October 8th, 2007
Tato Laviera presents: "African Veins Across the Continents"

Tato Laviera

"Poetry was meant to be heard and read," Tato Laviera said, as the highly touted Puerto Rican writer began a poetry reading and lecture at the Memorial Student Center. Laviera's poetry and plays blend his Puerto Rican roots with his upbringing on the streets of New York City. Known for his combination of Latino, Afro-Latino and African style, Laviera's energy rushed through the crowded room as he recited works from two of his books, Enclave and AmeRícan. Laviera's powerful readings not only touch, but delve into the social and cultural implications of bilingualism and biculturalism in the U.S. His work identifies with both African-American and Puerto-Rican sub-cultures in New York. Over sixty Texas A&M students and faculty were in attendance on October 8th for the electrifying reading as the Department of Hispanic Studies and the Department of Africana Studies worked together to bring Tato to College Station for the day. During his visit, Laviera also gave a lecture in Spanish 412-Hispanic Writers in the U.S. Laviera has published works in Spanish, English and Spanglish, a mixture of the two languages.