Here are our picks for September. Seeing as it is Hispanic Heritage Month, we tried to focus in on books and films involving the Latinx experience. 

Borderlands/La Frontera by Gloria Anzaldúa

This piece, which contains both prose and poetry, while also bringing the practice of code-switching into play, explores all of the emotions and experiences of someone who feels as if they’re torn between two different identities and worlds. Anzaldúa draws from her own personal experiences as a queer Chicanx feminist to create a piece that is unique, has something for everyone, and invites the reader to reflect on their own experiences from instances in their lives where they just didn’t quite fit society’s mold. 

Dominicana by Angie Cruz

A novel exploring the delicate balance between duty to self and duty to family follows the journey of Ana Cancion, a fifteen-year old who marries Juan Ruiz and is taken to Washington Heights in New York City. An opportunity that could provide herself and her family with a potentially clean slate in the United States turns out to not be as immersive and inviting as she had hoped. However, when Juan has to return to the Dominican Republic, his brother Cesar is tapped to look out for Ana, providing her with new opportunities. 

Selena (1997)

This film focuses on the life of the late famous Texan singer Selena Quintanilla. Throughout the film we see the progression of her musical career while also taking a dive into her personal life. The film highlights pivotal moments in her career up until her tragic ending. Overall this is a family friendly film that’s exciting, dynamic and centered around the life of the well-loved Queen of Tejano music. 

A Better Life (2011)

The film revolves around the journey of an immigrant father trying his best to raise his naturalized son in Los Angeles. With the American Dream mindset, the father tries his best to climb the social ladder in order to ultimately be able to provide a better life for his son. The struggle to get ahead in this country comes with endless downfalls but the father never loses optimism. This film portrays the endless suffering and abuse immigrant parents will encounter in order to protect their children as well as secure the opportunity for them to even get a  chance at a better life.