There is the sense of profound loss when a beloved author passes from this world to the next. But there is an undeniable loss when that author is one of a handful of international authors recognized by those of us who enjoy and benefit from non-Eurocentric letters. Carlos Fuentes transcended geographical and political borders.
This is not to be facetious nor to incite fury in those who think we have more than enough reading material in the US already (which in itself is a very stupid idea to even propose). My point in writing this lies closer to the notion that we could indeed do more to promote the works of our neighbors immediately south of the border, as well as in promoting our very own Latino writers living and creating in the US without the need to exoticise them or their work. Being of color in the US is analogous to being exotic and relegated to "otherness." It seems like US readers, while not stagnant in any way, could benefit from learning what writers throughout the world, as well as those in their own 'hoods and barrios, have to say without seeing the work or its authors as foreign. Surely, people of color have known, and in many ways continue to live, a history of oppression but that does not mean that it is a history exclusive to us, the people of color. Ours is history whether we are receiving of inflicting the pain onto others. And included in that history are the same conditions, processes, and redemptive powers of a group of people that could easily be translated into any socio-political context out there.
People are far more alike than they care to acknowledge. Learning about the nuances facilitated by our own contexts as well as those of others can only lead to knowledge and ultimately wisdom. I think Fuentes understood that and through his gift of letters was able to translate it to the rest of the world.
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