American Boricua on the Road
I virtually met Wanda Benvenutti through my cousin Miguel in Seattle. “You’ve got to connect with her, I’m telling you…” He was right. Visit her web site and you’ll find an amazing photographer passionate about storytelling, I should know, I’m addicted to her blog! Her latest project is the production of a book that documents Puerto Rican life in the US. Here she shares about how she took on this challenge. By Angel McClinton ________________________________________________________________
BFC: If a reader was to dream of embarking on a journey similar to yours, what would be your outline for them? Mistakes to avoid?
If you mean following your passion and doing work you love, well, that’s huge! Because isn’t that what we all want in our lives? To have meaning in our work and joy in our experiences? In terms of American Boricua, I surround myself with people who are positive and supportive of me and my work. I also ask people I admire and respect to mentor me and support what I am doing. Get engaged in life, in your community. It is so easy to isolate yourself and forget about the life teeming all around you. Decide what is important to you, roll up your sleeves and get to work. If you are having fun, it won’t feel like work at all.
Recently I had the good fortune of hosting two Boricua filmmakers for dinner, Poli Marichal and Ricardo Mendez Matta. They screened their new film Ladrones Y Mentirosos (Thieves and Liars) at the Seattle Film Festival in June. We had salmon, arroz con habicuelas, claro, and talked about life and our projects and what moves us to follow our purpose. That thing that keeps you going. It just felt like I was home, with people who understand what it means to stick your neck out for something you believe in and persevere, no matter what. I am so relieved and grateful to be part of this bourgeoning community of Latino creatives, as we live in an interesting and vital time. Maybe by the time I am una vieja your typical Joe Smith type will understand chancleta jokes. Hey, its possible! Didn’t your Abuela and Titis have eyes behind their head and good aim?
In practical terms having a clear plan of action, a road map of your intention, help, as well as thinking very big really help. What the world has in store for you is much more juicy and expansive than anything your ego can create. If it brings you joy, it will bring others joy as well. The main mistake to avoid is thinking you are in charge, that your ego actually has a say in how your life will unfold. Let go and trust the process. Only do work that you are passionate about and fully believe in. That enthusiasm is contagious.
BFC: What were some of the obstacles you’ve come up against and what did you do to overcome them?
Giving myself permission to do this was a big hurdle, and is something at times I still deal with. I basically chose to turn my life upside down and fully commit many years, resources, and time to American Boricua. Which is great because an enormous part of my spiritual life is in my work.
We all are so much more alike than different as people, we all have fears, but we don’t have to be defined by fear. So when I’m having a tough day I take some deep breaths and either call a friend, pray, or take a walk. Sometimes all three, ha ha ha…..The thing is, when you are blessed with a compelling idea, you’d better run with that gift and see it through. If you don’t you may regret it. I want to shock my grandchildren by telling them stories from the road. “Once when I was in Idaho I met a Boricua bounty hunter…..” The amazing piece in all of this is that there have been almost no obstacles in terms of people being interested in the project. I think this has to do with timing and cultural relevance. Its our time baby, we’re just as American as Joe Smith and have been for nearly 100 years. Its time to document that history for those coming up behind us, as well as for everyone else, because Puerto Rican Culture is American Culture. The two are intertwined and influence each other in ways we are just starting to examine.
The other challenge is to just keep believing in yourself, keep moving forward and asking for help. Often we’re raised with this idea that asking for help is a sign of weakness. Crazy! When you walk into a store and can’t find something you need, don’t you ask for help? We all ask for help every day. It’s the same thing with American Boricua. I know I could not do this alone, it is definitely a group effort. I am thankful for that, because it means I get to share this journey with some pretty amazing people. American Boricua is transforming my idea of family.
BFC: Do you have a team in place for the shooting of your documentary?
Not yet. Know anyone good who’s interested? We’re still working on the book piece of the project, though the plan is that shooting will start in January 2007. There will be video content on the website in the next six months. Everything takes longer than you think, tu sabes, but in the end it all comes together.
For more information about Wanda, read the great Interview she did for Biznik.com.
Web Sites: www.wandabenvenutti.com
AM07/06
