Yes, Raquel’s birth was a purifying experience in that it empowered me to say, “this is important,” and the rest becomes blurred. Her birth re-integrated things in my life. For example, when she was born I suddenly discovered that — absolutely — I would not spend another minute of my life writing academically. I broke with the academic style because I decided that life is very short, very mysterious, and I didn’t have the time to waste with academics. I would only say things in the most honest manner. If people like it, fine. If not, I can’t help that. Today I couldn’t write academically even if I wanted to!
—Rubem Alves, in Mev Puleo, The Struggle Is One: Voices and Visions of Liberation
