Meet Carlos Quinteros Iii

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carlos Quinteros Iii a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Carlos , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

Learning about “being the only one in the room that looks like you” is a demoralizing road to conquer. Still, most people of color can overcome this adversity through community. Although this question is about isolation in spaces and institutions, I have learned to feel my worth by reminding myself of the people who supported me until then.

As a poet, artist, and educator, I’ve had to surround myself with others who share my point of view or can respectfully and productively challenge my views. It is an experimental process but should also reflect one’s creative process. This means that we continually research and learn as we create or plan. The new knowledge can lead to new places, relationships, and experiences. It is up to us as creatives to distill the good from the harm in situations and people. And the more support behind us in these moments, the less of a fear of failure or judgment we have, knowing we can come back to a room full of open arms. Hopefully, we all find a healthy balance when looking for friendships, collaborators, and inspiration.

Essentially, I remind myself that I am great, and the proof is not in my work but in my company. I do not mean in some righteous or narcissistic way, but rather a humbling reminder. I say this because, in these moments, it is very easy for us who feel this way to get upset and blame the world and those around us, but in my opinion, this is the exact feeling meant to be instilled in us. In other words, we have successfully been ‘othered’ when we let systemic isolation seep into our psyche. In these moments, I try not to choose anger but rather validation and affirmation from those who hold me up and get me out of the house, ha! But for real, as a poet standing in front of a crowd of people and having to read my brown experience to white faces, I do not think about what those white faces have experienced or done because my words are not for them. I read to them because I represent more than myself and want to stand up and speak for those I love. After all, they deserve to be there too.

As an MFA graduate, I am privileged to have gone to school and continue it to a master’s level. Most of the people I write for haven’t gone to college. Yet, they are the most brilliant people I have met, and they will never be in some of the rooms I have been in due to their circumstances. This doesn’t mean they cannot be heard. In the end, we carry each other in our hearts and minds. True friendship and community live and watch over the fire burning in the soul. They are the warmth in my existence in these cold spaces.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I grew up eating books in Los Angeles, California. My parents were divorced. My dad loved baseball and movies and always discussed movie ideas with me. It was a great way to bond. My parents have always supported my writing journey, although neither can understand why I chose poetry. It is not like they speak ill of the art, but they aren’t interested in it to talk about things in-depth. BUT, it has opened up new conversations and lore about my parents, and I am so grateful for their encouragement over the years!

Anyway, I read a lot up until high school. From there, I was focused on partying and skateboarding. I still did cross country and track & field and remained a “good” student, but I learned how to work the system at a young age. It sounds cool, but it is genuinely tragic because the system allowed me to slip through as it does most kids, especially children of color. School meant nothing to me because I meant nothing to it. I only mattered if I stood out in something. Other than that, I was either a no-one or an assumed troublemaker. All students of color go through this black-and-white grouping in many institutions. The white kids are taken care of and acknowledged, while the kids of color are acknowledged only when they overperform in their studies or sports. There is no genuine care about children’s education, and the solutions are surrounded by an active minefield.

All this to say, this is why I write poetry and teach. Like most, I truly believe education is an essential and good thing, but it is not supported as such. Education has become a political weapon; once again, children are held hostage by America.

As a poet, I am currently working on writing here and there. I was hosting a First Friday reading series at City Lights for a year with the most dope homie, sol con carne. They are a great friend and poet. I want to shop around a manuscript soon. You can find my work online if you search for me. I do not have a website or anything. This is a good last point to make about navigating your creative field. It takes time, and do not let capitalism make you think you have to dish out work every week or even every year. We create when we can create, and that is all anyone should ask of us. I know we have to do things like survive, but do not let your art become a chore or task; at that point, you have objectified your art and will start creating for profit instead of intention.

Currently, I am editing for a magazine called “The Ana.” We are based in the Bay Area with some of our editors in SoCal, up north in Oregon, and on the East Coast in New York. I am one of the magazine’s poetry editors and managing editor. As managing editor, I seek new opportunities for the magazine, help brainstorm ideas with the Editor-in-Chief, London Pinkney, plan and host events, and create copy for announcements. I enjoy collaborative work. It is inspirational and challenging in all the right ways, although it is also most likely because of the fantastic people I work with. I think we are successful because we have actively learned how to erase white supremacy culture from our team. Our meetings are filled with vulnerability and nuance. Critiques are not taken as insults, and we strive for the best and not perfection because perfection is a Western mentality that we do not adhere to in our meetings or magazine.

