I’m Back, Amigas
The past eight months have been a season of acclimating to life with two kids, trial-and-error routines, rediscovering my rhythm in music, and honestly, waiting until I had at least a month’s worth of blog posts ready before restarting Querida Creativa.
But before diving into the usual creative advice and practical tips, I felt the need to pause.
This post isn’t a how-to guide or productivity lesson — we’ll get to that soon pero eso puede esperar.
This is an exhortation, a letter to my fellow creativas who are feeling the weight of the world right now.
Because before we can create again, we have to acknowledge the reality we’re living in.
Living Through Heavy Times in Chicago
I’m based in the outskirts of Chicago, and to say the political climate and ICE activity has been heavy is an understatement. Our immigrant and Latino communities are living in a constant state of holding their breath – looking over their shoulders on the way to work, while dropping their kids off, being hyperaware of license plates and “sketchy” vehicles.
My family and I are living this in real time as thousands of other people are too. The fact that plans need to be made in case of a forced relocation to Mexico – a country which many of us hardly know and where oftentimes none of our immediate family lives – is something I never imagined I may have to do.
And yet, inspiration still seeps through this disappointment and confusion and is finding it’s way to the artists of this time who are ready to execute.
Because in the middle of all this fear, there’s community and we feel together. We hurt and people hurt with us, we fight and people fight for us, we resist and people resist alongside us.
We All Have a Role in This Moment
We each play a role in this story.
Some of us, as citizens, use our privilege to help family or neighbors with resources.
Some of us are in custody, praying for deliverance and strength.
And some of us – nosotras – were made to speak, to express, to create.
“I must fight with all my strength so that the little positive things that my health allows me to do might be pointed toward helping the revolution. The only real reason for living.”
— Frida Kahlo
As a person, this reality is exhausting. It feels hopeless at times.
But as an artist, I know this is where art is born — in the tension, the fear, the fight. Art becomes more than personal ambition; it becomes purpose. Because the fruits of our talents are not for us, but to service others.
Not Everyone Fights the Same Way
That being said, I don’t believe everyone has to fight the same way.
Not everyone is meant to speak out. Not everyone can deliver groceries, record ICE encounters, or post on social media.
What matters is that we each act according to our personal convictions — using our gifts, our talents, and our voices in ways that are honest and aligned with who we are and that serve those who need it most.
What matters is that we don’t stay frozen or complacent, waiting until injustice knocks on our own door.
However, resistance takes many forms. Speaking, writing, painting, singing, sharing — these too are acts of defiance. These too are powerful.
Create Through the Fear
So pinch yourself, shake off the fear, amiga.
The world needs you right now. It needs your art.
Pick up the pen.
Pick up the paintbrush.
Pick up the camera.
Do something.
What you create can be a mirror to what’s happening, a place of refuge, a protest, or even a prayer for better days.
Our community needs us to express every ounce of hope we can in a world that often stands against us simply because of how we look and the roots we carry (all which, btw, we didn’t choose BUT would have chosen anyway, let’s be real).
Art as Resistance
The best art in history didn’t come just from talent — it came from timing. From artists who created in response to the moments they were living through.
Think about that… and then create.
Welcome Back to Querida Creativa
With that, I welcome you back into this space, amigas.
I’m excited to continue this journey together — to grow as artists, to learn from each other, and to keep creating even when it feels impossible.
We were made for such a time as this.
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