Daring to Break the Cycle with Adriana Devers - Author, Poet & Educator, Ep #126

I met an incredible poet at the same event I heard Deyanira Martinez speak at and I knew I wanted to share her work with you on the podcast. I am so inspired by the Latinas who are creating art and inspiring each other here in the States and I think you will be too.

A dreamer at heart, Adriana Devers uses her writing to uplift, celebrate and recognize the value of our Afro-Caribbean culture, while bringing up topics that every family should be addressing with their children. Freelancer for online reading programs, her works give a message of hope and acceptance for children and adults alike.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • How Adriana has used poetry to further her cause connecting with Latina women (3:29)

  • Why allowing emotions help us to be authentic (8:40)

  • What she learned from her family upbringing in the Dominican Republic (14:24)

  • How traditional gender roles are shifting in the Latin community (24:39)

  • How content can impact children’s growth (31:51)

  • The importance of reading for Adriana’s generation (40:22)

Why it is important for us to share our stories

When I asked Adriana why she felt it was so important for us to share our stories with each other as Latinos living in the States, she immediately responded that we have to start being honest with ourselves. We have to focus on letting go of things that haven’t served us. Our children need to see that it’s okay for us to show our vulnerabilities. When we are able to explain to our children how we truly feel, they will see that it is okay to express their emotions, whatever they may be. To suppress our emotions is the beginning of opening the doors for mental illness. It limits our ability to connect with other people.

Cultural beliefs that can shift from living in the U.S.

Adriana remembers breaking cultural norms in her family from a young age. Whenever she heard her parents fighting, she would write a little story about it, changing the names, but expressing the emotions of what was going on. When her father found out, he explained to her that in their culture, sharing the private matters of the family in any way was not done. She responded, “Who told you that this was about our family?” She would twist the details just enough to make it feel safe to talk about, even in writing. When she became an adult, her family told her that she wasn’t going to leave their home until she was married. She responded, “I don’t want to get married. I have a choice. I’m an individual.”

The value of persisting in the face of resistance

I asked Adriana how she kept going with developing her writing even when she was doubted by her family and peers. She had to learn to persist regardless. Anytime someone gave her negative feedback about her work, took it personally, or suggested she stop, she saw it as their own perspective, not the truth. She knew she was giving an example to her children of what it looks like to develop your gifts before they are fully understood or accepted, because there will always be people who won’t get it. It isn’t about being for everyone, it’s about creating art from your own experience, telling your own story, and knowing that it will serve someone.

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