Description
Book SynopsisRaised in the squalor of a New York tenement until he was 10 years old, Nelson Díaz saw his life change when his family moved to a brand-new high-rise project in West Harlem in the 1950s. That experience, along with lessons learned as the only Latino law student at Temple University, would drive him throughout his life as a lawyer and activist, fighting for the expansion of rights for all Americans. No soy de aquí ni de allá is a mantra for Puerto Ricans who feel like foreigners wherever they are and who seek a place for themselves. In his inspiring autobiography, Not from Here, Not from There, Díaz tells the story of his struggles and triumphs as his perspective widened from the New York streets and law school classrooms to the halls of power in Philadelphia and Washington, DC. Whether as a leader in economic development, a pioneer in court reform, or a champion of fair housing, Díaz has never stopped advocating for others. Díaz was happy to be the first Latino to do something, but
Trade Review“Nelson Díaz was exactly what a White House Fellow should be: smart, dedicated, and a true believer in public service. We worked together on bilingual education and employment, and his advocacy for fellow Latino voices at the highest levels of government helped usher in a change in national politics. As
Not from Here, Not from There/No Soy de Aquí ni de Allá shows, he has spent a lifetime making the most of his chances and has blazed a trail for countless others to follow.”
—Vice President Walter F. Mondale
“Nelson Díaz has written a powerful and engrossing memoir of outstanding leadership, courage, and resiliency. Filled with practical advice backed by fascinating and inspiring personal lessons, victories, and challenges, this book is truly a gem—a smart read for everyone: the general public and leaders alike. An easy-to-read, invaluable resource that’s packed with insight,
Not from Here, Not from There provides a solid road map for all leaders who want to better serve their communities.”
—Gloria Bonilla-Santiago, Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor of Public Policy, Rutgers University–Camden
"This book is a valuable read for all young people, but especially for children of immigrants and for aspiring Latino and African American youth.”—John P. Clarke, St. John's University, New York
"Diaz--a former judge, city solicitor, and member of the Clinton administration--unspools his gripping life story, beginning with his pregnant mother's 1946 voyage from Puerto Rico, winding through a youth in Harlem tenements, and concluding with his rise to prominence in Philly public life. Diaz's dual status--American but also other--is a constant theme. A vital read for turbulent times."—Philadelphia Magazine
"This memoir by Philadelphia lawyer Nelson Diaz...is a fascinating read on many levels and is absolutely inspiring."--
The Philadelphia Lawyer"Nelson Díaz has been a presence in Philadelphia since 1969, and a leader of its Latinx community almost as long. His new autobiography,
Not from Here, Not from There (No Soy de Aquí ni de Allá) traces his remarkable career.... The most revealing parts of the narrative, which hopscotches through Díaz’s resume, are the personal encounters with people like former Philadelphia mayor Frank Rizzo, evangelist Billy Graham, and Leroy Otis, a homeless man in West Harlem who coached Díaz and other neighborhood kids in softball."--
Broad Street Review
