‘Meg’ Bites Back: Steve Alten vs. Richard Ellis

To the Editor:

I am a true fan of Celeste Fremon’s big-hearted, socially responsible work, and her review of my novel, “Locas,” (Book Review, June 15) piqued my interest on a couple of different levels.

First, her critique of the presentation of the novel--in particular, the copy on the jacket flap that announces that it is a “pirate radio broadcast straight from the urban core”--is well taken. Although I did not write that copy, I am responsible for it, and I now wish that it had been omitted because the novel is a work of imagination and is no way intended as (nor could it be) a sociological study of the gang phenomenon.

However, I don’t agree with Fremon’s other conclusion that “Locas” blindly trudges into the mire of stereotypes about Latinos and Latina gang members, consequently portraying them as soulless “monsters.” It is true that Latinos and Latina gang members are typically depicted in the media as thoughtless, heartless criminals, but what the novel tries to do is grapple with stereotypes, then turn them on their heads.

If the women in “Locas”--for example, Lucia, an undocumented immigrant and would-be gang boss who feverishly wants power and control and who thrives on capitalism, competition and struggle--are stereotypes, they are no kind of Latina stereotype that I’ve ever seen before. Latinas (with recent, exciting exceptions, such as the pioneering characters played by actress Elizabeth Pen~a) are typically depicted as wilting Catholic flowers or as easy, sex-addicted hot tamales--not as pathologically ambitious power-seekers.

I believe that, as a Latina writer, I have a social and political obligation to the Latino community, but I don’t believe that this always requires writing about “good” golden-hearted Latinos. Maybe Lucia is a monster to some. But she acts badly in response to a society that rejects her; she is an outlaw because of that rage. I think that this kind of artistic representation is absolutely consistent with social justice, although I do admit that it is dangerous.

Yxta Maya Murray, Studio City