Peek Behind the Curtain Event with Luis Urrea & Gary Nabhan + Podcast Link

Luis Alberto Urrea & Gary Nabhan at the Tin Shed Theater in Patagonia, AZ

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By all accounts, the event was a rousing success. Teresa Urrea, Luis Alberto Urrea's family member and the subject of his books Hummingbird's Daughter and Queen of America, was the centerpiece of the conversation and the point of intersection with Gary Nabhan's new book Against the American Grain: A Borderlands History of Resistance. "Teresita", as she was known, is included in the book as emblematic of cultural resistance in the borderlands. Born in the late nineteenth century in Sinaloa, Mexico, Teresita had a remarkable life defined by her extraordinary healing abilities and compassion for the Indigenous people of Mexico. Both of these qualities—and her outspokenness about the injustices and abuses perpetrated against the Indigenous people—elevated her reputation as a folk saint to the people. "La Santa de Cabora" became the face of the resistance and ultimately of the rebellion against Porfirio Diaz's dictatorship, many crediting her with inspiring the Mexican Revolution even though she was a staunch pacifist who consistently implored the people of Mexico with messages of love and equality. 

Teresita was the springboard from which the evening's conversation expanded into some rich and dimensional territory. Gary's book, written to mobilize readers and to draw hope and inspiration from four centuries of borderlands cultural resistance filled with "little Davids up against Goliaths," celebrates the "cultural creative disruption that was ultimately successful in enriching America." People on the margins of society were called to rise up, reminding us that resistance and change often spring from those very margins. Luis encouraged using our "peripheral vision," with Gary emphasizing that "the edges are where the innovations—and the fun!--happen." Both authors expounded on the role of fun and humor as a meaningful antidote to the forces that seek to divide us and as legitimate--and necessary--acts of resistance, Luis adding that "laughter is one of the healing arts" and "happiness and creating a family together—even for a minute—is a powerful force."

The conversation was an affirmation of Teresita's own message to the people of Mexico in her time. She was frequently quoted as saying, "We need to be able to take each other's hands and help each other always." Referencing the present climate of division, Gary commented that "labels and stereotypes fall away when we're doing work together in the community," and Luis reminded us that there is "something sacred out there calling to us all the time..."

In this spirit, we renewed our vows to each other as tender and wounded humans on a fragile planet, stronger together, and as both benefactors and inheritors of the long and storied tradition of resistance in the borderlands. ¡Viva la resistencia!

As always, a whole village was involved in making this event successful. Though we can't name everyone, we are ever so grateful to them all.

To Melissa and Todd of The Border Chronicle for their ongoing partnership in the Peek Behind the Curtain series and for their crucial border reporting in this time of disinformation.

To Cassina Farley of the Patagonia Creative Arts Association/Tin Shed Theater and her army of volunteers, a big thank you for making the event happen and making it an easy and fun collaboration.

To Cassina's mom, Susan Quiroga, for donating her time to feed the masses an outstanding Mexican and borderlands-themed meal. Her calabacitas and hominy are unmatched!

To Gary Nabhan for being a fantastic partner-in-crime, for approaching us when his new book was published, and for generously offering to do an event. Out of that sprang the light bulb moment for bringing Luis Urrea into the conversation (quite literally). And a deep bow for writing his thought-provoking and lyrical book, Against the American Grain: A Borderlands History of Resistance…truly the right book at the right time.

To Luis and Cinderella Urrea for their generosity of spirit and willingness to take a leap of faith and say 'yes' to an email. For being willing to come to our small community to support Voices from the Border and the Patagonia Creative Arts Association. It was a treat to meet them both, and we will never forget their generosity! And we are all blessed beyond measure that Luis introduced his extraordinary great-aunt Teresa Urrea ("Teresita") to the world. We need her messages now more than ever.

To the Patagonia (beloved) community (and beyond) who came out in support of, and enriched, this event and our two nonprofits. And for being the very best co-conspirator in the work of making "Good Trouble."

You can hear the evening's podcast in its entirety here.