Evelio Grillo (June 4, 1919 - December 28, 2008)[1] was an American writer and community organizer.[2] He is a well-known advocate for civil rights.[2] He is best known for his book Black Cuban, Black American: A Memoir.[2]
Early life and education
Grillo was born in Ybor, Florida to Cuban parents.[3]
As a child, Grillo went to segregated schools, noting "Black Cubans were closer to black Americans and white Cubans were closer to white Americans [so we] became culturally African American."[3] Later, Grillo went on to the prestigious Dunbar High School[4] before attending Xavier University of Louisiana, where he received a BA.[2] Post-war, he took classes at Columbia University in New York City, specializing in Latin American history.[2]
Writing
Grillo is the author of the seminal text, Black Cuban, Black American: A Memoir.[4] This memoir detailed not only Grillo's life but the way segregation affected Black Americans during the World War II.[3] It discussed the specific way Afro-Latinos had to live as both Latinos and African-Americans.[5]
Personal life
Grillo died on December 28, 2008, at the age of 89.[1]
References
- ^ a b "Evelio Grillo". www.legacy.com. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Méndez, Kenya C. Dworkin y (November 20, 2017). "Grillo, Evelio". Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Literature. doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780190201098.013.405. ISBN 978-0-19-020109-8.
- ^ a b c "Evelio Grillo | VOCES Oral History Project | The University of Texas at Austin". voces.lib.utexas.edu. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
- ^ a b López, Antonio M. Unbecoming blackness : the diaspora cultures of Afro-Cuban America. ISBN 9780814765487. OCLC 967257042.
- ^ "Teaching writing with Latino/a students: lessons learned at Hispanic-serving institutions". Choice Reviews Online. 45 (11): 45–6320–45-6320. July 1, 2008. doi:10.5860/choice.45-6320. ISSN 0009-4978.