Overview

Assimilated Natives is an evocative collection of borderland poems that offers a poignant and introspective exploration into the complex identity of a third-plus generation Chicanx. Through the lens of poetry, the Gume Laurel III explores the profound impact of forced assimilation into American culture on the richness of cultural practices. The poems weave a narrative that vividly depicts the disruption and transformation of age-old traditions, capturing the struggle of navigating the tension between heritage and assimilation. The poems unveil the emotional journey of reconciling the duality of existence - embracing the old ways while traversing the unfamiliar terrain of the new world. The poet skillfully articulates the resilience inherent in the resolve to preserve cultural roots, offering a glimpse into the inner conflicts, triumphs, and steadfast determination of the assimilated natives.

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9781957840246

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Reviews

Assimilated Native is a blast of youthful exuberance that expounds on drunk texts and awkward dates while giving urgency to more sobering, plain-spoken poetry on cultural identity and identity politics. A collection that spans borders and gathers the generations old and new.-Erasmo Guerra, author of Once More to the River: Family Snapshots of Growing Up, Getting Out and Going Back It's a rare thing to find a poet so willing to be open with his heart, so vulnerable, so earnest, so funny, so confused, so heartbroken, so real. Laurel speaks from the border the way many of us who carry the border within us recognize intimately-because the border never leaves us, because the border shapes the way we think and breathe and love and write. -ire'ne lara silva, author of Cuicacalli/House of Song and the eaters of flowers Gume Laurel III's poetry is a bold examination of the self as it explores the interstitial spaces of his native borderlands and beyond them in beautifully crafted poems in various forms. The ghost of culture and identity lost through generational assimilation roams this collection, and Laurel, like so many of us, must confront the complexities of the specter to come to terms with it. It is a thoughtful and moving collection of essential poetry for our time.-C�sar L. De Le�n, author of Speaking with Grackles by Soapberry Trees Assimilated Natives is a deeply introspective collection of poetry that explores the multifaceted nature of cultural and personal identity rooted in the landscape of South Texas. Through his reflections, Gume delves into the themes of love, grief, mental health, queerness, and latinidad, and explores the challenges of finding a sense of belonging in the Rio Grande Valley, where the border between America and Mexico blurs. Gume has found a way to harness his voice to challenge readers to reflect on their own identities and the impact of assimilation on our society.-Chibbi Ordu�a, author of Otro/Patria

Author Information

Gume is a Texan, native to the Rio Grande Valley (Weslaco) on the southernmost border. For the past decade, he has dedicated himself to crafting literary works that promote inclusion, and provoke further introspection into the complexities of culture and intersectional identities. The bulk of Gume's writings are focused on underrepresented groups, especially those representative of the communities he is a part of: Latinx and LGBT+. His published work includes both young adult fiction and poetry. In his writings, it's clear to see that Gume draws much of his inspiration from growing up on the border. From the use of balancing multiple-and oftentimes conflicting- identities, to the use of rivers and Chicanx folklore, the Rio Grande Valley's impact on Gume's writing is undeniably visible. In addition to writing, Gume regularly takes part in author visits for public schools/libraries, participates in literary panels, and does what he can to promote reading and writing. Currently, Gume lives in San Antonio, Texas. That's where he can be found either typing away on his laptop or getting lost on a hiking trail with his dogs Blu and Mouse.

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