Get to know Melania Luisa Marte

Who is Melania Luisa Marte?

Melania Luisa Marte is a Black writer, poet, and

speaker from New York living in the Dominican Republic. Marte’s poetry explores many subjects including her Caribbean roots, Black feminism, and self-love. You can follow her journey on Instagram at @melatocatierra.

What is your ethnic background? 

What does being Afro-Latina mean to you and how do both cultures blend?

I am a Black woman who was born in New York and comes from parents who are from the Dominican Republic. Culturally, I am Black American and Black Dominican American. I identify most with Black Diaspora culture and media. I believe in the celebration of Black culture no matter geography, so it is not so much a blending of cultures and more so a reclamation of all that is afro-descendant and beautifully ours.

Your poem “Afro-Latina” went viral. What was the inspiration behind the poem? What did it

feel like having the poem go viral? 

I was upset about the erasure of Black women in the Americas and I had something to say about it so I decided to say it with my whole chest. My inspiration was and is Black womanhood/girlhood. I believe we are the most beautiful creatures on this planet and yet we are the most undervalued and disrespected.

What inspires your poetry overall? How do you get into a creative headspace for it?

I’m inspired by Mother Earth and all that she creates. I can literally sit in my backyard and stare at the trees and mountains for hours. There is always something new to observe. It amazes me.

You’ve petitioned for Afro-Latina to be included in the dictionary. Why was that so important

to you? As of 8/24/21, I checked the Merriam-Webster dictionary online, and Afro-Latina is still not included. Does that frustrate you?

I’m disappointed, but I am not surprised or bothered. I’ve learned to no longer expect for racist

institutions to ever see my humanity. That is not my job to teach them about me, nor is it my job to make myself smaller in order to be granted a seat at their table. My job is to exist simply in the same way plants exist, or insects exist, or the earth exists. We exist just because, not to service or suffer for folks who will never see our true value unless we are deemed as useful to them. I render myself completely useless and unbothered by the small violent acts of these entities.

You have worked on other projects besides poetry, like narrating for the audio book of Clap When You Land. Are there other avenues you have not yet explored but want to?

I do not like to limit myself so I want to do it all. Anything that brings me joy, I explore it.

Are there future projects on the horizon that you can share with us?

I am currently working on my full-length debut collection of poetry called Plantains and Our Becoming that will be published by a lovely Publishing Housewithin the next few years and I am so excited for what I have been writing and the impact it will have!

You have been very open about using your poetry to discuss things like Black feminism, intersectionality, as well as social and political issues. What are your thoughts on using art like poetry as protest and the blend of politics in art?

Poetry is a lovely way to influence culture and when we influence culture we influence people. So if you want to change people’s minds and evolve society you must invest in the arts.

Diversity in literature has been a big topic recently. What is it like to be Afro-Latina in the poetry/literature industry? How can we bridge the gap and push for more diversity and minority representation?

I am just helping to expand the narrative for Black descendents who were stolen from Africa. I hope that my work is giving room for more Black folks across the diaspora to be brave and speak their truths globally. We are not a monolith and we are all worthy of amic to express and celebrate all that we are.

Do you Have advice for young, Black creatives?

My advice to young, Black creatives is to remember that there is no wrong way to exist and survive. You must allow yourself the freedom to find your path and follow it. It won’t always be easy to listen to that voice, but you owe it to yourself to find your truth and live it.