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thebookwormscorner 's review for:
When We Make It
by Elisabet Velasquez
I had to reread this book twice, because I was going through a hard time when I initially read it. As a result, I was not able to enjoy this amazing piece of writing like I should've. Now I am here and ready to gush about it. -Insert happy emoji-.
Yes sir! I've come prepared with notes, quotes, and terms that meant a great significance as I read: 'When We Make It'.
14 year old Sarai lives in Bushwick. And if you don't know, that's in Brooklyn, aight? (sorry I had to, especially since I'm a native New Yorker). She lives with her mom and older sister Estrella. Sarai also has a brother named Danny who lives in a home for people with disabilites. Sarai's dad is not around, and things have been pretty rough for them ever since. But, it's not like it was a total loss. Sarai's dad was abusive towards their mother. So him leaving was definitely a blessing. Life is pretty hard for this family as they navigate moving from apartment to apartment, living in very unsafe and questionable conditions, dealing with living in crime and drug infested neighborhoods. Growing up around their mother wasn't a piece of cake either. Sarai and Estrella's mother was schizophrenic and verbally abusive towards them, especially Estrella. Although she made some questionable decisions, Estrella just wanted the best for Sarai and herself. They've been through enough as it was. Their mother was in denial about a lot of things, and I believe that's where some of the trauma Sarai and Estrella have has stemmed from.
My thoughts: As a fellow Diasporican, this story resonated a lot with me. I left the island when I was month's old and raised in NY all my life. I don't have a lot of knowledge of Puerto Rico or my background, and a lot of the poems explained how I felt or continue to feel. Having been born in Puerto Rico, but raised in New York comes with always defending your Puerto Rican card. Especially if you don't speak Spanish. They will crucify you for that. You'll never hear the end of it, especially from elders. Elisabet Velasquez really outdid herself with this one. Her writing and certain words brought back flashbacks of the good times in my rocky life. Thank you for that. Below are some quotes and terms with their definitions that meant a lot to me while I read the book.
"I got dreams because I have to have them
I got dreams 'cause I wanna wake up one day
to a Happy Birthday"
-Sarai, When we make it
¿Los Muchachos de hoy en dia?- The kids today in age
No saben ni un carajo lo - Don't know s**t
que es sufrir. - about what it is to suffer.
-Señor Mavi, When we make it
1- Chacal/Sabado Gigante:
One of the most recognized entertainers is Don Francisco from Sabado Gigante. It was a family variety show that had famous singers, artists, contests, skits and much more. The chacal was a persona they created dressed almost like the little ghosts from Pacman. Except, he dressed in all black and carried a trumpet. They would have contestants trying to sing and whoever sounded awful, he would play his trumpet to disqualify them. It was a riot.
2- Cuchifritos:
Simply the most delightful food you'll have as an appetizer, snack, or dinner. It's so bad for you, but sooo good. They basically fried delicacies. morcilla (blood sausage), papas rellenas (fried potato balls stuffed with meat), platanos rellenos (stuffed plantains), chicharron (fried pork skin), and various other parts of the pig prepared in different ways (I apologize if you're vegan and reading this).
3-Entrometida:
Means nosey. My grandmother used to call me this.
4- Nuyorican:
A Puerto Rican person that was raised in New York, but born in Puerto Rico (They don't think we're real Puerto Ricans lol).
5-Knickerbocker Avenue:
A neighborhood in Brooklyn. My grandmother lived there once upon a time.
6- Mavi:
Mauby, also known as mavi (maví or mabí) in Puerto Rico is a tree bark-based beverage.It is made with sugar and the bark of the mauby tree, a small tree native to the northern Caribbean and south Florida. Mavi has a sweet flavor with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
7- Quenepas:
Oh man! I absolutely love these! It's been so long. Spanish Lime, Quenepa, Genep or Mamoncillo, is an evergreen or semi-deciduous tree (related to Lychee and Longan) native to northern South America that has naturalized throughout Central America and the Caribbean. They are semi- sweet and the way you eat them is by pealing the outer shell and sucking on the seed until you get to the core. Don't eat the seed!
8- La Pompa:
I guess my Spanish card gets revoked here sorta since I haven't experienced this yet! haha! The pump basically means the pump, and it's when they open the hydrant and all the kids (and adults too) from the block enjoy a spritz on those hot days. This has been going on for as long I can remember.
9- El Piraguero:
This is when you know summer is officially around the corner! El Piraguero is papi with his little cart and a block of ice that he then shaves it into a cup. He has glass bottles lined up with syrupy goodness. You just pick whatever flavor you want.
