Black Dove: Mamá, Mi’jo and Me

Black Dove: Mamá, Mi’jo and Me

by Ana Castillo

In new memoir, famed Latina writer talks about cancer, bisexuality, son’s imprisonment

Highlights from the El Paso Times interview by Ramón Rentería:

“I was adamant about not addressing my own life,” Castillo said in a telephone interview from Chicago. “But there came a time, as a teacher of memoir writing, to walk my talk.”

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Castillo thought of herself as a failed mother when her son, a model student, was convicted for robbery and sent to prison. He put his life back on track after serving time.

“It was probably the most painful experience I have ever felt. As a mother, we desire to keep our children safe and to provide not only the things they need but also to provide them with a certain life in which we hope they are not feeling pain or suffering,” she said. “It’s difficult to do that as a single parent, especially when you’re a Latina, because there’s so much criticism against our culture and women.”

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“I’m a self-taught writer,” she said. “I did not study writing or literature — although I’ve taught many subjects for many years, including writing.”

Rentería, Ramón. "Interview with Author Ana Castillo." El Paso Times. USA Today Network, 18 May 2016. Web. <http://www.elpasotimes.com/story/entertainment/books/2016/05/18/interview-author-ana-castillo/84537632/>.