Of Women and Salt
One of my favorite books of 2021 so far
I got an advanced reader copy of this book from Netgalley.
Trigger warnings: spousal abuse, child molestation, sexual violence, drug addiction.
Of Women and Salt is one of my favorite books of 2021, so far. This book focuses on the overlapping stories of immigration in Florida and overlapping Latinx identities. In particular, this book focuses on the difference between the Cuban community in Miami and other Latinx communities. In interviews Gabriela Garcia has given to Parade and Vogue, she notes these themes as central to dismantling the myths around the "immigrant experience," and showing that the Latinx community(ies) is not a monolith. The Elián González episode of You're Wrong About also talks about Cuban immigration to Florida and the United States' "wet-foot-dry-foot policy," and it is worth a listen if you need some background.
You're Wrong About - Elián González
The narrative starts in a cigar factory in Cuba in 1866 and then moves to Miami, Florida in 2014, setting up contrasts between the different women we follow throughout the book. Jeanette is a woman of Cuban descent whose relationship with her Cuban mother is under tension. Their already difficult relationship is tested when Jeanette's neighbor, Gloria is taken from her home and sent to a detention center and Jeanette takes in Gloria's young daughter, Ana. Carmen's attitude towards Gloria and Ana, undocumented immigrants from El Salvador, sets up the discussions comparing Cuban immigration in the past to more recent immigration to the US.
Throughout this book, we get to inhabit the perspectives of multiple generations of women and girls in the two families on which this book centers. Garcia's writing effortlessly moves between these different perspectives and gives them each a unique style. For example, when one of the main characters Jeanette is a teenager in 2002, the writing perfectly reflects the vibe of being a teenager in 2002. These subtle changes from each perspective helps the reader connect to each of the characters better. Garcia connects the different sections really well and the transitions never feel jarring. Absolutely masterful.
Other types of immigration are also discussed – for example, there a minor character from the US who moves to Mexico, but clearly does not see herself as an "immigrant," but rather an "expat." There is a German man living in Cuba who thinks of himself the same way. The differences between who is an "immigrant," vs. an "expat," changes the way people are treated. The discrimination against some characters who "immigrated," to Mexico (dumped there by US immigration), is another contrast in the "immigrant experience." Gloria and Ana are both deported early in the narrative and are dumped in Mexico and told by the US immigration authorities that they should "make their way back to El Salvador," from there, even though they have no resources to do so.
Garcia also shows race and racism to be important in Latinx communities. This is a further complication to how Cubans and Cuban-Americans see themselves vs. "other" Latinx people:
“But it isn’t as though Black Cubans fare better in Miami, where racism is polite, quiet. This is fact: In Miami, Cubans will scoff when you call the, Latino. “I’m not Latino, I’m Cuban,” they will say. By which they mean, I am white, another kind of white you don’t know about, outsider.”
For non-fiction titles on race and racism in the Hispanic Caribbean, see:
Prostitution, Modernity, and the Making of the Cuban Republic, 1840-1920 by Tiffany A. Sippial
The Mulatto Republic by April J. Mayes
Imposing Decency: The Politics of Sexuality and Race in Puerto Rico, 1870-1920 by Eileen J. Suarez Findlay
Reproducing Empire : Race, Sex, Science, and U.S. Imperialism in Puerto Rico by Laura Briggs
The ending is tied up nicely without feeling too neat. I was very satisfied and would absolutely re-read this book in the future. Five stars, would recommend.
