Welcome back! This week, we would like to invite you behind the scenes once again to meet our newest and (possibly) most fabulous intern—Richie! He has bloomed with us into the new year and has been working passionately and diligently to get the Press “springing” forward! Check him out below!
Q. What is your geographic location?
I am a native of Von Ormy, Texas (or as the locals call it, V.O.); previously an annexed township of San Antonio on the south side, but since 2008 it has become it’s own municipality. It’s a very small city with a population of only 1,085 in 2010. It is located along Interstate 35 lining with the Medina River and Loop 1604. My family has inhabited Von Ormy since the Canary Islanders settled in San Antonio in the early 18th century and intermixed with the Lipan Apaches.
There are even two streets named after my family, Quintana Rd. and Hernandez Ln., and it just so happens that my husband and I designed the street signs when Von Ormy became a city.
Q. How do you define your feminism?
If I had to define it I would say decolonial for sure! I would describe my feminism as that of a Queer Tejan@ Xican@ Gaelic because I proudly acknowledge my indigenous roots as well as my white heritage (my great grandfather on my dad’s side was an Irish immigrant who landed in NYC during the great migration of the early 20th century and worked his way down to San Anto on the railroad, hence my last name Giddens). I’m a Mestiz@ the house down, boots! Growing up a light skinned Queer Tejano kid here in San Antonio, I was never straight enough for the white crowd or brown enough for the Mexican kids so I gravitated toward the “Freaks” who were in the same boat as me.
From an early age I knew what it was to be the “other.” I guess my feminism would be centered on respect. I will accept and respect everyone for who they are and I expect to be accepted and respected in return. For me, “tolerance” is for bigots. #SorryNotSorry
Q. What keeps you busy?
Right now school is my life. I am currently in my junior year at The University of Texas at San Antonio, double-majoring in Women’s Studies and Classical Studies. If that wasn’t enough I also have a wonderful Husband and six children (Pomeranians). I’m crazy, I know.
Q. What influenced your decision to work with TWP?
Two words, Sara Ramírez. In the time that I have been a student at UTSA I have had the absolute privilege of taking three classes (so far) taught by Sara and I consider her one of the few mentors of my life. I learned about the legacy of TWP the semester prior to taking my first class with Sara.
I was giddy when I learned that Sara was part of the revitalization and there was an opportunity to intern. I knew then that I wanted to be a part of the TWP family.
Sara, Richie, and Samantha tabling for Third Woman Press in San Antonio!
Q. What is the one thing that excites you about the revitalization or what would you like to see TWP do overall?
ONE THING??? In my wildest dreams I would love to see TWP develop into a multimedia production entity. I personally have a deep love for filmmaking and I have always had a problem with how we as Queer people of color are represented in mainstream television and film. I hope to stay involved with TWP long after my internship and perhaps this is where I could fit into the revitalization by making film adaptations of the lives of Queer people of color and the very real obstacles we face trying to get ahead in this white supremacist hetero-normative capitalist patriarchal world of theirs.
We cannot express our love and thanks enough to all of those who have supported us and given to us as we continue on our journey! We are still working hard behind closed curtains to bring all of our lovely readers and followers the best—a Press dedicated to honoring, celebrating, and showcasing the lives, talents, and arts of queer Feminists of color!