I could sit here all day and put all the terms I want, but you get the point :)
I've already went on too much, but when there's a book that really speaks to you and it's made for you, it's hard to ignore the happy giddiness.
Yes sir! I've come prepared with notes, quotes, and terms that meant a great significance as I read: 'When We Make It'.
14 year old Sarai lives in Bushwick. And if you don't know, that's in Brooklyn, aight? (sorry I had to, especially since I'm a native New Yorker). She lives with her mom and older sister Estrella. Sarai also has a brother named Danny who lives in a home for people with disabilites. Sarai's dad is not around, and things have been pretty rough for them ever since. But, it's not like it was a total loss. Sarai's dad was abusive towards their mother. So him leaving was definitely a blessing. Life is pretty hard for this family as they navigate moving from apartment to apartment, living in very unsafe and questionable conditions, dealing with living in crime and drug infested neighborhoods. Growing up around their mother wasn't a piece of cake either. Sarai and Estrella's mother was schizophrenic and verbally abusive towards them, especially Estrella. Although she made some questionable decisions, Estrella just wanted the best for Sarai and herself. They've been through enough as it was. Their mother was in denial about a lot of things, and I believe that's where some of the trauma Sarai and Estrella have has stemmed from.
My thoughts: As a fellow Diasporican, this story resonated a lot with me. I left the island when I was month's old and raised in NY all my life. I don't have a lot of knowledge of Puerto Rico or my background, and a lot of the poems explained how I felt or continue to feel. Having been born in Puerto Rico, but raised in New York comes with always defending your Puerto Rican card. Especially if you don't speak Spanish. They will crucify you for that. You'll never hear the end of it, especially from elders. Elisabet Velasquez really outdid herself with this one. Her writing and certain words brought back flashbacks of the good times in my rocky life. Thank you for that. Below are some quotes and terms with their definitions that meant a lot to me while I read the book.
"I got dreams because I have to have them
I got dreams 'cause I wanna wake up one day
to a Happy Birthday"
-Sarai, When we make it
¿Los Muchachos de hoy en dia?- The kids today in age
No saben ni un carajo lo - Don't know s**t
que es sufrir. - about what it is to suffer.
-Señor Mavi, When we make it
1- Chacal/Sabado Gigante:
One of the most recognized entertainers is Don Francisco from Sabado Gigante. It was a family variety show that had famous singers, artists, contests, skits and much more. The chacal was a persona they created dressed almost like the little ghosts from Pacman. Except, he dressed in all black and carried a trumpet. They would have contestants trying to sing and whoever sounded awful, he would play his trumpet to disqualify them. It was a riot.
2- Cuchifritos:
Simply the most delightful food you'll have as an appetizer, snack, or dinner. It's so bad for you, but sooo good. They basically fried delicacies. morcilla (blood sausage), papas rellenas (fried potato balls stuffed with meat), platanos rellenos (stuffed plantains), chicharron (fried pork skin), and various other parts of the pig prepared in different ways (I apologize if you're vegan and reading this).
3-Entrometida:
Means nosey. My grandmother used to call me this.
4- Nuyorican:
A Puerto Rican person that was raised in New York, but born in Puerto Rico (They don't think we're real Puerto Ricans lol).
5-Knickerbocker Avenue:
A neighborhood in Brooklyn. My grandmother lived there once upon a time.
6- Mavi:
Mauby, also known as mavi (maví or mabí) in Puerto Rico is a tree bark-based beverage.It is made with sugar and the bark of the mauby tree, a small tree native to the northern Caribbean and south Florida. Mavi has a sweet flavor with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
7- Quenepas:
Oh man! I absolutely love these! It's been so long. Spanish Lime, Quenepa, Genep or Mamoncillo, is an evergreen or semi-deciduous tree (related to Lychee and Longan) native to northern South America that has naturalized throughout Central America and the Caribbean. They are semi- sweet and the way you eat them is by pealing the outer shell and sucking on the seed until you get to the core. Don't eat the seed!
8- La Pompa:
I guess my Spanish card gets revoked here sorta since I haven't experienced this yet! haha! The pump basically means the pump, and it's when they open the hydrant and all the kids (and adults too) from the block enjoy a spritz on those hot days. This has been going on for as long I can remember.
9- El Piraguero:
This is when you know summer is officially around the corner! El Piraguero is papi with his little cart and a block of ice that he then shaves it into a cup. He has glass bottles lined up with syrupy goodness. You just pick whatever flavor you want.
I could sit here all day and put all the terms I want, but you get the point :)
I've already went on too much, but when there's a book that really speaks to you and it's made for you, it's hard to ignore the happy giddiness.