We have been running for five years now, and there are no signs of slowing down. Seeing so many people flock to our magazine and events to support us, their friends, family, loved ones, and most importantly, themselves has been exciting. “The Ana” continues to work hard to cultivate real community, and it has taken us to consistently and constantly interrogate ourselves as people and as a magazine to redefine what authentic community action and outreach are. Our magazine is made up of mostly queer all people of color. We know what it means to find spaces that will nurture its members for their well-being and nothing more. That is why this magazine exists. It is not just for the people’s voices but also for the bodies from which those voices come. We need to protect and celebrate them, too. This is not a way to make money, but we are cultivating enough grass-rooted wealth to continue to spread to those we can.

Recently, we had a community outreach event, which we turned into a hybrid drop-off point for donations for the victims of the fires down in LA these last few months. It was a great experience to have community members show up for the original event and volunteer to help sort the donations we received while mingling with strangers who wanted to learn more about us. At this moment, we could serve members of our community with food, non-perishables, a free library, clipper cards, and more while also sending donations down to LA for those in urgent need. I say this not for the recognition but because without the magazine, I could not pull off organizing of this size so fast. I love our reach, and I hope it continues to grow so we can keep celebrating and serving where we can. Visit our website wearetheana.com. Thank you!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

One of the most important skills I have learned is listening. When we want something, we can’t shut up, or at least that is just me, so listening to others is a great way to learn and get support from them. It is a better way to build relationships and empathy among friends, peers, and professionals. It makes you more involved in what is happening around you. It has also helped me make better decisions regarding mending, creating relationships, or navigating a job interview.

Never lose your “chaotic good.” When we start a project or journey, there is a lot of learning by mistakes, and those mistakes can come from decisions you may have thought were right in the moment but turned out to make things worse. With the best intentions, I believe this to be chaotic good, and I also believe that we shed this too fast to become more accepted by those around us or to fit an expectation for something. Sometimes, the “chaotic good” answer is incorrect for the situation, but it doesn’t mean it will never be right. I suppose I am thinking more about art, but it can also fit how we navigate a journey. If we lose the chaotic good, then we gain fear. Fear of consequences. We become submissive to expectations, and in my experience, expectations have been made to limit success rather than increase it. Experimentation is always preferred over “fitting the mold,” so to speak. Maybe it would have been better to say “experimentation” than “chaotic good,” but you get the point!

Lastly, I am going cliche, but it is so important. Admit to your mistakes. Most would assume I would say, “learn from them,” but you can’t learn unless you honestly admit what you messed up. This applies more to the relationships you will build along your journey. I think we all start our journies with some form of naivety, and it isn’t always easy to admit we are wrong, but being humble is one of your most significant tools. Humbleness disarms any power someone might hold over you. It can open up threads of vulnerability and deepen personal and professional relationships. And if you haven’t figured it out by now, relationships are everything in the field you aim for. Networking is key to opening up opportunities for yourself, so if you can grow in challenging situations, it will not only be a plus in the eyes of others, but you will become more invested in what you are feeling about what you are doing.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I am always looking for folks to collaborate with!

It is hard to say what I look for in people because it has come so naturally in the past, but I think if I had to chalk it down, I want folks who are passionate about what we are working on. I do not like when I get help because someone is just being nice or whatever. Planning and discussion are essential to keep the vision clear and equal. Usually, I look for talented people since I lack skill in many of the crafts I have ideas for, ha! It doesn’t stop me, but I like it when things are done correctly, and I can tap someone to help me when needed. I like to collaborate in music, although I haven’t jammed too many times with people; I play piano but am not proficient; this would be a fun thing that can bring ideas from the action. Storytellers are also great to work with because their descriptions of things are impeccable and inspiring. I want to make a short film, a play, host a workshop, and do it all! I genuinely like being a part of and collaborating on just about anything since it is an opportunity to learn new skills and vocabulary about the subject I’m working on or the people I’m working with!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Wearetheana.com
• Instagram: @spell_dust