Meet Cesar L. De Leon | Poet-organizer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cesar L. De Leon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cesar L., can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
Cesar L. De Leon. I am originally from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. I arrived in the United States in the late 70s with my parents and have been living here ever since; going back to visit family only on occasion. Growing up along the border and living within driving distance of my family in Mexico has been a blessing but also painful at times. it has been a blessing because I have grown up knowing and loving the ancestral and contemporary culture of my native country, but that comes with the pain that distance brings. And that distance, or perhaps lack of accessibility, has become greater in the past decade or so. Living on the American side of the border has also been a mix of blessings and struggles. Being an immigrant is not easy. There have been many wonderful people that have helped my family and me, but I have also experienced and witnessed dehumanizing acts of xenophobia, racism, and white supremacy. Still, through struggles, setbacks, and social barricades my family and I have thrived and moved forward. I recognize that this is not unique to my experience, that this immigrant story of pain, perseverance, courage, and pain is that of so many others. What I am trying to say, is that my immigrant background has allowed me to be more receptive and sympathetic to other marginalized communities. I think being queer adds another level to that. I know there are stories to be told besides mine. That is why I write but also why I advocate, support, and encourage others to do so, which is what Poets Against Walls is all about.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Cesar L. De Leon. I am a writer/poet and part-time lecturer. Getting to where I am right now, took quite a journey. I dropped out of college to work full-time in retail for about ten years. When I decided to return to school I knew I wanted to focus on my love of literature and writing. It wasn’t easy, but I had a lot of support from family and friends who believed in me. Along the way, I learned to love and appreciate my experiences (the good and the bad) and identity as a Mexican American and a queer person. My debut collection of poems, “Speaking With Grackles by Soapberry Trees” is all about that. I am currently working on my second collection and enjoy teaching others about my cultura and its amazing body of literature that is not taught enough.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would start them off with state parks like Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, La Sal del Rey, and Estero Llano Grande State Park. Any local taqueria or Mexican restaurant (non-franchise) would do the trick for lunch. Lastly, for dinner and drinks, a trip to South Padre Island would be perfect.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shout out to all the Rio Grande Valley community-based groups and organizations supporting and advocating for reproductive rights, women’s rights, immigrant and refugee rights, trans rights/lives, LGBTQ+ rights, Indigenous sovereignty, Black lives, and all other BIPOC serving groups.

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