We Had Our Reasons

We Had Our Reasons is a collection of poems created by Ricardo Ruiz in collaboration with other members of his Mexican farm community in Eastern Washington. The poems, vivid and pointed, guide the reader through the thoughts and struggles that come with the decision to leave one's home in Mexico, and travel to this remote, rural community of the United States. Through the book access is provided to readers; stories that have gone untold for generations are now shared, evoking conversation at home and within the community due to the commonality of experiences. A glimpse into the multi-generational effects of migration is seen through the recounting of the stories of both parents and their children - both documented and undocumented. Ricardo's raw and unapologetic style cuts right into the emotions of each moment divulged in short, punching, powerful pieces.

Biographies and transcripts follow the poems, showcasing the origins of the stories and the people in the book. The book, from Pulley Press, is created with a documentary method, a poetry "pulley." A pulley can assist in shifting and moving objects. It allows a clothesline to spin across its wheel and shuttle clothes into the sun. A "poetry pulley" is the mechanism that a publisher might use to reel in the poems made by rural poets with their friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family, and then glide these poems into the hands of readers.

The son of potato factory workers, Ricardo hails from Othello, Washington and his works often draw from his experience as a first-generation Mexican-American. He is passionate about elevating the marginalized voices from rural communities and takes pride in being a conduit for cultural connection. His own struggles straddling cultures provide insight to the difficulties of the Mexican migrant worker and their families.Ricardo holds a Associates Degree in Business and Accounting from Big Bend Community College where he was recognized as Student of the year in both Business and Economics and English Composition. He also holds a Bachelors of Art in English: Creative Writing from the University of Washington and is an Army Veteran. While in the military Ricardo was recognized as Distinguished Honor Graduate and Distinguished Leader during his Advanced Leadership Course.Ricardo's happiest moments are when he is spending time with his children, writing with his daughter, playing video games with his son, cuddling his dad's dog Xena, and dancing in the kitchen with his wife-to-be. Ricardo takes pride in being a conduit for cultural connection and brings marginalized voices into the center of all conversations that he is in. His own struggles straddling cultures provide insight into the difficulties of the Mexican migrant worker and their families.

Brianna Salinas is a Spanish English literary translator with a BA in English and an MA in Hispanic Studies, both from the University of Washington, Seattle, and a second MA in Literary Translation from the Complutense University in Madrid. To date, she has translated the subtitles for two Spanish films, a selection of sonnets by Alfonsina Storni, and a book of poetry by Ricardo Ruiz - winner of the 2023 Washington State Book Award for Poetry. Through translation, Brianna strives to amplify the voices of women and other underrepresented communities and ensure that they are heard, and heeded, beyond the linguistic boundaries of their original expression.