Castro Luna speaks up for the forgotten

By Abigail Vidals

Forgotten women, murdered, disappeared, with no justice in sight. All sharing something in common, the name of Maria. 

The simple name of Maria, a name so common has become a statement throughout a poetry book written by WA state poet laureate, Claudia Castro Luna. They say there is power behind a name and Luna displays its true power throughout her book, Killing Maria. Each poem holding a title that has the name of a woman or girl who has been murdered in the femicides that have taken place in la ciudad de Juárez, Mexico. The title intertwines every name of each victim who is named Maria with a verse from the prayer, The litany of the blessed virgin Mary. “My hope is that this weaving of flesh and spirit creates a covenant of love and a place of survival and allegiance.” Luna stated.

The poetry book brings attention to the female homicides that have been happening since 1993 in the city of Juarez. With practically no action being done by the Mexican government to help stop these violent occurrences.

Luna aims to provide voices to these forgotten Latina women and to unsilence the voices of other women and girls who have become victims to domestic violence. Her poetry makes sure that the reader feels the presence of a life that once was. “Above all I want to acknowledge the women and girls who have been murdered in Juarez, Mexico and the friends and families who loved them and miss them everyday.” Luna stated. The titles themselves seem to stand still in time, giving a small recuerdo to these women, making sure their name is never forgotten.

As the poet laureate of WA state, Luna has been handed the responsibility of teaching the importance of poetry throughout the state. “I think of the responsibility that I have in occupying this position. I have the opportunity to open up a window of understanding and to inspire those who are young like I was, who’s finding their way, who doesn’t know yet but may be a writer. What an honor to be able to show the way.” Luna stated.  

The Poet Laureate will pay a visit to the pc campus on January 18th, as a part of The Foothills Writers Series reading that is being brought back this Winter quarter. Other visiting writers include Rick Barot, Charlotte Gould Warren, Alice Derry, and Michael Calvin Mills. The readings that they will give are free and open to the public, and each reading will occur on a Friday. For more information on the book Killing Marias visit http://www.castroluna.com/killing-marias/