From the dining halls to the dorms to the classrooms–everyone on campus seemed to be talking about the tragedies in New York City and Washington, D. C. last week. Noted Chicana author Sandra Cisneros was no exception. Cisneros, author of The House on Mango Street, Bad Boys and Loose Women, and Pelitos, spoke at Malott Commons at Scripps College on Tuesday, September 25.

Like many other speakers on campus throughout the week, Cisneros apparently did not feel that her talk would be complete without mentioning the issues surrounding the recent terrorist attacks. She told students not to worry so much about the large terrorist incidents like those in Washington and New York. She said that instead, "We need to make peace with all the personal terrorists that come into life everyday." She gave the example of a male poet who used to be her arch rival, but who later befriended her after hearing her read poetry at a Texas library.

Cisneros quickly moved on from the terrorist attacks to read from several of her stories. She began by reading her short story "Guadalupe and the Sex Goddess." The tale is about a Chicana girl who does not learn anything about sex or sexual activity until she is in her twenties. The point of the story is to encourage members of the Latino community to be more open about sexual practices and sexual precautions.

Later, Cisneros read two chapters from her soon-to-be-published novel, Carmela. Cisneros said that she has been working on the book for the last nine years because of distracting events in her life. The first chapter she read, titled "From Mexico–All Parts Assembled in the U.S.A. (or I am Born)," is about a father’s developing love for his newborn daughter. Talking about this chapter, Cisneros said that she writes her chapters individually and non-linearly rather than writing from the start of the novel to the end. She then goes back through the chapters and rearranges them in a more logical order.

The second chapter from Carmela that Cisneros read is titled "Mexico, Next Right." It’s about a family making the long drive back to Mexico from the United States. It also includes scenes that contrast Mexican life with life in the United States.

After her readings, Cisneros briefly answered students’ questions. One student asked Cisneros if she ever worried about offending her mother. The question was apparently prompted by several passages from "Gudalupe and the Sex Goddess" where Cisneros criticizes the traditional upbringing of Chicana females. "You write because you must," Cisneros responded. "It’s not about publishing or what people will think."

When asked when she first knew that she would be a writer, there was no hesitation: "Fifth grade," she answered. "We all have memories of that child who would cry if you looked at her wrong. Those are the poets."

Another student asked Cisneros for advice for young writers. She suggested that writers write down ten ways that they are different from other members of their race, gender, family, economic class, and neighborhoods. "Write from that list–you have ten plus ten plus ten things to write about," Cisneros said.

After the formal presentation, the event’s organizers invited everyone who attended to a brief reception. Cisneros was on hand to sign copies of her books, and refreshments were served.

Student reactions to the event were generally positive. "I thought (Cisneros’s presentation) was extraordinary," said Leslie Martes SC ’02. "It gives me a new perspective on Chicano issues."

Christina Elmore ‘04 agreed. "I definitely thought her presentation as a whole was great," she said. "She had a really nice balance between humorous comments and issues that were important to her."

Several students decided to read or re-read several of Cisneros’s works. "I’d read some of her stuff before, and now I can totally picture her," Aurora Ignacio PI ’04 said. "I’m looking forward to going back and reading her work again." Organizers of the event sold copies of Cisneros’s books at the reception, and they seemed to be doing a brisk business.

Some students, though, were disappointed that Hispanic student groups on with Cisneros’s visit. "I didn’t feel like the Chicano community had enough input," said Evelyn Zepeda PI ’03. She felt that the members of the Chicano community should have had the opportunity to meet with Cisneros before or after her formal presentation.

Other students didn’t understand what all the fuss was about. "She’s a perfect example of a middle class American," Enrique Alvarado CMC ’03 said. "She went to an all-girl private school, college, and graduate school. Her life is similar to many Americans. She just happens to be Latina."

Another complaint of some students was the lack of space for the large crowd that showed up. Due to the large number of students, Claremont Colleges’ security officers were called in shortly before 7 p.m. to halt admission to Cisneros’s talk. More than a dozen students were not allowed in, and most of them were very disappointed. "There should have been facilities for more people," complained Sarai Bhaga, a graduate of Claremont Graduate University who had driven for 45 minutes to attend but was turned away.

Still, all in all, most students thought that the presentation was worthwhile. "She’s incredibly witty and had a lot to say about very substantive issues," Brenda-n Behan Johnson CMC ‘03 said.