I believe that any piece of literature is an archive, and when I imagine a world without archives, I see a world where no identity exists. A world with no history of its people, cataclysmic moments, or major events. I see a world where people may spend a lifetime searching for purpose. A place where we don’t learn from our mistakes. A place where improvement is nonexistent. Archives are important because they provide proof of events, culture, people, history, and institutions. They tell stories and give us information about where things come from. They increase our understanding of the world around us. They help provide a sense of self and identity. James Baldwin said, “You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read.” As a person of color, who comes from a lineage of women who were not allowed to read or to write, this resonates with me deeply. Therefore, I do read and I know I must write.

I grew up artistically quenched: the sounds of New York City, the smells of arroz con guandules and jerk chicken, the anguish of family drama, the sentiments of neighborhood tragedies, the curiosity of adolescence, the feelings of first love joys, the elevations from triumphs and the gloominess of struggle. When I think about my own personal journey, I remember being a child watching television or theater (if it was accessible) and I longed to see myself portrayed. I longed to see stories that were like mine. Stories about the conflicting things I felt- being AfroLatina in a White-dominated world, growing up financially poor with a rich imagination, being underprivileged in opportunities but privileged enough to pursue a good education. This is why I write and create, because somewhere out there, there's another AfroLatinx kid who is bright and impressionable. A child who grew up way before they needed to. Somewhere out there, this person grows up and wants to be recognized and fantasizes about a world that sees them. Therefore, my plays always explore what is to be Latino, Black, and BOTH, in this country.

I write because I want us to remember those who are easily forgotten. I write stories that are rarely ever told. I write because I want to hear new voices on the stage. I write because I want to see more representation in the world. I write because when I don't write, I can't sleep at night. I write because I love people, I love being a woman, and I love being AfroLatina. I write so that the experiences my people have are archived.