A Dream Called Home

Reyna describes her relationship with a Latina student named Erica, who teaches her to be more comfortable with her Mexican identity. She meets Erica on a bus on her way home from school. Erica’s braided hair, traditional white dress, and red polka dot rebozo (shawl) broadcast that she is of Mexican descent. Reyna is shocked to see a university student in the US dressed like a rural Mexican villager, yet she admires Erica’s confidence. When Reyna asks why she is dressed in Mexican garb, Erica boldly responds, “‘Nomás porque quiero.’ Just because I want to” (114).

Erica is an ardently feminist Chicana. In contrast to Reyna, she is not conflicted by her dual identity as a Mexican American. She teaches Reyna how to operate in both cultures without constantly feeling like an outsider. She also introduces Reyna to folklórico, or Mexican folk dancing, and encourages her to join Los Mejicas, a student folklórico group at UCSC. Reyna comes to realize that folklórico focuses on storytelling in much the same way as writing and film do. Through Erica, Reyna also learns about the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, who becomes one of her heroes.

Practicing folklórico with Erica gives Reyna a new sense of pride in Mexico and its unique history.