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Raíces: A Writing Workshop Series on Resistance and Healing

Writing as Resistance: Reclaiming Narrative Power

A monthly community-based writing series that centers Latine, BIPOC, queer, and marginalized voices to explore personal and collective resistance and healing through storytelling.

Poetry has been, since time immemorial, an act of resistance against oppression. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, stated, “One must resist oppression or lose one's dignity as a human being.” Poetry and art are deeply tied to human dignity, which is in turn connected to freedom. Therefore, to talk about poetry is also to talk about democracy; writing is a revolutionary act that reminds us that democracy must be defended and nurtured every day.

In this "Poetry and Resistance" workshop, we will focus on poets who chose to resist oppression through their poetry. For instance, Latin American poets who, despite the risk, wrote courageously during the military dictatorships in South America in the 70s and 80s, as well as LGBTQ+ and African American poets who have sought to reclaim their identities and cultures through poetry. And Latine poets who have reclaimed space in the U.S. by writing their experiences into the American narrative, challenging erasure, exploring hybrid identities (Spanglish, Afro-Latina), and centering community. We will also dedicate a portion of our time to do some writing. Optional writing prompts will be offered. Those who wish will also have the opportunity to share their writings and receive respectful feedback from their peers.

About the Facilitator: Carlota Roby [she/her]

Carlota Roby is a human rights attorney graduated from Harvard Law School and co-founder of the Vocales Verticales project. She is also a poet and a cat lover. Originally from Venezuela, she resides in Washington D.C. She has published the poetry collections Las Manos de los Muertos (2013); Suburban Tales (2019); and Lilith (2024). Her poems also appear in the anthology Acaso esta atrocidad es el centro de todo (2015) and in the magazines DAFY, Ámsterdam Sur, 2025 Latino Book Review and Mid-Atlantic Review.

What to Expect

Each session includes a grounding welcome, a generative free-write, a deep dive into the theme, writing prompts, and time to share with each other in a supportive, welcoming space. 

Participants are encouraged to speak, write, and share in both English and Spanish, and use the language(s) that feel most true to you.

No experience required. Come as you are, bring a notebook or laptop. Extra notebooks and pens will be provided. 

RSVP

Let us know you’re coming: RSVP Link 

Feel free to invite friends and community members who would love this space.

About Raíces

Raíces is a writing series hosted by Tintas DC exploring storytelling as resistance and healing. Each month centers a different theme: from origin stories, to collective healing, to land and displacement. The series culminates in a community showcase this spring.

About Tintas DC

Tintas DC is a Latine writers group for storytellers in the DMV. Their mission is to share stories that build community. Follow and connect with them @tintas.dc

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