The Puerto Rican Literature Project

Jesus “Tato” Laviera (1950-2013) was a poet, playwright, novelist and community advocate. Born in Puerto Rico, he was raised in the Manhattan’s Lower East Side, or Loisaida. He is generally acknowledged to be the best selling Hispanic poet in the United States. He performed his works all over the U.S., the Caribbean, Europe and Africa. His books include La Carreta Made a U-Turn; Enclave, winner of the American Book Award; AmeRícan; Mainstream Ethics; and Mixturao and Other Poems, and Bendición: The Complete Poetry of Tato Laviera, all published by Arte Público Press. His plays have been produced in Chicago and New York City, and have been staged at The New Federal Theater, The Public Theater, the Delcourt Theatre in Central Park, Circle in the Square, and Theatro Cuatro.

Works consulted:

Lomas, Laura. “‘This is a Warning, My Beloved America’: Tato Laviera and the Birth of a New American Poetic Language.” Bendición: The Complete Poetry of Tato Laviera, poetry by Laviera, Arte Público Press, 2014, pp. xv-xxviii. Introduction.