We were all drawn the the absolute sass that “hex poem to the colonizers, recolonizers, and haters” embodies. Even though the poem is short, Maldonado conveys a strong message through humor and snark. Of course, poetry, especially the poetry we’ve been talking about is also meant to be read and shared out loud, so Lucy decided to make an animation of the poem and read it to you.

Lucy’s Director’s Statement Comments

Based on Malodano’s other poems, I see a vulnerability in her work in addition to the sass in this poem. Because of this combination, I added a heart at the title to reflect her sarcasm, and used purple for her words to represent her femininity and identity as a woman, which are common motifs throughout her work as well. (It also adds to the witchiness of her hex.)

Kayla’s Interpretation

This poem is essentially about taking a stand against oppressors. It uses symbolism and if you ever made maduros you know the popping of the oil can be very hectic at times. While reading this I imagine myself cooking a meal and the quick reflexes you have to have when throwing the platanos in the oil. The platanos in turn are a representation of the colonized people and the popping oil is the backlash in which the colonizers will receive from these people.

Probably one of the most important and interesting stanzas is the last one stating, “ and I hope when you bite into it, thinking the sting was worth it/ you realize you didn’t let the platano ripen enough/ and it ain’t even that sweet.” This stanza is both very funny and full of attitude. I definitely hear the poets voice in these lines and this line made me feel the most connected to the poet because an under ripe platano isn’t always the best. It’s the poets “haha” moment to the colonizers exemplifying how the Hispanic people can’t be detained.

This line can also be related to the other poems in this link which I went on to look at for similarities. There’s a common theme of territory and belonging; a collision and being apart of two different worlds all at once. Through these poems you see how essential it is for the Hispanic culture to say “we are here” and to be heard and seen. 

Dulce’s Drawing

Since the poem is titled “hex poem to colonizers, recolonizers, and haters”, I decided that it would only make sense to draw a witch-like character in order to put emphasis on the “hex” aspect of it. I made sure to make her hair curly and give her a set of brown eyes. I wanted her to be a character that not only represented the context of the poem itself, but also of latinx people. Her witch’s hat also adds on to the “hexing” bit. Above her, is a thought bubble, she’s thinking or manifesting the sort of damage that she wants these people, aka, the “colonizers”, “recolonizers” and “haters” to suffer. As you can see in the poem, she repeatedly states “I hope”, she’s not directly causing any harm, so in my drawing she’s also just manifesting these misfortunes.

We were influenced Galeano’s description of the violence caused by the conquistadors as they explored and conquered Latin America.

Dulce’s audio-visual response: 

This video focuses on Francisco Pizarro, a Spanish conquistador. It explains Pizarro’s expeditions and how he came to conquer Peru. What stood out to me most about this video was the way in which he conquered this land. He used violence and force against the Incan people. Pizarro’s greed led him to take advantage of the Incan’s vulnerability when they were suffering from illnesses and trick/deceive Atahualpa (the Incan Emperor) even after he was submissive to his wishes. It seems that Pizarro’s ambitiousness and eagerness to become rich was so powerful that he’d stop at nothing to achieve it.

Kayla’s drawing response:

This drawing is a series of images influenced by the fact that a majority of the article was about people traveling and “exploring” these parts of the world a lot of times looking for gold. The Taíno symbol represents the Indians killed during these explorations.

Lucy’s writing response:

What struck me most from this excerpt of Open Veins of Latin America was the juxtaposition of the splendor that the Spanish found in this “New World” and the atrocities that the native people have to endure as a result of it. For the Spanish, the land and riches of the New World was a paradise that almost seemed to be a gift from God, while the native people of these lands were forced to undergo complete suffering as they were subjugated in order to procure riches for the conquistadors. I was particularly affected by the Antillean holocaust and the fact that these people were so deprived of hope that they resorted to killing their children so that their people would no longer suffer. And yet, when we learn of these “discoveries” we are only told of the glory that Spain found. I wrote this poem to highlight that juxtaposition from the text.

behold! the sun casts its golden glow
upon sloping hills
as trees reach for the skies
and spreads its luscious greenery
onto the rich black soil
upon which we seek our riches

behold the sunlight that reflects
off these men who stand over us

as sparkling waters kiss
as shore that glitters with His bounty
and cuts through the banks
like lightening
running through the earth
bringing life
breathing air unto my Home

this water that runs
bears no more color
red or clear, is there a difference?
the air is empty in our home 

gifts bestowed upon the deserving
our inheritance from Him
no paintings can do it justice
no words nor melodies can capture
the paradise He himself has given us

do the stars and moon betray us?
the god have abandoned us,
what omens have we ignored to lead us here

blessed be His children that the mountain
opens up its veins
to bestow upon us gifts!
Open yourself before me!
Our children will bear this weight
of bounty and riches,
the deep gold and dazzling silver
surrender to our might!

i open your veins before me
my child, i am so sorry
but this weight you will bear no more