elpais.com
Las Negras": A Writer's Journey Through Grief, History, and Afrofuturism
Following her grandmother's death in 2003, Puerto Rican writer Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro channeled her grief into "Las Negras," a book based on family stories and historical research, exploring the experiences of Black women during slavery in Puerto Rico; a new edition with Afrofuturist stories was released in 2025.
- How did Arroyo Pizarro's personal experience and genealogical research contribute to the book's development and its unique perspective?
- The book's evolution involved Arroyo Pizarro's personal healing process and research in Puerto Rican historical archives. This combined personal narrative with documented evidence of slavery's impact on Black women, resulting in a significant work on Black feminism and anti-racism.
- What is the central theme of Arroyo Pizarro's "Las Negras," and how does it connect to broader issues of historical injustice and social justice?
- Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro's book, "Las Negras," originated from her grief after her grandmother's death in 2003. To cope, she began writing her grandmother's stories about family women, leading to the book's 2012 publication and subsequent success.
- What are the long-term implications of Arroyo Pizarro's work, both in terms of historical understanding and its potential impact on future discussions of racial justice?
- The 2025 expanded edition includes Afrofuturist stories, projecting a 2229 trial at a Genocide Investigations Tribunal. This highlights the enduring impact of past injustices and the author's hope for future accountability and recognition of these historical events.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative is structured around the author's personal journey and emotional response to discovering her family history. This framing, while effective in making the story relatable, could inadvertently downplay the systemic nature of slavery and colonialism. The emphasis on the author's personal healing might overshadow the larger historical and social injustices the book addresses. The headline (if there was one) would likely also play a role in shaping how readers understand the article's main point.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and descriptive. The author uses terms like "put to sleep" when referring to the actions of her ancestor, which could be considered euphemistic. While the article acknowledges the brutal reality of slavery, the word choice appears intended to convey the severity of the situation in a way that is sensitive to the reader while still representing the historical accounts. There is no overtly charged language or emotional appeals.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the author's personal experience and family history, potentially omitting broader sociopolitical contexts of slavery and colonialism in Puerto Rico. While the author mentions using historical archives, the extent of her research beyond personal family history isn't fully detailed, leaving the reader to wonder about the representativeness of her findings. The article also doesn't discuss alternative perspectives or counter-arguments to her narrative.
False Dichotomy
The article doesn't present a false dichotomy in a strict sense. However, the framing of the author's work as solely a process of personal healing and recovery from grief might overshadow the broader political and social implications of her research on slavery and its enduring impact.
Sustainable Development Goals
The book "Las Negras" and Arroyo Pizarro's work centers on the stories of Black women in Puerto Rico, highlighting their struggles against oppression and systemic racism. By giving voice to these narratives, the work challenges gender inequality and promotes a more accurate representation of women's experiences within historical contexts. The author's personal journey of healing and the creation of the Cátedra de Mujeres Ancestrales further contribute to empowerment and gender equality.