Growing up on the Oregon Coast has given me a multitude of experiences, from being spat on by white supremacists to now attending one of the historic Seven Sisters colleges in the Northeast.

With Guatemalan and Mexican roots, my heritage and experiences drove my passion for social activism. After finishing my last semester, I returned to my hometown and began to feel an urgency in documenting Latino experiences on the Oregon Coast.

Teaming up with J. Rosendo Talancon-Botello, who has roots in Michoacan, Mexico, we will showcase Latino experiences, from everyday life to cultural expressions, and highlight this cultural significance in academia. I hope to foster a deeper understanding of Latino identity and the pressures of conforming to American ideals, often leading to a loss of cultural home.

Through this project, I aim to provide audiences with more insight into the immigrant experience and the negotiation of cultural identities in the U.S. My understanding of Latinidad has been ever-changing in academia, challenging traditional historical perspectives. By bringing to light narratives that have been pushed aside, we can begin to recuperate lost stories.

Raíces Clatsop will cover everything from the powerful Latino labor force to the experiences of Latino students, and will serve as an archival piece, highlighting outstanding role models, personal family stories and community organizations, while emphasizing the importance of the Latino community in Clatsop County, which continues to flourish.

If you would like to be featured in this magazine or support us, go to alejandralopeznestor.com.

ALEJANDRA LOPEZ NESTOR

Warrenton