FAQ

What is Archivistas en Espanglish?

Archivistas en Espanglish (AE) was created after a group of concerned archivists came together following a full day of panels & presentations at a conference in New York City. Frustrated with the field’s well-intentioned but shortsighted take on the ethics of archiving (we’ll soon tell you all about it..), the idea of ​​forming a collective to further networks of solidarity amongst Latin American and Latinx archivists in and outside of Latin America was born. Our main aim being to create and amplify archival initiatives that highlight the work of our archivists and communities while also centering this work as an another tool to further social justice movement building.

What can you find here?

Our first project is this web page, which brings together many resources related to archival work – past and present – within the context of Latin America (including it’s many diasporas). The aim of this page is not only to present ourselves to the world but to serve as a tool for our communities. We find everything in the magical realm of the World Wide Web so in the spirit of collaboration and to continue this important conversation – we ask you to send us any links or bits of info that you think is aligned with the mission of Archivistas en Espanglish (see manifesto!) – especially community archives as for reasons you might imagine it was particularly difficult to find these sources. While compiling all this information might have caused a gray hair or two, it also  made us happy to confirm that this work is already being carried out by our communities including many individuals, groups, organizations and institutions working to safeguard our collective memories.

¿Espanglish?

Espanglish is a term coined by the Puerto Rican poet Salvador Tió at the end of the 1940s¹ and refers to the fusion of English and Spanish. Although AE emerged on a particular day in which we were effusively communicating in English, Spanish and Espanglish – beyond the literal, Espanglish alludes to the hybridization of cultures, migration and colonization. Therefore, and as the group expands, we hope to include non-Spanish-speaking communities from Latin America & the Caribbean as well. We are cognizant of the predominance & space that English holds in this work (as well as many of the world’s other sectors) which is why we’re taking the initiative to communicate via this platform primarily (for now) in Spanish and it’s other variations including of course Espanglish. 😍

El Boletín

El Boletín is our dear blog and where we’ll include updates on upcoming events, funding opportunities and everything else in between. Again, if you hear of any anything we should share – please let us know so we can support in spreading the word via El Boletín and our social media platforms because of course sharing is caring. At the moment, we’re particularly interested in sharing resources in Spanish (for now) or that have a Latin American and/or Latinx focus. At the bottom of the page are the links to subscribe and keep up to date with us as well as any events and opportunities we share in Latin America as well as the United States and Spain.

Collaborate with us!

Yes, we want you! Currently Archivistas en Espanglish is comprised of it’s founding members but now that we’re officially online we want to expand our network and continue this conversation outside of us five. While we’re still in the process of defining the specifics when it comes to formally adding folks to the collective, the group will expand past it’s founding members so do keep us in the loop should this is be something of interest. We’re very hopeful and excited to begin to collaborate and get to know folks and other groups invested in equitable archival work. Again, swing by our manifiesto to more or less get an idea of what we’re about and interested in. #PlottingTheFallOfThe Empire 😎

Write us at archivistasenespanglish@gmail.com, @archiespanglish on Twitter o @archivistasenespanglish on Instagram, we promise to respond!

^{1 Tió, Salvador. “Teoría del espanglish .” Diario de Puerto Rico , 28 Oct. 1948.}