University Press of Kentucky
144 pages
January 21, 2025
In Black Mestiza, Yael Valencia Aldana reckons with her identity as a Caribbean Afro-Latinx/e woman with Indigenous, Black, and white roots and pays homage to the legacy, resilience, and fortitude of her ancestors. These stunning poems paint a vivid picture of everyday life and Aldana’s experiences as a mixed-race woman, daughter, and mother.
The Pushcart Prize–winning poem “Black Person Head Bob” addresses how Black people silently yet soulfully acknowledge and see each other. “Why Don’t You Write About Joy?” speaks to the suffering that women of color endure while their cries and spirit remain resolute: because you cannot hear me / doesn’t mean I am not singing. “Small Dark and Moving” skillfully represents the poet’s journey and the souls she carries with her, evoking images of evolving landscapes and beings as they transition through different forms. The poet beautifully interweaves narratives regarding the constant presence and influence of her Caribbean parents and a desire for more connection with her Colombian grandmother and ancestry, capturing the essence of origins, blood ties, and the idea that nothing is ever truly lost. This collection is not only a testament to Aldana’s deep-rooted connection to her heritage, but also a compelling celebration and expression of pride, recognition, and a profound sense of community.
Yael Valencia Aldana, an Afro-Latinx/e poet and writer, is the author of Alien(s). Aldana, her mother, her mother’s mother, and so on are descendants of the Indigenous people of modern-day Colombia. Her work has been nominated for Best of the Net and has appeared in Torch Literary Arts, Chapter House Journal, and Slag Glass City, among others. She teaches creative writing in South Florida and lives near the ocean with her son and too many pets. Find her online at YaelAldana.com.