Ericka S. Familia
Latest Articles
Why I Do Not Proudly Wave the American Flag
When I list all of the identities that I take pride in, being a citizen of the United States unfortunately does not make the cut. I cannot be proud of a nation that has eroded my optimism so thoroughly that I have to mentally prepare myself for the fear and disillusionment that comes with reading the news every day.
Preserving My Dominican Culture Through Generations
My parents had no choice but to teach their kids Spanish so they could communicate with us, but I will have a choice. And even if my cooking skills don’t ever match Mami’s, I will ensure that my children can read the recipes to me as I follow them.
Afro-Latinidad: Reconciling My Competing Identities
For most Black people, February 27th is fairly insignificant, simply marking the second-to-last day of Black History Month. For me, it wholly defines my experience with Blackness.
The Bronx Fire: A Tragedy, But Not An Accident
What makes the Bronx fire particularly tragic — beyond its basic nature — is that it was clearly preventable. When considering both the cause of the fire and the reason it became so deadly, it is evident that hiding behind the headline of a devastating accident lies a larger story of negligence and disregard for human life.
Las Palmas: Not My Dominican Kitchen
As a Dominican student at Harvard, I am disappointed that Las Palmas does not seem willing to run the risk of offering authentic food that would perhaps be rejected by many on Harvard’s campus on account of being too foreign, although I am not particularly surprised.