Manuela's Home

The show deals with PTSD, family sacrifice, differing and conflicting opinions with family. This show concept was inspired by several different events:

(1) the ways that the latino community specifically interacts with the military industrial complex and police state -- these systems cause harm, but they are deeply culturally embedded in American latino culture and way of life even though these systems often directly and indirectly harm the community

(2) the fact that growing up, my grandmother told me a story of how my young mother at first wanted to join the California Border Patrol because she felt like she had no job prospects-- though she didn't join in the end

(3) several conversations in latine veterans or active military officers-- one was an afro-latina director who directed me in a short film and spoke about the racism, sexism, and colorism in the military while abroad and another-- speaking the the partner of a man who is currently a squadron leader in the marines

(4) an encounter where I attended an event that my mother's friend was hosting and one of the fellow invitees (an older latina woman) was proudly showing photos and news coverage of her son who had been deployed in LA by Trump and was a member of the national guard, and the helplessness and fury I felt when I saw her try to recruit a young girl/minor at the party to also enlist in the national guard. The woman gave the girl, about to be 18 years old, the number of a recruiter.

(5) The sexual and physical violence and harrassment that women face in these spaces, specifically thinking of Vanessa Guillen and other women who have been harrassed, assaulted, and or murdered while serving the armed forces.