Interview with Santa Clara County Poet Laureate, Emeritus, David Perez

by Olga Rosales Salinas.

Intro

One of the most rewarding experiences of my life happened between 2009-2011 and it was called Vetted Word. It was a monthly showcase featuring poets, musicians, juggling acts and everything in between. It was during Vetted Word where I met David and Jen. The creative duo were often featured poets at Vetted Word, and in the process, we became dear friends.

While planning the Rosales Sisters’ Scholarship 2021 fundraising effort, I thought of David Perez and one specific poem that has stayed with me for more than ten years now, his poem, Quinceañera. It not only perfectly describes the coming of age event for Latinx youth, but also tells the story of bi-cultural identity that couldn’t be more true.

Perez was kind enough to do this interview for us to talk about being first-generation and the struggles therein. He has also generously agreed to perform at the Inaugural RSS Gala on 4/22, Hosted by Chuy Gomez! He will be sharing an original piece and we will be auctioning his book titled Love in a Time of Robot Apocalypse. Read more about Perez and his First-Generation experience here:

About

David Perez served as the 2014-2016 Santa Clara County Poet Laureate. He is a recipient of the Arts Council Silicon Valley Fellowship for Literary Art; a repeat guest on the NPR storytelling series, Snap Judgment; and author of the poetry collection, "Love in a Time of Robot Apocalypse" from Write Bloody Publishing. He has taught literature and creative writing at San Jos