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Dispatches From Puerto Nowhere: An American Story of Assimilation and Erasure

Name: Dispatches From Puerto Nowhere: An American Story of Assimilation and Erasure
Price: 20.10 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 3.9 (5 reviews)

3.9 of 5 Stars: Regional U.S. - Dispatches From Puerto Nowhere: An American Story of Assimilation and Erasure

$20.10

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Book Synopsis: "That I was born Puerto Rican was happenstance, but that I have no connection to what it means is no accident. My grandparents made conscious decisions and so did my father as part of the first generation born here in the States. And none of it bothered me until recently, which is probably why I can’t quite put my finger on any of this. I’m still grappling with what I’ve lost and how I can miss something I’ve never had."Robert Lopez’s grandfather Sixto was born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, in 1904, immigrating to the United States in the 1920s, where he lived in a racially proportioned apartment complex in East New York, Brooklyn, until his death in 1987. The family’s efforts to assimilate within their new homeland led to the near complete erasure of their heritage, culture, and language within two generations.Little is known of Sixto—he may have been a longshoreman, a painter, or a boxer, but was most likely a longshoreman—or why he originally decided to leave Puerto Rico, other than that he was a meticulously slow eater who played the standup keyboard and guitar, and enjoyed watching baseball. Through family recollection, the constant banter volleyed across nets within Brooklyn’s diverse tennis community, as well as an imagined fabulist history drawn from Sixto’s remembered traits, in Dispatches From Puerto Nowhere: An American Story of Assimilation and Erasure, Robert Lopez paints a compassionate portrait of family that attempts to bridge the past to the present, and re-claim a heritage threatened by assimilation and erasure.

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Are you searching for a powerful and poignant tale that explores the complexities of identity and heritage? Look no further than "Dispatches From Puerto Nowhere: An American Story of Assimilation and Erasure." This captivating book delves deep into the life of author Robert Lopez's grandfather, Sixto, a Puerto Rican immigrant who faced the challenges of assimilation in 20th century America.

In this thought-provoking memoir, Lopez unravels the intricate layers of his family history, showcasing how his grandparents and father made conscious decisions to embrace their new home, resulting in the unfortunate loss of their heritage, culture, and language within just two generations.

Through vivid recollections and an imaginative retelling of his grandfather's story, Lopez unveils a compassionate portrait of a family struggling to connect with their Puerto Rican roots. With each turn of the page, you'll be transported to a world that is at once familiar and foreign, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the yearning for something lost.

Immerse yourself in this powerful narrative that bridges the past and the present, reclaiming a heritage threatened by assimilation and erasure. Gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of the immigrant experience and the profound impact it has on future generations.

Don't miss your chance to experience "Dispatches From Puerto Nowhere: An American Story of Assimilation and Erasure." Uncover the hidden truths of one family's journey and discover how our collective histories shape who we are today.

Click here to grab your copy now and embark on a transformative literary adventure.

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