Red Hot Salsa Reading Journal

Red Hot Salsa edited by Lori Marie Carlson, is a continuation of Cool Salsa, a collection of poetry on the young life of Latinos throughout America. Through both Spanish and English vocabulary, a variety of poets express their feelings about growing up, finding identity, falling in love, and overcoming obstacles. Each poem provides an example of a variety of authors including Gary Soto, Luis J. Rodríguez, and José Antonio Burciaga. Each poem reflects a myriad of sentiments familiar to all humankind. The code-switching and manipulation of languages functions as a sort of patchwork that mirrors the double-nature of the Latino/a identity. The glossary and biographical notes, in addition to the translations of each poem provides the reader with all the information necessary to gain understanding and meaning from the poems. Each poem speaks from a distinctly unique voice; the collection verbalizes the unified voice of young Latinos. Lori Marie Carlson says "In describing what I do as a writer, I'd say that I try to bridge divides. Whether the chasm is between races, ethnic groups, language, genders, or generations it has been my aim to offer encouragement and feelings of hope to my readers. Why not try to be uplifting when there is so much grief and despair in this world? This is my way of thinking. " It is my opinion that Carlson effectively accomplishes this goal in this work. Red Hot Salsa demonstrates the energy and power that comes from unity and collaboration, --a concept important to each individual's evaluation of their duel-natured heritage, as well as a significant factor in the common bonds between all Latin-Americans. Themes of family, love, discrimination, adolescence, and victory resonate from the pages. I think this anthology would be a great resource in a classroom discussion about all of these themes, as well as the concepts of poetry.


Quote taken from: http://www.cbcbooks.org/cbcmagazine/meet/carlson_lorimarie.htm