Chicano Culture
The author originates from a Chicano ancestry. Many of the poems in the collection have the Chicano culture as their predominant culture. In one of the poems, Herrera explores the lives of immigrants from Mexico illegally crossing the border into the United States in search of better opportunities for their families. In another, he explores individuals fighting for their people’s rights and freedom as Mexican-Americans. The poems also highlight some controversial topics in the Chicano culture including some traditions that are criticized for being outdated and some that stand the test of time.
Minority Oppression and Artistic Struggle
The poems express a variety of experiences from oppressed people. Detailed experiences of Mexican-Americans and African-Americans facing injustice at the hands of individuals regarding themselves as the superior race. The collection offers a vivid description of what oppression means and gives an insight into an individual who isn’t well experienced in it. The poems act as political proclamations of freedom.
As an artist originating from a reserved culture where things like artistic dreams aren’t promoted, Herrera exposes the endless cycles of abuse that parents inflict in their children. Parents from this culture often don’t encourage their children to follow their dreams. They always want them to pursue much safer and stable career goals. Herrera uses his position as a successful Chicano artist to encourage Hispanic parents to be more open-minded about their children’s future.
