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CW: death positivity , trans surgery mention ️‍⚧️, and Bats ______________________________

In english and spanish translations of the Mayan legend, Camazotz is often called the “Death Bat” (“Zotz” meaning bat in the k'iche’ language). They are entities of the underworld and symbols of sacrifice, death, and the night.

While there are fearful tales of them in their native culture, it is important to remember that in many cultures - cosmic beings were not altogether viewed through the western lense of “good and evil”. In fact, in many pre-columbian mesoamerican philosophies the primary dichotmomy was Chaos and Order, with the universe existing in the balance between the two. (and as a physics loving person this makes my heart sing )

Camazotz (sometimes said to be one entity that was “he”, or many of a type of entity that were “they”) to me, is a symbol of natural forces embodying Life and Death. To die is to be unwoven, and return to the earth. To live is to be re-ordered from the unwoven universe. To sacrifice… is to give up personal safety or the order of the status quo - and is something I feel has been relevant to many communities in our ongoing fight for Justice. Though what we work for, is a system that does not make us sacrifice ourselves. ✊✊✊️‍⚧️️‍♿

Even to the Mexica (called the “Aztecs” by the spanish), Bats were a symbol of the connection between Life and Death. Order and Disorder. They roost in the underworld (a place that was the womb of humanity) and fly into the celestial heavens. There are many crops and foods that rely on bats indefinitely.And even the fig trees from which the Mexica got their writing paper were planted by bats.Many of Life’s greatest enjoyments were made by bats and yet they are a popular victim of fear…

Point is…

I was REALLY thinking about bats and about my life in general. And yes! this is my Halloween pumpkin. I carved it on Dec. 25th even though I had it since mid October because of my top surgery making it hard to lift or use my arm muscles ️‍⚧️

(I like to think I sacrificed my chesticles,returned them to theChaos, and rebuilt the place my heart rests…)

I wanted to donate the pumpkin to @batworldsanctuary for the bats to snack on (they take donations!), but they can’t take carved ones .

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#bats #batart #camazotz #zotz #batworld #batworldsanctuary #mexica #indigipunk #mesopunk #chicano #chicanoart #mexicaart #mexicaarte #chicane #chicaneart #chicanx #chicanxartist #chicanxart #xicane #xicanx #xicanxart #deathpositivity #diadelosmuertos #pumpkincarving #pumpkincarvings #halloweenart #batfacts #transart #transartist #resistanceart

You know… today was both Indigenous People’s DayandNational Coming Out Day for the “U.S.” And despite following both indigenous blogs and queer blogs I hadn’t seen anyone make a post talking about queer indigenous folks. But I hope there were some.

This is mine.

And to all of the other queer natives of Turtle Island I want you to know that you existing is amazing. You’re here in spite of all efforts to the contrary. Its not been easy. Its been hard, complicated, sometimes even lonely and confusing. But we are here none the less, breathing and growing. We climb so that the people who come after can be just that much closer to the sun. ☀️

Indigenous-Led Two-Spirit & LGBTQ Groups

¡Qué bonita bandera! AKA what heritage(s) do you claim?

Mexican, Xicanx

When was the first time you saw yourself represented?

I read a poem by Lorna Dee Cervantez in speech class as a 10th grader. When I went to the library to look for it on the shelves, I stumbled upon Sandra Cisneros.  Lorna was from California and Sandra from Chicago, even so they are Chicanas chignonas.  As a kid growing up on the Texas border, I really connected.

How do you connect to your heritage through your books (if at all)?

I write about Xicanx kids in Chicago in Pig Park (Cinco Puntos, 2014) and also kids on the Texas border in The Smell of Old Lady Perfume (Cinco Puntos, 2008).  Not a Bean (Charlesbridge, 2019) is a culturally relevant picture book about the lifecycle of a jumping bean.

What do you hope for the future of Latinx books?

There are so many stories that still need to be told.  I meet a ton of kids who are budding writers.  I can’t wait to read their stories one day.

What is the book that inspired you to write for kids/teens?

Pat Mora’s picture books are a big inspiration.  As far as teens, I was really inspired by Benjamin Alire Saenz’ Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood. He writes about kids in the Southwest and does it beautifully.  Reading his books doesn’t just make me want to write, it makes me want to write something beautiful.

What are you writing now?

I’m working on a couple of picture books now.  My first picture book, Not a Bean, will be published by Charlesbridge in 2018.  My 2008 middle grade,The Smell of Old Lady Perfume, will be available as an ebook and Spanish translation for the first time this year.  It is very exciting to think my family abroad will be able to read.

Claudia Guadalupe Martinez grew up in sunny El Paso, Texas where she learned that letters form words from reading the subtitles of old westerns with her father. She now lives and writes in Chicago.

Website*Twitter*BuyPig Park!