of City Hall. He was wearing a dapper black blazer, a CURE AIDS NOW button, and a new goatee. "But I'm going to go through with this anyway. I want to return my award; I need to return my award."