This is the story shared by Norma Patricia Rojas Guzmán, Pati, with her group of Las Guerreras del Norte, during a summer long mural project at Centro Tyrone Guzman in Minneapolis. Pati is a great singer of Mexican folk music. It is through her voice that she brings alive her culture and communicates the strong values of her Latino community. “We are people who came to this land to give the best of ourselves and to make the country stronger,” she said.  Pati was a professional singer in her home country for many years before coming to the United States. After the 1985 earthquake, México was hurting and she did not have work. She came to the United States determined to give her three children a good education. As a new immigrant, it was really hard for her to adapt to the new culture and language. It was also difficult to get used to new people; everything was very different from her home country. It was her children who taught her to open up and to love her new country. Now she is happy here and proud to be able to represent her Mexican roots and culture.  What follows is the poem she wrote and shared “Tu voz;” Your Voice  “How beautiful is your voice Your voice fills my soul Your voice inspires in me love and passion How beautiful is your voice Your voice whispers the sweet sounds of your heart Raise your voice, beautiful dove; raise your voice with inspiration Call all the hearts awaiting the sweet sounds of your voice” 

– NPRG

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant