Letras Latinas, the Institute for Latino Studies’ literary initiative, partnered with the National Portrait Gallery and the Library of Congress last Tuesday evening in Washington, D.C. and presented, “Poets Unite!” U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera was joined by California poets Diana Garcia and Arlene Biala.
The poets read new work responding to “One Life: Dolores Huerta,” currently on display at the National Portrait Gallery. “My parents were campesinos way before the union began, in Denver, Wyoming, Texas and California. I grew up as a campesino child," Juan Felipe Herrera told NBC Latino. “For me (participating in the poetry reading), it’s giving my thanks, acknowledging my parents and all the works they did, all my family and my relatives. It’s very personal for me.”
To read full NBC Latino article, visit:
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/latino-poets-honor-civil-rights-leader-dolores-huerta-smithsonian-n534826
To view photo gallery (25+pics) of the event, visit Letras Latinas Blog:
http://letraslatinasblog.blogspot.com/2016/03/poets-unite-photo-gallery.html
Originally published by Institute for Latino Studies at latinostudies.nd.edu on March 11, 2016.