Voices From the River - Artículo Breve

Hispanic Times Magazine, Sept 22, 2001 by Ricardo Pimentel

Ricardo Pimentel was born in San Bernardino, California. He has worked as a newspaper reporter and editor in California, Washington, D.C. and Arizona Republic in Phoenix.

This fascinating story encompasses the lifetime of a remarkable young man who struggles against heavy odds to triumph over adversity and to achieve many of his goals.

Senor and Senora Gaeta have seven daughters whom they dearly love. When Senora Gaeta gives birth to a son, the family rejoices. However, a tragic accident strikes the young son at five years of age.

Superstition, along with tradition often directs life in their small Mexican village. Suddenly the young son has become an outcast. All at once the son feels more at home with animals, except for his family.

When tragedy viciously strikes, the young son Ruti's favorite sister Maria, the family is eager to flee to the United States. Maria has been the victim of a vicious attempted rape.

The family flees to the United States, settling in San Bernardino, California. The Gaeta family struggles to assimilate to life in the Barrio during World War II.

The unique experiences of a generation of Mexican immigrants is eye-opening as it reveals the hardships and sacrifice the Gaeta family willingly makes for a more secure life in the United States. They began life in the United States welcomed as cheap labor, yet often mistrusted as outsiders.

Pimentel pulls no punches in telling his colorful story. Barrio kitchens, parties in the backyard, the persistent pain of living poor is all depicted in this hard hitting, heart felt story.

As this family's experiences grip the reader, the compelling characters are indelibly impressed upon the mind and heart.

At one point after the painful death of the beloved son and brother Ruti, a daughter asks "Why, mama? Why did God make him different?"

"I think to teach us about goodness. That some men without thinking can be cruel; and that others can be good without so much as a thought. It's all they know."