Host:
You are listening to Epicentro Politico. I am Jose Lopez Zamorano.
We recently had the opportunity to speak with Cuban-American
novelist, Raul Ramos y Sanchez about his provocative new novel,
America Libre, where the death of a young Latina
sparks an unprecedented wave of rioting in the United States.
Raul, thank you for being on Epicentro.
Ramos:
It’s my pleasure to be here.
Host:
Raul, you’ve written a very interesting novel
that is quite relevant to the current debate on immigration
reform. What is your novel about?
Ramos:
My novel begins about ten years in the future and looks at
social trends underway today that, in my view, will lead to
a national train wreck. The story begins with a young, inexperienced
lieutenant in the National Guard who leads his troops to suppress
a riot and quickly loses control of the situation, leading
to a tragedy that ends with twenty-three people dead. This
incident sparks large demonstrations worldwide against the
U.S. government and the incident also provides momentum to
the separatist elements that exist in many Latino communities.
In effect, the tragedy pushes the center of the Hispanic population
toward the radical camp.
Host:
Why did you decide to write this book, and why from this point
of view?
Ramos:
Well, Jose. Many of my personal experiences shaped the characters
in the novel. I saw families divided by revolution and political
differences and wondered if a similar human drama will unfold
under the pressures the United States will face in the years
ahead. I would not want other people to suffer a similar tragedy.
Host:
Looking at the future, Raul, do you think these trends you
speak of will lead to a conflict between Hispanics and white
supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan?
Ramos:
I believe it’s possible. As demonstrations grow, so does
the chance for violence. At the same time, as you know, we have
armed groups on the border like the Minuteman Project. The day
may come when this situation grows out of control and innocent
people get killed. I’m certain that this kind of action
will push the Latino community toward the radical camp.
Host:
How do you compare the setting of your novel to current events?
Ramos:
In my novel, the demonstrations that we have recently experienced
continue in the future and reach a dangerous point because of
certain combustible elements – the barrios are full of
idle young people and the hatred and anger of the Anglo community
reaches the point of triggering a social tragedy. This is a
future I do not want to see and I’ve used the form of
a novel to make the public see that the possibility of this
tragedy exists. At the same time, many news sources are reporting
the growth of hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan. This will put
pressure on the Latino community, breeding fear and creating
solidarity. These pressures could end up driving many in Latino
communities into the radical camp.
Host:
You speak of the growth in white supremacist groups like the
Ku Klux Klan, do you believe a confrontation is inevitable?
Ramos:
I compare the Hispanic separatists to the guerillas of the Sierra
Maestra. These groups want revolution and demand that the territory
of Aztlan become part of a Latino nation. I also recently interviewed
the author of a supremacist magazine and website. She told me,
quite simply, that there will be a war – and that Latinos
will learn the real soul of the North American. She said they
will no longer tolerate the presence of undocumented immigrants
and made it quite clear she and her kind are very certain there
will be a war.
Host:
We have to mention here that the marches by Hispanic immigrants,
as you know, Raul, have been disciplined, a model of civility
and totally non-violent. Raul, tell us, what is the effect
of your book? What reactions have you had?
Ramos:
Specifically, I’ve received word from professors of Latin
American studies telling me the idea of my novel is intriguing,
that is, using a fictional story to make a social commentary
similar to the work of Gabriel Garcia-Marquez with One Hundred
Years of Solitude and Victor Hugo in Les Misérables.
I am trying to prevent a train wreck and have dramatized an
emerging national problem with the intent of avoiding it.
Host:
Fascinating, Raul. We certainly hope that this fiction
never becomes a reality. Raul Ramos y Sanchez, thank you for
being on Epicentro.
Ramos:
It has been my pleasure.
